6 February 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2639 (Part 9) | Prompt: a nice illusion

Part 8 - Recap:

During the commotion, Ophelia's eye patch dislodged. She rushed to adjust it in time to spot Nathan extend his hand toward Herman, who dropped one of the pods from his hand. Biting her lip, she watched intently as Nathan hurried to the table.

What did the seed pods activate for Olivia to behave in such a manner? he wondered as he haphazardly flipped through the pages. Unsuccessful, he slammed the book shut, then rejoined Ophelia and Herman.

All the while, the children continued as if the adults ceased to exist. Spying Olivia, Herman studied her body. Refreshed is all he could describe her look. For the first time, Olivia opened her mouth wide with what could resemble a smile. Instantly, Nathan shuddered as a grandfather clock struck eleven o'clock in the background.

"It's best we get back home. Those two are drawing attention to us, lighting up the sky like a firecracker," Nathan urged. He strolled over to Olivia and attempted to cup her hand. She withdrew violently, causing Nathan to retreat.

"Seems like she doesn't want to part with the boy," Herman interjected. He sensed their separate power. Together, they could perhaps obliterate anyone else that accosted them.

"What if there are more of them, and others in our area are facing the same dilemma not wanting to report them to the authorities?" Ophelia interrupted.*

"Common sense should have warned us to hand them over immediately to the government," Nathan seemed to propose.

"What were we to do? Advertise in the local paper that we have two alien children living with us. It's too late for that. We didn't. Now, we'll be jailed for conspiracy, aiding, and abetting," Nathan warned.

"Conspiracy! to what? These children have committed no crimes we know of," Herman corrected harshly.

"Just being on our planet is illegal." Ophelia replied, her tone somber.

"We can go rounds, and it won't solve our predicaments. I recommend we turn them over now to the authorities first thing tomorrow morning, Herman suggested.

"Many in my circle already know there's a conspiracy," Ophelia stated.*

"Perhaps," Herman interjected, rolling his eyes. "But we don't have time to stand here and speculate. If the government knew, then why haven't they exposed this to the public?"

"Come on now, Herman. You know exactly why. Mass hysteria on a scale we've never seen. And we've got science fiction to thank for that!" Ophelia countered, glancing between them.*

Turning their attention to the children, Ophelia offered, "Since Olivia refuses to be separated from the boy, why not allow them to remain together?"

Nathan and Herman both frowned. Nathan hesitated. "I can barely take care of one, let alone two beings. But if no other choice, so be it. I have a feeling they were self-sufficient before we discovered them. We just added to their problems."

"Who said they had a problem. Also, I have a feeling their being here was no accident. Someone knows they are here. And sooner or later, they'll come for them. That's the problem we'll have when the time comes." Ophelia stated matter-of-fact.

Nathan and Ophelia exchanged knowing glances, as Ophelia nodded in agreement. She knew the day would come when all the information in her books the group collected would come together and unravel the mysterious it held.

Nathan extended both hands to Olivia and the boy. He'd overlooked the sickly-sweet odor emitted from her since she'd lived with him. It wasn't a sickening smell, but a mellow flavor as one would notice in a bakery good establishment. A sweet-smelling non-human. To his surprise, both children looked first at each other, then at Nathan as though they understood they wouldn't be separated. They moved closer to him, with Olivia holding the boy's hand.

On first glance, the boy's appearance seemed to equal that of Olivia. Now, Nathan could see that his shape and form was not as developed, as though younger. His claw-like hands were small, as was his other features like Olivia's. He smiled at the thought that Olivia was a protector.

"Wait! I have more seeds. They'll need them," Herman offered.

Ophelia noticed Herman's worried expression as he wiped his forehead. She attempted to relieve some of his angst. "Herman, tomorrow, stop by. I have some texts you may want to see. We all need to be armed as best we can."

Slowly, Herman nodded, not knowing whether he actually wanted to solve the mystery. But now he was involved as he watched Nathan and Ophelia guide the children outside.

On his front porch he stood gazing in trepidation of what his discovery and encounter would mean for him and his wife's safety. As the tail lights of Nathan's pickup faded into the night, they rode off down the dirt road back to Nathan's farm.

Now, Part 9:

"Something is brewing, and not just Mona's coffee," Herman uttered to his neighbor. He'd risen early the next morning, called and invited Isiah to breakfast. In his mid sixties, Isiah lived one farm over north of Herman for over fifteen years. A well-respected rancher in their small farming community.

Sitting with his arms folded, staring out the window, Isiah grunted an unintelligible response as Herman read the Epitaph News.

Neither man saw Mona slip into the kitchen nor knew she'd overheard them discuss the events of the night before, she cleared her throat. Herman turned to welcome her to the conversation, then continued to diagram the happening when the two children met.

Isiah interrupted. "Seems like our circle is expanding. Wish we'd gotten together sooner instead of keeping secrets. Closed mouths don't get no help!" he expounded as he beat his fist on the table.

"No they don't. But I can understand not wanting to draw attention to a problem we didn't know how to explain. We'd probably end up in that insane asylum or something like that. I hear family or anyone else can report you, and they'll come get you. Never hear from you again."

Mona just stared and folded both hands across her mouth to keep the laughter from exploding, all the while tears rolled down her face.

Herman avoided her, instead opting to steer the conversation toward more meaningful solutions. With his lips pursed, he interrupted Isiah.

"But can we count on those you know who has discovered children on their land?" Herman solicited with a deep frown, worried their small numbers weren't sufficient to bring attention to the situation.

"I'll bet there are plenty others probably within a twenty-mile area toward town in all directions." Now Isiah nodded.

"How can we find out on the quiet?" Herman asked.

"You know Ophelia, right?" Herman queried, hoping for a positive reaction. She wasn't on many of their neighbors' friend list.

"Certainly do." Isiah answered. "Why?"

"She's the contact person I know for a group that has been monitoring these events for years. She invited me over. She'll be surprised to learn of your discovery. And, she invited me to stop by and view the information her wacky group has been gathering for the past twenty years. Turns out, they weren't as crazy as Nathan and I believed." Hope rose up in Herman. News to report to Nathan.

"I could have told you that!" Mona broke in, her chest stuck out as well as her neck stretched. "But you and the likes of many of our small town are too quick to judge that which you don't understand nor try to."

She continued. "I'll fix a picnic basket for your two. Tell Ophelia I said "hello". And don't go getting yourselves into unnecessary trouble.

As they set out toward Ophelia's farm, Isiah remembered details of conversations he'd had with other neighbors. Nothing concrete, but enough to know that those neighbors were probably fishing for information.

Ophelia opened her front door, expecting only Herman.

Isiah extended his hand. He'd not been inside Ophelia's home for many years. And the eye patch was a new addition to her look. He tried not to stare.

Once inside and deep into conversation, she realized the value of interacting with others as Isiah filled in even more information about the objects he'd collected on his farm. Another visit to the Museum Of Odd Things was needed, she concluded.

Ophelia's group was small; only thirty concerned, curious souls anxious to discover the meanings of the items listed on the Directory of Lost Things at the Museum of Odd Things. For over twenty years, they held meetings at each other's homes and discussed the items they'd found or information they'd learned about. Only a few kept the official records of the meetings.

Ophelia was proud she was selected to be one of the keepers of knowledge, much to her late husband's chagrin. But their work was important and necessary. It was her greatest joy that Matilda, Nathan's wife, was also chosen. They worked well together. It was convenient for them to meet living as next door farm neighbors.

But with spouses determined not to be involved, they often kept their findings to themselves, else risk being exposed for lack of understanding. This was especially true of Nathan, Ophelia came to learn.

In each instance of researching the book, she learned, the seed pods pointed to a secluded area in each of the family's farms near pastures.

"We ever any farm animals harmed that were mentioned?" Ophelia asked.

"Never discussed," was Isiah's answer, glancing from Herman to Ophelia. He rubbed his chin as if contemplating. "If there had been, the entire area and authorities probably would have been alerted. But don't relax. Just because we haven't heard of any doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Just like the discovery of the children and the seed pods, they were probably buried and kept secret."

"How gross. Who would commit to doing that?" she murmured.

"Someone scared and not wanting to draw attention to their farm. Imagine what would happen. Rip up their crops and all searching," Herman reasoned aloud.

"Especially with the mention of AN-15," Ophelia stated. "There, take a look at this section from ten years ago."

They delved deeper into the archive books Ophelia had accumulated. Finally, Isiah asked, "what would a mineral have to do with your group?" He paused. "We're talking about beings not of this world, I understand."

"What do you mean by 'mineral'?" Isiah shot a confused look at them.

"Why was all the items discovered buried in the ground" There has to be a connection." Ophelia stated. "One of our guys was researching this. But he passed away suddenly."

"And Nathan and I discovered the children desperately digging. Then, when they consumed the seed pods, they began to take on a glow that enveloped them. Remember, Ophelia," Herman pointed at the rock image in the book.

"The children were eating rocks? How odd!" Isiah jerked his head around.

The room fell silent as all three exchanged glances. But they didn't have time to waste, so continued to pour over the books and notes.

Before they realized it, the morning sun gave way to an afternoon breeze.

With each instance of notes Herman and Isiah examined, they realized how widespread the implication was with what they may be dealing with. And this was only in their small area.

Herman paused and stared out Ophelia's window. "Imagine if there are other children and objects in other states." he stammered, scratching his head. "You can only remain in secrecy for so long."

The findings in Ophelia's books provided Herman and Isiah enough motivation as they bid her farewell and left to seek out their neighbors nearby.

Ophelia waited until they'd left, secured her cane, then headed down the road to check on Olivia and the male child and update Nathan on their discussions.

[to be continued]