Chapter 25: Epilogue

“Don’t go too far girls, and be back by 9:30,” Hannah’s mother called out to them. Eli led a reluctant Hannah down the street toward Southover and Old Finchleians once again. It had been over a month since their encounter, and it had taken Eli quite some time to convince Hannah to revisit the field with her.

Eli could feel her tremble a bit, now that they were actually on their way. “Please, Hannah. I’ll be with you, but if you’re not ready, I’ll understand. We can go back.”

Hannah smiled at her and walked a bit faster, stepping ahead of her a few feet. “I’m okay, really.” She was terrified, but she knew Eli was right. She had to do this.

“It belongs to you, Hannah. Not them.” They’ll never come around here again, I promise.”

“I know, Eli, but it doesn’t help. I’m afraid.” They crossed Tillingham Way at the corner, and headed up Southover.

Eli stopped and hugged her tightly. “You never told your parents, did you? Why not? They would have helped you, and supported you. Your brother probably would have wanted to go after them for you.” She knew why, but she also knew Hannah needed to be reminded.

“Because I promised you!” Hannah sounded surprised that Eli had even asked. “And what could they do? I knew those boys would never come back because you told me so, so I knew I was safe. But….” She took Eli’s hand as they walked along the sidewalk. She felt ashamed. Eli was right; there was nothing to be afraid of, so why was she? Didn’t she trust Eli?

“Papa told me a story yesterday about a cat that learned too much from an unpleasant experience it had. He said I should tell you.” Eli thought carefully a moment to make sure she got it right. “We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again -- and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.”

Hannah smiled, “Your papa is so nice! So I’m the cat, right? Did he make that up?”

“No, I think it was someone called Pudd’nhead Wilson.”

They turned in at the low hedge, passed the sign, and crossed the parking lot. It was almost as dark as it had been on that night; the only difference was the slightly larger sliver of moon in the sky. As they passed by the clubhouse, Hannah glanced over at the tree; the tree where Eli had saved her life for the second time. She followed the treeline to the right and could barely make out the lights from Richy Johnson’s old house through the trees. Hannah clung tightly to Eli’s arm as they walked across the field.

Eli led her over to the spot where they had talked before, and pulled Hannah down on the grass beside her. “I have some things I need to talk to you about, and I thought this would be a good place to start. This is our special place now. It’s the place where I found out how really brave you are and how much I love you and trust you.” Eli could hear the crickets in the background, warming up before the concert. She smiled at Hannah.

Hannah sensed the seriousness in her voice. “What is it, Eli? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Hannah. Papa and I just agreed that there were some things about our family that you have a right to know. And particularly things about me.”

Hannah held her breath. Is Eli going to tell me her secrets? About what she is and how we’re related? She felt a twinge of fear and apprehension; a feeling she had more and more often as her ideas about the world were changed by things she read and saw, and usually for the worse. “You don’t have to tell me anything, Eli. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know. But I owe it to you. More than you’ll ever know.” She hesitated. “Hannah, would you like me even if I wasn’t a … fairy?”

“Sure! You’re my blood sister aren’t you?” She paused, “But you’re serious aren’t you?”

Eli nodded, “Because, as you know, Papa has found a cure for my … sun allergy. But it means I would lose my ability to fly. Forever.”

“How sad that would be! But you should do it if you think it’s best for you. The sun could really hurt you if you’re not careful, right?” Hannah sounded really concerned.

“Actually, if I didn’t have the clothing that Papa made for me it could kill me.”

Hannah gasped, “Could it really kill you? Then it’s decided! You have to do it! I couldn’t bear it if you got hurt.” She hugged her tightly.

“There’s more.”

Hannah squeezed her even tighter.

“I’ll be able to grow up with you.”

“What do you mean? You’re my age. Why did you stop aging? Because you’re a fairy? When did you stop aging?” She thought for a moment, “How old ARE you, Eli?”

Eli hesitated a moment, then in a low voice, “About 243 years old.”

Hannah tried to wrap her mind around the idea, but couldn’t. “But, you’re only 12! You’re like me; just a kid! I know it!”

“Hannah, I’m 12, but I’ve been 12 for 243 years. I never grew up. But I will grow up now, and it’s partly because of you.”

Hannah smiled at her, “So I’m kind of like Wendy?”

“Yep! You’re Wendy, and I’m a lost boy.”

“But how about your family? Are they really old too.”

“No. I was alone for about 230 years. I found my Oskar first. Then Oskar and I found Papa. Then we all found Mom.”

Hannah looked confused, “It doesn’t make any sense!”

Eli sighed. “I know Hannah. But please believe me. It’s all true. And I wanted to tell you as much as I could before I got the shot that would cure me. There’s so much more, but Papa told me to go easy on you this first time. He and Mom trust you too, Hannah. And most important of all, Oskar trusts you.”

“But Oskar hardly knows me!”

“He has his ways. He knew when you pinched his cheek.” Her eyes twinkled.

“Eli, just about the time I figure something out, you give me a new puzzle. It’s so exciting and fun!” she frowned as all of what Eli had just told her suddenly sank in. “You were alone for 230 years? How awful! How did you manage? Where were your birth parents?”

“I…They died of old age, but I was alone long before that. Before Oskar, I’ve been alone since I became…what I am.”

“But why? Eli, I wish I could have been there for you!” Hannah had tears in her eyes. She grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek. Is that the price you had to pay to be a fairy? It’s way too much!

Eli, startled, pushed her away. “What? What did you say?”

“I said, ‘I wish I could have been there for you.’” Hannah looked at her, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“No. What did you say after that? It sounded like, ‘Is that the price you had to pay to be a fairy? It’s way too much.’” Her mind was racing. It was impossible, but…what could it mean? She knew she could do this if she put her lips on Papa’s but that was the only way with a human. Until now?

“But…I only thought it! How could you…?” Hannah took Eli’s hands in hers and smiled. “Why didn’t you tell me you could hear me thinking? It would have saved us so much time.” She grinned at Eli.

“But I can’t! I mean, I can’t usually! I mean, Oskar…” she stopped. Sweet Hannah! It doesn’t even bother her that I might be able to hear what she’s thinking. It doesn’t even occur to her that she might think something she doesn’t want me to hear. She felt a closeness to her; a deep warmth she hadn’t felt for anyone else before Oskar. She gently kissed Hannah on the cheek. I love you Hannah, my kindred spirit, my sister.

I love you too Eli, my fairy, my magical creature.

Hannah started giggling. “That’s so absolutely cool! Another secret I can’t tell anyone!”

“It’s a new secret for me too, Hannah. You’re the first one, outside of my family.”

“Your whole family can do this?” Hannah’s eyes got wide. “They heard my thoughts the whole time I was there?”

“No, no. Only Oskar, and only when he touches you. Except for me. We don’t have to touch.”

“And when I touched him?” She turned beet red.

Eli laughed, “I think Oskar would love to see your face right now. It would be the ultimate revenge for him. But he didn’t do it on purpose. He only did it when you pinched his cheek.”

“But I was thinking about how REALLY cute he was!” She turned red again.

“And Oskar thanks you.” Eli was amused and couldn’t pass up the chance to rub it in.

“But Oskar can’t fly. Oskar isn’t a … fairy.”

“No. He was just a regular boy when I met him. Then…It’s complicated. I promise I’ll tell you everything; but just not right now.” Eli wished she had found this out sooner. Now, it’s almost too late. In a few days, I’ll lose it all. Unless…

“Let’s go somewhere new!” Eli stood up and took Hannah’s hand.

“Sure! Where should we go?” Hannah was excited.

Eli looked up and pointed at the sliver of moon. “How about there?”

Hannah’s heart raced, “Really?! You’d do that for me?”

Eli grinned at her, took off her shirt and handed it to Hannah. “You’re not afraid are you?”

“Afraid? Of what? I know you won’t drop me. We’re kindred spirits! Where are you taking me?”

“To a place where my mom and I used to go all the time. Put my shirt on over yours, though. It might be a bit cool up there.”

Finally, she took Hannah’s hands. “And you must know this is now a really special place. The place where we tell each other our secrets. You can’t be afraid of it any more. It’s a magical place now.” They both became quiet for a moment and listened to the crickets chirping their way through the third movement of their symphony. Then Eli raised her arms over her head, thought her wings as large as she possibly could, larger even than when she had rescued Oskar, and looked at Hannah. In a solemn tone she chanted, “I want you to come with me to a special place, a place where no human child has ever been before. A magical place where only fairies go.”

Hannah put her arms around Eli’s neck, boosted herself up, and wrapped her legs tightly around her waist. Eli spread her wings, crouched and leaped forward, gently rising into the air. She flew half the length of the field only three feet off the ground, rose up suddenly and banked between two tall trees, dipped her left wing over Hannah’s house and headed for London.

§

Eli searched for a stable updraft, found one and settled in. Hannah tightened her grip as they rose rapidly upwards until Eli feathered a bit and slowed to a stop. “What do you think?”

“I…It’s beautiful, Eli. It’s so beautiful! And I’m not even cold. Oh Eli, I so love this! Thank you so much!” she kissed the back of her neck.

Stay, Hannah. Don’t move. Eli opened her eyes into her magical world, and Hannah was suddenly bathed in the kaleidoscope of colors as the city’s pulsing energy surged up around them.

Hannah gasped. Eli what is it? What are you doing?!

This is my world, Hannah. One of the few things that will be difficult for me to leave behind. I never would have imagined that I could show this to you, ever. Now this is really our special place; yours, mine, and Mama’s.

Hannah was overwhelmed as she tried to make sense of it all. Eli’s eyes moved up and down the immense spectrum of light as one vista after another presented itself to her, so rapidly that she had hardly the time to process one before it dissolved into another.

This is your place, Hannah. Eli stopped as the City was once again bathed in the ethereal indigo of the solar winds and began flickering and pulsating in the glow as though it were a magical underwater kingdom of light and promises of unimaginable possibilities.

Hannah hugged her tighter and kissed her on the cheek. I pretended you were a fairy. Now I know you’re one! She could feel Eli’s tears. Eli could feel her love.

§

Hannah broke the comfortable silence when they began circling her neighborhood once again. “Everything looks so…ordinary now. The real world seems so drab and unexciting.”

“Let’s see what we can do about that.” Eli suddenly dove down over the green and pulled up just in time to land gently on the very same branch in Hannah’s tree where they had talked the first night they met. “You realize that this really messes up your game don’t you?”

Hannah had tried once to explain her ‘game’ to Eli, but she really never got the point; just the rules. As Hannah had explained it to her, “Each of us is born with a huge spool of imaginary string. The string begins to unwind from your spool as soon as you leave your home. You have to make sure the imaginary string you are unwinding behind you wherever you go, remains untangled. This means that if you walk clockwise around a tree three times, you have to untangle yourself by walking back around it three times and reel the string back in. If you run around the block, you have to run back around it the opposite direction. If you don’t, you’ve lost that string forever, because you never rewound it. You must keep the string untangled, and as short as possible, because when you finally run out of string, you die.”

“That’s Okay, Eli. It was worth it. Besides, you can loan me some of yours. I’m sure you still have plenty left.”

Hannah gave Eli back her shirt, and they settled in on the branch, legs dangling into the darkness, and arms around each other’s waists. Hannah leaned her head on Eli’s shoulder. “I feel so good tonight Eli. Knowing that you are going to be with me now forever feels so good. And sweet Oskar. I want Jason to meet him. I’m sure they’ll like each other.” Hannah saw only good things ahead of her; endless wonderful possibilities, great fun, and long quiet talks where she could share all her thoughts with her soulmate. Her world was, without exception, a beautiful place again.

“I know they will, Hannah.”

Eli heard the familiar sound of Mom’s car as it pulled up to the curb in front of Hannah’s house.

“We’re up here, Mom!”

Elaine started for the house, as Eli shouted even louder, “WE’RE UP HERE, MOM!!”

Elaine turned, smiled, and crossed the street. “What are you two up to? Are you about ready to go?”

Eli dropped to the ground in front of her as Hannah slowly worked her way down through the branches. Eli took her hand and helped her down from the big branch. “Mom, I took Hannah to our special place and showed her everything! She could see! She can hear me! How can that be?”

Elaine looked at Hannah, startled. “I really don’t know, Eli. Are you sure?”

“We’re sure!” they said in unison. Hannah giggled. “See how much we think alike? We’re really sisters, you know.”

Elaine smiled at her, then took both their hands in hers and walked with them across the street. “We should hurry, because Oskar is waiting up for you. But I need to talk to your parents about something first. How would you feel about giving Eli’s Papa a DNA sample, Hannah?"

“Would it hurt?”

“Nope. It’s just a swish of a cotton swab on the inside of your cheek. No pain whatsoever.”

“Okay!” She led them both into the living room. Her mom and dad stood up. “Elaine! How’ve you been? How’s Richard?” Livia smiled quickly at Eli and Hannah. She still couldn’t get used to seeing them together. It was a bit unnerving.

“We’re both fine, but Richard has a favor to ask of you. Eli may have told you that he found a cure for her sun sensitivity?”

“Yes she did,” Nils said “We’re so happy for you. But if Eli can now get a tan too, I’m not sure how we’ll be able to tell them apart.”

Elaine laughed. “First things first. Next week, the cure; then the tan.” They all sat down. “Richard’s curiosity has been piqued by Hannah’s uncanny resemblance to Eli and he would like to get your permission to take a DNA sample for his research. It could answer some questions you had for me last time, such as whether or not she and Eli could actually be related. And he hopes it will help him understand the underlying mechanism of her…sun allergy. If they’re related, the DNA differences could be very revealing.

“Hannah? How do you feel about it?”

“I really want to, Dad. I know we’re related! I can feel it!” she squeezed Eli’s hand. And I have the family tree to prove it.

“You won’t be too disappointed if you’re not?”

“Nope! Because I know we are.” Hannah said confidently. She realized suddenly that she would know it even if she didn’t have the family tree.

Livia put her hands on her shoulders. “Hannah, you have an entirely too optimistic view of the world. You need to be a bit more realistic.”

“Later, Mom. I’ll do that later.” Hannah grinned at her. Livia shook her head. “Go on up and get your stuff together. It’s getting a bit late and I’m sure Elaine doesn’t want to wait for you forever.” She gave Hannah a swat on the behind as she and Eli headed for the stairs.

“Sometimes I’m really afraid for her,” Livia said, “One of these days, she’s going to be brought down out of the clouds, and for her it’s going to be a tough fall.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, Livia. As short a time as I’ve known her I think she’s extremely well grounded, thanks to you two. I think she’ll get through it just fine.” She paused, “and she’s a real fireball. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve laughed as much as I did when she stayed over last time.”

§

Hannah and Eli piled into the back seat, talking and laughing. “Seat belts!” Elaine scolded.

She pulled away from the curb quietly, circled the green and turned onto Tillingham Way.

Hannah leaned forward and put her hands on the back of Elaine’s seat. “Mrs. Dawson? Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, Hannah, ask away!”

“You’ve…seen what Eli showed me tonight? The beautiful lights? The fairy city?”

Elaine looked back at Eli, questioningly. Eli nodded.

“Yes, I have Hannah.”

“But how? You’re too…big for Eli to carry like she did me. “

“Are you sure?” she grinned at her mischievously.

Hannah looked at her intensely for a moment. “Yes! I’m sure!” she crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat.

“Well, Eli doesn’t have a thing on you so far as intelligence goes. You’re right of course. I got there on my own.”

“But…Eli said she’s the only one in the family that can fly!” Hannah was puzzled. She knew Eli wouldn’t lie to her.

“She’s right, Hannah. I can’t fly – anymore. I’ve already had the shot that Eli is having next week.”

Hannah gasped, “You’re a fairy too?! Why didn’t you tell me, Eli?”

“Because that’s Mom’s secret to tell. I can only tell you mine.”

“Good answer, Eli.” She glanced back at Hannah, “And I’m afraid that, at least for now, that is the only secret of mine I feel I can tell you right now. I hope that’s okay, Hannah.”

“It..it’s fine!” Her eyes were big as she looked at each of them in turn. Where was she? In a car with two ‘fairies’? How many were there? Was the world full of them? Do they have secret meetings? Her head was spinning. “How do you find a fairy?!” she blurted out; then giggled as she realized how stupid that sounded.

Eli and Elaine laughed too. “Actually we found each other.” Elaine said. “Oskar, Eli, and her Papa found me, and later I found them.” Elaine had to admit that Eli was right. It was quite a pleasant thing to be called a fairy – especially by a child.

Hannah opened her mouth, hesitated, then closed it again. There are too many secrets. It’ll take forever to learn them all. She smiled at the thought. What fun this is! And I’m going to stay the whole weekend at a fairy’s house. “Wait a minute! You said you were a fairy for 243 years, but were alone before Oskar for 230 years. And you told me that Oskar was a normal boy when you met him. But Oskar’s only twelve! Or is he around 26?” She exclaimed triumphantly. She had figured out a secret on her own. “So I’ll be the only one in your house this weekend who can’t vote?”

Elaine laughed, “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but no, the rest of the world still thinks they’re 12, so they’re still in school – at home. It gets complicated when you don’t age past 12.”

“That must be hard for you and Oskar, Eli, losing all your friends every few years.”

Damn! She has the uncanny ability, for all her naivety, to get right to the important stuff. She’s so much like Eli in that way! Elaine thought to herself.

“Well, we’ll start aging next week. No one else will leave us behind.” Eli smiled into her new-found mirror -- Hannah.

We! Hannah realized that there were now even more questions, mostly about Oskar, and why he’s not a fairy but not aging, but she could wait. She had plenty of time now. She rested her head on Eli’s shoulder and thought about what she had already seen and heard in just the first three hours of the weekend.

§

“Hello, Hannah! You are Hannah, aren’t you?” Oskar grinned as he plopped down at Eli’s table.

Hannah blushed and slid her chair away from him a bit. “You know I am! Eli told me that you two could think to each other, and after last time, I’m sure you won’t forget to do that ever again while I’m around. At least not until after next week.” She flashed him an evil grin.

“Wow! You’re feisty, just like Eli. Or are you Eli? Let me check.” He reached across the table.

“Don’t touch!” Hannah wagged her finger at him and backed away.

“So! Eli told you everything, did she? No more secrets?”

“It’s no use, Oskar; I’m on to you now. You know exactly what Eli’s told me and what she hasn’t. You can read her mind, and I suspect you can read it even if she doesn’t want you to. But you certainly aren’t going to read mine if I can help it!”

“See? Just as I told you Oskar; she’s really quick, and usually right.”

Oskar settled back in his chair. “Hannah, I just want you to know that I didn’t mean to hear you last week. I’m really sorry,” he said earnestly. “And you also need to know that I never listen to Eli when she doesn’t want me to. And besides, half the stuff she thinks about is boring anyway.” He ducked as Eli pretended to swing at him. “Truce?”

“Truce!” Hannah smiled at him, paused, and then stuck out her hand.

Oskar hesitated a second, then shook it firmly.

“Can you really listen to Eli and talk to me at the same time? You must have done that now, or else how could she have told you I’m ‘quick and usually right’?”

Oskar and Eli looked at each other. “You’re making my head swim, Hannah,” Oskar said. He grinned at Eli “She is definitely your sister, Eli. And that makes her my … sister too, more or less.” He stood up, pulled her up out of the chair and hugged her. Hannah, I have a lot to thank you for. More than you know. He stepped back with a smile on his face. “I mean it Hannah.”

She grinned from ear to ear. “This is going to be such great fun! Tell me some more secrets!”

Eli looked at Oskar a moment, nodded and went over to her bookcase. She pulled a framed photo out of the drawer and set it on the table facing Hannah.

“That’s your Mom! With wings! And you? But neither of you have clothes on! And you’re flying!!” She saw how the bright moon subtly bathed them in its light. “What a magical picture!” How beautiful they are together! she thought. “You should call it, ‘Fairies in flight.’ Or ‘The Journey Begins.’”

Eli smiled at the thought. “That WAS the first time we ever flew together, even before she came to live with us. And she showed me our special place for the first time.”

“Eli, who took the picture?”

Eli looked at Oskar smugly, See, Oskar? “Hannah, that’s one of the biggest secrets of all. But I can’t tell you that one yet.”

Hannah made a mental note. “So this was about 13 years ago? Before I was even born?”

“Yep! And there’s more. Come on, Oskar.” She stood up, took Hannah by the hand and led her downstairs, into the back yard, and through the door into Elaine’s studio. “Stand here!” She turned on the light, revealing their last painting, still on its easel.

Hannah gasped audibly. “Eli!! It’s your place! And with the lights! How did she do that? It’s so, so beautiful!”

“Do you really like it?” Elaine stepped out of the shadows.

“Mama! What are you doing here in the dark?”

“I…sometimes miss the ‘before’ days Eli. I like to sit here and think. And I’m trying to figure out where my art will express itself next, now that I’m ‘handicapped’” she smiled at her.

“Just remember, Mama, Monet was still painting when he was almost blind. You told me so yourself. If he could do it, I KNOW you can; you’re so much better than he was!”

Elaine laughed, “The final word from the Great Eli, the world’s foremost unbiased art critic.” She hugged her tightly.

“What’s this?” Hannah asked. She was standing next to Oskar’s ‘floating hand’ sculpture. “That’s you, Eli! What’s Oskar doing?”

“He’s trying to save my life. It’s from a kind of…dream I had, where we saved each other’s lives.”

“No, you saved mine. I was just kind of … stupid.”

Hannah looked at them skeptically. “I don’t believe either of you. There’s more to it than that, right Mrs. Dawson?”

“Right, Hannah; another secret we’ll definitely share with you another time.” She shook her head. Hannah’s quite shrewd and intuitive. I wonder where that comes from? Certainly not from her own life experiences. “Well, it’s late and I’m going up to bed. Turn the lights out and close the door when you come in please.”

“Ok, Mama.”

She’s called me ‘Mama’ ever since I’ve been cured. I wonder what that means... She headed up the stairs.

“What’ll we do now? I m bored.” Oskar said.

“Let’s go swimming! In the dark!” Hannah said, excited. “It’s still nice and warm out.” She ran for the pool, leaned down and stuck her hand in the water. “And the water’s even warmer.”

Eli looked at Oskar and grinned. Suddenly, without a word, they both stripped down to their underwear, raced past Hannah and leaped into the pool. “Ha! Last, as usual,” Eli shouted when they popped to the surface.

“Don’t get used to it, because it’ll end next week.” He splashed her hard and pushed her back under water. “Come on in, Hannah!”

Hannah threw her clothes on the lounger, dove in, and popped up beside them. “I’ve never gone swimming in the dark before!” She looked up at the stars. “This is so neat; it almost feels as though we’re doing something we shouldn’t and someone’s going to come out any minute and run us off.”

Eli climbed out, and pushed three of the air mattresses into the pool. All three of them immediately scrambled up and lay on their backs looking up at the beautiful night sky. Eli took Hannah’s hand on one side and Oskar’s on the other and they lay there quietly for a while, side by side.

“Eli? Can you use your eyes here too? Do the stars look different?”

“A bit. They change colors in odd ways. Papa said it relates to how old they are and what kind of stars they are. And Pulsars really look interesting. And a black hole I found really isn’t black. Papa doesn’t understand that one.”

“You can see black holes?!” Hannah was astonished. “They’re so far away! How can you do that?”

“I don’t know. I can just see it. Papa showed me some star charts and he figured out that what I saw was near a star called V 4641, in the constellation… you call it Sagittarius, about 1,600 light-years away. He was excited because no black hole has been recorded in that area. He really wanted to have an astronomer friend of his look, but he ‘fought the temptation’ as he put it. So it’s our secret.”

“Is that all?” a pause, then Hannah giggled. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Can you see anything else?”

“Well, there is one thing, but I don’t know what it means. Neither does Papa. Want me to show you?”

“Sure!” Eli helped Hannah climb onto her mattress, and put her arm around her. She held Oskar’s hand tightly as Hannah planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

Eli thought her eyes high up into the highest of the high end of the spectra and then – just a bit more. Suddenly, it was as though the very air around them was saturated with beautiful rainbow-like strings moving and flowing in coherent patterns that themselves waved slowly back and forth like wheat in a summer’s wind, propagating by mimicking, slightly delayed, the movements of the strings nearest them, standing like row after row of soft dominoes falling against one another, then resetting in unpredictable places, and falling again. It was chaotic and mesmerizing; yet somehow orderly and rigid, but underlying it all there was a real sense of purpose, as though the whole process were being directed somehow; as though it had a singular purpose for being as it was. As Eli moved her eyes across it, it responded as though the very act of watching it changed its character and meaning simultaneously; as though she were running her finger lazily across a glistening pool of oily water, sending the rainbow colors bouncing back and forth like ripples in a pond. Hannah gasped as she realized that her own body’s boundaries, her ‘edges’ weren’t real anymore. They faded into a mere idea rather than a tangible reality, and the dominoes cascaded through her and around her, resetting themselves, oblivious to her preconceived ideas of the ‘separateness’ of things. Her head spun, as her very concept of herself dissolved away, and she became one with Eli and one with Oskar, and all that existed in the universe was the One. She opened her mouth; then realized she couldn’t speak.

Eli closed her eyes.

Hannah could feel her heart beating hard in her chest. She was exhilarated. She looked into Eli’s smiling face, then at Oskar. He reached over and took her hand. Weird, huh?

“No, not weird; awesome!” She had absolutely no idea how to put what she had experienced into words. She didn’t know any that came close. “Where were we, Eli?”

“I don’t know Hannah. But it’s nice, isn’t it? It kind of makes you think about things differently.” They looked into each other eyes and understood.

“Even your reality isn’t real,” Hannah said quietly. She felt small and insignificant, as though she had just seen something really important; really momentous. She had had this feeling once or twice before in her life, but never this strong. It felt as though she were on the verge of realizing a great Truth of some sort, but needed one more small piece of the puzzle. And she didn’t know where to look for it.

“Fairies!”

“What?” Hannah was startled back to reality.

“You’ve got fairies on your underwear.” Eli exclaimed.

Oskar sat up on his mattress. “By George, you’re right Eli. She does! And they’re pretty pink ones!”

Hannah turned bright red. “I like them! My mom bought them for me when I was really into fairies.”

“Really! And how long ago was that?” Oskar needled her. “Do they have names? Which one is Eli?”

That does it! Hannah’s honor had just been besmirched. She scrambled across Eli, put her foot in the middle of her back and launched herself directly at Oskar. Eli’s mattress flipped over and dumped her into the water, just as Hannah landed on Oskar’s stomach, flat and with arms outstretched, with a loud smack. “Ooof!” Oskar groaned, just before he disappeared beneath the surface and the second overturned mattress. Eli lifted herself out of the pool just in time to see Hannah push Oskar back underwater twice more before he finally cried ‘Uncle.’ By this time, Eli was laughing hysterically.

Hacking and coughing, Oskar pulled himself out of the pool and flopped down on his back on the grass, breathing hard. Hannah followed close behind him and sat down on top of him pinning his hands over his head. “Say you’re sorry! Say you’re sorry for making fun of my beautiful fairy undies.”

“You’d better do it, Oskar. She means business.”

“Never!”

Suddenly, the porch light came on. “Oskar! Eli! We have neighbors who need their sleep, remember? I think you all need to come in and go to bed now.” Papa stepped out on the patio in his robe and slippers.

“Sorry, Mr. Dawson.” Hannah said meekly, standing up quickly and stepping away from Oskar.

“It’s not your fault, Hannah. It’s the bad influence of these two. They both know better.” He smiled at her and went back inside.

They quietly gathered up their clothes and tiptoed up the stairs. Oskar caught up with Hannah at the top of the stairs and put his arm around her, “I’m sorry for making fun of your beautiful fairy …things,” he whispered to her. He squeezed her hand and stepped into his room, closing the door behind him. He opened it again quickly. “Sweet dreams, Eli and Hannah.” They both smiled at him.

Eli and Hannah dried themselves off, put on their pajamas, and climbed into bed. “Eli, I really like your brother. He’s even nicer than I thought, and he’s so much fun! It’s hard to believe he’s so old.”

“But he’s not, Hannah. You know that, right?”

“I do, Eli. It’s just that…there’s so much I’m trying to understand at once. And you and Oskar are the hardest. There’s something about you two that seems… different, and I don’t mean that you’re a fairy and he’s whatever he is. It’s something else.”

They lay on their backs in the dark, holding hands and talking until finally they both drifted off to sleep. Oskar smiled to himself, turned over, and was himself asleep in an instant.

Hannah drifted in and out of sleep. She felt an underlying sense of unease, and couldn’t put her finger on its source. Finally, she fell into a deep sleep and dreamed dark dreams; dreams of vampires attaching themselves to her neck and, one after another, drinking her dry, despite her screams and attempts to get away. They dissolved into her recurring dream of John slashing Eli with his knife while Lamar and Rod held her arms and legs, only this time Eli grew fangs and claws and killed all three of them, drank their blood and, eyes glowing and fangs dripping with blood, flew off into the night towards Twineham Green – and her house. She awoke with a start, and felt Eli’s hands stroking her hair and caressing her cheek. “It’s okay, Hannah, I’m here. You’re safe.”

Eli, you’re a vampire aren’t you? Eli’s eyes turned golden, and she opened her fang-filled mouth and lunged for her neck. Hannah fell out of bed, hit the floor hard, and rolled into the wall. “Umph!”

She scrambled to her feet, heart pounding. Eli was still sound asleep. All of it had just been a bad dream, but it had been so vivid; so real. Hannah stood there looking at her for a minute as her heart rate gradually returned to normal; then she quietly climbed back into bed. Hesitantly, she moved up next to Eli as the intensity of the dream faded slowly away. As soon as she touched her, Eli reflexively put her arms around her and pulled her close.

It was just a dream! It was only a dream. With a sigh of relief, she snuggled up to Eli and went back to sleep.

§

“Ready, Elaine?” Jack raised the syringe and tapped it lightly.

She nodded and looked at Rich. Jack emptied it into her arm, recapped it, then put the syringe in a plastic bag, sealed it up, and handed it to Henry.

“Okay, Rich. I guess I’ll look this way until the day I die now, sans vampire. You could do a lot worse than being married to a 26-year old immortal. That’s a real load off my mind, and I’m not speaking figuratively. Eli? Oskar? It’s your turn now. Let’s get you cured.”

Jack smiled at them and laid two smaller syringes on the table next to their bed. There was still a small uncertainty factor when it came to using the antidote on Oskar, since he really wasn’t a vampire, but all his tests and cultures indicated that the risk was vanishingly small.

“Oskar?” Oskar stepped up and rolled up his sleeve. Jack unceremoniously plunged the syringe into his arm, emptied it, and handed it to Henry. He picked up the final syringe.

“Eli?” She sat on the edge of the bed and held out her arm to him. She looked so small and frail to him; so vulnerable. He looked into her beautiful trusting eyes, remembering all the times they had spent together in his youth and exactly when he had fallen in love with her. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment. Nothing could ever make me happier that what we are doing for you today.” He quickly gave her the shot, and kissed her again on the forehead.

She suddenly put her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. I love you so, Jack. She smiled up at him. “Now then! In a few years, I’ll be old enough to get the penny first again, even from you.” She held it up for him to see, then put it in a small box and placed it carefully in her nightstand. She nodded toward the corner, where a workout bench and a brand-new set of bench weights were laid out neatly. “Papa and I picked those out yesterday, so be ready. You only have 10 years or so to practice.”

“I’m looking forward to it, Eli; especially the satisfaction of getting revenge for all those years I pondered why you were always able to get the last one.”

Henry hooked them both up to the monitors and they all sat back and waited.

Eli? Are you okay?

I’m scared a bit, Oskar. She slid over next to him.

Eli, you’ve kept me safe from harm all this time. Trust me, Papa, and Mama to keep you safe from now on. Please?

She laid her head on his shoulder.

§

Unlike Elaine, Eli began feeling the losses after the first hour. Her sense of balance went first. She didn’t test it; she just knew it. Then her ability to grow fangs and claws. Her strength faded slowly; she could feel it every time she stood up or sat down. Each time something changed she wrote it down. And Papa came over to her every time. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. “Be brave Eli. I can’t imagine how this must feel to you after all these years.”

It’s happening! Suddenly, she stood up, pulled her pajama top off and, with great effort, grew her last pair of wings. Oskar grabbed his camera and snapped a couple of quick photos, then stood there a moment, tense. He sensed that something was very wrong. Her wings slowly became dull and lifeless; gray instead of black. He tossed the camera on the bed, then quickly stepped over, put his arms around her neck, and kissed her as her wings gradually became transparent, and without a sound, folded and drifted away in swirling smoky eddies behind Jack just as he stepped past her to check the monitor. The bony spars began to retract, and then fell away and turned to dust as they softly struck the floor. Eli stood there a moment with her head down, then put her arms around Oskar and laid her head on his shoulder. “They’re gone forever now, Oskar.” There were tears in her eyes.

She felt the mindless rage rise up in her as her parasite finally sensed its approaching death. She could feel it trying to control her, trying to make her lash out and destroy those she loved, but it was weak and impotent for the first time since it had invaded her. It could do nothing but pace and growl in the darkness like a big cat who sensed its days as Alpha male were over forever. She looked up at Papa with a vengeful smile on her face. “Papa, it’s dying. I can feel it.” She went over to him, put her arms around him, stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

Dawson was finally face to face with the enemy and realized immediately that he had overestimated its sentience. It was a creature made up almost entirely of instinct: fight or flight; anger or fear; kill or be killed, feed or hibernate. But there was also something sinister there; something mindlessly cruel and matter-of-factly sadistic, like a fully fed cat that will still play with a newly discovered prey until it dies in its claws. He looked into its deep red soulless eyes and watched with great pleasure as it slunk away and died. He took Eli’s head in his hands and kissed her again. “Thank you for that, Eli,” he whispered. “Now, you’re perfect again! I’ve seen you with my own eyes.” He hugged her tightly. I love you, Papa!

§

She woke up next to Oskar. The room was dark, but she could make out Papa and Jack in the light of the monitor. She realized immediately that she was already blind. “Papa!” She got out of bed quickly and stumbled over the footstool, but Papa caught her before she hit the ground.

“Careful Eli, you could really hurt yourself now. We were about to wake you both up; you’ve slept for over six hours. Are you feeling okay? He unhooked her from the monitor.

“I’m okay, Papa. Where’s Mama?”

“She’s making tea, Eli. Henry went down with her, but they’ll be back in a minute. Should I get her for you?”

“No, Papa, it’s okay.” She felt so warm and safe; all the people around her loved her and she loved them back. She was having difficulty remembering the worst of the dark days, and now she could forget them forever.

Oskar? Where are you? The silence was deafening. But she realized it was partly because IT was gone. She stood up and went over to her window. It was dark out; really dark. She could just barely make out the pool from the reflection of the lights that were on in the kitchen. She opened the window and realized she hadn’t heard the crickets until she did. And the downstairs clock. And the dripping faucet in the back yard. And Oskar breathing. She turned around quickly. Oskar was sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. Oskar? He couldn’t hear her. She sighed. She knew it was going to happen, but it still made her sad. “Oskar? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Eli. I don’t feel any different at all. I just can’t hear you anymore.”

“That’s okay Oskar. Papa said he’d get us both cell phones.”

Papa laughed. “I can only imagine what the monthly bill will look like.”

She grinned at him – and promptly fell over the footstool again. Oskar helped her up while Papa turned on the lights. “Oskar, close the window or we’ll get crickets in here. And watch out for that footstool.” He winked at Eli.

Elaine came in with a pot of tea and several cups. “Butterfly! You’re awake. How would you like a cup of tea? Feeling brave?” She filled a cup, dropped in two sugar cubes, added a touch of milk, stirred it a bit, and handed it to Eli. “I made it just like Oskar thought you’d like it.”

“Sure! I’ll give it a try.” She gingerly brought the cup to her lips and took a sip. It was good! She realized she was actually quite hungry – but for what? She took another sip, then a big gulp. It tasted so good!

“Take it easy, Eli,” Elaine cautioned. “It’s been two centuries plus, since you’ve eaten normal food. Don’t push you’re luck.”

Papa reached over and ran a cotton swab across her chest. I also think it’s about time you took a shower. I’m still uncertain whether or not it’s healthy for you to keep all that buildup on your skin for any length of time. Oskar? Go with her and make sure she’s safe.”

“Sure Dad. Eli?” he held out his hand, blushed, and led her into their bathroom.

“What’s wrong Oskar?” Eli smiled at him.

“It’s just that…I don’t get to really help you very often. You’re…were so strong, and stuff.”

She took off her pajamas and unsteadily stepped into the tub, shaking a bit. Oskar quickly grabbed her by the arm and steadied her. He quickly took off his pajamas and stepped into the tub beside her. “Are you okay?”

She looked at him solemnly “I guess I’m going to have to depend on you now, Oskar; at least until I get used to being so…weak.” She turned on the shower and together they cleaned her up as best they could. “Thanks, Oskar.” She turned around and hugged him tightly. I’m so afraid!

I’m so sorry, Eli. Startled, he stepped back. “I heard you, Eli.”

“I know! I heard you too!” she was suddenly very frightened. What if the cure didn’t work on Oskar? What if he’s stuck forever as a 12-year old? He and Papa became immortal a different way and were never vampires. What if the cure isn’t a cure for him? She grabbed a towel and stumbled out of the tub, lost her footing and sprawled across the tile floor, banging her head on the edge of the door. “Ouch!” She rolled over and grabbed her head.

Oskar saw the blood oozing through her fingers, grabbed a towel, and sat down beside her, pressing it against her wound. Eli went limp in his arms and began sobbing.

“What if this was all for nothing? What if you can’t start aging and I leave you behind?” And I’m weak, I’m clumsy, and I’ve already hurt myself badly. She started crying harder.

Elaine was there in a flash, “Let me see Oskar. How bad is it?” She carefully removed the towel, then breathed a sigh of relief. “Its just a little nick! Those scalp wounds really bleed a lot Eli. You’re going to be just fine. The bleeding has almost stopped already.” She got the first-aid kit down and quickly applied Neosporin and put on a bandage. “You’ll be okay now, Butterfly.”

“Mama, Oskar isn’t cured! I can still hear his thoughts, but only when he touches me. I’m different, but he’s the same as before.”

§

Papa nodded his head. “It looks like you’re right, Eli. Oskar still seems to have at least his telepathic abilities with normal humans, although we don’t have another vampire with which to confirm his long-distance abilities any more. But let me assure you, he is aging. All our tests showed that the antidote switches off his immortality DNA segment with the same mechanism that cured you and your mom. So don’t worry. It just may take a bit longer for all Oskar’s abilities to fade; we just don’t know.” He looked over at Jack, “And Jack is going to run the tests on Oskar’s blood again in a few days just to ease your mind. We’ll know absolutely when we get the results of those tests back.”

Eli was sitting across the kitchen table from Papa, wolfing down a plate of peanut butter cookies with Oskar. “Do you think maybe he’ll keep his ability? Is it possible?”

“Totally unknown, Eli. This is all new ground we’re covering. It seems unlikely, but every day he has it increases the chances he’ll keep it. Just keep your fingers crossed.” He reached over and touched Eli’s forehead. “There’s only a faint line there now, Eli. It’s been just three days and it’s almost healed. It looks like you’ve still got a smidgen of your old abilities too.”

Eli, after grousing around about how weak she was, had finally become a bit more comfortable with her ‘handicaps.’ She was still uneasy in the direct sunlight, but just chalked that one up to centuries of conditioning.

But she was feeling increasingly uneasy as the hour of Hannah’s weekend visit approached. She hadn’t seen her since she was cured and her few conversations with her on the phone had seemed a bit tense.

“Papa? How long before the other shots start working?”

“Well, Eli, they’re working already, but puberty is a relatively slow process compared to the immediate changes your old abilities allowed. It can take quite a few years for girls to complete the process, and of course subtle changes will occur for many years even after that. Rest assured, you’re on the steady road to being a real girl now.”

“Kind of like Pinocchio wanting to be a real boy?” Oskar grinned at her.

“And remember, Oskar. You’re on the same road now.”

“Which brings up another subject,” Elaine interjected. “Eli, how much more are you going to tell Hannah? You’re already dangerously close to things that she may not be able to handle until she’s much older. She hasn’t been exposed to anything near the darkness you and even Oskar have experienced. She might just back away from you if you tell her too much. In fact, she might back away forever. Are you prepared for that possibility?”

“It won’t happen! We’re too close! She’ll understand everything if I decide to tell her everything.”

“I hope you’re right, Eli, but be very careful. She still half-believes you’re a fairy. There’s a huge reality gap between an imaginary fairy and a real vampire. Hannah almost certainly knows the stories about vampires; and, frankly, it’s odd to me that she hasn’t even considered the possibility. But she’s the eternal optimist. And that can be a weakness where such things are concerned.” But it’s also Hannah’s strength. If anyone can see through the darkness, it’ll be Hannah. I’ve never met anyone quite like her.

“I’ll be careful, Mama. I promise. I can’t lose her.”

They all turned at the sound of the doorbell. “She’s here, Eli.”

Eli ran to the door. Hannah was standing on the porch with a solemn look on her face. “Eli? Are you okay? You’ve sounded so …distant on the phone. Did I do something wrong? If I did, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was so worried about you! I didn’t sleep at all the night you got your shot. I kept waiting for you to call and tell me you were okay, and when you did I was so happy. Just ask mom.”

She turned toward Livia, who was standing behind her with her hands on her hips shaking her head. “She was, Eli. But I’m sure you knew that.”

“Even Jason was irritated with me, because I kept asking him if he thought you were alright. He says to say ‘hello, Junior’ by the way. Have you been out in the sun yet? You probably shouldn’t be out in it very long until you’re used to it you know. Maybe…”

“Shhh!” Eli put her arms around her. “You talk too much.” She hugged her tightly. And all her fears, all her doubts just melted away.

Hannah smiled at Oskar as he stepped up behind Eli. “Are you okay, Oskar?” she whispered. “I was worried about you too you know.” She turned around and saw that Elaine and her mom were talking by the car. “So you’re both completely okay? And you’re getting older?”

Oskar rubbed his chin. “Actually, no I’m not. It’s been three whole days and I STILL don’t have to shave.”

“You’re not besmirching my honor again are you?” she gave him the Look.

“No, no! I would NEVER do that!” he grinned at her and backed away. “I’m glad you’re here, Hannah. I kind of missed you myself. Things have been way too quiet and peaceful around here.”

“I really missed you too, Oskar.” she gave him a big hug and kissed him on the cheek.

It’s no use, Hannah. You can only embarrass me once by doing that.

Hannah gasped. “Oskar! You can still…”

“Yeah. Eli was really scared at first. She thought she was going to get old without me, but dad tested me and verified that I’m getting older. He doesn’t know why I can still… read minds.”

“Hannah! Would you like some of my cookies? I can eat them now, you know.” She rushed into the kitchen.

Hannah waited until she was out of sight. “What is Eli, Oskar? And what are…were you? None of this makes any sense to me.”

“I think Eli should be the one to tell you, Hannah. But she’s afraid.”

“Why? Why would she be afraid?”

“She’s afraid you won’t like her anymore.”

“There’s nothing she could say that would make me not like her, Oskar.” Could I be right after all? That would explain almost everything…

“Shh!” Oskar put his finger to his lips as Eli came in with the plate of cookies.

§

The afternoon went by quickly. Oskar and Eli took Hannah down to the stream where they first met Jack and Henry. Hannah laughed as Oskar described Seth going head first into the stream and was horrified when he told her about Eli’s broken window and how she had almost died. They walked back past Mrs. Anderson’s old house, now owned by her daughter who had moved in when her mother was ill, and stayed on after she died. But Mrs. Anderson’s flowers were still just as beautiful as ever. As hard as it was for her, Hannah consciously stayed away from any discussions about Eli’s past. She knew Eli would eventually bring it up, but she could feel the tension every time the conversation even slightly headed in that direction.

Oskar was still entranced by how much Eli and Hannah looked alike. Not only alike, but really identical. He noticed only today that Hannah had the exact same freckle between her eyebrows that Eli had. And the one on the left side of her chin. He watched them carefully as they walked along the sidewalk ahead of him. They walked the same. Their subtle body movements were the same. Their arms moved the same. And they laughed the same way, with their eyes. It was spooky to him.

Later at the pool, he noticed that, now that she was ‘human,’ she even swam like Hannah, but better; more polished. They were both pleasantly surprised that she could still swim like a fish in spite of her ‘weakness.’ Fifteen years of practice had obviously paid off, even with her handicap. He resisted the urge to bring out the penny; things were going too well. He didn’t want to take the chance that it could bring Eli down, even though he knew she didn’t really take it seriously.

They had a pleasant dinner together. Elaine had made roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding, now Eli’s favorite. At least for today, Oskar thought to himself. Eli had taken a quick refresher course from Elaine on proper dining etiquette and how to properly hold a knife and fork, since she was a bit rusty after over two centuries of drinking her meals.

All in all, everything had gone smoothly, Oskar thought to himself. Negotiating the minefield of Eli’s past was more difficult that he had expected because, when they were alone as a family, aspects of Eli’s and Mom’s past came up all the time.

§

The three of them were relaxing around Eli’s table after dinner. Mama and Papa had gone to bed, and they were just mellowing out and talking about nothing in particular.

Oskar had finally had enough. He slipped his hand into Eli’s under the table. Eli, you have to decide when and how much you’re going to tell Hannah. I think you need to get it over with one way or another.

You’re right, Oskar. Eli stood up decisively, went over to her bookcase and brought back a worn photo album. She pulled out her favorite photo, the one Gudmund had first showed her, with Hannah standing at the bridge over the Serpentine, and handed it to Hannah. ”This is the first picture I ever saw of you, Hannah.”

Hannah recognized it immediately. “Eli! Where did you get this? I was only there this last spring. I still have those shorts, and I’m wearing the shoes now.” She held out her foot. “No one was there except Mom, Dad and Jason, and we weren’t taking any pictures that day. Who took this?”

“I think…it was the same person who took the picture of Mama and me flying” She knew it couldn’t have been, because it was taken in broad daylight, but it was certainly someone working for him.

“Eli, I can’t stand it anymore! You’ve got to tell me. How can I really know you if I don’t know?” Should she do it? Should she take the chance? What if I’m right? What am I going to do if I’m right? ”Eli? You promised me that if I guessed right. You’d tell me. Is that still the deal?”

“Yes.” She looked at Oskar.

She took a deep breath, “I’ve tried to piece everything together, but nothing seemed to fit until…”

She began again, “Eli, you could fly, you were super strong, and you could see and hear things that no one else can. But you couldn’t go out in the sun because it could have killed you. You didn’t eat food, yet you won’t tell me what you could eat. And you’re…were immortal. You’re not a fairy. Once I realized that absolutely, there was only one other possibility, at least in my mind.” She paused. “And I dreamt about it the last time I was here, but was to afraid to wake you up and tell you about it.”

“Eli? Are … were you and your mama…vampires?”

She looked directly into Hannah’s eyes. “… Yes.”

Hannah looked at her intently; then put her head down on the table and closed her eyes.

“Hannah? Please don’t…hate me. Hannah?” she could see tears in her eyes.

Oskar slid over next to Hannah. “Please, Hannah; give her a chance to explain.”

Hannah raised her head, “Who do you think I am, anyway?” she said angrily. “Do you think I would for a second, change my opinion of Eli because of this? Eli’s the same person she was ten minutes ago and two months ago. Nothing’s changed except that what I wanted to believe about her isn’t true. But sometimes I’m just a silly kid, just like Mom says. It’s not Eli’s fault – It’s mine. All my silly stories about fairies have made it even harder for Eli and you, too, Oskar, to tell me the truth. Like you’re afraid that naïve Hannah can’t handle it. Well, I’m not fluffy! I just like fluffy things! And I’m not stupid!” she crossed her arms in front of her, defiantly.

“Wow! I guess she told us, Eli.” Oskar grinned sheepishly.

“What else do you want to know, Hannah?” Eli said quietly. “Anything you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

Hannah pulled the family tree out of her backpack and pushed it over in front of Eli. “Show me where you are on the family tree,” she said firmly. She felt a tightness in the pit of her stomach. Please let me be wrong this time.

Eli hesitated a second; then, “Right there, Hannah. That’s me.” She pointed at the Elias line.

Hannah gasped. “So! You’re Elias? A boy? And we’ve been sleeping together in my bed and your bed, and you didn’t think it was important enough to tell me? Did you think I would freak out or something? Well, you’re right; I am!” she got up and paced around the room. “And you lied to me too, Oskar? You knew he was a boy and you didn’t ever tell me? What’s the matter with you two? Is this some kind of game to you?” she paced even faster, then sat down on the window seat and stared out the window. “I want to go home.”

She closed her eyes. She saw John’s face leering at her. She saw Rod dragging Eli’s unconscious body across the field. She saw the look on Lamar’s face as he raced after her towards the tree. She couldn’t shake it off. Boys! They only think about one thing. And what was Elias thinking about when we were sleeping together? What did he do to me while I was asleep? Did it all, finally, come down to that?

“You’re okay with Eli being a vampire, but not okay with her being a boy?” Oskar said angrily. He thought back to his first feelings when he found out himself. And it hadn’t mattered to him. “And, for what it’s worth she’s not a boy. And she’s the same person she was ten minutes ago and two months ago,” he mocked.

“She didn’t lie to me about being a vampire! She lied to me about being a girl! No, the point is, you both made a fool of me. I trusted you and you lied to me! ‘Blood SISTERS’ you said.”

“You called me that Hannah, not me.” Eli’s heart was breaking.

“But you didn’t set me straight, did you? Why? Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m not a boy, Hannah! I’m a nothing!” Eli sobbed.

Hannah was confused; and she was suddenly concerned about Eli in spite of her anger, I know Eli wouldn’t have done that to me. She couldn’t have! I’ve got to be wrong! “What do you mean, Eli?” She knew she was angry, not ultimately because Eli was a boy, but because they had deliberately withheld it from her. It was insulting and demeaning. She felt that she had been betrayed by someone she loved more than anyone outside her own family – maybe even more than that. And, she had to admit, it DID bother her that Eli was a boy.

“I’ll do this, Eli.” Oskar held out his hand to Hannah. “Come here and I’ll show you.”

Hannah hesitated, “What are you going to do?”

Oskar grabbed Eli’s hand tightly. “Come here! What have you got to lose now? You’re going home, remember?” he said coldly.

Hannah reluctantly sat back down at the table, and gingerly reached for Oskar’s hand. She looked at Eli. “Eli, I’m…”

She saw His deep blue eyes. She felt herself being strapped naked to the table and struggled to get away. She felt the searing pain as her…his…penis was cut away. She watched Him drink her blood over and over again. Felt His fangs on her neck; felt the terror as she lay naked in the dark cell; felt herself thrown into the pit. She felt the pain as she left her loving family forever, and finally the pain of the first kill; then, the death of innocence.

Hannah jerked her hand away, stumbled across the room, and collapsed on Eli’s bed, as her hand reflexively moved to her groin. She curled up in a ball and stared blankly at the wall.

“It was too much, Oskar! We shouldn’t have!” Eli was frightened.

“I was mad, Eli. I’m sorry. But she had no right to say what she did! I wasn’t going to just sit there and let her … hurt you like that!”

“She had every right, Oskar. In her mind, I lied to her. Every day I didn’t tell her was another lie. She’s right. She’s right!” Eli rushed over and lay down beside her on the bed. “Hannah, please, please forgive me. I’m sorry I hurt you, I’m sorry I’m a boy, I’m sorry I lied to you. I’m weak and selfish, I’m…”

Hannah turned around and pulled Eli up against her, “Shh! You talk too much.”

Eli melted in her arms.

§

Hannah held Eli’s hands in hers across the table. “I’m so sorry Eli. I can’t believe how selfish I am, I didn’t mean any of those things I said to you. I thought more about my stupid pride than about your feelings and your reasons. I should have trusted you.”

“It’s all right Hannah, it’s my fault. I should have told you that first sleepover. I knew how afraid you were of those boys. I just wimped out.”

“But I didn’t really tell you how frightened I had been Eli. It’s my fault. I didn’t want you to think I was a baby.”

“I would never have thought that, Hannah! You were so brave. I was the coward. I didn’t have the guts to tell you I had been a boy.”

“Let’s quit the blame game, okay?” Oskar groused. You’re twin jerks! Get past it!” he paused and looked down at his feet. “I’m really sorry, Hannah. I didn’t mean to show you so much, but I was mad – and stupid. And I hurt you.

Hannah smiled at him, “It’s okay Oskar, I’m glad you did it. I just saw it; Eli has to relive it over and over. You’re a very nice boy Oskar, and you really are cute!”

Oskar, caught off guard, blushed again.

“I can’t believe you were born a boy, Eli. We look exactly alike! How is that possible?”

“Dad says it’s because neither of you have gone through puberty yet. You’re both sexless at this point,” he smirked.

“Speak for yourself, Oskar. You’re the same age, and girls mature faster than boys. You’ll be ‘sexless’ a lot longer than either of us.” Eli retorted. “Remember, I’m getting my shots now.”

“Yeah, Oskar. We’ll mature, become ravishingly beautiful, and you’ll…stay just as you are. Cute.” Hannah shook her head sadly.

“I give up! I can’t fight two of you, Eli.” He got up and headed for his room.

“Oskar, you’re not mad are you?” Hannah asked anxiously. “I…We were just kidding!”

He smiled at her, “I know, Hannah. I’m just tired.” He leaned against the doorframe and closed his eyes. Hannah quickly got up and walked over to him. “I like the way you stuck up for Eli, Oskar. You must love her very much.” Her eyes searched his. She put her arms around him. “She’s not your sister, Oskar. Right?”

Hannah, Eli saved my life. She REALLY saved my life. I love her, and I’m in love with her. We’re going to marry when we grow up. She’s everything to me.

Then I really must have hurt you when I was angry with her. You must have really thought I was an awful person. I’m so sorry Oskar; I didn’t know …”

“I was mad at you, Hannah. But how could I stay mad at someone who looks so much like Eli? And who is as kind and sweet as she is?”

It was Hannah’s turn to blush. “Thank you, Oskar.” she kissed him on the cheek. “That makes you my blood brother, you know. Because we both love the same person.”

“Can you two get any mushier? Stop! I’m having a sugar rush!!” She got up and grabbed Oskar’s arm. “Stay! I don’t want you to leave. Hannah?”

“But…where will he sleep?”

“With us, of course. Since there are no secrets anymore, he sleeps with me every night. You’re not afraid of him are you?”

“Are you kidding? But…”

Oskar can’t talk to me anymore unless we’re touching. I don’t want to leave him alone in his room by himself.”

“It’s okay, Eli. I know how Hannah feels. I’ll be fine. It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”

“You think I’m afraid of you?” Hannah said, defiantly.

“Well…”

“That’s it!! Get over there and put on your pajamas. You do have pajamas, don’t you? Otherwise there’s absolutely no chance I’ll sleep with you in the same bed.” She shuddered dramatically.

As soon as Oskar closed the door, Hannah opened her suitcase, grinned and pulled out her new pajamas. She stripped down quickly, put them on, then turned around for Eli, who had already changed.

“Hannah, they’re covered with fairies!!” Eli laughed.

“And if Oskar says anything…” she got a dark look on her face.

They both turned as Oskar knocked lightly on the door. “Can I come in”

“Yeah!” they said in unison.

Oskar peeked in the door. “Is everyone decent?”

“We’re always decent, Oskar. Grow up!” Hannah scolded him.

Oskar came in looking a bit sheepish, and stood next to Eli.

“Oskar. You get in first. Up against the wall.”

Oskar quickly climbed into bed and pressed himself against the wall. Eli got in, backed up against him and pulled his arms around her. Hannah slipped in facing Eli with a big grin on her face as Eli pulled the covers up over them all. “I don’t think I’m going to tell Mom and Dad about this. I don’t want them to flip out,” she giggled. “You don’t snore do you Oskar? I’ll slug you if you do.”

“No, no. but Eli used to purr. I really liked that.” He kissed her on the back of the neck.

“You purred? How cute!” she pinched Eli’s cheek. “I wonder what Einstein would have thought of that? It’s a good thing you didn’t do that at my house!” They all laughed at the thought.

“You’re not a blanket hog are you Oskar? I tend to slug people for that too.”

“I tend to push people out of bed who slug me in my sleep. It’s just a reflex. I can’t be held responsible.”

Hannah whacked him on the arm. “I tend to slug people who threaten me, too.”

“Boy you sure have a low threshold of slugginess.” Oskar complained. “Maybe I should have worn a suit of armor instead of pajamas.”

“Oskar?”

“What is it, Hannah?” He sighed.

“This is fun!” She reached over and tousled his hair.

“Excuse me! Am I in your way? Would you two like to be alone? I could go sleep in Oskar’s room, if you’d like.” Eli complained.

“Don’t you dare!” Hannah grabbed her around the waist.

“Whazza matter? Afraid to face me without your ‘guardian angel’ nearby to protect you?”

“Are you besmirching my honor again?” she raised herself up on her elbow and glared at him; then slowly reached for him, an evil grin on her face.

“You forget, Hannah. I’m Oskar’s guardian angel too, and he has seniority!” she pounced on her and tickled her mercilessly. They both fell on the floor trying to get a grip on one another.

Oskar had an epiphany. “Her neck, Eli! Go for her neck!”

Hannah screamed and flopped around on the floor as Eli began tickling her around the neck. “Uncle, Uncle! Eli, please!” she dissolved in laughter.

Oskar sat up on the edge of the bed enjoying himself immensely. “I didn’t hear her, did you Eli? Did she say something?”

“UNCLE! I said uncle!” Hannah was lying on her back, completely out of breath. Eli rolled off and lay beside her, breathing hard. “See, Oskar? I’ve still got it! I don’t need my super powers.” She got up, grabbed Hannah’s hands and pulled her to her feet.

“Eli, I want to do this forever! I’ve never had a friend anything like you before.” She hugged her and put her head on her shoulder.

Reluctantly, Oskar backed up against the wall again, and Eli and Hannah slipped back in bed next to him.

“Is that it for the night? Have you had enough?” Oskar needled Hannah.

“I haven’t the energy left to slug you, Oskar! Be thankful.” She squeezed his hand.

They lay there together quietly for a few minutes.

“Eli? I have lots of questions, but…I think I’ll wait until tomorrow, okay? I’m kind of sleepy.”

“Me too!”

“Me too!” Oskar yawned. “Hannah?”

Yes, Oskar?”

“Nice pajamas…Ouch! You didn’t have to do that!”

“Yeah. I kind of did, Oskar.”

§

“Rich! You’ve got to see this! It’s priceless!” Elaine whispered. She grabbed the camera off the counter.

He got up from the kitchen table and followed her up the stairs, taking his cup of tea with him.

“Shh! Be quiet now.” She opened the door to Eli’s room and nodded toward her bed. Eli, Oskar and Hannah were still sound asleep; over, around and on top of one another, arms and legs hopelessly tangled. He couldn’t tell where one ended and the next began.

“Looks like they worked some things out last night.” He whispered. How beautiful they look together. Two Eli’s and an Oskar. Closer to the truth than he had ever thought possible. He had some news for them that would astound them. He could hardly wait to see their reaction.

“Should we wake them up?”

“There’s nothing I would like better. Just to see their faces.” Elaine handed Rich the camera.

Papa put down his cup of tea, framed them perfectly in the viewfinder, and then snapped the picture. The flash had barely faded when three sets of eyes popped open.

“Papa! What are you doing?” She spotted the camera. “You didn’t! How embarrassing!”

Hannah sat up quickly, “Mr. Dawson! Mrs. Dawson!” she turned bright red. Oskar rubbed his eyes and grinned sheepishly.

“Why don’t you three get yourselves dressed and come down for breakfast. I’ve got some very interesting news for you. I think you will be delighted, Hannah.” Papa smiled as they retreated out the door and gently closed it behind them.

“Your mom and dad are so neat, Eli!” she hopped out of bed and headed for her suitcase. “Oskar, get out of here! We have to get ready.”

“Okay, okay. I can take a hint.” He stumbled out of bed and headed for his room.

“Who’s hinting?” she called after him.

“I really like your pajamas, Hannah. They’re so … fairy-like.” He quickly slammed his door and locked it.

§

The three of them raced down the stairs and plopped down at the kitchen table. “What, Papa? What news?”

“Why don’t we have some breakfast first?” He passed around the plate of bangers, while Elaine dished out the scrambled eggs.

“Slow down, Eli. The news will wait, and since you’ve not experienced indigestion in over two centuries, I suspect you’ve forgotten how ‘inconvenient’ it can be.” He smiled at her.

Finally, breakfast finished, they settled down and Eli poured them all another cup of tea. “Well, Papa?”

“Well, Eli, Jack finished the DNA tests on Hannah’s sample. And what he found was quite extraordinary. So much so that he ran a second test; and a third. The results were the same.

“WHAT, Papa? What were the results?” Eli was standing now, excited. She grabbed Hannah’s hand.

“We are related, aren’t we Mr. Dawson? The family tree says we are.” Hannah sounded a bit worried.

“Hannah, you’re more than related. Your DNA and Eli’s are an exact match. It’s as though you were identical twins. It’s completely impossible, but there it is. And now that Eli is getting estrogen injections, your DNA-dependent gender indicators are a perfect match also.

“I knew it!” Oskar exclaimed. “Dad, look at their freckles!” He pushed them next to each other and pointed out the two freckles, one on the left side of their chins and the smaller one between their eyebrows.

“I never noticed that before, Oskar. You’re absolutely right!” Elaine said.

Hannah and Eli smiled at each other. “I knew it the first day I met you, Eli. Not that we were identical, but that there was a real connection between us. Something special.”

“Papa? Do you think that’s why Hannah could hear me and see through my eyes even though we didn’t have to kiss?”

“I don’t know Eli, but it seems like the most likely, though thoroughly unscientific explanation. The amazing thing though, is that you are identical. The chance of that happening is unimaginably small.”

“So if I had a real identical twin, she would be exactly the same as Eli? Is that what you’re saying, Mr. Dawson?”

“Exactly, Hannah. Eli is for all practical purposes, your twin sister. You could even donate organs to each other without fear of rejection. Yet, you’re over two centuries apart on your family tree.”

Dawson found the whole thing more worrisome the more he thought about it. It really was impossible, but it happened. How? He realized he and Jack had a lot of work to do. Perhaps a long talk with Hannah’s parents…

§

They spent most of the morning just talking in Eli’s room. Eli showed Hannah her refrigerator, now containing mainly cold pop, a pitcher of ice water, and a bottle of milk, but she made sure Hannah knew what had been there all those years before, and why it had a lock on the door.

Hannah was transfixed as Eli recounted the story of Oskar’s hard life, and how they had found each other, and how they had run away together. Papa had told Eli that she was not to burden Hannah with the deaths of the bullies or the death of Detective Ellstrom. He firmly believed that, although she could probably handle it, she shouldn’t have to at this point in her life. Having to keep a secret that involved what might be considered by some to be murder, was too much of a burden. There was plenty of time to tell her when they were all a bit older. Eli and Oskar had agreed, but only under the condition that Hannah was told that there were deliberate omissions from their stories at Mama’s and Papa’s request.

“I can’t imagine having to go off on my own and rent an apartment and pay bills like you did. You’re both so much stronger than I am.” Hannah had said.

She made them tell the story about Papa over and over again; about how he cared for them and protected them and took them in. “See Eli? It’s a fairy story after all, because you all lived happily ever after.”

So Eli told her the somewhat sanitized story of the Other One, how together, they had defeated him, and how they had met Elaine. She hoped it would give Hannah another taste of the reality and darkness of a vampire’s life.

“So your mama was a prisoner for 40 years in the Other One’s underground Castle? Until you, Oskar and your dad freed her? Now if that’s not a fairy tale I don’t know what is!”

Eli finally gave up. She couldn’t force Hannah to see what she didn’t choose to see.

She had giggled when Eli described their first flight together and how it had ended with them both standing naked in front of Papa and Oskar, wings fully unfurled. “Was it love at first sight?” she had asked.

“Hardly! Papa was very worried that she would be a bad influence on me, and he almost punched her out once because of it.”

“Like that could have happened.” Oskar said.

“No, Oskar. I think Mama would have let him do it.”

“Then she must have loved him,” Hannah declared.

Oskar smiled at Hannah. “No, she loved Eli,” he said. “Eli even saved her life.”

“No I didn’t, Oskar.”

“Yes you did! Mom says that if you hadn’t tried to talk Dad into letting her stay with us. It never would have occurred to her to turn to him for help after … what happened.”

Hannah whipped out her notebook, “Another secret for later then? I’m keeping track you know.” She wrote something brief, then snapped it shut.

After lunch, they all went to Hyde Park together and posed on the bridge over the Serpentine, right where Hannah had been standing in Gudmund’s photo. All five of them together, one big family Hannah had said. Papa promised Hannah a framed copy of the picture for herself.

They stayed in town long enough to try dinner at the “Texas Embassy” near Trafalgar Square, but they all agreed that the food was a bit too greasy for their taste. And the place was kind of loud. “Honestly, I don’t understand why Americans don’t think much of our food. Theirs is awfully greasy and kind of tasteless to me.” Hannah said. “But thank you for taking me there, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson,” she said quickly. “It WAS an interesting experience.”

Elaine laughed as she worked her way through the heavy traffic, “That’s a nice recovery, Hannah, but you needn’t have bothered. Your license to complain comes with being a part of our family now.” She reached back and patted her on the leg.

It was dark by the time they pulled into the driveway. The kids were already halfway up the stairs before Rich and Elaine walked through the front door.

“What do you think, Rich? Is she strong enough to survive our family’s dark history?”

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think so, but remember, she’s essentially Eli. And Eli has that strength, hands down. I think it’s going to be hard for her, but I sense that same strength in her.”

§

Hannah had spent a good deal of time thinking about Eli’s life and it had dawned on her that she must have killed a lot of people over the years in order to survive. At first, she had wanted to ask Eli about it, but she realized almost immediately that Eli had no more control over that than Einstein had over his barking. She remembered once when she accidentally knocked a bird’s nest out of the tree and Einstein had attacked and killed the babies before she had been able to stop him. She wanted to punish him, but her dad stopped her. “Hannah, it’s his nature. He can’t control his nature any more than you can control your breathing. He’s done nothing wrong.” She knew it wasn’t the same; innocent people had lost their lives, but she also knew Eli was blameless; she had experienced the power of the parasite herself. She knew. She only hoped that Eli knew she was blameless.

“Eli, what do you miss the most? You know, about being a ‘fairy’?”

“Hannah…”

“I refuse to call you … that! Because you weren’t! Your parasite was a vampire, but you were a fairy; you’ll not be able to convince me otherwise.”

“I agree with her, Eli. I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Oskar smiled at Hannah.

“Don’t get all mushy again, please! I killed thousands of people. I’m not blameless here. I could have…”

“Killed yourself? Don’t be silly! We would never have met then. And Oskar might have been killed. And your mama! And I! Twice!”

“Hannah, can’t you ever look at things the way they really are?” Eli was exasperated.

“I could, but you’re so good at looking at the dark side, I thought SOMEONE around here ought to look at the right side. You’re a kindred spirit Eli, and I’m not going to sit here quietly and let you beat yourself up all the time.”

“But I…”

“What do you miss the most, Eli? About being a FAIRY?” she glared at her.

Eli sighed, “I miss my wings. And being able to fly with Mama. And Oskar. And you. I wish we had more time…”

“I really loved that too! It was magical. I can imagine how Oskar must have felt when you rescued him! How exciting!”

“Actually, I was scared to death at first. Especially when Eli jumped out the window before I had a good grip on her. I thought I was going to die!” He shuddered at the thought. “Hannah! Could you feel her muscles when you were flying with her? ”

“Yes! She’ so strong! It was amazing!”

“And the feeling when she turns? Or comes in for a landing?”

“I know! I shut my eyes the first time. I couldn’t see how she could possibly do it!”

“You’re doing it again!” Eli put her hands over their mouths. “Now, take a deep breath and think some dark thoughts! You’re both driving me crazy!” But Eli felt warm and fuzzy inside in spite of herself. She had to admit, Hannah was contagious.

There was a light knock on the door, and Elaine peeked in. “Don’t you think it’s about time for you all to go to bed? It’s getting a bit late.”

“Okay Mama!” Eli got up and headed for her dresser. Elaine smiled at her and closed the door quietly.

“Oskar? Get…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, Hannah. ‘Get out of here.’” he headed for the door.

“You’re coming back, right?” She blushed and looked down at the floor.

“Are you sure? I’ll be fine, really.”

“Oskar, for God’s sake! Put your pajamas on and get back over here!” Eli threw her hands up in frustration. What on Earth is the matter with those two?

“Eli, do you think I’m too hard on Oskar? I don’t want him to think I’m mad a t him or anything.”

“Nah! He knows you don’t mean it. I do it all the time. He’s used to it.”

“Good! I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

They changed quickly and were sitting together on the window seat when Oskar knocked on the door.

“Come in Oskar,” Hannah called out.

Oskar came in quietly and sat down on the window seat with them. He stared out the window into the darkness, then laid his head on her shoulder. “Eli? I’m so sorry you can’t see in the dark anymore.” He put his arm around her.

“Me too, Oskar.” She sighed, then slowly got up, sat down on the bed and held out her hands, “Oskar?”

He took her hands and slid past her up against the wall. Hannah waited until they got settled, then slipped in beside them. “Eli? What was your sister like? I saw her for a moment when Oskar showed me…” her voice trailed off.

“She was a little like you, Hannah. You have her smile.” Eli tried to remember exactly what she looked like, but it was so long ago, it was almost impossible.

“That means you have her smile too, Eli.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I guess you’re right, Hannah.” For some reason, the idea made Eli sad. It made her feel closer to Anne, but it only brought home to her how long it had been since she had said her silent goodbyes as Anne lay on her bed, crying for her Elias.

Don’t be sad Eli! Oskar wrapped his arms around her.

“Oskar, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean…”

“It’s okay, Hannah,” Eli said. “It’s not your fault. Sometimes I miss my family a lot, and you just reminded me of why.”

Hannah felt so sad for her. Eli’s whole life had been an unimaginable tragedy. She lay there quietly for a while, then reached down, slipped her hands into theirs, and drifted off to sleep, sharing her dreams with them both. She could feel Oskar smiling at her.

It was pitch black when Hannah woke up. She carefully extracted herself from the tangle of arms and legs, slipped out of bed, and moved quietly over to the window seat. With the moon gone, the stars were brilliant, and the Milky Way, usually not easy to see, was sharp and well defined. She tried to imagine all those stars as Eli had shown them to her, but it was almost impossible. She shook her head sadly as she realized once again the enormity of what Eli had given up. She glanced down into the back yard and realized the lights were on in the kitchen. I wonder who could be up this late? On an impulse, she quietly slipped out of the room, closed the door behind her and tiptoed downstairs. She walked timidly up to the kitchen door and peeked around the corner.

“Hannah! What are you doing up so late? Come on in and keep me company. Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please, Mr. Dawson.” She sat down at the kitchen table and watched as he reached for a cup, paused a moment, then carefully brought down a cup from the top shelf and placed it in front of her alongside a small pitcher of milk and a bowl of sugar cubes. She grinned as she noticed the tiny fairies and elves dancing around the inside as well as the outside of the cup. “How pretty! Where did you get this?”

“It was my son’s when he was about seven.” Dawson smiled at her as he filled her cup. “He liked fairy tales.”

“It’s really pretty! I’ve never seen one like it before! And it’s a full-sized cup!” she turned it around and examined it carefully. “These are the most beautiful little fairies I’ve ever seen!”

“You really like it? Then I want you to have it.”

“I couldn’t, really! Doesn’t your son want it?”

“He died in a car accident a long time ago, along with his mother, Hannah. Not long after she made this for him. She was a bit of an artist too.”

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know.” Hannah was mortified.

“Of course you didn’t! It’s okay Hannah.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “But I really want you to have the cup.”

How awful! Everyone in this whole family has had something really bad happen to them! “Thank you so much Mr. Dawson!”

She carefully took a sip of tea, holding the cup with both hands. “What are you doing up so late, Mr. Dawson?”

“Believe it or not, I was thinking about you, Hannah. And how much you’re like Eli.”

“We’re kindred spirits, you know; like in ‘Anne of Green Gables.’” Hannah smiled at him.

“I’m not surprised, Hannah with an ‘h.’ And you kind of look alike too.” His eyes twinkled.

“You’re funny, Mr. Dawson,” she giggled. He’s so, so nice!

“So! What brings you down here in the middle of the night? Did Oskar push you out of bed?”

She blushed, “No, no. I just…was worrying about Eli and I couldn’t sleep. What’s going to become of her? All these things her vampire did to her. Whatever would happen to her if people found out? She could go to jail forever. Or end up in a cage somewhere.”

“We’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen, won’t we?” She lies awake at night worrying about that? What an amazing child she is!

“And what about the other shot? The one that stopped Oskar from getting old? What if people find out about that?”

“Hannah, you let Mrs. Dawson and me worry about those things. Please don’t take this on yourself. I promise you; Eli is safe here.”

“I can’t help it. I’m so frightened for her.”

“Hannah, the best thing you can do for Eli you’re already doing. You’re being a strong, supportive friend to her. She lived for over two centuries all alone. She needs all the friends she can get, especially now that she is, in her own mind, defenseless.”

“She’s not defenseless at all, Mr. Dawson! She beat me up last night!”

“Yes, I know, Hannah. Mrs. Dawson and I heard the ‘agony of your defeat’ all the way downstairs.” He smiled at her.

“I’m sorry! I hope…”

Dawson held up his hand. “Hannah, don’t apologize. Elaine and I really enjoy having you over – we both really enjoy the chaos; even in the middle of the night.

“Mr. Dawson? How did you know it was me instead of Eli when I came in?”

He looked deliberately at her pajamas, then back up at her with a half-grin on his face.

“Oh. Right.”

“But I would have known anyway, Hannah.”

“What? How?”

“Because I know you now. It’s easy. But of course, I’m not giving away any of my secrets.”

Hannah yawned through her smile. “Eli and I will figure it out together. Just you wait!”

Dawson stood up and collected the cups, “I can tell you’re tired Hannah. Why don’t you go on up to bed? I’ll clean up down here. I’ll put your cup on the second shelf here in the corner where you can reach it tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, Mr. Dawson.” She gave him a big hug, then tiptoed back up the stairs.

There’s more to this child than meets the eye, but I can’t put my finger on it. On the one hand, she’s a typical 12-year-old, but there’s more. She’s smart in a very intriguing way; a perfect foil for Eli. If I didn’t know better…. He felt he was missing something – something important. Well, no matter. We’re lucky to have her. But he knew it wasn’t luck; If Gudmund hadn’t painstakingly researched the family tree, they never would have found her. He and Elaine needed to talk. He turned out the lights and headed up to their room. And they needed to get Jack and Henry involved. This whole impossible thing was driving him nuts.

§

Hannah opened the door quietly, tiptoed over to the bed and slipped under the covers.

“Hannah? Where were you? I was worried. I thought maybe I had pushed you out of bed or something, and you were lying on the floor badly injured.” Oskar whispered. She could just barely make out the big grin on his face.

“Ha, Ha. No, I just couldn’t sleep. I went downstairs and talked to your dad a while. He was up too,” she whispered back. “I was worried about Eli.”

“I worry about her too.” He delicately kissed her on the cheek; he didn’t want to wake her. “She’s so pretty, Hannah.” He paused, then slowly looked up at her. “I guess that means you’re pretty too, doesn’t it? Not that I’ve noticed or anything.”

Hannah blushed, then sat up, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Oskar, you’re the sweetest boy I’ve ever met. I guess that’s why Eli loves you so much, huh?”

“Nah! She loves me because I’m so fierce and strong. You should see what I can do to a tree. When she saw me working over that tree, it was love at first sight.”

Hannah smothered a laugh, unsuccessfully. “Oskar, you’re as funny as your dad.”

“Yeah, he’s a riot. Especially in the middle of the night,” Eli yawned, then flopped over on her back and gently pulled them both up next to her. They lay there for a while, their heads resting on her chest, their faces just a few inches away from each other. They exchanged a grin, then slowly fell asleep to the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of Eli’s chest.

§

“They’re absolutely beautiful, Eli.” Hannah examined the white egg carefully. “It’s perfect!” She placed it carefully on its base.

“Watch this, Hannah!” Eli rotated the eggs carefully, then slowly went through the procedure. At the final click, the platform lifted and Eli set it aside to reveal the twin crowns in the base. She lifted them out of the base and held them up for Hannah to see.

Hannah gasped, “Those belong in the center of the egg? How magical!” she picked up the base and examined it closely. “Wow! It’s really heavy. I wonder how it works? Where are all the gears and springs and stuff that make it work?”

Oskar reached over and pointed at the side wall of the chamber. “See that faint line there? There’s another compartment there that we think has all that stuff in it. At least that’s where the noise comes from when it’s working.”

Hannah turned it over and looked at the bottom. “It’s a bit rough on the bottom, kind of like the underside of a dresser or something. You know; a part that no one ever looks at so it’s not really finished properly?”

“Yeah, we noticed that. It’s really not bad, except for the fingerprints in the varnish or whatever it is.” Oskar said.

Hannah looked at it more closely, “Yeah I see what you mean. Maybe he was in a hurry when he was finishing it.”

“I don’t think so Hannah. He had over a century he could have worked on it.” She snapped the platform back in place and put the base back on the shelf with the eggs.

Hannah leaned over and put her chin in her hands. “And he could also see the future. Neither you nor your mom can do that, right?”

“Right. But Gudmund’s father could do it too.”

“No, the point is he made the base so only you could open it. You’re the only one in the world alive who had seen the inside of the egg, and knew which way was right side up. You were the only one that knew all that, plus had the abilities to see those tiny differences that even Oskar couldn’t see. And he knew you would eventually open it, right? Even though it was made over 150 years before it happened?”

“Yes…What are you getting at?” Eli asked, puzzled.

Hannah thought for a minute, “If he could do all that, and make the base for the eggs so perfect that moving them just right made all the gears and stuff work, why would he make such a mess out of the bottom? Why isn’t it perfect too?”

“Maybe it is!” Oskar exclaimed. He carefully removed the eggs, took the base down off the shelf again and placed it in the center of the table, upside down. “Just a minute.” He got up and went into his room. He was back in a few seconds with a huge magnifying glass, with which he examined the base carefully.

“These fingerprints are small. There’s one at each end of the bottom. He looked at them closely. He suddenly jumped up, ran back into his room and returned with an ink pad and several sheets of paper. “Eli! Give me your hand.”

Oskar, after a few messy missteps, proceeded to get a reasonable impression of all ten of Eli’s fingers, which he examined carefully under the powerful magnifying glass while Eli grumbled in the background as she tried unsuccessfully to get the ink off her hands and arms.

“Eli, this is your fingerprint!!” he announced triumphantly. “It’s the index finger of your right hand.” He examined the second print. “So’s this one! They’re both your right index finger.” He pushed the base over to her.

“Put your finger there!” He pointed at the base.

No sooner had she placed her finger over the impression, than they heard a quite audible ‘click.’

Hannah gasped. Oskar and Eli looked at each other. Oskar quickly turned it around. “Now this side, Eli.”

Once again, they heard the familiar ‘click,’ but nothing else happened. Puzzled, Eli tried it in reverse; then tried it faster; then tried it with the base upright, but nothing they tried seemed to make any difference.

“Well, while you two geniuses try to figure it out, I’m going to go take a shower. I not only got the ink all over my hands, but it’s on my face and arms too. Oskar, you’re so sloppy; Sherlock Holmes would have been ashamed of you.” Frustrated, she got up in a huff and headed for the bathroom.

Hannah went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a coke. “Would you like anything, Oskar?”

Oskar’s eyes lit up when he spotted the pitcher of ice water. “Wait here, Hannah.” He brushed past her, grabbed the pitcher and headed for the bathroom, stopping for a second to open a drawer and toss Hannah a couple of towels. “You’re going to need these in a minute or so.” He put his finger to his lips, turned and headed for the bathroom, where they could hear the shower running.

Hannah stood up with the towels in her hand. Oskar, what…”

Suddenly she heard a blood-curdling scream from the bathroom, followed immediately by Oskar’s grinning face as he tossed the empty pitcher aside, ran across the room and crouched behind Eli’s table. Eli, red-faced and dripping wet, stormed into the room, slipped and fell on her butt with a wet smack and slid across the floor, coming to a halt at Hannah’s feet. Hannah saw…everything.

“Eli, I…” Hannah started. She had lived Eli’s nightmare, but seeing the results for herself, in the present, having been inflicted on someone she loved dearly, was another matter.

Eli jumped up, brushed by her without a word and, eyes blazing, headed for Oskar, but no matter how hard she tried to get hold of him, he deftly keep the table between them.

“Oskar, I’m going to get you! You know I will eventually.”

“Yeah? And what are you going to do with me when you do? He grinned at her. “I outweigh you, you know. and you don’t have your vampire buddy to help you out any more,” he mocked.

After a few fruitless attempts to psych him out by looking fierce, Eli gave up, broke into a big grin, and sat down at the table.

Oskar smiled at her, bowed, and sat down across from her. Without a word, Eli reached behind her. Hannah handed her a towel and she wrapped it around herself. “Thanks, Hannah.”

“Even?” she smiled at him.

“Even!”

“Oskar, this is the first time I’ve been really cold in over two centuries! I’d forgotten how…exhilarating it can be.” She shivered and rubbed her goose bumps; then she stood up, went over to her dresser and quickly put fresh clothes on. Hannah followed her with her eyes.

My poor Eli! How could anyone have done such a thing to her? She decided she would keep her thoughts on the matter to herself. If Eli and Oskar could do it, she certainly could. She sat down at the table and absently turned the base around in her hands. “Oskar, I have the funny feeling that you were once on the receiving end of that pitcher of water.”

“Hannah, you’re too smart for your own good.” He grinned at her.

‘Click’ Hannah was so startled she almost dropped the base. “Oskar, what…”

Oskar leaned over and stared at the base, where Hannah’s index finger was directly over one of the prints. He grabbed it from her and turned it around. “Do it again, Hannah!” He said excitedly.

She gingerly placed her finger on the second print. They both heard the resulting ‘click.’

He jumped up. “Of course! You’re identical twins!! Your fingerprints are the same! Eli! Get over here!”

As soon as Eli sat down, Oskar placed the base upside down on the table. “Now, both at the same time: Three…two…one…now!” Eli and Hannah smiled at each other as they pressed their fingers down firmly on the depressions.

The twin clicks were almost simultaneous, and were followed a second later by a third click. A small door, completely obscured by the uneven finish on the base, popped open.

All three of them leaned forward, their heads almost touching, and peered into the opening. It was shallow; no more than ½ inch deep, and appeared to be empty. But engraved in the exposed ebony base of the opening was a series of numbers and letters.

“PA V6 p12 HS BB CCR” Oskar read slowly. “Is that all?” He poked his finger in the opening and moved it around. Nothing. He pressed hard against the bottom of the opening, but it felt quite solid.

“Oskar, go get Papa.” Eli turned and looked at Hannah. Hannah, without a word, raised her arms up, palms out, towards Eli. Eli gently placed her palms against Hannah’s, smiled and clasped her hands tightly in hers. “Blood sisters?”

“Blood sisters.”

“Kindred Spirits?”

“Kindred Spirits!” Eli kissed her gently on the forehead.

§

“Good analytical thinking, Oskar, but unfortunately it’s based on a false premise.” Papa said, as he and Elaine followed him into the room.

“What do you mean?”

“Identical twins’ fingerprints are similar, but never identical. Random environmental factors, primarily in the womb, affect them just enough to produce discernable differences. Hannah? Do you mind?” He took Hannah’s right index finger rolled it on the ink pad and pressed her finger next to Eli’s print.

“Oskar?” Oskar handed him the magnifying glass.

Dawson studied the two prints for a minute or two, then put down the magnifying glass, a surprised look on his face. “Impossible! Elaine, they’re identical; at least insofar as I can tell from these prints, which are, admittedly, a bit crude.”

“Aren’t we getting a bit off track, Rich?” Elaine held up the base.

“Oh! Of course.” He took it from her and peered into the depression and read off the characters. “PA V6 p12 HS BB CCR”

“What do you three think it means?”

“Well, the V6 p12 might mean Volume 6 page 12, but I don’t know about the rest,” Hannah volunteered.

“Quite right! That’s exactly what I was thinking. Anyone else?"

“Does this have to be a secret code? Maybe it was just a note, like a string around his finger or something.” Oskar said.

“Then why would he have hidden it in such a way that only two people in the whole world could open it?” Eli said sarcastically.

“Maybe it was a note for you and Hannah?”

“We won’t rule that possibility out, Oskar, but clearly all the information isn’t here. He was at least being careful. He didn’t want just anyone finding the pot of gold. Theoretically, anyone could have found this cryptic message by simply taking the base apart or hitting it with a hammer enough times. He meant it for us and he knew that at this time and in this place, all the information we needed to figure it out had to be available to us. He also knew you two had to be together, in this house, with the base in your hands.”

“And he saw into the future! Do you think he saw us here, sitting around the table, Mr. Dawson?” Hannah felt the hair rise on the back of her neck. She looked around the room, half-expecting to see the ghost of the mysterious Gudmund lurking in a corner or under the bed.

“Certainly a possibility, Hannah.” He smiled at her. “Rest assured, though. He knew enough about you to single you out for Eli’s attention. I think he thought highly of you.”

He nodded at Oskar and Eli. “Why don’t you two go down and bring up Gudmund’s journals from Elaine’s old room?” They quickly headed down the stairs.

“Hannah. Would you mind if we talked to your mother and father about the particulars of your birth? You know, where exactly you were born, hospital, unusual circumstances?”

“No, Mr. Dawson. They’d tell you I’m sure! They’ve always called me their miracle baby. The doctors had told them that Jason would most likely be their only child. But I don’t know any of the particulars. I never thought to ask.” She sounded a bit apologetic.

“Thanks Hannah. I think they’re right. You certainly are a miracle child.” He winked at her, and looked quickly at Elaine with an excited glint in his eye. Hmm. Why a miracle baby?

Oskar and Eli stumbled into the room with two boxes of old lace-bound binders; Gudmund’s Journals.

“First, are they numbered. Eli?”

“They are, Papa.” She held up the first one. In the upper left-hand corner was a small gilded ‘Volume 1.’

She thumbed through them, extracted one, and excitedly handed it to him. “Volume 6, Papa!”

He turned it to page 12, and began reading. After a few minutes, he turned the page, then went back to page 11. Finally, frustrated, he handed it to Elaine. “See if you can get anything from this. He talks about repairing one of Eli’s hibernation places, and some trouble at the family home, but nothing jumps out at me.”

Elaine took even longer and went forward and back several times. “Rich, nothing stands out to me. Interestingly, he refers to aperture settings and shutter speeds when taking Eli’s photo with the eggs. He must have taken over 50 different exposures before finally getting what he wanted. He was a real perfectionist!” she said, admiringly, then shook her head, “And here I am getting further off-track than you, Rich. I guess our digressions expose our personal obsessions more than they exposes Gudmund’s secrets. Frankly, I don’t think there’s anything here that can help us.”

Rich put his head in his hands. “Think, children! What else could he be referring to”

“The only other books he gave us, other than published books, were all the photo albums,” Eli said. She jumped up, “Photo albums! ‘P’ ‘A’! ‘Photo Albums!” She ran over to her bookcase.

“He didn’t number them, but I’ve put them in order on my shelf.” She pulled down the sixth album.

“How did you know how to order them, then?” Papa asked.

“By the dates on the pictures, Papa.” She handed him the album.

“Right, then.” In order to find the right album then, one would have to have all of them in his possession. We’re on the right track! I know it! He turned to page 12. The pages in this album, as in most of the earlier ones, were made of thick 3-layered paper, with the back-to-back photographs sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer on each side of the page, which had pre-printed fancy borders around each opening, allowing for four photos per page only. It was immediately obvious which photo was being referenced. The date below it was November 29, 1982. That’s Eli’s birthday! This is no coincidence! He immediately recognized Hannah’s mother in her hospital bed with a baby in her arms, surround by a younger Nils and several smiling doctors and nurses. But, since the date was the only caption, no one who didn’t know them would know which picture was the correct one. This has to be the right place! He thought a moment, But why so many doctors? “We have it! Hannah, this is a picture of you, your mother, and father the day you were born!” He turned the album around so they all could see.

“You were cute!” Eli exclaimed.

“My brother was cute; I looked like one of those rubber dolls you squeeze and the eyes pop out,” Hannah retorted. “I’d also like to point out that I’ve never seen this picture before, and believe me, I’ve see them all hundreds of times!”

“Well, that’s no surprise under the circumstances. Now what are we looking for?” He turned the page back and forth; then, on a hunch, he spread the layers of heavy paper carefully and extracted the photo. A small, flat key fell out on the table with a soft ‘ting.’ Elaine picked it up carefully. Rich looked at the picture closely, then flipped it over and examined the back. “There’s a 10-digit number written here, preceded by several zeros. If I had to guess, I’d have to say it’s a bank account number of some sort.

“And this looks like a safe-deposit box key to me.” Elaine said, examining it carefully.

“Hannah Sandstrøm!” Hannah shouted. “’HS.”

“That’s two for two, Hannah. You’re right of course. Now for the ‘BB CCR’”

“It’s obvious, Rich.” Elaine said, “We’ve had an account there for years. Barclay’s Bank, Charing Cross Road.

§

“Of course, Rich. We’ll tell you anything you wish to know about Hannah’s birth. Frankly, you’ve really piqued our interest with your revelations. I think it’s absolutely astounding that they have identical DNA.” Livia nodded to Nils. “Go ahead, Nils. You’re better at the details than I.”

Nils collected his thoughts for a moment; then leaned forward. “To begin with, we had not been able to have another child after Jason. Livia’s fallopian tubes were blocked by scarring and we were finally told that natural conception was impossible. We had just about given up hope when a private research organization contacted us through our family doctor and offered to pay all costs for a relatively new experimental procedure, called In Vitro Fertilization in return for being able to collect blood and tissues samples from the resulting child for up to 15 years.”

Rich and Elaine looked at each other.

“After all the publicity surrounding the Louise Brown conception a few years before, the first so-called, “Test Tube Baby,” we agreed to do it only if it was kept secret. We didn’t want Hannah’s life complicated by all the publicity. It actually took us three tries and about seven months before we were successful, and the result, such as it is, is sitting right there next to Eli.” He smiled at Hannah. “She came into the world at 3:11AM on Monday, November 29, 1982, by cesarean section, at five pounds, six ounces; a bit of a featherweight. We had thought she was small for her age even now because of it, but Eli’s the same height and weight, which probably indicates it’s genetic.” He looked at Dr. Dawson, questioningly.

“You’re probably right, Nils. They’re too close to the same height and weight for it to be anything else. And speaking of coincidences, do you realize they have the same birthday?”

Livia smiled, “Yes, Rich. Hannah lost no time in telling us as soon as she walked in the door. The difference, I think, is that the doctors picked that date, well within the predicted time period for a natural delivery, for scheduling purposes. And part of the original agreement had called for a cesarean section for safety reasons. It is an amazing coincidence, however.”

Eli put her arm around Hannah. Every time something new comes out, our connection gets even stronger. “Hannah, I think you’re right this time,” she whispered. “There’s something magical going on here.”

“I told you so, Eli!” she whispered excitedly.

“There were many anxious weeks at the beginning,” Nils continued; “The experimental procedure was not without risk, and the doctors hovered over her the entire time, taking blood and tissue samples. They even took the umbilical cord for the ‘stem cells;’ whatever those are. They tried to explain it to me, but with little success, I’m afraid. It wasn’t until she was 6 months old that we all breathed a sigh of relief. Even so, the doctors took samples regularly after that, once a year for the next 11 years. The last was just after her 12th birthday, and she was given a clean bill of health. We were told that no more tests would be necessary.” He sat back in his chair.

“Would you like to see our album? We kind of went overboard with the camera for Hannah. Poor Jason didn’t get anywhere near the coverage.” Livia reached over and patted him on the knee.

“And just look at me!” Jason kidded. “See what all that lack of attention did to me? I’m a needy, photo-deprived wreck. And it’s all your fault, Hannah.”

“What do you mean? You’re on the soccer team and you’re in the top five percent of your class!” Hannah protested.

Yeah, but if it wasn’t for you, I’d be in the top one percent.” He broke into a wide grin. “You know I’m kidding right? You’re my favorite little sister!”

“I’m your ONLY little sister!” she glared at him and smacked him on the arm. “Let me get the album, Mom.” She jumped up and headed for the stairs with Eli close behind her.

“Nils, what was the name of the research organization that made this generous offer?" Richard asked.

“It was a Swedish firm. Genterapi Ltd. They were one of the private hospital’s principle benefactors, and the sponsors of major college scholarships in the field of medicine. Our doctor was one of its scholarship recipients – eight years worth.”

“Well, it sounds like you two were in the right place at the right time, then.”

“Were there complications during gestation, Livia? Why did they decide against natural childbirth so early?” Elaine asked.

“The doctor felt that, under the circumstances, with the scarring and all, that it would be safer; and they would be better prepared for any complications if the delivery was scheduled.

“Then why deliver in the middle of the night?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I always thought it was to avoid any chance of adverse publicity; fewer personnel on duty and all that, but I never thought to ask. We were just so grateful that everything had gone so well.”

Hannah and Eli bounded down the stairs with the album, and they all gathered around the table together.

Hannah and Jason watched as Mom and Dad went through the album for the ten-thousandth time, reciting from force of habit the well-worn comments and niceties; and they, themselves injected their own rehashed comments at the appropriate and predictable places as the pages were turned. “Ohh. Look at that smile!” or “Gee Mom, you really look tired in that picture.”

“Who’s that, Hannah?” Eli pointed at a little boy peeking over the end of the bed, a smiling Nils standing right behind him.

“That’s Jason! He was standing on tiptoe on the bed railing and you could still just barely see his face!” Hannah giggled.

“Jason! You were the cutest little thing!” Eli reached across the table and pinched his cheek, “What on Earth happened after you grew up?”

“Watch it there, Hannah Jr., you’re bruising an already fragile ego.” He put his arm to his head and sighed deeply. “As if the torture of living with one abusive sister weren’t enough, she had to dig up another of you with an even keener rapier wit. Woe is me!” he exclaimed dramatically.

“Boy, you’re good! Shakespeare would be proud – or would he be rolling over in his grave?” Eli teased.

Elaine and Rich hadn’t heard the exchange; they were staring past a little boy’s curiosity-filled face, past his smiling father, past the nurses lined up neatly in a row behind him and directly into the eyes of Gudmund Törnkvist II, who was staring directly back at them from the photo with a half smile on his face, almost as though he could see them all clustered around the album along with his life’s obsession and her doppelgänger, amusedly asking them, “What took you so long?”

§

The drive home was tense, once Eli and Oskar had been told of Gudmund’s apparent involvement in Hannah’s birth.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was in the picture, Papa?”

“I was afraid you’d react, and then we’d have to come up with something to tell Hannah’s parents.”

“But they should know! You have to tell them!”

“No, Eli, we don’t.” he turned to face her in the back seat. “It would devastate them if they found out that Hannah may not even be their own child. And how do you think Hannah herself will feel? We don’t know enough about what Gudmund has done to safely make any assumptions, but it doesn’t look good. We certainly are not going to tell them anything until after we make the trip to the bank tomorrow.”

Eli hadn’t thought about it, but she knew with a certainty that Papa was right. Hannah loved her family dearly. And just by watching their faces and seeing how proud of her they were, she knew with conviction how much her mom and dad loved her. She realized that this was one secret that, perhaps, she could never tell her, no matter what. “Papa, how horrible! How could he have done this to her? It’s like she was some sort of experiment or something. Didn’t he think about what it would be like for her if she found out?”

“Eli, he loved you. All he could think about was helping you. I don’t understand how creating an identical twin helps you in any way, other than for organ donation, but perhaps we’ll get some more answers once we see what he’s left us at the bank. And remember; this is all speculation at this point. He may have absolutely nothing to do with this”

“I love her, Papa! That’s how he helped me. I love Hannah.” She paused, “Mama? Do you think that I would…I mean…do I love Hannah because she’s me?” She shook her head. “That sounded stupid!”

“She isn’t you, Butterfly. No matter what Gudmund did, she’s her own person with her own beautiful soul. Even Gudmund can’t have tinkered with that. And your bond with Hannah was formed long before you knew any of this. You love each other because you’re ‘kindred spirits,’ for want of a better phrase. Even if Gudmund could see you both in his journeys into the future, he had no real control over your relationship; he could just observe it. It’s real, Eli. It’s not tainted by his obsessions.”

“Do you really think so, Mama?”

“I’m certain of it Eli.”

§

Oskar, Eli, and Elaine waited in the lobby as Rich talked to the bank president. “Glad to finally meet you, Dr. Dawson, although I notice that your family has had its personal account here for years. As you can see, activity on this particular account has increased significantly over the last six months, and monthly cash transfers have increased by over 50% in the same time period, but as you can also see here, the income has been adjusted to maintain the account balance at around £5,000,000.” He pointed to the bottom of the ledger sheet. “Now, what can I do for you today?”

Dawson was still in shock as his suspicions had been confirmed merely by his observing the logo and letterhead on the official letter of authorization he had been handed as soon as he had introduced himself: Wrapped around the stylized representation of the famous double-helix, were the words. “Genterapi Ltd. A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Törnkvist Enterprises.” The company name on the account itself was different yet; “Archaeogenetics Inc.”

“I need access to the account’s safety deposit box.”

“Certainly! Frank? Would you escort Dr. Dawson to the vault please?” Dawson picked up his briefcase and followed Frank to the vault. After passing a guard and pausing to unlock two inner doors, Frank waved Dawson into the vault, unlocked the outer box door, removed the box from its niche and placed it on the table. “Will there be anything else, Doctor?”

“No, thank you.” Frank exited as Dawson placed his briefcase on the table next to the box, retrieved the key they had found, and carefully placed it in the lock. He breathed a sigh of relief as it turned smoothly.

There were two neat stacks of dark-blue hard-covered lab notebooks inside, each carefully numbered and dated. There was a folded piece of paper on top of the first stack.

“Dr. Dawson. Please take these with you and study them for as long as you wish. We will contact you at the appropriate time.” The note was unsigned.

He quickly placed the notebooks in his briefcase and locked the box. He nodded to the guard, who motioned to someone out of sight. Frank was back in a matter of seconds.

The bank president watched from his office door as the four of them exited the bank through the heavy bronze-framed doors. He stepped back into his office and made a quick phone call. “This is Henry. They just left…. Yes sir, all four of them. …Yes. He took the contents with him.”

§

After spending three hours pouring over its contents, Rich put down the first notebook. He couldn’t believe what he had just read. The entire notebook laid out a gameplan for the DNA sequencing of the Vampire parasite, using the dideoxy, or Sanger, method, but by using a system of switches, not unlike the one he and Jack had uncovered in the cure for Elaine and Eli, but less sophisticated, these researchers were planning on isolating and potentially activating or deactivating each and every individual vampiric trait. An unbelievably ambitious undertaking, especially since they must know, as Jack and he had discovered early on, that many of these traits were linked together in unbelievably complex ways. How would they even begin?

A parallel gameplan that he could only infer from random comments throughout the first volume, seemed to make extensive use of stem cells as some sort of building block for reproducing their interim results whenever a promising line was isolated. There was no mention whatsoever of Hannah, or how and why Gudmund had been involved in her birth.

He opened the second volume. He gasped as he saw a high-resolution photograph of Eli lying on a large, stainless-steel table, arms straight, but almost directly over her head, clearly unconscious; probably hibernating, but with both of her fully-formed wings spread out around her. Two men wearing surgical scrubs, masks, and gloves hovered over her. Several small round pieces of paper with numbers on them had been carefully placed on her wings; at several points on the intersection of wing and arm; and at each point where the bone spars branched out from her arms and wrists. Subsequent pages, headed by the corresponding numbers, had segments of DNA sequencing diagrams with areas of the differences between them and those on adjacent pages, highlighted. As much as he hated to, he knew he would have to show this to Eli.

“Eli! Could you come in here a moment?” He turned the book around as Eli hurried into his study.

She gasped as she saw the picture. “Papa! That…that can’t be!” She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. “I can’t … couldn’t grow wings while asleep, let alone while hibernating.”

“Apparently you can, Eli. Of course you have no memory of this happening to you?

“No! How humiliating!” she shuddered, then slipped into his lap, put her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his chest. She was beginning to have second thoughts about Gudmund. How could he have done this to me? Strange men poking at me and looking at me like I was a piece of meat or something!

“Think, Eli. Do you have any idea when this could have happened to you?” He was angry. This man has crossed too many lines in his obsession. If he set this all up, he must have known Eli would eventually see this picture. How could he violate her personal privacy so cavalierly?

“No, Papa.” She leaned over and looked at the picture more closely. “The Pants! Look at the pants, Papa!”

Dawson recognized them immediately. They were Eli’s special pants; the ones Oskar had liked so much. “When did you get those pants, Eli?”

“It was a year before I … found Hakan. Right before my last hibernation alone.”

“Around 1979 or so?”

“I think so.”

“Then Gudmund was doing state-of-the-art genetic research. If you were indeed his life’s obsession, why was all the money and interest invested in this huge operation?”

“I don’t know, Papa! I don’t know!”

He put his arms around her and hugged her. “Eli, I’m sure this isn’t what it looks like. Gudmund must have had a good reason for doing this. After all, he’d taken care of you for over 150 years at this point.” He hoped he sounded convincing to her, because he wasn’t convinced himself.

“Yes, Papa. You’re probably right.” Papa always knows just what to say, she thought to herself.

§

He put down the second volume and leaned back in his chair. He couldn’t wrap his mind around what he had seen in the last few pages, although the text had inexorably led him in that direction. Several small photographs of a flat, rectangular low-sided glass dish in an incubator, about 4 by 6 inches, in a time-lapse sequence extending over about 4 weeks. Initially, all he could see was a porous translucent glass tube with a small, black spot in the center, clearly a growth cluster of some type, which expanded and changed shape gradually from picture to picture, until…he recognized the shape of a perfectly-formed miniature wing, no more than three inches across and five inches long, growing from the side of the tube. A thin layer of what appeared to be human skin, milky white, had formed simultaneously and wrapped itself around the tube. The juncture of wing and skin looked exactly like the thin line on Eli’s arm when her wings were fully extended. Gudmund had succeeded in cultivating and growing what appeared to be a fully-developed vampire wing. My God! He thought. The growing of the skin alone is a major biological breakthrough and is worth a fortune in its own right.

Each volume contained the results of similar experiments. One contained detailed drawings of a vampire fang showing two fine grooves, one on each edge, which Dawson concluded were the channels for delivering the natural anesthetic to the victim’s neck at the first bite. The chemical and biological characteristics of the anesthetic were detailed in this volume. There were also high resolution pictures of a fang in place in an unidentifiable open mouth. He was determined that Eli was not going to see these.

Another had chronicled the growth a 6-inch diameter piece of vampire skin; another, a totally recognizable human eye. Eli’s eye. He was certain of it, despite its completely human appearance. The deep blue, with the subtle golden edges that you would miss completely if you weren’t looking for them. Just the faintest hint of the vampire in them.

He stopped short when he got near the bottom of the second pile of notebooks. These last three were a bit thicker, and light blue in color. He gasped as he realized that, unlike the others, a single name was embossed in gold on the cover of each of them. ‘Hannah.’ These were range-dated; the first, beginning in November, 1982; The last, Ending in November, 1994. Hannah’s 12th birth month.

He steeled himself, took a deep breath; then opened the first and began to read.

§

Richard and Elaine were huddled together in the study. It was early in the morning and Oskar and Eli were still asleep upstairs. “What should we do Rich? If we tell them, they’ll certainly come to the same conclusion we have. Eli will want to tell Hannah and eventually, her parents.”

“I don’t think she will, Elaine. She’ll never allow Hannah to be hurt, even if we tell her about…the most recent experiments. In fact, I’m certain that once she finds out, she’ll have nothing to do with anything Gudmund’s research might do for her.

“But Rich, we aren’t sure what actually happened. Don’t you find it odd that nowhere in the Hannah journals does he discuss his cloning methods? Growing spare body parts is one thing; cloning a human being is quite another, and requires a much higher level of sophistication. But, it’s almost as though all his work with her DNA began after she was born, not before. It’s as though at least one journal were missing from the collection. But they are consecutively dated and numbered, so that’s impossible.”

“What other explanation could there be? Hannah is a duplicate of Eli, and Gudmund has a direct connection to her method of birth.”

“But Hannah is a girl, Rich. She’s not an exact duplicate for that reason alone. Something else is going on here. And did you notice that whenever Gudmund’s hand-written notes appear in the last journal, he refers to Hannah as his ‘Water Sprite’? Gudmund is many things, but that’s the kind of reference you would expect from Eli – or Hannah; not Gudmund. He’s too staid for that.”

“But look here!” He handed her the third volume, open so she could clearly see the inside cover. “This is a beautifully-drawn picture of a fairy, or ‘sprite,’ if you wish. Because of the perfect likeness, I thought it was Eli at first glance, but notice the wings. They grow out of her back, like a fairy’s wings, not from her arms. And look at the face and stature. At first I thought it was a young Eli, but no one alive has seen Eli younger than she is now. No, this is a representation of Hannah at about ten years of age; just about the time this third journal was begun. Gudmund’s ‘Water Sprite.’ Why a water sprite? Why a sprite at all? What is it he discovered about Hannah at ten that brought about this new imagery?”

Elaine leaned forward, excitedly. “Rich, I’ll lay odds on the fact that at that point, Gudmund saw something change in Eli’s future. Something unforeseen; something good; something that shook him out of his staidness.”

“You may well be right; in fact I’d bet on it too, but we have to decide now. Should we tell her or not? I vote ‘yes.’”

Reluctantly, Elaine agreed. But something else had occurred to her. “You realize that it was not long after that third journal was completed that Gudmund first initiated contact with Eli, don’t you? With the eggs, I mean.”

“Are you suggesting that Gudmund had something to do with the death of the gentleman that bought Eli’s egg?”

“No, I think that would be crossing a line that even he wouldn’t cross, but he clearly foresaw it. Perhaps it was one of the factors that solidified Eli’s new and brighter future with Hannah, “

“I think we can deduce even more. Remember, when he confronted you in the car, he said he could only risk possibly one visit with her? When he came to visit us, he said there were many safe ways he could see her now. Whatever else changed in his vision of her future may have changed in that short period of time. What could it have been?” Rich was completely baffled. “And this is yet another change in their future, apart from the one when Hannah was ten.”

§

“But Mama, I don’t know if I can face her! I can’t tell her about this, but she’ll know something’s wrong; I know she will!” Eli was distraught.

“You’ve made up your mind about this Eli? You are certain you don’t want what Archaeogenetics may have to offer you? Remember, they’ve gone to a lot of trouble to contact us at this particular time and in this very convoluted manner. Whatever they have to say could be very important.”

“No!! I don’t want anything from them! Look what they did to Hannah. She’s an orphan! She’s adopted and doesn’t even know it! And it’s all his fault! Why couldn’t he just have left her family alone?”

“You do realize that Hannah wouldn’t even exist at all if it weren’t for Gudmund, don’t you?”

Eli’s head was spinning, “Yes, but…” she slumped down in her chair. “I don’t know what to think! It’s too complicated! I love her, but I … wish he hadn’t done this! It’s too awful to think about.”

“Eli, she’s here in your world, and now that she’s here, it doesn’t matter why. You care about her because of who she is; not because of how she came into the world. Just like Oskar.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oskar loves you because of who you are, not because of how you ultimately came to be in his courtyard on the jungle gym.”

§

Hannah rushed in the door with her small suitcase, ran for the stairs, paused and sheepishly came back to the front door. “Bye, Dad. Thanks for bringing me over. Say ‘Hi’ to Grandma and Grandpa for me.” She waved at the car, “Bye Einstein! Have fun with Bert!”

She blew her mom a kiss, turned and disappeared up the stairs. Nils and Rich could hear the banging of her suitcase against each stair as she hurried up to Eli’s room.

Nils smiled and shook his head. “She’s so excited about almost everything she does. She does virtually everything with an intensity that used to scare us, until we realized what a happy child she was most of the time. We all have to get out of her way when she’s really happy though, or she bowls us over.”

“Yeah, we’ve noticed, Nils. Eli’s a great deal like her.” Rich smiled at him as he remembered Eli’s reaction the day they first found the cure. It must be in their genes, he thought to himself.

“Livia and I can’t thank you enough for taking her for the next couple of weeks. Jason is at Soccer Camp and we’re going to take the time to visit the kids’ grandparents in Hastings; sort of a family reunion. And of course, Hannah insisted we take Einstein so he could get acquainted with my mother’s cat, Bert. That should be great fun, at least for Einstein.”

“Any time! One more Eli around the house makes things much more interesting. And it keeps Oskar on his toes.”

“I’m here!” Hannah rushed into Eli’s room, dropped her suitcase in the middle of the floor with a loud thump, and plopped down on the bed next to Eli. “I’ve really missed you Eli. Especially at night in my bed alone, except for Einstein of course. For some reason, he’s been sleeping on my bed lately.”

“And I’m sure you had absolutely nothing to do with that change,” Eli said jokingly.

“Well, only the first night. But he’s been doing it on his own ever since.” She said earnestly. “It’s like I told you; it’s because he’s so smart. After that first night, he thought to himself, ‘Hannah is lonely, so, even though I know I shouldn’t, I’m going to risk sleeping in her bed with her until she feels better.’ Einstein only has my best interests at heart, and takes the risk despite the fact that he knows Mom and Dad would disapprove!”

Eli laughed, “You make it all seem so reasonable! But you must be right, because there’s no other possible explanation,” she added in mock seriousness.

Her sarcasm flew right over Hannah’s head. “I knew you’d understand, because we’re kindred spirits! I’ve missed you so, Eli.” She hugged her tightly, just as Oskar came into the room.

“Hannah! I thought I heard excessive noise coming from Eli’s room, and I thought to myself, ‘Either we’ve had a meteor come through the roof into Eli’s room, or Hannah’s here.’ I thought I’d come in on the off chance that it really was a meteor, but now that I see it’s only you…” he turned as if to leave, but he was too late. Hannah leaped off the bed and put her arms around him before he could make his escape.

“I missed you too, Oskar!” she kissed him hard on the cheek, then let go of him quickly. He teetered a moment, then lost his balance and dropped to the floor like a rock. Only then did his face get red.

“Hannah! You got him again!” Eli laughed.

“But…I didn’t mean to. I really did miss you, Oskar.” she helped him up off the floor. Oskar was grinning from ear to ear.

“Boy, you sure know how to make an entrance!” He took both her hands in his. We’ve both missed you too, Hannah.

“Oskar! You can still touch-talk. How cool is that?”

“Touch-talk? Where did that come from?”

“I thought it up myself. ‘Mind Reading’ sounds so…pretentious and threatening. You touch-talk. You’re too nice to read minds.”

“I like it, Oskar. I think she has it exactly right.” Eli said. Oskar came over and sat down beside her. She slipped her hand is his. How can I not tell her? She needs to know, even if it hurts her. Isn’t the truth all that matters? She would hate me, her blood sister, if I kept this from her. If she’s at all like me she couldn’t stand not knowing the truth.

“I saw that!” Hannah said, “Was that another secret I need to write down?” she took out her notebook.

“Not exactly…” Eli stammered. She’s too quick. She notices everything.

Hannah realized immediately that something was not right. They both looked like they had been caught at something. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, Hannah. It’s just that…”

Oskar put his finger to his lips and shook his head.

“Did I tell you that Jason’s team has won the district championships? He’s almost impossible to live with now. His head’s so big he can hardly squeeze himself into his room.” Hannah laughed. “But I am proud of him; he deserves his big head.” She smiled at them, hoping she hadn’t irritated them by been too nosy.

“Wow! That’s great, Hannah! I’m hoping to get on a team as soon as we get settled in at school. Mom and Dad are still trying to decide where to send us,” Oskar said, relieved that the subject had been changed.

“But you have to come to my school, Eli. You have to! It would be so much fun.” she sat down on the bed beside them. “We could even switch classes with each other and no one would know the difference. There’s only one other set of identical twins in my school and they’re kind of stuck up. We’d show them!”

“Papa has been trying to convince Mama that we should do that, but she thinks it might be better if we didn’t draw too much attention to our…identicalness.”

“I don’t think anyone else will suspect that you were a fairy, Eli. Your mom worries too much.” She grinned at her. “My mom really likes the idea. She says you’ll be a good influence on me because you’re more grounded, whatever that means. Mom and Dad really, really like you.”

“Really? I like them too.” Eli felt warm inside. The darkness she had lived with for so long was gone now, she realized. If someone liked her now it was real, because they liked her for what she really was. Papa had explained it to her when she puzzled over why her life felt so much better to her now. And Hannah always made her feel better about things anyway.

“Time for dinner, kids.” Elaine poked her head in the door a moment; then headed back downstairs.

Eli felt relieved that they had gotten off so easily, as they all headed out the door. They had to be even more careful with Hannah than she had thought initially.

§

“Oskar, where are you going?” Hannah was puzzled. Oskar had been acting a bit weird all evening, but now she was really concerned. After they changed into their pajamas, he didn’t even come over to Eli’s room until she banged on his door. She was even prepared to take his comments about her fairy PJs calmly, she was so worried. She was sure she had hurt his feelings somehow.

“I’m really tired, Hannah. I think I want to sleep in my own bed tonight, if that’s okay.” He looked at Eli, hesitated a moment, then retreated across the hall to his room and quietly closed the door.

“Eli, did I do something wrong? Oskar hasn’t been himself all evening. It’s as though he’s afraid of me or something. He hasn’t let me near him since I hugged him when I got here. Is he mad at me?”

“No Hannah, he’s fine. I just think he’s really tired.” She looked away, avoiding her eyes. “Let’s go to bed. I’m a bit tired too, and we’re going to get up early tomorrow to go watch the ducks, remember?”

“Okay, Eli.” She climbed into bed next to Eli, rested her head on her arm, and absently stroked Eli’s hair. “Eli, I know something’s wrong. Won’t you tell me? If it’s something I’ve done I simply have to know. I can’t bear the thought of you two being upset with me, especially if I don’t know why.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Hannah. I love you, you know. More than anything.” She turned away quickly, but not before Hannah saw her eyes get misty.

“Goodnight, my fairy,” Hannah said softly, as she put her arms around her.

She couldn’t sleep, as hard as she tried. She simply had to know what was going on; she felt as though there was a barrier between them, and she was simply not going to let that happen. As soon as she was sure Eli was asleep, she slipped quietly out of bed, tiptoed across the hall and gently opened Oskar’s door. She moved quietly across the room and sat down on his bed. “Oskar!” she whispered intensely. “Oskar! Wake up!”

“Eli? What’s wrong? Where’s Hannah?” He turned toward her sleepily.

“I’m not Eli; I’m Hannah!” she said softly.

Oskar immediately moved away from her. “What do you want? Are you Okay?” Oskar stammered, rubbing his eyes.

“I want some answers, Oskar, and you’re going to give them to me. I’ll not leave until you do. What’s wrong with you two? You’ve treated me like a leper ever since I got here. It’s not fair! At least let me defend myself.”

“I can’t Hannah, I promised…” Oskar realized he had already said too much, but she had caught him half asleep.

“Aha! I knew it!” Before Oskar could react, she straddled him and took both his hands firmly in hers. “Tell me Oskar!! You can’t not tell me now. It’s like me telling you to not think about a pink elephant. You’re touch-talking to me now and you can’t not tell me everything!”

And he couldn’t. It poured out of him like a flood. The whole thing; the bad with the good; the impossible with the incredible; the family conference and the decision to not tell her about the cloning, all because of their desire to protect her from the truth; all because they cared so much for her. It quite simply overwhelmed her. She leaned down and put her arms around Oskar and pressed her cheek against his. “Thank you, Oskar.”

“Eli!! Come in here!” Oskar shouted.

Eli stumbled into Oskar’s room and flipped on the light. Hannah was still holding Oskar tightly.

“What’s going on?! Hannah, what are you doing?”

“Eli, she read my mind!” Oskar sat up quickly. “She read everything!”

“If you wish to put it that way,” Hannah smiled at him. “I prefer to think that we had a nice talk.”

Eli gasped, “Hannah, I wanted to tell you, but Papa was certain that it would hurt you deeply. He made us promise not to do that.”

“Your Papa is so sweet, Eli. But Oskar hasn’t hurt me at all. Quite simply, you are all mistaken. Gudmund did no such thing. I am my parent’s daughter and Jason’s sister. The rest of your secret is really exciting though! It’s like a mystery and a treasure hunt all at the same time! When do you suppose they’re going to contact you? Have they really made all these wonderful things? And with my genes? Are you going to let them help you get some of your abilities back? Do you think they’ll even offer to help you do that? You realize that will make us even closer yet, don’t you? How exciting!”

But Hannah, how do you know that he didn’t…clone you from my DNA?”

“You’re silly! I just know it, that’s all. I’m as sure of it as I am of anything. It simply didn’t happen that way. It couldn’t have.”

“Why not?” Oskar was a bit irritated at her being so certain without any explanation.

“Because my family is MY family, not your family, Eli; no offence. I know it the same way I know that you and I are kindred spirits. I knew it that first night and I was right. I’m never wrong about these things. I think that maybe you and I connect your old family and my new family together again. It’s like some sort of magical circle. Everything came together at exactly the right time, and your family was begun again in mine. It’s almost as though you were born a second time.” She thought a moment. “Does Jason look anything like your brother, Arvid?”

Eli shook her head slowly, “No Hannah, he doesn’t.”

“Well, it was just a thought…but it changes nothing!” she said defiantly. “You’re more likely a member of my family than I am a clone of yours.” She crossed her arms, as though the argument was settled.

“You almost make me believe you Hannah, but I think you’re wrong. And because I think you’re wrong I refuse to let this Archaeogenetics outfit do anything for me. Papa isn’t going to contact them and we’re going to have nothing to do with them. They’ve done a terrible thing to you and I’ll not forgive them for it.”

Hannah sighed, “Eli, they’ve done nothing to me. The in vitro stuff was done by Genterapi, not Archaeogenetics. Our family doctor is a really nice person and would never have allowed them to do such a thing to my parents. Have your papa talk to him if you don’t believe me.” Hannah was getting a bit frustrated. Why won’t they believe me? It’s so obvious they’re wrong. And Eli is going to pass up a chance like this because she thinks they hurt me? She can’t do that!

“Eli you have to accept their help. It’s such a perfect end to this whole story. It’s like a fairy tale. You might be able to get your wings back someday. And your eyes! Your amazing eyes! And your mama too. And you could go flying together again someday, just like before!” she was getting more and more excited the more she thought about it. “And then you would really be my fairy. You wouldn’t be a … vampire, ever again.”

Eli smiled in spite of herself. She could play this wonderful game too. “Don’t forget, Hannah. The wings they make for me they could make for you too; they’re made using your DNA. And the eyes. I bet you’d really like the eyes.”

“Then you’ll do it? You believe me and you’ll do it?”

“No! I know you believe it Hannah, but I just can’t! And I’ll never have anything to do with people who could do something like this to you. And that’s final!”

Hannah sighed. “Well, at least I know it was nothing I did. Can we just get things back to normal again? And are you both ready to admit that it’s simply impossible for you to keep a secret from me that I really want to find out?”

Eli laughed, “Should I consider that a challenge?”

“No! Please don’t. And do you forgive me, Oskar? I’m sorry I tricked you, but I just had to know.”

Oskar now realized how much he really admired Hannah. She was so strong-willed and certain of herself; even more so than Eli. “I know, Hannah. I’m sorry we tried to keep it from you. Eli was certain that you would want to know.”

“Of course she was! We’re blood sisters.” She stretched and yawned. “And remember, Oskar. You’re my blood brother too.”

“We’d better go to bed before Mama comes up and makes us,” Eli whispered. She took Hannah’s hand and started for the door.

Hannah turned and smiled at Oskar, “Oskar? Are you coming?”

He gratefully followed them into Eli’s room. He was a bit tired too, but he didn’t want to miss anything. And, as he was rapidly finding out, you could never be sure what would happen with Hannah around.

§

“Would you like some more tea, Hannah?” Elaine held the pot over her fairy cup.

“Yes, please.” Hannah’s fairy pajamas completed the ensemble, as they all sat around the breakfast table. Elaine had wanted them all to get dressed first, but Papa had settled the argument quickly when he told Eli that he wasn’t going the change the house rules for anyone but the Queen if she should ever happen by for breakfast, so pajamas were quite acceptable.

“I understand the three of you had an important talk last night, Hannah. And the two of them divulged a bit more than we had agreed was appropriate,” Rich said, an amused look on his face. Eli and Oskar fidgeted guiltily.

“Don’t be angry with them, Mr. Dawson. I tricked Oskar while he was asleep. It’s my fault.”

He smiled at her. “I know, Hannah. I just want to assure you we were just trying to protect you from harm. We think of you as part of our family, you know.”

“But you’re all wrong about me, Mr. Dawson!” she blushed and looked down, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean…”

“You’re not being disrespectful, Hannah. You have a right to your opinion. But I am a bit curious as to how you can be so sure.”

“I can’t really explain it; I’m just sure. I don’t think it would actually bother me all that much if you were right. I know Mom and Dad love me and I love them. It wouldn’t really change anything for me. And I really wouldn’t mind being an Eli clone. It would be kind of mystical.” She smiled at the thought. “And that’s one reason why I’m so sure I’m right. Because it doesn’t matter to me one way or the other, but I’m sure anyway. Does that make any sense?”

Elaine and Rich looked at each other. “Well then, the whole issue becomes moot then, doesn’t it?” What an amazing child! And her mother worries about her not being well-grounded.

“What does ‘moot’ mean, Mr. Dawson?”

“In this case, it means unimportant or irrelevant.” He directed this last comment towards Eli.

“No Papa, it’s not ‘moot!’ Because it tells me what terrible people they all are if it’s true. They’re terrible people even if it doesn’t hurt Hannah, because it might’ve hurt her, and they did it anyway.”

“But Eli, this would have been Gudmund’s call, and he could see far enough into the future to see the effect it would have on Hannah. Perhaps he saw that she wouldn’t mind.”

Eli had no answer to this. It hadn’t occurred to her. All she knew was that it felt wrong. “He still had no right to take that risk with her! He’d been wrong with his predictions before! And your mom and dad, Hannah! How are they going to take this?!”

Papa interrupted, “I think it would be best if you don’t say anything about this until we are contacted, Hannah. There is still a small chance that we’re wrong and you’re right on this. Do you think you can do that?” He knew she was wrong, but at least this would buy him a bit of time to figure out how to break it to them without revealing too much information about their own family. It was going to be difficult.

“Sure, Mr. Dawson. Besides, there’ll be nothing to tell them anyway. You’ll see.”

§

The registered letter arrived in the afternoon on the third day of Hannah’s visit. It arrived without fanfare; a tall thin delivery boy in a tired blue uniform on an ancient balloon-tired bicycle with a wicker basket on the front simply walked up the steps and rang their doorbell.

Hannah answered.

“Special delivery for Doctor Richard Dawson.” Hannah reached for the letter, but he snatched it away and held it over his head. “Sorry, he has to sign for it,” he said smugly.

“I know that!” she snapped. “Do I look like a little child to you? Did you think I was going to grab it and run away with it, and you’d have to go back without a signature and get fired and have to look for a new job? If not, you’re being quite rude!”

“What’s wrong, Hannah?” Eli stepped up next to her. “Oh! A letter for us?” she reached for it.

He quickly put it behind his back, “Like I told your SISTER here, Doctor Dawson has to sign for it, or back it goes.”

“Papa! There’s a rude man at the door with a letter for you.” She scowled at him.

They both moved aside as Papa came to the door.

“Doctor Dawson? Doctor Richard Dawson? May I please see some identification?” he leered at the girls as Papa reached for his wallet.

He looked at Papa’s license carefully, then handed him the letter. “Can’t be too careful these days, you know. Sign here, please.” He snuck them both another dirty look. Hannah, indignant, crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, just as Papa turned toward the kitchen with the letter. “What a nasty little girl you are.” He hissed.

Hannah stood there red-faced and speechless, her mouth wide open.

“Nice bike!” Eli called out as he headed back down the sidewalk. “I really like your basket! It brings out your more sensitive, feminine side.”

He stopped for a second, then without turning, continued on. “Little brats!” he mumbled to himself.

“What is it Papa? Is it our contact?” Eli slammed the door and quickly followed Hannah and Papa into the kitchen.

It’s from Gudmund’s lawyer, so it may have something to do with the estate.” He saw the look of disappointment on Hannah’s face. “Don’t worry, Hannah, the contact will happen when whoever it is feels ready.”

“I don’t care if it never comes. We won’t answer it, right Papa?”

“If that’s what you want, Eli. But we’ll discuss that possibility later,” Papa opened the letter carefully. He saw immediately that it was written on the Archaeogenetics letterhead. But he was startled to see that the company logo was not only a water sprite, but a miniature of the picture in the third Hannah journal. His heart sank a bit as he realized that this made the case against Hannah’s position even stronger. Hannah’s cloning was apparently the signature creation of the company, and the basis for all their subsequent research. It was probably only a matter of time before the whole thing burst forth in the news. “Good news, Hannah. It is indeed from the mysterious Archaeogenetics, but interestingly enough, sent by Gudmund’s lawyer.”

Hannah grabbed Eli and hugged her tightly. “Now you’ll see!”

“Dr. Dawson,” he began, “This letter has been sent to you as a result of your appearance at the bank and your recovery of the contents of the safe-deposit box. Enclosed is a short note from Mr. Törnkvist and a second sealed envelope, the disposition of which is explained in precise detail in Gudmund’s note. If you have any questions please contact me at your earliest convenience.”

Hannah leaned forward expectantly, and squeezed Eli’s hand.

Papa handed the letter to Elaine, and unfolded the note. “Dr. Dawson, Elaine, Eli, Oskar, and, I’m certain, Hannah; I knew that only after certain events had taken place in your home, would you even be aware of this account’s existence. That meant that not only had Eli met Hannah, but that they had become close friends – one of my preconditions and a vital first step in what will follow.”

“How incredibly exciting!” Hannah exclaimed. I’m a ‘precondition’ for something wonderful that’s going to happen to you, Eli!”

Eli rolled her eyes, “He hasn’t said that Hannah. He said ‘in what will follow.’ That could mean anything.”

“Well, I know what he means, even if you don’t.” she said smugly.

Papa continued reading. “At this point, Eli will naturally refuse help from Archaeogenetics, because she perceives it as an evil. On the surface it will seem as though it’s because she hates the idea of Hannah having been cloned, but it’s much deeper than that. Her revulsion of how she was treated in hibernation, no matter how carefully and respectfully we conducted our research, will be difficult for her to overcome. And her conflicted feelings about her vampirism and the trail of death she’s left behind her, contrasted with the beauty she had found in her abilities as a result of her mother’s influence, makes all our research seem especially dark, particularly since our research has, at the least, taken advantage of Hannah and her DNA. I knew this was going to be a problem. But Hannah is a vital part of the process, which I explain in the enclosed note. You may read, but you must not reveal, the contents of this note to either of them until after she has made her final choice. The road ahead may be difficult and sometimes discouraging for her, and she needs all her resolve to make the journey. She can have no doubts, or she will fail. Hannah, you are a godsend. I can say no more, lest I endanger the future I see so clearly. Never doubt yourself and be strong for Eli.” He put down the letter and picked up the second envelope.

“Hannah, I’m sorry! He’s said that you’ve been cloned. Are you sure you’re going to be okay with it?” Eli took her hand and slid up beside her. Hannah’s Pollyanna-like outlook on life had been put to the test repeatedly since they met, and Eli was afraid that she would eventually lose it entirely.

Hannah had a puzzled look on her face. She put her chin in her hand and thought hard for a moment. “No! He didn’t say that! He said, you hate the idea of my having been cloned. He didn’t actually say that I had been cloned! The sneaky way he put it is even more proof that I’m right.” She sat back with a satisfied smile on her face.

“Hannah, if the sky turned green and you wanted it to be blue, I actually think you could figure out a way to believe it were still blue!” Eli said, exasperated. But secretly she was relieved that Hannah was still Hannah.

“I know what I know, Eli. That’s all there is to it.” She smiled gently at her.

“This note is also from Gudmund, Eli. I’m going to read it, but I’m afraid I can’t let you in on its contents.” He hesitated a moment. “In fact, if you don’t want me to read it at all, I won’t. I won’t keep a secret from you without your okay.”

She quickly stepped over, sat in his lap, and put her arms around him, “Oh Papa! That’s why I love you so much! You always know just what to say. Please read it! I want you to. And I promise I won’t try to find out what’s in it.” She buried her face in his chest.

He opened the letter and began to read. At one point, he put it down and looked away for a moment, then smiled and picked it up again. Hannah was watching him intently, looking for any clue; any sign.

“Oskar, why don’t you and the girls go for a swim? Your mom and I have things we need to discuss.”

“Okay, Dad. Come on Eli. Hannah?” He headed for the stairs. “Last one in has to clean the leaves out of the pool!” He raced around the first landing and disappeared. Eli started for the stairs after Hannah, then glanced back just in time to catch the shine in Papa’s eyes.

The afternoon went by rapidly. Elaine and Rich sat by the pool watching the kids swim while they carried on a quiet, but intense conversation. After an hour or so, Eli, Oskar, and Hannah relaxed on their air mattresses, holding hands as the ever-changing breeze gently moved them first to one end of the pool, then the other. The sounds of their laughter floated across the pool and small fluffy clouds in the sky cast moving shadows that slowly drifted over them.

Hannah dozed off first, then Oskar quietly followed. Eli lay there, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin, still holding their hands, and thought about all that she had now. Her first love, her best friend in the whole world, who had rescued her from her horrible life, loved her unconditionally, and had unwittingly made everything she had today possible. She squeezed his hand gently. She turned and looked at Hannah, her sweet Hannah, who had trusted her even when her life was in danger. Misplaced trust, she thought to herself. Hannah had trusted her when she couldn’t even trust herself. Misguided trust. Yet there seemed to be more to it than that. Hannah trusted and loved life itself and had absolute faith that things would always work out for the best. As naïve and simplistic as it sounded, it seemed to give Hannah strength of purpose. It was in her soul, as if she were in tune with some greater truth. Eli envied her; she was even beginning to look up to her. Hannah had given her the gift of humanity, without which she might have made the wrong choice that night.

She turned back, caught Papa looking at her and smiled. He smiled back and nudged Elaine, who gave her a little wave and pointed at her watch, then at the sun. Time to get out before you fry to a crisp, she translated. Eli didn’t need to read her thoughts for that one.

She sat up, and for a brief moment, the devil was in her. Just for a second, she imagined what fun it would be if she flipped the both of them into the water, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. They both looked so sweet and innocent lying there asleep.

“Why not? I would have done it to you in a second.” Oskar’s eyes popped open and he grinned at her.

Eli gently pushed Hannah’s mattress toward the side of the pool. “Well…if you insist!” she grabbed his hand tighter, rolled off her mattress into the water and dropped straight to the bottom, dragging Oskar with her. He popped to the surface laughing, climbed out, and immediately headed for Hannah.

“Don’t you dare!” Eli hissed.

“I wouldn’t, Eli,” he assured her, “She’s still sound asleep.” He knelt down and gently shook her mattress. “Hannah? Are you awake?”

Hannah opened her eyes and sat up. “What’s wrong, Oskar?”

“Nothing, Hannah…yet!” He jerked the mattress out from under her and with a soft ‘ploop,’ she simply vanished beneath the surface. “Now we’re even!” he teased, as her head popped up. Without missing a beat, she grabbed his ankle and pulled his leg out over the water until he lost his balance and fell in slow-motion face-first into the pool. She scrambled out of the pool, barely avoiding Oskar as he lunged for her.

“Stop! Please.” Eli yelled at them.

“Why? You started it!” Oskar said as he lifted himself out of the pool.

“I know, but…” she impulsively put her arms around Hannah and gave her a huge hug, then another. Then she calmly stepped over to Oskar, put her arms around him and kissed him, then rested her head on his shoulder.

Both of them gave her a puzzled look, “Why’d you do that?” Oskar asked.

“Just … because! That’s why.” She threw her towel over her shoulder, turned and went inside without looking back, a satisfied smile on her face.

“I told you this would be an interesting two weeks,” Papa whispered to Elaine.

§

After a big dinner and a couple of TV programs, they all settled into bed together, but as a result of their impromptu afternoon nap, were still wide awake. The full moon shone directly into Eli’s room, bathing them all in its light, just as it had on the night Eli had made her choice.

“Eli, when do you think you and Oskar are going to get married?”

Eli and Oskar looked at each other. Eli knew that this type of question always made him uncomfortable.

“I really don’t know, Hannah. Oskar and I don’t talk about it much.”

“It’s okay Eli.” For some reason he felt as though he could talk to Hannah about these things. He knew she would understand his feelings. “Hannah, I don’t even know how I feel about it. I’m still just a kid; we both are. Right now, the only reason I want to marry her is because I know that we will be grown up someday, and that’s what people do when they’re grown up. All I know is that I want to be with her forever, I love her so.” He put his hand gently over her heart and smiled at her. “Marriage sounds so… old to me. It’s a thing I think mothers and fathers do, not us. But I’ll do whatever Eli wants, whenever she wants it. Because I want her to be happy. She’s so beautiful when she’s happy.” Eli smiled at him and placed her hand over his.

“Oskar, you’re such a sweet boy. That’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard! Eli, if you don’t marry him, I will!” she grinned at him as he turned red.

“Well, why not, Oskar? We look exactly alike!” she kidded.

“Yes, but you’re not…I mean...” He stammered.

It’s no use, Eli. You’re just going to have to marry him yourself. I tried my best to win his heart.” She giggled.

She flopped over on her back and put her hands behind her head. “Besides, I don’t plan on getting married anyway,” She said somberly.

“What? Why not?!” Eli asked, a puzzled look on her face.

“Because I like my life exactly as it is. I like having you and Oskar as my best friends, and no other boy, or man, is ever going to change that.”

“That’s just silly,” Oskar said.

“Well, that’s the way it is, Oskar. I’ve made my decision.” She said firmly.

“But, wouldn’t you want to have children someday?”

“Perhaps; but I’ll worry about that when I grow up.” She thought for a moment. “What about you, Eli? Have you thought about children? I’d just love to see a couple of cute little Oskars running around your house.”

“I…can’t, Hannah. You know that.”

“But maybe someday they’ll…” Hannah sat up suddenly. “Yes, you can, Eli! I’ll have them for you!” she got out of bed and excitedly paced back and forth. “I read a story about it! I can be your ‘surrogate.’ Our DNA is exactly the same! My kids would be your kids! What a wonderful idea! Oh Eli, I think it’s a wonderful idea! Say you’ll let me do this for you! Please?” she knelt down next to the bed and put her arms around her. Eli stared at her with her mouth open.

Oskar’s head was spinning. But that would mean that I would have to…He was embarrassed. “But…I couldn’t…I mean how could we….”

“Silly Oskar! They’d do it kind of like when I was born; you know, ‘artificial insemination.’ Like they do with race horses and stuff.”

Oskar didn’t like that image at all. What would they do, milk me like a cow? “No! I’m not a race horse! Eli, help!”

Eli just looked at her wide-eyed. Since she had started the estrogen shots, such thoughts had actually begun milling around in her mind; babies and such. “You’d really do that for me? Why? That would be awful for you, having to give your child to me. How could you do that?”

“Because you can’t do it and I can! Don’t you see? Its perfect! Now all we have to do is convince Oskar! Oskar I’d be honored to have your child for Eli. Can’t you see how happy that would make her? And you said you love it when she’s happy.”

“Stop! I don’t want to think about it! I don’t want to think about having kids!” The thought of…Hannah, grown up, pregnant with HIS CHILD was mind-boggling to him. It was awful on so many levels. How totally embarrassing! Hannah? Asking me to…Ugggh! He put his head in his hands.

“It’s okay Oskar. I’d never let Hannah do anything like that unless you really wanted to.” Eli paused. “I guess it would be impossible if you didn’t want to.” She grinned at him.

“Jag vill absolut inte prata om det här längre!” Red-faced, he stumbled out of bed and headed for his room. They heard the door slam behind him.

“What was that?!” Hannah asked anxiously.

“Swedish.” Eli grinned, “He said, ‘I absolutely do not want to talk about this any more!’”

They looked at each other a moment, then giggled. “We kind of got him, didn’t we? Eli, he’s so very sweet! And I never would have met him if it weren’t for you. I’m so happy I found you that night on the green.”

“You didn’t find me; I found you.” Eli teased.

“No, Einstein found you, remember?” they laughed together, remembering that first night.

Eli felt happier than she had felt in a long time. Sometimes Hannah just took her breath away she was so …unselfish and giving, Eli thought to herself. Then she thought about poor Oskar, and how embarrassing this must have been for him. “We can’t just leave Oskar alone over there, can we?”

“No, we WERE a little hard on him.” Hannah got up abruptly, “Let’s go get him!”

They crept across the hall and paused at his closed door. Hannah reached for the knob, but Eli shook her head as she knocked lightly on the door. “Oskar?”

“Go away! Whichever one of you it is, go away!”

Hannah abruptly opened the door and strode purposefully over to his bed with Eli close behind her. “Oskar, I apologize for embarrassing you, but it had to be said. I’ve made my offer and you needn’t decide now, or ever as far as I’m concerned. I wasn’t kidding, but I’m sorry I’ve upset you.” She reached down and pried open one of his tightly-closed eyes, bent down and put her face a few inches from his. “Truce?”

“Okay, okay! Truce! But you’re in my room now, and you have to follow MY rules. You can’t talk about this any more; promise?”

“We promise, Oskar.”

He pulled back the covers and slid back against the wall. Eli quickly climbed in against him and Hannah climbed in facing Eli, with a big grin on her face. Eli kissed her lightly and put her arms around her. “Thank you, Hannah,” she whispered.

§

“You’ve decided you’re going to what?!” Elaine almost dropped her cup. Papa sat back in his chair an amused look on his face.

“It’s settled, except for Oskar,” Hannah said excitedly. “We still have to convince Oskar.”

“You discussed this with Oskar?” she imagined how that must have been for him; under attack from two determined females.

“We tried, but he wasn’t…receptive.”

Elaine turned around toward the counter, so Hannah wouldn’t see her smiling. “And no wonder! You two should have talked to Mr. Dawson and I about this before you bothered Oskar.” She looked up as Eli and Oskar stepped into the kitchen. Oskar, having just caught the gist of the conversation, had already turned around, poised to flee back to the safety of his room.

“Good morning, Eli. Oskar, have a seat,” Papa called out. Oskar paused a moment, then slunk over to his seat, turned his face away from Hannah, and put his head on the table.

“I don’t want to talk about it!”

“And rightly so!” Papa said, pretending to be indignant. “Girls, there’s a time and a place for such discussions and clearly this is neither the time nor the place. Oskar has a right to have his breakfast in peace. We’ll discuss this at a later time.”

Oskar looked relieved. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Now, Eli. We still need to decide what to do about Archaeogenetics, Gudmund’s final letter, and your decision regarding the final step. The phone call.”

“I think you should call, Dad.” Oskar jumped at the opportunity to change the subject.

“Well, I don’t! I’ll not forgive them for what they’ve done to Hannah!”

“They’ve done nothing to me, Eli. And you know what? I agree with Oskar. I think you should call.”

“But why?”

“You can’t tell them what you think of them if you don’t contact them,” she offered. “And besides, you think they took advantage of me. Why don’t you take advantage of them? Listen to what they have to offer, or what they want from you. And then, if you want, tell them where they can put it!!” she paused, then grinned, “But first, maybe you could get them to give me some of those wings.”

Eli looked at her, mouth open. Why didn’t I think of that? Look at what Hannah is willing to give me and I didn’t even think about what I could give her. Wings! How wonderful that would be! I’ll give her wings!

“Okay. Papa, make the call. I’ll talk to them. I want Hannah to have wings.”

“Eli, I was just kidding.” Hannah protested.

“But I’m not. If you don’t want wings, or eyes, or anything they have to offer, I won’t let Papa call them.” She felt a desperate need to repay Hannah for everything she had given her. I have to do this for her! I have nothing else. This is all I have. I owe her so much.

“I would love them, Eli, but…”

Eli put up her hand. “Enough! That’s all I needed to hear. Papa?”

“First things first, Eli. Are you absolutely sure?”

Eli’s mind was racing. Wings for Hannah, and for Oskar!! If they can do that, maybe someday I’ll forgive them for what they’ve done. And for Papa and Mama too. How wonderful could that be! “I’m sure Papa. I’m absolutely sure,” she said calmly.

He looked at her carefully, then turned to Elaine. She nodded, almost imperceptibly.

Papa slowly unfolded the note Gudmund had left, and began to read it to them.

“Dr. Dawson,

“This future is Eli’s to pursue, or not. It is her choice. But by exerting a small measure of control over the sequence of these recent events, I have made it possible for her to attain something I never thought possible until recently. If she chooses this path, my family’s debt to her will finally be repaid. But she needs to make the decision before she reads this letter. She can’t be influenced by my wishes. It has to be because of Hannah, or it won’t work. You understand my gift. Please believe me when I say this.

“Hannah is my water sprite, my in vitro miracle. She is a fortuitous accident of chance. A one in a trillion chance. Who knows? Perhaps Hannah is nature’s attempt to rebalance the nightmare of Eli’s life. She is the missing piece in the puzzle that is Eli. She completes her. All I know is that immediately after I contacted Elaine, I saw with crystal clarity how she would effortlessly shed the light on the darkness of Eli’s life. She’s the yin to Eli’s yang. And, most importantly, she is the key to Eli’s final completion; the undoing of everything evil that was done to her by my father. Only good can come of this. If I were certain of nothing else, I’m certain of this. I can rest now, knowing the key to Eli’s fulfillment is finally in her own hands, and drives an inevitable chain of events, beginning with her decision to be cured, and culminating in her total love and trust of her alter ego, whose own inner strength and generosity transcend her own, and make her whole once again.”

Eli gasped, “Papa, is he saying what I think he’s saying?”

“Yes, Eli.” He smiled at her. “Hannah was right. She is most definitely not a clone-- merely a miracle. A mystery we probably could have solved ourselves if we had thought to ask Hannah’s parents for DNA samples, which would have proven conclusively that they are her parents by birth. That simple test would have been the end of it. But for some reason, we didn’t think of it.”

Because we saw Gudmund in the photograph! He realized. Otherwise, I would certainly have done it. That crafty old vampire! He had us all figured out and led us down the garden path of his choosing. And he’s used Eli’s stubbornness to his advantage, almost forcing her to agree to the call, in order to pay Hannah back for her astoundingly unselfish act of offering her womb to her so she could have a child. My God! What an amazing maze he constructed!

Hannah was sitting with her arms folded across her chest and a big grin on her face.

“Hannah? Was there something you wanted to say?” his eyes twinkled.

“No, Mr. Dawson. Mr. Törnkvist merely confirmed what I already knew,” she said calmly.

“Then, what is it that Archaeogenetics is doing, Rich? Why all the subterfuge leading up to the phone call, if cloning in general and cloning Eli is particular wasn’t part of the plan?”

“I’m not sure, Elaine. We just need to stay focused on the fact that Gudmund does everything for Eli first, and everything else will finally make sense.” He turned to Eli, “Are you ready?”

She nodded, and smiled at Hannah.

Rich picked up the phone and dialed the number. After the third ring, a click. Then “Dr. Dawson I presume?”

“Yes. May I ask to whom I am speaking?”

“I’ve been expecting your call, Doctor, for the longest time. You need to get Eli in here as soon as possible. We’ve been ready for her for quite some time now. Times a-wasting, as they say.”

“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about. And we’re not taking Eli anywhere until you explain who you are and what your connection is to Mr. Törnkvist!”

“I’m so sorry, Doctor! I got ahead of myself. I was just so delighted to hear the phone finally ring that I forgot you have no idea what this is about. My name is Jonathan Törnkvist; I’m in charge of the principal research project at Archaeogenetics Inc. I am so relieved that my father’s final effort has reached this point, even though he assured me that it would. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Jonathan Törnkvist? But you…” Rich had to be careful here, “His only son died…some time ago.” He hesitated a moment, then put his finger to his lips and pressed the speaker-phone button. Everyone here had earned the right to hear the conversation, wherever it might lead. “Jonathan, you’re now on speaker-phone. We’re all listening.”

“Relax, Doctor; I know everything. I know what my father was and what Eli and Elaine were until recently. Remember where I work! Congratulations, by the way. Your discovery of the cure trumped us all, as my father predicted. But of course you had the real incentive there, living amongst you, so I’m not surprised. What surprised me was the sophistication of your switch. We’ll have to get together so you can explain it to me in detail and share your process with me, if you are willing.” He paused, remembering what the good Doctor’s actual question had been. “But I digress. My father adopted me when I was ten years old and well on my way towards what you might call ‘a life of no consequence.’ Needless to say I owe him everything. And I’m looking forward to paying the debt, beginning with our dear Eli.” He paused a moment, “And I was specifically instructed to assure Eli that my father and I were the only persons present during her … examinations. No other members of the research staff ever saw her personally, although they are all aware of her existence. And now, with your permission, and Eli’s of course, we’re going to make her whole again.”

“Make her whole again? Do you actually mean…”

“Yes, Doctor. We’ve spent the last two years growing it, and it’s ready to be implanted anytime. Of course you’ll have to discontinue the estrogen injections right away. They’ll no longer be necessary.”

Rich suddenly felt light-headed, as the significance of what Jonathan had just said sunk in. Eli’s loss and the single remaining obstacle to her being able to forever leave behind the horror of her last 200 years, and especially those first few days, would be gone.

Papa looked directly at Eli and Hannah as he spoke into the phone, “Would you please confirm for me that Hannah was a compete accident? That her DNA was unaffected by any genetic alteration on the part of your research team?”

“Yes, Yes. Of course! Our feeble attempts at cloning failed miserably. Consequently, we redirected all our efforts towards stem cell research related to understanding and possibly curing Vampirism, and finally, controlling it and using it’s greater, shall we say, ‘assets’ to our advantage. Man HAS always wanted to fly, hasn’t he?” he chuckled at his own joke.

“At my father’s insistence, we used Hannah’s umbilical chord stem cells, a theoretical duplicate of Eli’s own, for all our research from the date of her birth forward. Hannah was a curious anomaly; a living, breathing impossibility. But my father was never able to fully accept the fact of her randomness. He used terms like ‘magical’ and ‘water sprite’ to describe Hannah, despite all my efforts to convince him otherwise. Of course, despite his genius, he was a product of an earlier time; one in which deep symbolism, religious superstition and mysticism took precedent over science, so it was somewhat understandable to me. However, to sum it all up, Hannah’s stem cells, plus specific samples taken when she was ten, prepubescent, and a short two years from the beginnings of sexual maturity, allowed us to successfully replicate and begin the growth of what is now Eli’s entire reproductive system. Now then, when would you like to bring Eli in for the implant?”

Hannah interrupted, “You mean you did all this with my DNA and my … ‘samples?’”

“Yes, Hannah. I hope you’re not offended by all this. My father was obsessed with her happiness, and he knew you would become friends…”

“But it’s perfect!! I simply love it! I won’t need to loan her mine; you’ll just give her a new one!!” She suddenly turned bright red. “I…I’m sorry Mr. Dawson, I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry Oskar, I really am. Sometimes I just don’t know when to shut up!”

They all heard Jonathan laughing in the background. “Hannah, you’re everything my father said you were and more! It will be a great pleasure to finally meet you in person! With your parents of course. There can be no secrets here. And my father assured me…but that’s a different story, for a later time.”

Hannah quietly reached for Eli’s hand. “I told you, Eli. I am my father’s daughter. I knew it then, and you know it now. Now will you and Oskar accept my gift to you? It would mean everything to me.” She grinned at Eli, “And in return, I promise I will accept your wings.”

“Ah, the pretty little wings! I meant to mention those, but got a bit off track. The eyes? Practically ready. An injection is all that will eventually be necessary. The rapid-healing process; soon, but there are still some energy requirements to be met, as with the strength, but the wings…there’s a bit of a problem there. You see, the energy required to grow and use them, then retract them, is huge; a bit less for the claws and talons. The super-efficient digestive system of the vampire, plus the battery-like energy storage capacity in the outer layers of the skin, made all these things possible. But we’re working on it!” Jonathan assured them. “And it shouldn’t take long now, especially with your and Eli’s cooperation. Sorry Hannah.”

“We can wait, Mr. Törnkvist.” Eli said softly. Oskar put his arm around her and lightly kissed her on the cheek as she looked deeply into Hannah’s eyes. She felt so close to her; almost as close as she felt to Oskar.

Oskar suddenly realized what Hannah had REALLY offered Eli before – and him. And, as usual with Hannah, she clearly and innocently, and with great enthusiasm, blurted it out, oblivious to how it might look to others less ‘gifted’ than herself. He felt foolish now; childish and immature. Thank goodness that will all end in a few years. My brain will finally catch up with my age. And maybe someday it will catch up with Hannah. He smiled and looked at her, really seeing her for the first time.

Eli gasped. Hannah was suddenly impossibly beautiful to her and she realized that she was seeing her through not only her own eyes, but through Oskar’s as well. She quickly leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. Hannah, you have to see what you’ve done. You have to know how we both feel about you.

Hannah’s mouth opened and her eyes got big. “Kindred Spirits,” she whispered. Her voice trembled just a bit. “Kindred Spirits,” she whispered again, even more softly.

Eli wrapped her arms around her and pressed her cheek against hers. Her future stretched out before her with sweet clarity. She and Oskar together, and sweet wonderful Hannah with them forever, with her family and all Hannah’s family. No matter what happened now, she would never be alone again.

THE END