He Is Not Alone

Before I could even get comfortable, my eyesight started to go crazy. A massive blue haze took me by surprise, but this one was different. It was like the haze was trying to tell me something. In fact, it was! In the past, I didn’t realize that when the haze came I got a new capability, but now that was made clear to me. This new haze also brought more power to my capabilities. I still hadn’t truly figured out what I could do or how far I could push it, but now I knew. My powers had no limits. Thoughts are not limited by distance. If I could ‘see’ a person, I could control their thoughts and actions. This would take some getting used to and some playing around to perfect.

As the haze left me, I was excited to try out my new information. The TV was a good place to start. As the news came on, I got an idea. Time to have some fun.

Kai Reed was just beginning her weekend newscast. My first thought was to see if I could make her do something simple. So, I had her close both eyes for a few seconds. WOW, it worked. In the middle of the news, she closes her eyes and just stops talking. When she opens her eyes, she picks up reporting the news like nothing happened. Next, there was a piece by Vanessa Herring, I had her drop the microphone, but nothing happened! I tried three more times to have her drop the microphone and nothing happened. Then I realized that her news piece was prerecorded. I would have to remember that limitation. But it made sense; I was actually not looking at her but at a recording. I had one more little test to perform and the weather would be perfect. As Miri Marshall started the forecast, I planted a thought in her mind to talk about baking. I just had her state that tomorrow would be a perfect day to bake a cherry pie. Just like that she leads off with the exact words.

It was impossible for me to get to sleep. I kept thinking of how I could use my capabilities. How could I best serve the FBI and the Country? Around 3 am, I finally fell asleep.

The maid knocked on my door around 10 am. I told her I would be fine and she didn’t need to do anything in the room. Since I was up, I decided to get washed and dressed. My mind went back to last night and I was looking forward to testing out what I could do to a group of people and total strangers. Sunday mornings are pretty dead in Baltimore. I had a hard time finding a group of people. In the restaurant that I stopped in for breakfast, the TV was on a church station. I was thinking about how cool it would be if the church was filled to capacity. So, I put the thought out there that everyone should stop what they are doing and go to the Inner Harbor Church of God. No sooner had I thought of it, people in the restaurant started to leave. Everyone including the staff left, I was alone in the restaurant, my food somewhere in the back, probably burning and me sitting here watching TV. But it didn’t end there, people on the street, in nearby buildings for blocks around started walking to the church. The TV showed an influx of people arriving in the middle of the service. The seats were soon filled with people and it was standing room only. I was amazed, thrilled and worried at the same time. Apparently, I didn’t even need to ‘see’ people to have them do something. How far away could I control people with my mind? Monday would be interesting, to say the least.

The trip from Baltimore to Washington DC was pretty quick even on a Monday morning. I checked into the hotel and John picked me up at 1 pm. We went directly to FBI Headquarters. After being scanned and given a pass, I was led to a room to wait. While waiting, I started thinking about what I have learned and where I was going with it. It was clear that sitting at a border checkpoint was not going to be the best option for me. With my capabilities what could I do that would benefit my Country the most?

John came back into the room after about 15 minutes and told me that it would be about 30 minutes before I would be meeting with the new team. Other than that, he didn’t have any information. I asked him if there was a large conference area in the building. He said there were several. The main conference center was on the first floor. I smiled as asked him to take me there. He said that wouldn’t be allowed. It was simple to change his mind. When we got there, I told him I had a surprise for him. Ten minutes later, the room started to fill up with a lot of people. When Mr. Comely, the Director, came in, I had John take me upfront to the Director and introduce us. John was kind of dumbfounded. I simply smiled and dismissed everyone. Mr. Comely came over to us and with a very concerned look on his face, wanted to know who we were. John explained who I was and that he was basically my guide while in the building. It seems the Director had no idea that I was alive let alone what my capabilities were. Apparently, I had not made much of an impression. It was time to change that.

“Excuse me, Mr. Comely, but I would like to show you something.”

“Listen, son, I am a busy man. Whomever you are meeting with will be more than glad to watch whatever it is you want to show us. Good Day!”

With that, the Director starts to leave. “Not so fast!” The Director stops, turns around and sits Indian style on the stage.

Perhaps you need a lesson in manners. I tell him to say, “Yes, Sir.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Say you are sorry.”

“I am sorry!”

“You are sorry, what?”

“I am sorry, sir!”

“That is better, you may get up now.”

“I don’t understand how you did that! Is this some kind of trick or something?”

“Sir, I have the ability to read and control the minds of anyone I choose. I can tell you what you are thinking regardless of any training you may have to stop me. I can make you think and say whatever I want as well as perform anything that I want you to do. In fact, my ability extends out as far as you can see and then some. If someone is live on TV, I can control them as well, regardless of where they are. If you would like I can demonstrate it right now on whomever you want.”

“Special Agent Washington, is this for real?”

“Yes, sir. We have been testing him for over a month. So far he has delivered on everything he says he can do.”

“Please come with me, both of you.”

We are directed to a control room. In front of me are a set of monitors showing various parts of the building.

“Will, I would like you to demonstrate something for me. In the third monitor, you see an individual sitting at a table. This person is under investigation. Have him confess if he is guilty.”

“Okay.”

It was a simple request and I had the individual start talking about his part in the crime. I also had him list those that were helping him. He went into detail about the whole operation. Two hours later, John and I were sitting with Mr. Comely again. He was becoming a believer.

“Will, I am amazed at what you have shown us so far. Quite frankly, I am not even sure how to best use your capabilities, not to mention how to protect ourselves from others that might be like you. A one on one situation with your capabilities seems to be a waste of your skills. I want to get with some of my senior people as well as those that have been working with you to see if we can come up with some ideas on your employment. Where can we reach you?”

“He is staying at a hotel downtown that we use for special guests,” said John.

“Fine, let me have a couple of days to think this over. Why don’t you enjoy what the city has to offer? John will let you know when we can meet again. Thank you for your kind offer to serve this County. We will make sure we use your services to the best of our ability.”

With that, the meeting was over. John took me back to the hotel and I was on my own for the time being.

Over the next few days, I toured the city some more. I found the National Fountain to be very calming for me. I was able to sit, relax and people watch. I watched many families and lovers as well as single people spending time walking to and from the various monuments. On Thursday, while sitting at the fountain, I started getting the impression that something wasn’t right. I quickly found a group of younger “kids” talking about blowing up the Washington Monument over the weekend. I immediately called John and told him about the plot. He called back about 90 minutes later. It was agreed that I would use my abilities to try and stop the bombing and get the young men and women to give up who was behind the bombing attempt.

On Friday, I spent the day hanging around waiting to see if they showed up. Around 4 pm, several of them did and did a dry run. They were going to use backpacks full of some kind of explosives. Each of them would walk up to the monument, set the timers, drop the packs and walk away. They were going to meet on Saturday at 1 pm to blow up the monument. John and several others were nearby watching what was going on. I walked over and told him what they had planned. Since the FBI wanted to catch them in the act, we would all be ready on Saturday and stop them prior to 1 pm.

The next day the FBI was out in force. I sat near the monument and waited for the terrorists to show up. As I was waiting, I noticed a small plane making a low-level beeline to the monument from the riverside. There was no time for anyone to intercept the plane. I had to act! The pilot was trying to fly his plane into the Washington Monument. I told John and immediately had the plane turn away and climb to a safer altitude. The plane was soon intercepted by a pair of F-15s and an armed helicopter.

In the meantime, the rest of them were already in place and had placed their backpacks and were walking away. The FBI agents quickly arrested them. As the agents were securing the terrorists, I was also able to find out how to disarm the bombs and ran to the monument to start disarming them. I had less than 5 minutes to disarm 4 bombs. I wasn’t going to make it. I yelled to John to get someone to move the bombs away from the area and told him we only have 5 minutes. Two FBI agents grabbed two of the cases as I started disarming the first one. It took me 3 minutes to find the controller and disarm the first one; I wouldn’t have time to disarm the second. John grabbed the other bomb and ran it out to the pool. He tossed the bomb into the pool just as it exploded. We were lucky, but John was too close to the explosion. He was hurt bad. I watched as the bomb exploded tossing his body back onto the ground. John wasn’t moving. The other bombs also went off inside the bomb squad’s blast tank. We had stopped the terrorists, but just barely.

I ran over to John and was greeted by a gruesome sight. His body was riddled with small wounds and his face was black and blue with numerous cuts, he was barely breathing. Paramedics and other FBI agents were on the scene. I held John, but he was gone before any of them could help. He had saved us, but at the cost of his own life.

After the incident in the park, I head back to my hotel room. I have a lot of thinking to do. Something that the director of the FBI said has been on my mind, how to protect ourselves from others like you. This means I am a threat. Could I be in danger? Besides that, how could I be used to help my country? Everything so far required me to be in the area, yet I know I can control things as long as I can see them or sense them. Are there others like me? I am really confused and concerned.

Back in the room, I turn on the TV, mainly for background noise. The news is on a special report. Seems the action at the Washington Monument made the news. Someone at the FBI leaked that I was an informant and provided details of the attempt. They didn’t mention my name, but the news station had video from someone that witnessed the bombing attempt and of me disarming the bomb. Now they want to know who I am and are asking for the public’s help.

After a quick shower and some fresh clothes, I get ready to head out to find something to eat. It feels strange that John won’t be following me around anymore. Even though he wasn’t a friend, he understood my capabilities and didn’t judge or try to take advantage of me. As I open the door there is a woman standing there just getting ready to knock. The suit tells me she is FBI.

“Will Smythe?”

“Yes?”

“I’m Susan Johnson. I am taking over as your escort from John Washington.”

“Please come in, I was just getting ready for dinner. I am sorry about John. He was a nice guy to have around. He understood my capabilities and didn’t push or grill me on them. He treated me as a human.”

“Thank you. I never worked with John, but we did have an occasional meeting together. My boss said that you are unique and not to try to BS you. He really didn’t expand too much. What is it that you do?”

“First, Susan, I can tell that you really were not briefed too well. I am glad that you don’t know. Basically, I have the ability to read and control people’s minds. So far, no one has been able to resist me. I promise that I will not use my ability on you to make you do something that you wouldn’t normally do unless you ask me to.”

“You can read my mind? I find that hard to believe let alone change it.”

“Actually, you don’t find it hard to believe, you find it interesting and your favorite color is purple, although I am not sure why you wanted me to know that. So, for a little test, I will write down what you are going to do and say. Then when we are finished, would you join me for dinner?”

I take a piece of paper and the pen from the desk and write out what I will have Susan do. Susan is a better than an average looking woman, about 30 years old, 5 feet 8 or so, in pretty good shape. I would say she fills out the suit very well. She appears to be of Indian descent, American Indian, with high cheekbones and a longer nose than most women. She looks like a dancer, so I decide to have her turn on the radio and start to dance by herself. Afterward, she will say that she doesn’t get to dance very often and yes, she will have dinner with me.

Once the paper is folded and placed in her hand, I ask her to have a seat. Her mind is pretty open and I place the thoughts for her to start dancing.

Susan declines to sit down and instead turns on the radio. It is a Garth Brooks song, “The River”, I think. She starts dancing around the room, her eyes closed and just enjoying the freedom. The song ends and I place the words for her to say which she repeats as she sits down.

“I haven’t danced like that in a long time. I have no idea why I did it.”

“Well before you open the paper, will you have dinner with me?”

“Yes, I would like that.”

“Now, you understand that everything you just did was part of an example of what I can do. If you look at the paper, you will see you didn’t do this by yourself, but I made you do it.”

Susan opens the paper and reads what I wrote. The look on her face is priceless. Her mind immediately goes to sex and she wonders if I could make or force her to do something against her will.

“Yes, Susan, I could and in the end, you wouldn’t be able to stop me or even have any idea that I was controlling you. That is why the Director finds me a threat and probably why you were sent here to babysit me.”

“Should we go to dinner? This is an awful lot to absorb.”

We leave the hotel room and head downstairs to the restaurant. Upon entering, we are seated in the back in the romantic section of the restaurant. Lights were dim and it was semi-private. Susan laughed and asked,

“Are you trying to impress me?”

I smile and reply, “I had nothing to do with this. They saw a man and woman come in from a hotel and just assumed.”

Over dinner, we discuss our backgrounds, Susan’s job and what she thought was waiting for me. In this last part, she wasn’t much help as the bureau did not fill her in.

“Thank you, Susan, for having dinner with me. Washington is a lonely place and eating alone is even worse. I guess Monday, we will find out what is next for me.”

“I enjoyed dinner very much. You are a fascinating person. I don’t know how I would react if what happened to you, happened to me. I will call you on Monday, as soon as I hear anything. Until then, here is my cell phone number. Please call me if you need anything or decide to go somewhere, so I know how to reach you.”

“Yes, Master,” I say with a smile.

I look at Susan as she leaves. She truly is a beautiful woman. She has an athletic body, toned legs, and a nice slim waist. Her dark hair and skin color are just what I look for in a woman.

Upon returning to my room, I was stopped by a group of people. They demanded to know if I was the guy on TV. I told them I wasn’t, but a couple of them insisted that I was the one they saw on TV. Not wanted to make a scene, I simply changed their minds and went on my way. I was becoming too noticeable. Apparently, my actions and face were noticed downstairs as I started getting phone calls, including several from the TV and radio stations. By Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t leave the room without someone approaching me. I don’t know why I wanted to stay out of the limelight, but I just knew it was best. Popular people drew out the worse in others.

Monday morning and Susan is at my door. She told me that we had a meeting with the President. The meeting is set for 10 am. I quickly get dressed and grab a quick breakfast sandwich from the deli downstairs and we were off to the White House.

Getting to the White House wasn’t much of an issue, getting in was another matter altogether. By the time I was shown into the Oval Office, I had 6 agents escorting me. It was kind of funny. I could easily dismiss them and they would all leave. I could just as easily disarm them and they would have followed my commands without issue. Yet they felt they were in control. I followed their instructions and was escorted into the Oval Office.

The President, the Director of the FBI, several members of the press and my escorts made for a very interesting group. The President was introduced and we shook hands and he said how impressed he was with what I was able to do. He LIED! He was not impressed. In fact, he was extremely doubtful and was being a politician. Here was the President of the United States, congratulating me and it was all a lie. At that moment, I decided that they would have to learn a lesson.

“Mr. President, let me interrupt for a second and say that it is not nice to lie. You are not impressed. Perhaps these gentlemen didn’t tell you that I can read minds. I know your thoughts. I can make you do anything I want and you would do it just as if you had the thought yourself. Perhaps I can demonstrate.

At that moment, I had the Secret Service Agents take out their weapons, unload them and hand the weapon to the President.

“You see, minds are simple to control. I could just as easily have had them shoot you. Gentlemen, you can leave the room. Susan, you can stay. Mr. President, I came willingly with the FBI a couple of months ago and worked with them to help my Country. I am not a threat as Mr. Comely feels. However, if you and my government continue to treat me as a child or a threat, I will take action. Mr. Comely, you have recently discussed my being ‘taken care of’. What did you mean?”

“I wanted to make sure your needs were met, as you did a great service to this Country,” stated Comely.

“LIAR!!! You are so naive. You wanted me executed as a threat to the Country and Mr. President, you were told about this. So, the question is what should we do about it?”

“I don’t know who you think you are, but I am the President of the United States and I will not be accused of ordering someone executed and I certainly will not be spoken to this way by a freak of nature. This meeting is over, leave!”

I am so pissed. Here I am trying to do some good for the Country and these idiots are talking about having me killed. I then remember that the press is present. They have seen everything that is going on, but appearances would show that I had a temper tantrum. The President would easily cover this up.

“Mr. President, SIT down.” Much to everyone’s surprise he sits down on the edge of the couch. “Gentlemen of the Press, I want you to witness something. But first you need to know; I can read and control the minds of anyone I choose, including you and the President. As far as I can tell, no one is beyond my control. I have for the last couple of months been working with the FBI who has asked me to perform several experiments. It is time for one more demonstration of my capabilities. When I am done, you will leave. You will not print or report in any way what happened here. If pressed for information, you will simply state that the President congratulated a young man for his service to the Country. However, if events come to play that I die or disappear, you will report everything you saw today and what I have told you. Is that clear?”

“You will do no such thing. As President of the United States, I forbid you reporting any of this.”

“Mr. President, shut up. Take your coat and tie off and jump like a kid in a playground.”

Immediately the President did as he was told. The members of the Press got up and left. Susan, the President, Mr. Comely and I were the only ones left.

“Susan, I am sorry, but you need to leave as well. Please wait outside.”

After Susan left, I told the two gentlemen left, that they would not take any action against me in any way shape or form. If anything happened or appeared to happen to me, the press would ‘remember’ what they heard and saw and begin to report it. In addition, if anything happened to the members of the Press, I would return and ensure that they left office under the most embarrassing situation.

As I turned to leave, Mr. Comely started yelling at me that I would regret this.

“Mr. Comely, perhaps you don’t understand. I will do whatever I want. There is nothing that you can do about it. In fact, if I wanted to, I could have you do it for me. I think you need some rest.” “I think he is suffering from stress and overwork. Mr. President, You might want to call the medics.”

With that I have him pass out cold on the floor. I open the door and tell the agents outside that Comely could use some help. Susan and I exit the White House.

“What did you do?”

“A lot less than I wanted to. I just told them that if anything happens to me or even appears to happen to me, the press will remember and report all that went on today.”

“What happened to the Director?”

“The stress was probably too much for him. I am going back to the hotel. I am pretty sure your assignment with me is over. In fact, I know it is. Please return to your office. I would prefer not seeing you or any other agents again. If you need to contact me, call, but please do not show up unannounced. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

Susan drops me off at the hotel and I check out. I need to get away from DC and all of the publicity. Maybe I’ll take a trip. I grab a cab from the hotel and the first problem comes up. The cab driver asks me, “Where too?” I have no clue.

“I need a vacation, any ideas where I can go?”

The cabbie pulls over, turns around and looks at me.

“What kind of vacation?” he says.

“I just want to get away from here, someplace quiet!”

“When I get that way, I go camping, nothing like sitting by a campfire and just letting your mind wander.”

“That’s a great idea! But I don’t have any camping gear.”

“Rent an RV, all you need is your clothes and food.”

“Cool, take me to that has an RV for rent.”

“Sure, but all of the RV dealers are outside of the city. It will take some time and cost you.”

“Money is no problem. You take credit cards, right?”

“Sure do!”

“Then off we go, James...”

We arrive a little while later at Campers’ Place in VA.

“Thanks for the ride and the information. I left a good tip for you as well.”

Upon exiting the cab, a salesman comes out to greet me.

“Hi, I’m Will and I want to rent or buy an RV,” I say with a smile.

“Hi, Will, I’m Derek and I would love to sell you one.” He smiles, “What kind of RV are you looking for?”

“I have no idea. I just want to hit the road and relax for a while and it’s only me.”

“Let me show you a couple of units we have. These are last year’s models that we have rented out and now are being replaced with newer units. They are all inspected and ready to go.”

We spend some time walking around the lot and Derek shows me several units. These were all called Class C Recreational Vehicles. They were a little small for me. Then he showed me a Class A. This thing was the size of a bus. I was in love. The unit was a 2011 Georgetown 374TS. The entryway was upfront just behind the passenger seat. You entered into the living room area. Apparently, this RV had three slide outs. These were used to open up the floor plan and provide more room. It came with a sleeper sofa on the driver’s side and a jackknife sofa on the passenger side. Next to the jackknife sofa was a standalone table and four chairs. On the driver’s side was the kitchen complete with a convection microwave oven and stove. There was a sink on an island with storage underneath. You walked through the bathroom, complete with double sinks to the bedroom. The bedroom was like a nice hotel room, with a king size Sleep Number bed, TV and radio with surround sound. This unit even had a washer/dryer. It was a gas RV with a 75 gal fuel tank, 10,000-watt gas generator.

“Derek here is the deal, I want this unit, but I also need all of the supplies so that I can hit the road with the clothes I have with me. If you can put together a deal and keep it at the price listed for this RV, I will buy it today.”

“Will, we have a fully stocked store. Let me see what the manager has to say. I’ll be right back”

About 20 minutes later, Derek returns with the sales manager and a lady from the store area. We all agree to the deal and Linda (from the store), takes me inside to get what I will need to hit the road. After shopping, Derek and I do the paperwork and a technician takes me out and shows me how everything works. It is getting late, so they have me plugged in and hooked up at the store. This will allow me to make sure everything is working and in the morning, I can ask any questions. Derek takes me to a nearby grocery store to stock up. Campers’ Place even pays for that as well.

Sleeping in an RV is really no different than sleeping in my old house. The bed is comfortable and I had a good night’s sleep. Next morning, I learn about dumping the storage tanks and filling up the water tank. I have a full tank of gas and propane (used for cooking and heating). Derek and I are discussing a few last-minute tips and things before I hit the road. Then the phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Will, this is Susan, the President would like to see you at the White House tomorrow afternoon around 3 pm.”

“Sorry Susan, but I am taking a vacation. I will not be available until I am done.”

“A VACATION! Will, this is the President of the United States, you have to come!”

“Susan, I haven’t had a vacation since my wife died. The President will have to wait. I don’t work for him and at this time, I really don’t think there is much that he has to say that interest me. I will call you in a few weeks or so. At that time, I will be glad to meet with the President.”

I hang up and turn to Derek. The look on his face is priceless.

“President? As in the President of the United State?”

“Yes, I had some dealings with him yesterday and now he wants to get together again. I just want a vacation, so he will have to wait.”

“You are going to make the President of the United States, wait until you take your vacation?”

“Sure, why not? He will still be there when I get back.”

“WOW, remind me not to piss you off. Will, I think we have gone over everything. You are stocked and ready to roll. The only thing left is to figure out, any idea of where you want to go?”

“I’m not sure; I have never been camping before other than with the Boy Scouts when I was younger. This is all new for me. I don’t even know where to stop at night or where to stop once I get there.”

“Well, we can help out a little bit. Campers’ Place has an arrangement with a company called Thousand Trails. I would like to give you this 30-day certificate for free camping. It is good at any Thousand Trails Resort in the Country.”

“Are there many on the East Coast?”

“Sure and if you come into the office, we can plan out a trip for you. Where are you thinking of heading?”

“I think I will go to Disney.”

After a little while, I have my trip planned out. I will be heading South to Lake Gaston, NC, then to Oaks at South Point in SC and finally to Thousand Trails Orlando in FL. As I am not in a hurry, we decide that I will stay at each campground for a few days until I get to FL. Derek made my reservations and I hit the road.