Part 9 : Recap
""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 his wife 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.
"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'll be surprised to learn of your discovery. 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. "But you and the likes of many of our small town are too quick to judge that which you don't understand."
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 possessed 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.
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 kept the official records of the meetings.
Ophelia was proud to be selected one of the knowledge keepers, much to her late husband's chagrin. Her greatest joy was working with Nathan's wife, Matilda. 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.
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.
"Were 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 were 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 digging furiously. Then, when they consumed the seed pods, a glow enveloped them. Remember, Ophelia," Herman pointed at the rock image.
"The children were eating rocks? How odd!" Isiah jerked his head around.
The room fell silent as all three exchanged glances then 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 situation may be. 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.
Ophelia waited until the car disappeared from the road before securing her cane and heading down the road to check on Olivia and the male child in Nathan's care.
Now, Part 10
Nathan opened the door wide as Ophelia stepped inside, a frown covering her face. Instantly, he sensed their predicament had worsened.
"The situation is more dire than we first thought," she blurted immediately, then turned toward the bedroom, continuing, "have they been behaving?"
What an odd question, he thought, shaking his head as though not understanding what was being asked. "As much as our understanding of behaving is," Nathan replied quickly, then expanded his answered. "They seem much quieter with those seed pods if that's what you mean. He paused, then remembered her statement.
"Why do you say the situation is much worse?" he queried, not really wanting to know how serious it truly was.
"Our neighbor, Isiah, theorizes that there are numerous children scattered about. Perhaps all over the country."
"Do you all trust him to keep this thing quiet?" Nathan spoke softly as if he thought Olivia and the male could hear from the bedroom.
"As much as we can trust anyone who has encountered these children and those seed pods. And God knows what else that's buried around these parts."
Ophelia gazed out the window as far as her eyes could focus on the landscape.
But she couldn't see much other than the weather broke for her thoughts were with Herman and Isiah. She hoped they would discover others. The more people involved, the better their chances of defending against whatever unnatural beings they'd likely encounter later. What defense they'd be able to muster was yet not calculable.
"They left to find other farmers, so I came to check on the children," Ophelia stated, breaking her gaze. The walk had weakened her knees. Nathan noticed and moved aside as she reached for her cane, then leaned heavily on it, lumbering toward the bed room door.
The bedroom visit didn't last long.
With a worried glance, she tapped her cane against the wooden floor. Still looking downward, she stated matter-of-fact, "if we're not going to report them to the authorities and let them handle it, then we're gonna need more numbers and weapons to defend ourselves. If we come out of this alive, we'll have to produce evidence. We must keep our books and notes in a secure place to back up our findings." She straightened her head and attempted to straighten her body as best she could.
Shocked at her statement, Nathan cringed. He hadn't anticipated a confrontation, let alone a shoot out for his survival over this mess he found himself entangled in.
He rudely interrupted to disguise his trepidation. "What evidence? the pods? the children? And who are we defending ourselves against? The authorities or those who we believe will return for what they left here?"
"The matter of AN-15." she replied with a stern stare directly at Nathan.
"What the hell is AN-15?" He threw his hands up. "Don't tell me that other neighbor has discovered something else for us to worry over!"
"We believe that the mineral, with a symbol of "P" for Phosphorous, is what the children were digging for. Atomic Number 15 is the designation for this mineral. It's believed why they glowed after eating the pods. One of our researchers stumbled on to it. The evidence is all there in our notes. Sadly, he died during his research."
"Of natural causes I hope" Nathan retorted, suspicion covering this expression.
"We didn't believe it was from natural causes, but we can't prove it. Besides, we believe that the beings are searching for this mineral. We know it as phosphate that we use in producing fertilizer. Perhaps those beings have found a way to utilize it for their existence. Perhaps they are friendly and don't intend to harm our planet, if the children are any indication of their docile nature."
Ophelia paused, spying Nathan curiously as if to gauge his understanding and reaction. Their eyes met, so she jerked her head away.
"We can't rely upon the action of two children to gauge the intentions of an entire alien race. At least I don't think so." Nathan frowned, attempting to sort out the odd feeling that enveloped him moments earlier while studying Ophelia.
Something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint the cause.
"Just reporting what we discovered is all." Still avoiding Nathan's stare, Ophelia shrugged her shoulders as if relenting. "Anyway, it's time for me to head home."
Immediately came a knock at the door. Nathan opened to find Herman, Isiah, and six other farmers huddled on his front porch.
Ophelia didn't leave straightaway, instead welcoming the neighbors she recognized. Now there are ten of us, she hoped.
Nathan welcomed his neighbors in. Although the living room was spacious, all refused to sit, electing to stand close to the door. "You all want to see the children?" he offered.
"No need," Buford replied. "I have one of my own. Been in my basement for a while now. Like yours, docile as a lamb. But I suspect underneath is immense power we don't understand and will never control." He surveyed the other members, then continued, "just my assessment is all."
Ophelia had taken a seat, an unusual quiet surrounding her, although she listened intently.
"We need to evaluate the threat assessment and whether to try and handle this bizarre situation on our own; or, coordinate our turning the children over to the authorities at the same time as I suggested yesterday," Herman proposed.
Once again, reviewing the information in Nathan's home and the books Ophelia brought with her, discussion ensured. Heads nodded in the affirmative; others, with negative gestures.
The question of AN-15 rose. Ophelia explained the possibility that the beings were seeking Earth's precious mineral, Phosphate.
Ophelia cleared her throat twice. All turned in her direction. She began.
"It appears to me that the solution is simple. Do nothing. Keep it quiet, else risk a public uprising because the authorities will surely place all of us in jail for withholding those children. Mark my words, whoever brought them to Earth and left them here will return sooner or later. And anyone who interferes with those beings retrieving them will have hell to pay...including loss of their lives. I, for one, don't want to be caught in the extra-terrestrial crossfire."
All men frowned at her suggestion. After a long moment, Herman spoke, a wild look in his eyes. "And how will we keep the children hidden until whatever time in the future the beings return to claim them?"
"I have an idea, if you all want to listen." Ophelia surveyed the group, then continued, "keep all together in a safe place we designate," she proudly announced.
"And who's going to be in charge of finding, securing, and tending to this 'safe place' you envision?," Herman demanded, shaking his head violently.
A loud quarrel broke out among the group.
Without warning, the bedroom door opened. Olivia and the male peered into the living room before entering. They stood off to the side a comfortable distance from the adults whispering at each other. Then, Olivia extended her hand several times, with the male joining in, their eyes glowing ominous.
"See! How do we even know those children aren't dangerous and planning to kill us right now if we don't do what they want?" Herman shouted.
Buford's hands flew up in response. "Personally, I don't believe the children are our problem. The ones who brought them here and will return is the danger not only to us but all on our planet. If it's Phosphate the beings want, it's out of our control anyway. Let the government deal with it. We, on the other hand, can easily hand them over to the beings when they return without any bloodshed."
Nathan broke in, unsure of the response he'd get. "I suggest we take a vote. Please, I beg you, consider the global reach before voting your conscious.
The children watched as each adult raised their hands. The adults studied them, hoping they didn't understand that their fate was about to be decided in those ten show of hands.
When all votes were cast, six had decided to turn over the children to the authorities the next day.
Ophelia, Nathan, and Buford voted to remain silent. At the last moment, Isiah changed his mind. "I vote we remain quiet and handle it ourselves."
The vote was cast. The decision made. The majority had spoken.
A hushed silence fell over the room. Each adult, once a familiar face, glanced furtively at the other, then at the children, silently considering the consequences of his and her choice.
Nathan's knees abandoned him as he plopped down on his couch. The nice illusion he maintained hoping the situation would end peacefully had crumbled into reality.
"You all are making a terrible mistake, I guarantee it," he replied solemnly, his eyelid lined with tears. "I feel deeply you're putting everyone in this world in danger. Why, it's a damn good possibility the entire human race will be obliterated in an instance if we allow the authorities to take control of those children and go to war over returning them."
[to be continued]
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the 
30 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2752: split in two
25 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2747: in the fold
23 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2745: global reach
9 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2731: familiar face
28 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2750: a stray bullet;
18 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2740: knowledge
6 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2728: don’t relax;
28 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2661: directory of lost things; and
25 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2658: museum of odd things
Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.
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English is my native language.
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
El inglés es mi lengua materna.
Si se incluye traducción, uso DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.