The dark energy subsided, and my parents’ energy surfaced. It seemed as if they were reaching for me, and I reached for them, going all in. The sense of self fell away, and I saw without eyes, without senses. I just was.
Only I was more than myself. I was my mom, my dad, and Mayes. My enhanced senses wanted to soar, but Mayes’ insistent urging gave focus to my liberated spirit. I still retained my physicality and normal senses, but the extrasensory part of me had formed an intangible bond with my helpmates.
Twilla Sue lay before us on the hospital bed, struggling to survive. We stood around her, touching her head, feet, and hands. I wanted her to live. We all wanted her to live. Energy rose and flowed through the extrasensory circuit we’d created, seeking a way out.
She did not so much as stir as she became bathed in the energy field. Through the spirit-link, we sought her empty well. I nearly jumped for joy when Mayes located a barren spot in her psyche. Slowly, ever so slowly, he massaged healing energy into that area.
Anticipation soared and crashed as she did not respond. I wished I knew her better. With effort, I found my voice. “We’re not reaching her. We need another plan.”
“What about singing? She likes music,” Mayes said. “Old time spirituals.”
I’d recently overcome my fear of singing in public, so I launched into a rendition of “Wade in the Water,” making it soft and tender. At the same time, I stoked her arm and hand. My parents followed suit. Twilla Sue stirred, and our combined energy wrapped her in love.
Mayes added his voice to mine, and the enhanced energy brightened the room. I likened the sensation to the rosy glow of dawn. Twilla Sue’s labored breathing eased. We were on the right track. Finally.
“Slow and steady,” Mayes cautioned, as if he knew I was thinking to fire hose our energy gift into her.
I was a newcomer to this process, and the last thing I wanted was to harm our recipient or any of us. Mayes patiently held our focus and directed the flow. Soon, Twilla Sue’s color brightened. Her hand twitched in mine.
My relief was instantaneous. It was working. We were working. I’d never had this heady feeling of healing someone. I’d never savored the sweetness or the moral rightness I felt from helping the sheriff. It was amazing.
“Just a little more juice and she’ll be back to normal.” I pushed a little extra energy forward, and the sheriff absorbed it. Giddy with power, I fought an absurd desire to laugh like a maniac. I could vault mountains. I could skim over the ocean waves. I could dance with the stars.
“Disengage,” Mayes ordered, “now.”
My parents obeyed at once. I saw Mayes had physically released the sheriff and stepped away as well. With regret, I mentally pulled back from Twilla Sue.
“We’ve done our part. Now we wait,” Mayes said. “I’m releasing the mind-link.”
The room brightened as I came fully into myself. I shivered against the unexpected chill in the sterile cubicle. Questions stuck in my throat, but I was too tired to utter a word. My knees felt all squishy and rubbery, so I sank into the nearest chair.
“Masterfully done.” My father came around the bed and shook the deputy’s hand. “You were the right man for the job.”
“She’s turned the corner now,” my mom added, snuggling up to my dad. “Now she must finish the healing process.”
“I wanted to keep going,” I said, hugging myself for warmth, “but I’m so tired now, I need a nap. Thank you for monitoring all of us. Your delicate touch and your timing were awesome.”
Mayes bowed his head. “Thank you for sharing your energy with my boss. She’s a fighter. I have every confidence she will revive and be whole once more.” He lifted his head and fixed me with a glare. “You are reckless and undisciplined.”
“Guilty. But I have good intentions.”
“When you are rested, we will speak again.”
I didn’t like his bossy attitude, so I brushed it off. “Sure.”
Mayes handed me a blanket, which I immediately wrapped around my shivering body. At first it didn’t make a difference, then slowly, surely, warmth seeped into my bones. I yawned, too tired to do one more thing. I had questions for everyone, especially Twilla Sue, but it was too late for me to gather information. I’d exceeded my energy limits, and Mayes had the good sense to pull me back from the abyss.
My eyes drifted shut.