“Indeed. And thisremarkablewoman who was an ex-prostituteon the streets who preached Jesus,trulyrescued them in more ways than we’ll ever fathom. She rescued them from the demons that created them. They were all madly in love with her and she with them, only shethought she was loving a single man with five personalities, not a man housing literal men with bodies in waiting. And when they finally reached the memory of Sync and he rejoined them during one of their many deaths, he carried the fullness of their plan and caught them up to speed. I can only imagine what sort of commotion this must have caused to learn the woman you were in love with was originally only a pawn in a greater plan.”
“And Handy?”
“Handy,” he exclaimed. “He’s slippery, isn’t he?” he marveled as if he was living up to his reputation. “As it turns out, the small piece of Sync that was put in Augustine was placed in his left hand and Harlow instinctively knew something was wrong with it.”
“Their hand?”
“Yes. He was even diagnosed with Alien Hand Syndrome, always wanting to hack it off.
Wow.
“But Handy proved to be useful. When their vessel became compromised, they discovered that theirhandstill functioned without them. Like a split personality, but only in the hand.” David laughed at Nidev’s perplexity. “Handy saved their life, and Butterfly’s more than once. Itis truly the most bizarre circumstance I have ever encountered. On top of it all, Handy fell in love with Butterfly too.” He grew serious again as he stared in awe before him. “It would seem to me,” he mused as though it was all still a big mystery, “that this piece of Sync synchronized with its vessel and became its very own entity. A part of them and yet separate. They could not control him, except Butterfly, and only then by his cooperation, which he clearly did not always submit to.”
Nidev was back to confused. “So...why would Dr. Harlow hate Handy?”
“It puzzles me,” he mused, brows knitted. “I lost track of them shortly after I reunited with them. At the time, Handy seemed to be growing stronger and I wonder now what sort of problem he’s become.”
“Wouldn’t he still be in Augustine’s hand?”
“That’s the thing,” he said, curious. “He was a piece of all of them. When they regained their original bodies, what became of him?”
“What happened to these men once they reunited with their bodies?”
“If I had to guess, they’re busy finishing the business they first set out to. But I truly hate guessing such things and am dying to know. I only know that whateverthey did is beyond my abilities. It is my direst dream to meet up with them again and learn all about each of them. What did they become? What sort of modifications did they make to their human bodies?”
“What makes you think they did?”
“To avoid detection of course,” he assured. “They will be wanted fugitives till the end of time, this, I am sure.”
“So...how are you going to prove who you are to him?”
“I suppose I should just call him. My voice should suffice?” he half asked.
“It can’t hurt to try. There’s also facial recognition. I can give you privacy,” Nidev said, hoping he’d do that now. He too wanted to know more about thesehighlygifted individuals. And to offer whatever protection they could to ensure they remained hidden from these authorities hunting them. Every scientist there—which was basically all the Kings—would want to observe and study and help further their gifts.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Butterfly couldn’t take it anymore, she needed to tell Pain so he could be prepared for the worst. Why did she think she could ever have a baby after everything? Because miracles that’s why, she remembered. She believed in them. All the way. And if this was a test of faith, she was there for it. She trusted God to do what had to be done, He was the Bossman there. If He chose to give her a childdespiteher past, then praise God. And if He decided it wasn’t the best idea, praise God there too. That was the deal with trusting God. There were no wrong outcomes. Disappointment, yes. She could handle that. She had to.
“What are you doing?” one of the Sisters gasped when she moved to get up.
“I need to talk to my husband. Who has a phone?”
They literally all produced one from the pockets of their habits. She took Lucy’s since she flew to where she sat on Harlow’s couch like an invalid. She thought it wascute that they wore their work clothes even while having lavish wardrobes. She didn’t have to ask to know their habits were like teddy bears they slept with. Same way she felt about her long dresses. Just a familiar, faithful friend, always there in all the darkest times.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait until we know for sure?” Lucy whispered as Butterfly tried to remember his number.
She lowered the phone to her lap, eyeing her sweet, concerned face. “I can’t, Lucy. He’s already gonna feel responsible on top of feeling unworthy. He’ll see this as the hand fate dealt him because he thinks he’s evil incarnate. And I’ve been working too hard reversing that lie in his head for him to be sideswiped like that.”
She nodded and Butterfly noticed something off in her gaze. “What’s wrong, honey?”
She gave a quick shake of her head. “Nothing. I can tell.”
“Nothing you can tell.” She angled her head. “Nothingyoucan tell?”
Her chest rose and fell with whatever she hid.
“Who can tell me if not you?”