Parahuman (Parahuman Series) Page 8

  “It won’t be a problem in regards to the job. I have twenty/twenty vision.” Devan was looking at Nick through the review mirror. Nick gave him nod of acceptance in return. Laney perceived a slight relaxation of Devan’s shoulders, like he hadn’t been sure that Nick would accept his disability. Not that she thought of it as a disability...more like an inconvenience.

  Devan’s head turned slightly and Laney knew that he was looking at her from behind those lenses. She knew this because she was starting to get warm again. Hastily turning in her seat Laney reached out to turn on the radio, filling the sudden silence with the sounds of music.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Nick drove for about ten minutes then he took a right into a small cleared out lot at the base of a cliff and parked. Everyone filed out of the van. Looking up, Devan estimated the rock wall to be about two hundred feet high. Nick and Jarrod each grabbed a large duffle bag out of the back of the van, setting them down at the base of the cliff.

  Laney and Jarrod were already rummaging through the bags, pulling out harnesses and slipping them on. Nick rummaged as well pulling out another harness, which he held out to Devan.

  “Go ahead and put that on.”

  Devan stepped into it, adjusted it snuggly–although, not too snuggly–around his waist. These things were never comfortable, probably why he preferred to go free climbing.

  “Laney will go up first, Jarrod second, and then you, Devan. I’ll be down here to supervise and critique.” Nick said. Walking over to Laney and began inspecting her harness.

  Laney held out her arms as though familiar with this procedure. “We know your critiquing is better enhanced by the power of the great lounge chair, but try not to strain a muscle, or pop a blood vessel.” Laney said with a smile on her face.

  Devan observed Nick pinch Laney in the waist, she jerked and gave a slight squeak in response. The smile remained on her face so Devan assumed that Nick’s actions were motivated by familial affection. Nick moved on to Jarrod to inspect his harness also, and then he turned to Devan. Devan almost took a step back before he caught himself and held still. He understood from a leadership perspective that Nick did this for safety purposes, so he suffered the inspection of his harness even though he hadn’t required one since he was six years of age. Laney was watching the entire procedure with a somewhat humorous expression. He had to wonder what his own expression looked like.

  Bending down Laney picked up some carabineers and rope, giving another glance in Devan’s direction she walked forward to the base of the wall. Devan would never have caught her look if he hadn’t been looking at her so intently. Something, he realized, he’d been doing since he arrived this afternoon. He forcibly looked away and found Jarrod glaring at him. Devan’s brow rose inquisitively; what was up with that?

  “Pace yourself and be careful.” Nick had grabbed a camping chair out of the back of the van and proceeded to recline, looking at ease.

  Laney threw a ‘hah’ over her shoulder and began her ascent up the side of the wall. The wall of rock was already fitted with pre-placed bolts indicating that this was a common place for them to climb; probably a practice area for new and amateur climbers. Laney’s technique was good; she was careful but not afraid to take a risk. Nick made a few comments, but Devan recognized they seemed to be made out of his apprehension for her safety rather than any errors on her part.

  “Laney, my grandmother can go faster than that.” Jarrod yelled after several minutes. Devan became immediately offended on her part; a small fissure of displeasure narrowed his eyes. Jarrod was smiling good-naturedly up at Laney.

  “Jarrod, Edie could probably take you on.” Laney shouted down in retaliation.

  Devan looked back and forth between the two attempting to decipher their communication. Something was going on besides spiteful remarks, but Devan was missing what it was.

  “I have to agree with her there, Jarrod, Edie’s pretty spry.” Nick added, chuckling.

  Anger melted away as Devan began to understand that their comments were part of an amicable heckling exchange. It had never really bothered him in the past when others conversed leaving him feeling left out; he wondered why it was bothering him now.

  “Do I need to wait for her to get all the way up or can I get started when she’s halfway?” Jarrod asked. He was bouncing on his feet. It appeared patience wasn’t one of his strong suits.

  “Laney, do you care if Jarrod begins when you’ve gotten halfway?” Nick yelled up.

  “Try and catch me,” was her reply. Devan couldn’t stop the quirk that tugged at his lips, or the wish that her comment had been directed toward him rather than Jarrod.

  After fifteen minutes of climbing Laney made it to the halfway mark. Jarrod hooked his carabineers to Laney’s rope and began his ascent. His impatience was evident in his climb; Nick had to redirect him to slow down several times when he almost lost his grip. Between the two of them Laney was the better climber. For some inexplicable reason he felt proud of her because of it.

  “Jarrod, take it slower and get your foot hold before moving on.” Nick redirected for the fifth time. “Okay Devan, time for you to show me your stuff. If I think your climbing isn’t up-to-snuff, I’ll be calling you back down. Don’t kill yourself.” He seemed to add as an afterthought.

  Laney had reached the top and Jarrod was just passing the half way mark as Devan attached his carabineers to the rope. He had decided to reduce his pace to a leisurely climb rather than his normal speed. It would still be swift, but not unnatural.

  Devan had already pinpointed ahead of time each of his hand holds out of habit. Although, it might have slowed him down a bit to struggle through it. Oh well.

  “Getting nervous?” Jarrod called down when Devan didn’t start up immediately. His voice was smug and breathless.

  “I’m just waiting for you to get a little further up.” Devan corrected.

  “You think you can catch me?”

  On a bad day and carrying another person, but Devan didn’t say that.

  “Let’s not make this into a competition. Just try to get to the top alive. If I think either of you are being careless I’ll call a halt to it.” Nick addressed them both sternly.

  Devan refrained from explaining that there was really no competition.

  “And I will be known as the queen of the mountain.” Laney called down laughing. Her laughter made Devan’s heart speed up, making him want to get to the top faster.

  Latching the helmet to his head Devan waited until Jarrod had climbed two-thirds the way up the wall before he began. He concentrated on keeping his movements smooth and leisurely. Devan knew he was displaying exceptional climbing skills, but he also knew it wasn’t freakishly abnormal and that was good enough for him. If he obtained this job it would be difficult to suppress his natural ability all the time, it was better to just let them see some of it now, rather than surprising them with it later.

  Below him Devan heard Nick mutter ‘kid’s a natural’, signifying that he wasn’t alarmed at Devan’s aptitude, only impressed. Abnormal abilities aside, Devan was longer limbed than the average individual aiding him in displaying a natural swiftness on the rock wall.

  From above, Laney’s face held an expression of surprised awe and for the first time Devan experienced pride and maybe even a little conceit in his ability. Devan jumped for a rock niche two feet above his head leaving him suspended in midair for a half a second before his left hand made contact. Without any difficulty he pulled himself up with that one arm to grab another niche with his right hand.

  A small gasp disrupted the sounds of nature and Jarrod’s deep breathing above him. Glancing up, Devan again saw Laney staring at him with wide eyed amazement. A sudden rush of exhilaration filled him at her attention. From below everything remained quiet so Devan continued climbing, executing a few more vertical leaps, earning more gasps from above during each one. Subconsciously, he recognized that he was showing off, something he had never done before—and really
shouldn’t be doing now—but the euphoria from Laney’s focused interest seemed to have obliterated rational thought. Well…not all rational thought; he reigned himself in from doing anything too outrageous.

  In record time Devan arrived at the top…right on the heels of Jarrod. Devan’s ascent had been so silent Jarrod wasn’t even aware of his proximity until Jarrod pulled himself over the ledge and looked down… right into Devan’s face.

  “What in the hell…how did you do that!” Jarrod demanded breathlessly. His breathlessness reminded Devan that he should also be out of breath.

  “Jarrod, watch your language.” Laney reprimanded her green eyes wide in astonishment on Devan.

  Hoisting himself onto the rock face Devan found himself staring down at Laney, trying to remember he was supposed to be breathing hard, when he was in reality finding the act of breathing rather difficult.

  “That was unbelievable. I’ve never seen anyone climb that fast, or effortlessly, before.” Laney spoke in both wonder and disbelief, but then a line formed between her eyes and they glazed in thoughtful contemplation.

  Devan instinctively knew she was thinking back to yesterday when she had witnessed another speedy occurrence. Devan muscles stiffened reflexively, and the excitement of the climb and Laney’s attention drained instantly. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea.

  “Look how tall he is, he has half the distance to cover.” Jarrod was giving Devan a look that was anything but impressed. It was closer to deep loathing.

  Laney’s expression went from reflective to grinning and she began sniffing the air. “Do I smell the poignant aroma of jealously in the air?” Cocking her head Jarrod’s way she waggled her eyebrows. “Ohhh, I think it is. Are you having height envy, Jarrod?”

  “Not likely,” Jarrod mumbled, turning away. Just barely a breath, but enough for Devan to hear, Jarrod murmured. “Nobody wants to be freakishly tall.”

  Laney turned her face back to Devan still smiling. “Dad and I used to watch this gladiator show where people would do all sorts of physical events, and one of them was rock climbing. There was this one guy who competed who had to be one of the best rock climbers I’ve ever seen. He went up the side of that wall so fast; outdistanced everyone, but I have to say that you’ve definitely taken his title, because that was awwwesome.”

  Laney’s last word came out almost musical, and there was a flush to her face and an even greater vividness to her green eyes. The safety helmet propped on her head didn’t distract from her beauty, and for the first time Devan ignored the magnificent surroundings, preferring to look at her instead. Time seemed to stand still as he gazed down at her and background noise fading away—something he would brood over later as it had never happened before…he was always aware of his surroundings.

  The rosy glow adorning Laney’s face deepened. Devan pondered why her internal temperature would suddenly rise, but then he began to feel an increase in his own temperature. Sweat began to bead up on his upper lip. If he had been a woman over forty he would have thought he was going through a menopausal flash.

  Movement, Jarrod, caught out of the corner of Devan’s eye distracted him, or rather refocused him, back to reality. Devan broke eye contact, unable to say for certain how long they had been standing there. Lifting his hand to the back of his head he rubbed it absently, feeling a bit befuddled.

  “Are we staying up here all afternoon, or we going to head back down?” Jarrod asked snidely with a glare.

  Devan moved away from the ledge allowing Laney to step up and call over the side; her cheeks had become even more ruddy if that were possible.

  “Dad, who do you want to come down first?”

  “You first, Jarrod, and Devan last, if he knows what he’s doing.” The pronouncement came from below.

  Laney turned and gave Devan a red faced inquisitive look.

  He gave a short nod.

  Laney, not wasting anytime, reattached her carabineer and went over the side. Devan and Jarrod stood near the edge watching her rappel down. She was about half way down when Jarrod suddenly turned toward him; his expression was irate and his hands were clenched tightly at his sides.

  “Laney’s mine, so don’t even think about going there.” Jarrod hissed through his teeth, facing Devan aggressively.

  “Excuse me?” Devan asked, looking at him in confusion. Jarrod’s whole continence radiated antagonism that bordered on violence. Devan’s body automatically tensed in response to the waves of hostility flowing off of him.

  “I see the way you’re looking at her, but she’s mine.” Jarrod repeated.

  It sounded childish, the way he said it, like she was a toy that he was coveting all to himself. Devan wanted to tell Jarrod to grow up; that she was a person and not some possession, but that would be interfering in matters that weren’t any of his business. Nonetheless, that didn’t seem to stop the hairs from rising on the back of Devan’s neck in response to Jarrod’s claim on Laney.

  And in what why had he been looking at her?

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Devan said, keeping his face composed and free of all emotion.

  “Keep telling yourself that or I can make your life miserable.” Jarrod snapped. Seeing that Laney had reached the ground he hooked up and lowered himself over the side. Looking up Jarrod’s lip curled disdainfully. “I suggest you look for another job, this one’s not a good fit for you.” He then swung out in a downward rappel.

  Interesting! For someone who spent a great deal of time in nature this guy sure wasn’t very serene. Devan had come across a few males who had shown aggression to his presence before, but this guy definitely topped all of them. It hadn’t been hard to convince the others of Devan’s passiveness when it was revealed how quiet and solitary he was. Besides, Laney had only spoken to him a couple times this morning; he didn’t know where Jarrod’s paranoia was coming from.

  Had he really been looking at Laney in a certain way different than other people? He had to admit she brought out sensations he’d never experienced before, but he liked being with her, that was all. They both loved the outdoors and she was…sort of…enjoyable to be around. Jarrod was mistaken if he thought it was something more. Something like that was impossible for him because who and what he was.

  “Devan,” Nick called up interrupting his thoughts, “come on down.”

  Looking over the side Devan could see that Jarrod had reached the ground. Swinging his legs over the side, Devan began to lower himself down the cliff. He had to stop at each cam to remove a carabineer so he wasn’t able to rappel down in one sweep like the others.

  “Just look at him, he’s a natural; few people in the world can climb like that.” Nick commented from below.

  This at least reiterated that Devan wasn’t being freakishly fast.

  Hitting the ground he turned to see Laney and Nick looking at him in open admiration. He had to say it did a lot for his ego to see her looking at him like that. When their eyes connected, though, she suddenly bent and started gathering her gear. It dampened his mood somewhat to see her avoiding his gaze.

  “That was definitely impressive.” Nick said, walking up to him smiling. “I would have to say that you passed the test with flying colors. The job is yours.” He held out his hand to acknowledge the agreement.

  Walking forward, Devan grasped Nick’s hand. His gaze slid by Jarrod—who was glaring ferociously at him—to Laney who was grinning widely. Devan’s mood shifted once more. From disheartened to cheerful instantaneously. He’d never gone through so many mood changes in his life.

  “I appreciate the opportunity.” He acknowledged.

  The situation with Jarrod could end up being challenging, but this didn’t cause him to hesitate taking the job. He could handle unpleasantness; he had been handling it for almost years now.

  Nick continued shaking Devan’s hand enthusiastically. “With what you just showed me I would have hired you just for your climbing ability alone, even if you had tested poorl
y at everything else. We need to sign you up for the annual speed climb in June, you’ll outdistance everyone. It will be great for business.”

  Uh oh. That wouldn’t do, something like that would get news coverage. Someone Devan’s age winning a competition would bring The Company in to investigate. He was sure they were diligent in checking out anyone who showed exceptional talent in any area. All they needed was certain characteristics and they would know it was him. Devan could only hope his refusal wouldn’t affect Nick’s decision.

  “I’m afraid I’m not allowed involvement in any type of competitions. My uncle doesn’t allow it.”

  Nick’s hand halted in mid-shake and he gave Devan a bewildered look; however, he shrugged his shoulders and gave Devan’s hand another hard pump.

  “That’s okay.” Nick sounded genially, but his expression was disappointed. “I just thought it might be something that would interest you.” He turned to join Laney in packing up the equipment.

  Jarrod gave him a snide sort of look before turning away. He appeared to want to say something, but refrained with the others around. It would appear he was selective with whom he displayed his dislike around.

  Devan slipped his harness and helmet off carrying them over to the van where Laney was packing away the equipment. He found himself wanting to say something to her, but Jarrod was hovering behind her like some bodyguard giving him the barbed heated looks. Devan really didn’t know what to say to her anyway, and her eyes skittered away whenever their gazes came close to connecting.

  Subsequently, he was surprised when Laney turned taking the gear from his hands and looked him in the face.

  “Don’t worry about the competition. My dad’s wanted to beat this rival of his for a while and I think he saw you as the perfect opportunity to do it.” Devan grimaced apologetically, and she added hastily. “It’s not like he’s going to hold it against you; he would never do that.” She stressed. It didn’t really make him feel better. Surprisingly, Devan would like to have helped her father out. Then he wondered why he wanted to help; was because it was her father that he wanted to do it?