Read Online NANOVISION: What Would You Do With X-ray Vision? by Paul Harry - Free Book Online Page B

down and onto the grass. She giggled and laughed hysterically as
the dog licked her face, smothering her with love.
    “Did yah miss me,
baby... did yah?” she asked, as the two rolled about on the lawn.
    Ethyl chuckled.
“Daniel, this is our dog, June Bug... apparently on the loose again.”
    Ethyl’s
observation was quickly confirmed as an elderly gentleman appeared from behind
the same hedge following the path taken by the dog. He was a spry, thin man,
roughly seventy-four years of age, six foot tall, with dyed, thinning hair. In
his hands was a leash. He waved to the group as he approached.
    “Your dog about
tore off my arm trying to get home,” he announced. “She heard your car and went
crazy.”
    “Rudy... Hi...
Come on over,” invited Ethyl. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
    The old man
joined the group.
    “Rudy, this is my
nephew Daniel Lewis, from Las Vegas. Daniel, this is our neighbor, Rudy.”
    Daniel stuck out
his hand and Rudy latched on to it. He pumped the boy’s hand vigorously.
    “Nice to meet yah
kid... Las Vegas, huh? God, it’s been ten, twelve years since I’ve been there,
lots of changes I bet.”
    “Rudy used to run
a casino there,” Ethyl informed Daniel.
    “Really? Which
one?”
    “Ahh, it was
nuthin’ kid, been retired for twenty years.” The old man turned his attention
to Katie. “Hey! How about a hug for Uncle Rudy?”
    Jumping up from
the grass Katie gave the old man an enthusiastic hug, while June Bug took the
opportunity to sniff out Daniel. The boy patted the dog’s head and felt his
face and long silky coat. “Nice doggy,” he said as the animal licked his hand.
    “Hey, you need
some help with the suitcases?” asked Rudy.
    “That would be
nice... They’re in the back. I’m going to walk Daniel to the house and get him
settled. It’s been a long day.”
     
    *    *    *    *
     
     
    The day came to
an end rather quietly for Daniel and the Santini clan. The family had dinner
after which Ethyl and Katie escorted Daniel upstairs to his bedroom. With their
help he brushed his teeth and dressed in new pajamas and made ready for bed.
Goodnights were said, Katie scurried off, and Ethyl tucked Daniel in making
sure he had everything he needed for the night. With the lights out he fell
asleep quickly, slumbering on the most comfortable mattress he had ever felt.
    Later that night,
as Ethyl sat alone in the living room reading, she heard a noise coming from
upstairs. Removing her reading glasses, she set her book aside and got up to
investigate. At the top of the stairs she heard a voice mumbling indistinctly;
it was emanating from Daniel’s room. She stood at his door and eavesdropped,
but heard nothing more. She knocked and softly inquired, “Daniel... Are you all
right?”
    There was no
reply so she opened the door and peeked in. The room was lit softly by
moonlight streaming through the window. It illuminated everything with a pale
cast including Daniel’s body as he lay asleep under the sheets. Ethyl watched
silently for a moment noting her nephew’s restlessness. He was fidgety, tossing
and turning in the bed while muttering under his breath. Daniel was having a
nightmare and the words falling from his mouth were chilling. 
    “No... please,
no... don’t kill... why -- why... no, no, no... please -- mmm--sooorryee” The
boy’s speech became slurred as he turned away from her, but she did manage to
catch one final phrase. “Daaa... d... I’m s-s-s-sorry.”
    Ethyl closed the
door and leaned against the wall. There was concern etched upon her face. She
took a deep breath and sighed; the thoughts in her head running a mile a
minute. They’d barely been home a day. Had she done the right thing? Could
she really help this child? What about Katie? Did she have it in her?
    From somewhere
deep inside she heard the long, lost whisper of her sister’s voice. “I miss
Daddy so much−this isn’t fair!”
    Yes, it wasn’t
fair and this