BACK TO THE ATTIC

Summary After having previously escaped his attic prison where he heard all the TP messages for his whole life---spent trapped in an attic thanks to his parents and a strange government test---Rico seems to be turning more evil than good. He is not a TP but a stronger telepath in most respects. Is he turning evil? Or is another force at work? Almost all the major villains from the original show appear.

Notes: This story continues the series that brings the TP of the 1970s into the 1990s. It is for want of a better title in the universe called 1-A. While this universe does not yet incorporate the NEW TP SERIES from Nickoledeon, it does, later allow for Adam, Megabyte, Kevin to come over from their respective universe when their universe is destroyed. Alternate Kevin also later appears. I wanted to post this story because all the major villains appear from the first series.

The Tomorrow People were created by Roger Price and are the property of Thames TV and Pearson TV (original series and/or) Thames/Tetra and Nickelodeon (new series).

(This story takes place after RECONCILIATION and before RETURN TO RIGORA and in 1990; also note that the pronunciation of Jene is really Juh-Neigh; it is also spelled Je'ne).

Horror is not as it usually is in the movies. Horrible events can and do happen on beautiful, picture perfect days. The heavy set boy, called Ari by name, had recently moved to Villalba. He had hated it when he visited the tiny mountain coated town several months ago during a soccer scrimmage. He still hated it. The move had been due to his father's work--the man had lost his job during major layoffs in the larger city of Ponce. He was now employed at both Toro Negro Hydro Electrical Plants on double shifts. Ari, two other boys following him, had time to stroll by this house. He lead them into tossing chunks of cement, broken out of the road, toward it. The home, a perfect symmetrical rectangle, was built into a large hill. If the boys had cared, they would have noted its three floors---the third had been their target: the attic. The small blond boy with Ari laughs, "Maybe we shouldn't--folks say dis house be haunted."

Ari tossed another, "Yeah, by the smell of Je'ne's creep cousin. That dumb bell."

The curly haired, brown faced boy, also smaller, said, "No, it's true. Things have been seen around here."

"Things?" Ari laughs, confident in his mirth.

The dark boy whispered now, "Ghosts and monsters."

Ari tossed another, "Let em' come at me." This chuck hit the attic near a board that covered the window. To prove himself, Ari moved closer, picking up his baggy pants over his blubber. "I need a belt," he thought. He was about to get a belt of another kind.

The boards moved slightly. Then more. They moved apart and inside, the open window had no glass. Even though it was higher up, Ari could see a face. Bony teeth, a moving white jaw bone, hollow sunken eyeless sockets--a skull! IT laughed. Behind Ari, the two boys ran away. Ari challenged it and threw another rock. A hand tapped his shoulder. At first, he thought it was one of his smaller pals. The hand was a bony hand! He felt its skeletal fingers on his own collar bone and turned around quickly, brushing it off. He saw Je'ne Perera, the little wimp from the soccer team and in a few of his classes now. A curly haired dark boy, the 14 year old Je'ne exuded cheerfulness to everyone. In return they were always cheerful in his presence. Except Ari. The heavy boy ran at him, believing the smaller Je'ne had played some joke on him.

Je'ne became the skeleton and then turned into his cousin--Rico Perera--the supposed dumb bell. Long brown, unwashed hair and obsessed brown eyes, which widened in pleasure at Ari's growing fearfulness. Rico laughed, tossing Ari on his backside without touching him. Rico still wore the lion crested shirt he had borrowed from Je'ne but also a blue denim jacket and dungarees. Behind Ari, a green slime tentacled monster with no legs, slithered at him. A writhing mass of spinach, it has sixteen red-black eyes with green pupils. Ari rolled over, sprang to his feet, and ran. Rico Perera laughed. He was back in the attic peering out at the fleeing Ari through the open boards. Rico enjoyed it. Then the boards closed tight---concealing his existence and shutting out the world of Puerto Rico--which he hated anyway. The eyes could reveal how much hate and madness were behind them.

The next day, in school, Je'ne walked past lockers with his friend Gab. Gab's real name was Gabriel but because he talked incessantly, everyone called him Gab, as in "Gift for" and "Gift of" gab. Je'ne listened to one of Gab's long stories but lost track of what was being said when he saw Ari and the two small boys he always hung around with, move out of his way. Ari watched Je'ne pass by, suspicious. Je'ne glanced back in confusion, "I don't comprehend. All morning he's been staring at me but not saying a word. Like he's afraid of me."

"Well, I think it's a good thing. I mean when he moved here, he didn't bother you physically because of what happened before, even though, I know you had nothing to do with it but no one will ever know who did..." Je'ne listened, quietly unable to let Gab in on his secret--he knew it was Rico that had slammed Ari into lockers in the gym locker room and had hurt him badly. Ari had been attacking Je'ne at the time, for no reason other than his team from Ponce had lost the soccer scrimmage. Je'ne could not tell him that Rico was a super advanced telepath because that would cause him to reveal other secrets about how he knew this. Rico's mind had opened and slowly became advanced or mutated--for Rico was capable of great powers. As Je'ne tried to collect his thoughts, Gab continued on.

Gab Ascendo, 13, had red hair, rare for a Puerto Rican. He has a dark complexion and smooth cheeks with active, on-the-go brown eyes, and that mouth...if not for it he would look cherubic in a lean kind of way. Gab went on and on, "...but he still had a big mouth...like verbal like, you know, and startin' trouble like. But now he's shut up like a bear in hibernating and..."

"Can't you do the same?" Je'ne looked at him and snickered. Gab laughed and elbowed his friend gently.

"Marco?! Come and get me." A young voice called from the alley. Marco was in Villalba only to perform with an acting troupe he has left behind when his family moved to Florida. Being one of the Tomorrow People, that growing, elite people who were the next step of human evolution, he was able to jaunt (a shorter term for teleporting using one's mind to leave one place, pass quickly through hyper space and appear miles away). And jaunt he had--to return to former friends in the troupe and perform for the school children and other small audiences. He had enjoyed dancing with his old friends again but soon found many of them had moved on to their own separate ways and it was not the same in Puerto Rico for him. Originally born in Hato Rey, Marco was moved at a young age to grow up in San Juan, then at age 15 transplanted to Miami. He walked out of the eight o'clock performance as soon as it was over. Going outside the back way, toward his needed walk for thought, he began to enjoy the fresh air which was not always available in Miami, Florida. He looked up at the clear night sky and saw it full of stars. Marco tossed his head slowly to remove the long black hair from his face. Marco fell in love with all forms of dance at an early age. He had built up his body which was of medium height and weight. Now he was much more muscular, possessing the dark skin of his family.

The voice he thought was imagined, came again, from behind a darkened hallway--a brick extension of the school. "Marco, come and get me."

Marco identified the voice as a boy--a young one because the voice has not yet changed and sounded soft--almost feminine. "Marco, I know you. You don't know me, I know you."

Marco was interested but tired. "Come on out if that is the truth. I want to see you, kid."

"KID! Kid! I'm no kid. What made you think o' that?" There was a long pause. "Can't entice you?" The voice became serious and quieter, "Marc, I know you're a Tomorrow Person!" Marco's ears picked up, his hair stood on end, and he came fully alert. "Oh, I see and hear I've got your attention now!" The voice laughed, chuckling like a little boy. The smartest thing for Marco to do would have been to jaunt but he wanted to face this person--this apparent threat. He ran around the extension and reached an inner alley between two halls. "I'm here Florida boy. In here, come catch me if you can, long hair." IT came from inside the alley's depths, this voice which played a game with him. Marco felt something in that alley thriving on his fear. He braced himself and launched into the alley's far end. Marco Moreles screamed long and loud.

He sat up in bed, afraid. He rubbed his hands over his sweaty face, up into his wet hair. The covers on his bed were thrown off. Good, it was too hot anyway. His window was open. Marco had only cut off shorts on. He puffed and leaned back to his pillow, exhausted. Someone jaunted to the side of his bed. Trish Warner, light brown hair, skinny, and fair was next to him. He noticed her right away, "Again?"

"You heard? I tried not to let you. I keep waking you up with this nightmare," Marco turned on his side.

Trish put a hand on his side and turned him back toward her, sitting on the side of the bed at the same time, "Don't shut me out. Was it exactly the same?"

"Yes," Marco gave in, "Just the way it happened except when I was there, I actually saw the person."

"You'll remember."

"That's the only thing upsetting me. It's not fear anymore," Marco caught Trish's stare, "Well...maybe just alittle."

Trish smiled, "It's Friday and early. Why don't we go for a swim out back?"

"I could use that," he said, "Only I have a long day of rehearsal tomorrow. Oh, what the hell...come on." Through the dark house, he lead the way to the tinted glass back door. He unlocked it and stepped out onto the patio. Trish followed him past it to the fenced in swimming pool area. As Trish closed the fence door, they noticed the spotlights were off, allowing the water to reflect the moon's fullness on the calm, still surface. Blue and inviting.

Trish shut her eyes, "Let me see if I can change into my bathing suit just by concentrating."

Marco became mischievous and put an arm around her back, sweeping her with himself into the pool. Trish laughed as they splashed into the lower side. "Shh! Shh! Don't wake the family." Marco moved close to her and began to unbutton his shorts. Trish covered his hands, "Not here, your parents...."

Marco nodded, "You're right. Come to the deep side."

They dog paddled to it. Trish looked at her yellow and red flowered dress as Marco took her into his arms, completely forgetting the dream. Trish laughed again. "The dress will be okay. I probably was too tired to get the proper concentration for changing it with my mind powers. Some of the others could do it, like Mike---and with his powers, I'd bet Rico will soon be able to..."

Marco gripped her shoulders hard, releasing her hips, "WHO? Who did you say?"

"What?" Trish was alarmed at Marco's change, "Mike? Michael Bell, the English..."

"No, not him, the other name you mentioned..."

"Oh, Rico Perera--you remember during the Medusa Monster attack?"

"No, I never met him. Where is he from?"

"Villalba."

"Oh my God. Is he young?"

"Fourteen, I guess. Why?"

Marco swam away from her back to the lower side of the pool, tired of kicking his legs. He sat on the cement steps that went into the pool, the water up to his chest. Trish followed, confused. Soon, she sat next to him as he stared absently into the water. "Marco? Marco?" Slowly, he acknowledged her and turned to look at her and gave a quick smile. "Does Rico have something to do with the dream?"

"I think----yes, I think so. What do you know about him?"

"Not much. Professor Cawston knows about him. And I suppose Roll-in, a bit, but I think Marette knows him really well. He helped her on that Philippine island not too long ago, remember when her parents were in trouble?"

"No, I've been too preoccupied with myself," he looked at Trish, "But Marette I do know. We had some close calls during that Medusa thing--with Marcus and Damien."

"Go to her first before you try to approach Rico--if you can find Rico. He seems to be a vagabond or a gypsy type presence these days. He doesn't want to be around us---us Tomorrow People."

"But he'd know about us," Marco frowned, "Maybe he's even listening right now." The thought disturbed Marco and he looked around uneasily.

Trish shrugged and put a hand on Marco's arm, "Nothing we can do about it. However, I get the feeling wherever Rico is, he's too preoccupied with himself to be listening to us."

FUTURE ONE--that Earth orbiting, many decked satellite of the Tomorrow People, held TIM, the bio tronic computer, who is the friend of each Tomorrow Person. TIM was also the constant companion of whoever cared to contact him telepathically. He has his own personality and thoughts--which sometimes conflict with several Tomorrow People and the Galactic Federation which originated him. The present moment was a rarity--TIM was alone and had switched himself off. He was in a night mode and was relocating information in his systems. The large main area was dark and his tubes, hanging from the ceiling were barely visible. To the left of TIM's upper tubing and bubbles was a huge square shaped entranceway. A shadowy figure graced it, the outline of a five foot, five inch being. It was a boy, silohetted by the dim lighting from the hall beyond. Rico Perera, glazed eyes, came in quiet as possible, "Anyone here?" He wore dungarees, a blue dungaree jacket, and a lion crested shirt. His hair, while stylishly cut to a brown tail, short in front, was much longer than when Je'ne, his cousin, first cut it so many weeks ago.

TIM was as close to sleep as he could get--with a few components of himself off. He lit up the room at the words of Rico, "Hmmmmm. Uhuh--oh yes, hello there, Jesse, is that you?"

Jesse Rapheal was a 17 year old Tomorrow Person from Tijuana, Mexico. He was instrumental in saving the life of two Tomorrow People and one who had not yet broken out. Jesse's efforts had put a large majority of a street gang behind bars. Those that were free had attacked Jesse and three others. The Mexican had managed to get the others to safety but was knifed and killed by the gang, which was eventually captured and jailed. Jesse also served by helping victims of worldwide disasters such as mud and landslides in Mexico, tornadoes in Texas. After his death, a statue was installed for his memory in the Hall of Heroes, a place in the satellite dedicated to the deceased Tomorrow People as well as friends and family who died and were remembered. Of course, Rico "heard" all of this when he was trapped in the attic.

To TIM, Rico looked like Jesse of a moment in the darkness. Rico pouted and rolled his eyes, "NO, it's me, Rico." He was annoyed at once, again being forgotten.

"Oh hello, Rico. Sorry about that."

"Do I look like Jesse?"

"Uh--no, no. He has curlier hair, was darker, and taller?"

"Do you have dust on your tubes?"

"Uh, no. Rico, I am glad you are here. John and Elizabeth and the others have been very concerned about your whereabouts and how you are."

"Fine, fine. Ex--cept..." he sat near a small link table, circular and low.

"Anything I can do?" TIM bought the bait.

Rico pointed up, "As a matter of fact, yes. TIM, I...no, I shouldn't despose, impose..."

"False modesty will not get you what you want."

Rico flashed a charmer smile up at TIM's main casing, "You know my motives so I'll get right to it--I can't yet submolecularize clothes yet or money, but I suppose I'll be able to soon--but...."

"You need money?" TIM flashed, "May I ask what for?"

"Are you going to summon some up for me?"

"I don't summon it up."

Rico frowned, sadly and more genuinely, "I'd like some new fashionable clothes. I've had these since I..."

"Yes, I realize that," TIM lit up. "I could make some for you."

"Later maybe but I'd like to buy some I saw--you know to buy it in a store the way normal people do," Rico said, his handsome face touching TIM's heart--if he had one. TIM was moved in spirit, he was, after all, alive in a different way. The boy was certainly unique in look--round eyes, flashing hazel green, a round bubble-cheeked face--a look of innocence. Money appeared on the main link table. Rico eyed it but didn't move, "I think I know how you did it."

TIM waited, "Well, are you going to take it?"

"I was just waiting for you to tell me," Rico stood up and went over to the money, smiling.

"May I ask where you will be?"

"Greece, TIM."

"Would it be all right if I told the other Tomorrow People, John, for instance?"

"Well, okay, but only if they ask," Rico smirked.

"A deal," TIM flashed.

Rico put some money into his pockets, "Good. Now I know no one will know. None of them will ask." Rico stopped and dropped his smile, "TIM, thank you. I mean really, thank you."

"You are quite welcome, Rico," TIM said in his proud voice.

John came walking in. John Fairchild, the very first Tomorrow Person to ever break out on Earth. He had been 14 years old when he broke out in 1970. Now he was 35 and the father of three children, but he still possessed the same personality. "TIM, are you up yet? I want..." he stopped, looked at Rico with the money in his hands, "What is going on here?"

TIM evaded the question, "John, I am always up."

Rico put the money on the link table, "The jig is up."

"What jig?" John thumbed through the stack of twenties, "Rico, what is all this...TIM, is this from you?"

"Yes, John, I believe it is," flashed TIM.

"It's not his fault. I made him do it."

TIM flared, "You did nothing of the kind. He did nothing of the kind. Rico would like some new clothes."

"New..." John stopped, "Rico, where have you been?"

"Around," Rico shrugged, "John, I didn't lie to TIM. I really do want new clothes."

John looked up, unable to hold back, "TIM, you had no right to do this without consulting me! You didn't know what this money..."

"Stop yelling at him!!" Rico yelled, "Just lay off him!"

"For a little guy, you have some set of lungs," John rubbed his ear. Rico saw him do this and it calmed him, surprisingly.

Rico began to take the money out of his pockets, "Sorry, TIM." He took out more from his jacket, "I didn't mean to get you into any trouble, TIM. I can give it all back." He put the money on the table in front of John. John glared at Rico. Rico took out another 40 dollars and put it on top, his face falling. He turned around and began to walk out, hoping no one would see his face twisting up, ready to cry. John watched him, puffing to himself.

TIM only said, "John."

John swallowed a lump as Rico shuffled out, "Rico, Rico, wait. Look..I...I am a father of a little girl. And while I've had experience with Mike, Stephen, Tyso, and Andrew, Toby, as well as Rollin--and oh boy Rollin is an experience..." Rico stopped shuffling but did not turn around. He listened. John went on, "...I really have no clue how to deal with or handle teenage boys."

Rico wiped a slow dripping tear, "Especially a boy like me?"

"Honestly, yes," John gulped and moved closer. He put a hand out to touch Rico, then decided it was the wrong thing to do. He moved back and took the stack of bills. "You can have them."

Rico wiped the other eye, then turned, "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes, here," John shoved money into pockets on Rico, "No changing my mind either."

Rico breathed air in to curtail his crying, "I only did it this way because you remember what happened last time I tried to rob money."

John thought back as he finished. Rico was caught robbing an ATM machine, deemed insane, and put in an institution where he was slated for electro shock therapy before the Tomorrow People pulled him out of there. "Yes."

Rico smiled, "Didn't you nib a 20 for yourself?"

"WHAT?!" John yelled.

"I have no..." John put a hand in his pants pocket and took out a twenty dollar bill, "Haha, very funny." He held it up. TIM stifled a laugh as John looked up and rolled his eyes.

Rico grabbed the bill from John's hand and whipped it into his jacket pocket, "Thank you. Well, I'm off."

"To a store? None are open," John seemed to offer something.

"John," Rico said, "I can jaunt unlimitedly--somewhere on Earth a store will be open that takes American money. And I know where I want to go...John..." Rico became more serious and emotional again, "Thanks again." He walked off, into the hall, the light went off out in the hall.

John, stunned by all of this, followed, "Rico? Rico? TIM, where's he gone?"

"Greece, I think," TIM said.

"What city?"

"Uh-oh."

"Oh TIM, you are an..."

From the hall, Marco, with Trish following hectically, stalked in. Trish was dripping wet. Marco wore a multi colored scarf over his head, his long hair sticking out the back. He also sported a brown suede Indian designed vest with fringe on the sides and middle, no shirt underneath. On the back was a white eagle design. A wristband, blue and thick graces his left arm while an Indian bead belt was laced through his ripped blue jeans. The jeans were tucked into black boots which were steel tipped. To John he looked as if he dressed in a hurry. Marco met his gaze, "It's for a semi-professional video I'm rehearsing tomorrow morning."

John felt that this was his day for being out of his depth, "Oh."

Trish came forward, "John, talk him out of it."

"Out of what?"

Marco told him, "I want to talk to Rico Perera."

"Oh boy," John muttered, "Are you calm?"

"Yes," Marco almost believed the answer but didn't really understand why John asked it, "Where is he?"

"Greece," TIM answered.

John rolled his eyes at TIM once more, "Thank you, TIM."

"You are welcome, John," TIM retorted.

"Do we know the town?" Marco asked.

"No, unfortunately," John sat down, gesturing for them to the same, "Tea please, TIM."

TIM obliged as did Marco and Trish in sitting down. Marco sipped coffee which is what he ordered instead of tea, "Not as good as the stuff made in Puerto Rico but apt."

"Thank you, Marco," TIM said and added, "I think."

"Look, Rico is dangerous to fool with," John sipped.

Trish explained the dream to John in detail. Marco finished it with tonight's version, "...and I see his face at the end."

John finished his tea, "Okay. Talking to Marette is a good idea. Then we'll confront Rico. But calmly."

"Of course," Marco said, and then added, "Tonight."

"Tonight?" John reacted almost in protest, then asked, "Why not? But I think Marette..."

Marette, in a pink bathrobe, came in, "...is right here." Marette had raven colored hair and dark eyes. She was exotic even among her own French people and still walked as if she were a multi millionaire, which she no longer was since her parents wrote her out of their will. Marette became a Tomorrow Person, literally in front of her parents, they saw her jaunt. The powers terrified the much older couple and they panicked, disowned their daughter, and put up a forcefield around the mansion home on their island not far from Corsica and the French mainland. Marette still retained some of her aloofness and conceited ways from her former life but was rapidly becoming a nicer person. She had been a very wild girl, growing up with two elderly parents who had everything she could ask for including a Man Friday to take her anyplace. In her French she asked TIM for a coffee. Trish watched her and shot Marco a mimicry of Marette's snobbery. Marette took the drink and sat next to Marco, "Nice to see you again, Marco." She smiled at him, unaware of the others. John cleared his throat. Marette saw him and then the Canadian girl. "Oh, and you too, Trish."

Trish smiled, tolerant, "What woke you?"

Marette drank, "Well when your name is mentioned so often,

****

Marette drank, "Well when your name is mentioned so often, your ears can ring telepathically--at least mine do."

Trish laughed, "Sorry but we need your advice."

"Oh, how nice."

"About Rico," Marco was adamant but calmer than before.

Marette put down her coffee and put her head down, "Oh boy."

Trish smiled, "We have to treat him with kid gloves?"

Marco said, "Maybe it's time we stopped babying this kid. I want to know everything you three know about him. And TIM as well."

John anticipated this, "More please, TIM, this is going to be a long night." After a calm, lengthy conversation covering Rico's known past, Marco seemed more restrained and calm, perhaps even sympathetic for the boy who had been locked in an attic for most of his life.

Marette smiled, "I believe deep down, he's basically a softy, even patient. But right now--John is correct--it's dangerous messing around with Rico."

Marco thought for a few minutes, "I don't intend to mess with him. How can we find him?"

"TIM?" Marette asked, "Can you give me a book about Greece--you know such as a travelogue, just so I can see the names of the cities?"

"Yes, Marette," TIM made such a book appear.

John was intrigued by her theory, "That's quite a long shot, isn't it, Marette?"

Trish shrugged as Marette opened to a section on Greece and thumbed through the maps, eyeing them with deep stares. "A woman's intuition..." Trish said as Marette continued.

John raised his eyebrows, "We were always trusting of such intuition in other Tomorrow Women--Carol and Elizabeth for instance."

Marco kept thinking about Rico, "No wonder he's playing games with me--he's been so messed upon by others."

John says, "I realize your need for some secrecy but whatever Rico has done to you in the past, you don't seem as though it were terrible."

"No, just troubling, if it was Rico. If was, then I'll rest easy but if not..."

Trish finished, "...we've got another enemy waiting to hound us."

John ate a Danish donut, "Marco, don't get into anything too complicated with him, assuming you find him."

"I just did," Marette put a finger into the map.

Marco squinted and bent over to read it, "Attica? You've got to be joking?"

"I never joke when it comes to Rico Perera. No, it makes sense to me," Marette claimed.

John disagreed, "Just because of its name, you think he's there."

Marco frowned, "I rather thought he'd want to shy away from any remembrance of that place."

Marette sat back on her high backed chair, "You're probably right." She puffed and thought on it some more. Marette sprang back up, "No, he IS there. I just feel it. He is there."

Trish smiled, "Maybe somehow unconsciously, the name makes Rico feel familiar to his surroundings while also making him feel like he's in a new place. Which it is to him."

Marette jumped up and left without another word. Marco stood up, "I'm going, John. I'll use kid gloves with him, don't worry."

"Let's hope he doesn't use brass knuckles on you," John chewed.

Marette returned, fully dressed in a pair of yellow shots and a button downed shirt, rolled up at the sleeves, a pair of binoculars hanging around her neck by a strap, and sunglasses propped up on her head. "I'm ready. Let's go. You know Greece is not too far from my home...my former home."

Marco laughed, "Okay you can come, especially since you know Rico best."

"Like I said if it weren't for him, I'd still be on very bad terms with my parents," Marette said, checking her tote bag. Rico was the one who saved her parents from the uncle who kidnapped them. They had seen how resourceful his and her powers were.

Trish tele-mind talks to Marco, "You sure she isn't going because of some ulterior motive ?"

Marco teles back, "Don't worry, I only have eyes for you--and everything else I have is yours too."

Trish also stood, "I'll go too."

As John stifled a yawn, Marco felt frightened, "No, Trish. Two is enough when dealing with Rico." He moved at her, embracing her.

Trish looked downward, "And besides you won't want me in danger."

Marco kissed her on the lips, "Can't I hide anything from you?"

"Just you try," Trish pushed him away, playfully.

Marette nodded, thoughtfully, "He's right, it is too dangerous." Then a thought struck her, "Hey, one moment--what am I--I-- chopped liver ?"

Marco ignored her and took her elbow gently, "Let's go." The two walk onto to a jaunt pad located in a square indentation in the wall. It continually changed color and was now green and red as they vanished. Trish and John watched and then separately went their ways--John to bed.

It was nearing 6:30 PM in Attica, Greece. Attica is really another name for Attiki--the peninsula pointing southeast onto the Aegean Sea. Surrounded on all points by either the sea or mountains it retains a rocky and hard appearance--windblown and rugged. Attica itself encompasses Athens within it but Athens had outgrown the larger area with tourism and commercialism. Toward the southern tip in the town of Sounion, Rico Perera stopped to see the Temple of Poseidon. The 5th century BC structure held 12 Doric columns all that remains of it. It seemed to be a crown to the cliff which rose perpendicular from the whitewashed sea. The slender columns seemed to be white beacons to ships at sea--the sea which caused Rico to momentarily shudder. His clean hair blew gently and flowed in the breeze. Rico was sprayed by the salt water as he came too close to the giant building. Spitting, he jaunted, no one watching. Most tourists were eating now. Marco and Marette came from behind one of the columns.

"That was him?"

"Yes," she said, "Why don't we just approach him?"

"I wanted to be sure it was the same face I saw."

"And?"

"He is."

Using her binoculars, Marette began to look down to the beach at the foot of the temple. "Oh, I see him."

"Rico?"

"No, a wondrous Greek god-like guy," she gasped.

"Cut it out," Marco said, pulling the binoculars from her eyes. The strap caught the back of her neck. Marco realized this and let go. "Sorry."

Marette took no notice of the discomfort, "Ohh but he might have been Adonais!"

"Will you get your mind on Rico."

"Oh, okay, but he's only fourteen. Cute but too young."

"That would stop you?" Marco didn't wait for an answer. He jaunted, spotting Rico far off the beach perimeter. Marette smiled and picked up the binoculars to watch.

"Oh, he's still there. Oh my. A nudist beach?"

Marco called her telepathically, "Are you coming?"

Marette dropped the binoculars and stamped her slip on shoe like a child, "I'll be right with you. The country of liberal eroticism and I'm stuck with a hitched up, loyal guy."

"I heard that," Marco tapped her mind.

"A cute, hitched-up, loyal guy who looks extremely good. Hey want to go to the nude....I just thought of something." Marette was behind Marco now, appearing from thin air and tapping him on the shoulder. He jumped, having been looking into a book store door from one of its corners, not wanting to be seen. "If Rico can hear us, he may already know we're here and leave."

They peered into the book store which was part of a tourist lodge. Marco whispers, "I was right. Quiet, he's in there."

The store was tan colored and bricklined in an old fashioned style. The two were near a modern glass door with white stripe-moldings running down it to give it a classical look. Marco whispered, "From what you've told me about him, Rico can hear all of us but he must be able to shut out some of it and at times all of it. Otherwise he'd go crazy."

"He may already be."

"We can't block him I'd say but he must have to filter out some of it himself," Marco said, "Let's just see what he's going to do."

Marette looks at the sign near them, "Vouliagmeni--the northwest side of the peninsula. They have beaches here too!"

"SSShh!"

Rico was directed by the store owner to a book. "If you like to collect things you may enjoy that book." He pointed from over a white-black marbled counter to a stand.

Rico went over to a stack of books and read the display sign, slowly, "You...may find...a treasure of...wealth right in your own attic."

Rico thought that this was ironic and it amused him. He gave a wry smile and turned at the man, "I don't collect things much. Except thoughts."

The man came out from behind the counter, "Well then, perhaps, you'll enjoy another English translation book, this one is a fantasy."

"Fantasy?"

"Where was that?" The man was in his forties, not old but with hard, stony Greek features, "Who was it by? Ende I think."

He finds a thick book with a green cover and yellow pages. Rico stared at it, interested, "Oh, that's too hard for me to read."

"Take your time. You'll finish it."

Rico was snug in his new clothes a loose fitting, large necked, yet slightly short cut, white shirt, above his stomach is where it ended. He wore a thick black waist belt studded with square silver designs which went uniformly around the belt. The belt supported dark black pants which ended just above the knee the crotch area in front and the buttocks area in back were a much lighter blue color. He had on a digital square watch and a peace symbol hanging form a gold necklace. To hold the book, Rico had to put on his new denim jacket which he was holding over his shoulder previously. He rolled up the sleeves, one of which ended with a black fringe rope going up over the shoulder and down around the elbow. The furry collar on the jacket was dark black as was a very small patch on the back of the jacket--a patch bearing a small sliver skull. On the jacket's left pocket near the chest was a star pin with a dangling rope-fringe wrapped around itself and ending with a silver metal peace sign. The left pocket held a gray metal--a sun symbol. From it hung loose, unthreaded fringe laces. Marette thought Rico looked much better and cleaner than the last few times she had seen him. During those other times he had worn old clothes--probably his Norm cousin Jene's --and hadn't changed them. Rico thumbed the book, "I dunno. Well. okay. I like the cover and I see one of the characters is a warrior." Rico paid for the book, then turned toward the door. Marco pushed Marette back. She caught a good look at Rico. Although he had been pasty white when he first came out of the attic, he now had a good sun tanned face. The Philippines had given him some color but he was moving around so much, helping her, he hadn't developed any serious suntan. He must have been laying out in the sun on one of the beaches here in Greece. Marette sighed--if only Rico were a few years older--then she realized age didn't present a barrier to Marco and Trish.

Marco felt Rico had looked straight at them but, in truth, the strange waif looked toward the corner of the door--to its right. He walked straight toward it---and them--but looked at a large cross on the wall with a model of Jesus on it. Rico felt a lump in his throat, "A warrior." He really wasn't ready for religion but something touched him spiritually in this moment. With his book, Rico walked out, past the two Tomorrow People.

Marette straightened up, "I'm not used to all this skulking and hiding stuff. I believe in facing things out in the open."

Marco gripped her elbow, "Like you did with the Medusa Monster?"

"Yes, see what that almost got me."

"Dead," Marco laughed. "You've done enough, Marette, and I thank you. I think when I do confront Rico it should be him and me."

"But..."

"You are one of the few Tomorrow People he had actually helped out," Marco said, "And cared to--perhaps he had planned that whole meeting on the ship to begin with."

"You're beginning to understand more about him than I do," Marette said, "But if I can calm him...."

"No, I don't want your relationship with him ruined. Its important to him, us, and we'll need it in the future, I'm sure, so scoot," Marco waves.

****

Trish was trying to calm herself down in the satellite's pool area. Marco would call if--no, when, he knew something--wouldn't he??

The pool area was a large built in pool surrounded by a giant room of summery tables and beach deco furniture. It all could have been outside. There were even plants and sand around the pool. Tiles completed the farther areas off from the pool which lead to and from the locker rooms and the walls. The high ceiling shone a bright light which could be used to give a tan but hardly ever a burn. TIM had the capability to switch it to a moon glow effect, which Trish was thinking of asking him to do. Marcus Bradley the Third, that upper-crust, upper tight college boy came strutting in, carrying himself like a tiger of royalty. He wore his usual preppie clothes--collar shirt under a blue sweater and gray slacks with black dress shoes. "Okay Trish, I had to wake John up to find out what's going on but you know more than John does. What the hell is Marco doing with my girlfriend?"

Trish swam to the side, "You're what?"

"My girlfriend!"

"Marette is...well keep your cool, they are looking for that boy, Rico," Trish climbed the ladder.

Marcus reached a hand out and helped her up, "Rico? That's that brat --from before--he's an enemy of ours--why are they looking for him?"

"Enemy?" Trish used a towel to dry off, getting it from the white table, "You do see things in terms of black and white, don't you."

"Isn't he an enemy? Who cares. He's a snot anyhow."

Trish finished drying off, "Change the T to a B and we've got you."

Marcus did so in his mind and took awhile to get it, "Hey, wait a minute..."

Trish walked away to a lounge chair. Marette appeared in front of her but whirled on Marcus, "Since when am I your girl? Yuck!"

Trish felt a major battle was about to be fought. Normally she wouldn't stick around to see it but she had a lot of questions for Marette which couldn't wait. She flung herself between them and caught Marette's attention, "Did you see Rico? How does he look? Guilty?"

Marette turned, disgusted, from Marcus, pulling an aggravated face. She felt for Trish who was so worried about her beau and wondered just how close they were...are. Marette secretly hoped she and Marco...She began to tell Trish about what happened, not much really did. She finished but decided to add something for a waiting fuming Marcus to overhear, "We were very close to some nudist beaches. Oh Trish and you're so lucky--Marco is so nice, he's well built and trusting."

"Uh, thanks," Trish said.

Marcus fumed, "Nice story."

Marette said, "No, its true. Nothing much happened. With Rico I mean.."

Marcus was jealous, "On the island you said he helped you."

Marette smiled at Trish, "We're talking about now. Still I guess I owe Rico for that. At least some guy helped me, even one younger and more active. I guess I'll have to find a way to pay him back for that."

Marcus stormed out as Trish giggled. She'd feel guilty about it later---- but not too much.

****

Marco kept his distance behind Rico as the sun began to set. The wondrous sky mixed purple with blue and yellow and spurts of red. Rico headed upward toward a huge glass windowed restaurant with a low pointed roof and lots of blue-purple neon lighting. The neon was on the inside of the restaurant--up on the ceiling but the huge windows allowed tourists outside to see it. It was still fairly warm but windy. Unexpectedly Marco spied another, taller person following Rico. A dirty blonde haired man in his late twenties with streaks of dyed black hair, which was curly and short. Obviously coming form one of the beaches, he wore sandals, a brief bathing suit, and a peppery white buttonless shirt which was open--a type of towel robe. Marco noted the man has features of a Greek but couldn't help wondering why he was following Rico. He sat on one of the stairs to wait until both had settled into the posh restaurant. There were not many tourists about, but that's all the people Marco did see--tourists. so a Greek man here confused him. The man carried a satchel into the restaurant. Marco waited, occasionally turning to look into the restaurant. He saw Rico settle down to a corner seat and grab a menu. Rico slipped his denim jacket off and put it down on the seat, to his left.

As he waited for his order he listened to a song's lyrics as it played --on low volume--over the speakers of the restaurant. "I'm sending out an SOS," played over and over. Rico smiled, "I wish it were that easy." Rico had tried to send for help to the Tomorrow People or to any telepaths that would hear and help him out. None came.

"I hope that someone gets my message in a bottle." The song went on.

Marco braved himself and went through the doors. He walked down an aisle of bright red, cushioned seats and marble white tables, toward Rico. Rico had his order brought to him by this time and was happily spooning it. As Marco neared the table, he could see that it was a huge gob of vanilla ice cream in a glass cup nearly as large as Rico's now happy face. Marco breathed in as he was closely approaching the table. Unnoticed, the Greek man peered from a bead laced divider behind and across form Rico's table -- in an extended part of the restaurant where the walls were lined with brown paneling. Rico gobbled down a scoop of vanilla, some it dripping down his chin and cheek. He wiped it, closing his eyes as if it were the best thing he had ever tasted. Marco stood at the table--it between he and the unique boy. Rico sat back, draped his arm along the cushion seat top and put his shoulder to the corner, "I love ice cream."He flashed his eyes at Marco. "How are you, Marco."

"You've known all along, haven't you?"

"I know you're a Tomorrow Person. And Puerto Rican."

"Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Because I like ice cream."

"Can I sit down? I need to really talk to you."

"I don't think so--you see you remind me of a country I hate."

"I know you've had a rough time of it but...what I don't understand is why the threatening tone when I saw you last."

"Marco, I never saw you before today. I know you and the others because of my telepathy. I can receive anything and everything about you and have. Up until now I didn't know what your little Spanish face looked like."

Marco breathed in again, "All right. Play your games. But you frightened me--I thought you were gonna tell someone I was a Tomorrow Person."

"I've thought about telling the world about all of you but that's so...so childish, don't you think?" Rico stabbed his spoon into the vanilla, "It is big of you to admit your fear."

"A man, or a woman, has to admit their fear," Marco stood there, controlling his anger and realizing Rico was fairly uninformed about most things, "That's the only way...Rico what really scares me is if you weren't that figure I saw, who or what was? What if some new enemy has..."

"Then you don't consider me an enemy?"

"No, of course not," Marco said, "But I did see you when I was in Villalba."

"Villalba?" Rico squirmed at the name of the town and dropped his arm to his lap, off the chair back, "Are you sure you saw me?"

"Your face was hard to forget," Marco said.

"Sit down," Rico ordered. Marco complied. "Tell me it all."

After Marco finished, Rico pushed his cup aside. The waitress poured some fresh water for Rico and asked Marco if he wanted anything. Marco smiled, "The truth." She shrugged and walked off.

Rico sat quietly, "Before..in Villalba, how I hate that name--Professor

Marco breathed in as he was closely approaching the table. Unnoticed, the Greek man peered from a bead laced divider behind and across form Rico's table -- in an extended part of the restaurant where the walls were lined with brown paneling. Rico gobbled down a scoop of vanilla, some it dripping down his chin and cheek. He wiped it, closing his eyes as if it were the best thing he had ever tasted. Marco stood at the table--it between he and the unique boy. Rico sat back, draped his arm along the cushion seat top and put his shoulder to the corner, "I love ice cream."He flashed his eyes at Marco. "How are you, Marco."

"You've known all along, haven't you?"

"I know you're a Tomorrow Person. And Puerto Rican."

"Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Because I like ice cream."

"Can I sit down? I need to really talk to you."

"I don't think so--you see you remind me of a country I hate."

"I know you've had a rough time of it but...what I don't understand is why the threatening tone when I saw you last."

"Marco, I never saw you before today. I know you and the others because of my telepathy. I can receive anything and everything about you and have. Up until now I didn't know what your little Spanish face looked like."

Marco breathed in again, "All right. Play your games. But you frightened me--I thought you were gonna tell someone I was a Tomorrow Person."

"I've thought about telling the world about all of you but that's so...so childish, don't you think?" Rico stabbed his spoon into the vanilla, "It is big of you to admit your fear."

"A man, or a woman, has to admit their fear," Marco stood there, controlling his anger and realizing Rico was fairly uninformed about most things, "That's the only way...Rico what really scares me is if you weren't that figure I saw, who or what was? What if some new enemy has..."

"Then you don't consider me an enemy?"

"No, of course not," Marco said, "But I did see you when I was in Villalba."

"Villalba?" Rico squirmed at the name of the town and dropped his arm to his lap, off the chair back, "Are you sure you saw me?"

"Your face was hard to forget," Marco said.

"Sit down," Rico ordered. Marco complied. "Tell me it all."

****

After Marco finished, Rico pushed his cup aside. The waitress poured some fresh water for Rico and asked Marco if he wanted anything. Marco smiled, "The truth." She shrugged and walked off.

Rico sat quietly, "Before..in Villalba, how I hate that name--Professor Cawston and a teacher saw me--or what they thought was me--several times."

Marco leaned across the table, "It was you making them see you."

"No, no it wasn't," Rico was looking at the table absently, "Then I had less control of illusions --and what control I did have was tied to my outbursts and anger. They seemed to do what they wanted. The only time there that I had complete control of an illusion of myself was when I projected an illusion of me being asleep at my cousin's home while I, the real me, met Professor Cawston at my former home--I mean my prison."

"Former prison," Marco put an arm on Rico's forearm, "You're out now."

Rico, never one for being touched, pulled his arm away, "Am I? Look, Marco, I'm telling you it wasn't me you saw--the real me--I..uh oh...."

"An illusion you weren't aware of," Marco sat upward now, "Unconsciously. And it talked!"

"Of course," Rico was shocked, "Andrew Forbes--that was one of the first Tomorrow People--the tenth I believe--had illusions that emitted sound waves. but when did this happen to you?"

"About a month ago."

"I was already out and away from there--and I'll never go back to that country," Rico spurted, "But the illusion continued even over so far a distance without my knowing it."

"Fantastic," Marco got up, "But can't you conceive of your powers doing things on their own without your knowledge?"

"On the contrary they already have and I've known about that right from the beginning," Rico looked up at him, "Where?"

"Duty calls," Marco said, "Please don't leave. I'll be right back. We have more to discuss." As Marco left, Rico shivered. He put his denim jacket on but that did not curtail the chill. The goose bumps were from Marco's strength. Rico wanted to leave--to teleport to anywhere else in the many universes but Marco's presence made him stay--he had to know what else Marco would say but this is what caused his unease. Rico knew what Marco would suggest--a task he couldn't--wouldn't do. Not one to back down from a fight, Rico stayed, his own fear mounting. Yet, if he had to do this, he felt he could only do it with someone like Marco. Physically Marco was stronger than himself, Rico mused, certainly not telepathically. Marco possessed a greater knowledge of the world and a maturity Rico felt he would never reach himself--or admit to anyone he lacked. These things Rico wanted and for now he had to rely on them within Marco. Another aspect he would not admit to Marco in particular was an affinity--a kind of kinship to Marco precisely because he was Puerto Rican, like Rico himself. It made him feel that someday maybe he could break out and become a----------

"Excuse me."

Rico looked up. Across from him was a handsome, tall Greek man. He had been so absorbed in thought he hadn't seen the man sit. "Oh. Can I help you?"

"Yes, well, I see you are alone and realize you may need money. I live here. Do you need a place to stay?"

Rico listened to another song playing overhead. The lyrics said, "I've got to tell you," over and over, breaking into "I need to tell you." He had needed to tell the Tomorrow People so many things.....

Rico tried to focus on the man, "Stay. I want to stay."

Marco came out of the rest room and took in the truth about the man. He strode back to the table, "I'm with him."

"Oh," the man said, "I didn't know. I'm sorry." The man stood and walked away. He seemed unhappily disappointed.

Rico tried to remove himself from the song, "What did he mean? Want?"

"Sometimes if I Shout--its not what's intended. These words just come out with no thought to bear." The song filled Rico's mind as Marco was talking.

Rico heard part of it, "You mean --he---like Joaquim?" Joaquim was the first Tomorrow Person to admit to being a homo sexual.

"Yeah, Joaquim, oh yes, yes," Marco expected a different reaction from Rico--one of disgust. Instead Rico showed only a growing understanding. Whatever other things Rico had in his personality he was not about to judge people according to their differences from him--and Rico was different from everyone. This was one reason he wouldn't be quick to prejudice.

Rico laughed, "I bet he thought you and I were..."

"We have other problems to talk about," Marco sat.

"I'm not going back there."

Marco looked around to make sure no one was listening. The place had started to fill up with more hungry people, "I'll be with you."

"The illusions have stopped now that I know about them."

"You don't know that for sure," Marco snapped.

"They're just illusions. They can be walked right through. They won't hurt anybody."

Marco gulped, "Rico, there is strong evidence to suggest the illusions caused such fear in your parents--that they killed each other." He examined Rico's face for a reaction.

Rico's face turned pale, then flush red.

"I'm sorry," Marco says, his voice quivering, "You didn't do it on purpose--and I'm not sure you can blame yourself."

"Are you sure I didn't do it on purpose?"

"Right now--I don't care about them. There are others there that could get hurt."

"SO--what's it to me? The people in that town never..." Rico remembered two people in particular, two that he momentarily forgotten, "Jene..." his cousin that stood by him loyally even as he did some terrible things..."Estveso..." the man who took him out of the attic and had adopted Jene when Jene's own parents abandoned him.

"You..we..have to go back."

"Proximity may not do the trick..but I'll try."

"Good," Marco said, "Let's pay for this and go."

Rico took out his money, "Oh no. I'm outta money."

Marco smiled, "Fortunately, I'm not." Marco took money from his vest pocket--another thing Rico did not comment on or judge was Marco's own odd dress.

Marco gave Rico money to leave a tip, then went to the register to pay. Rico wouldn't admit it to himself but he was glad if he had to return to Villalba, it would be with Marco--a Tomorrow Person who seemed to truly care about him--and Rico felt an affinity for marco which derived from both being Puerto Rican.

They left the restaurant and walked to the beach. There, the pair jaunted since it was more private.

They appeared in Villalba not far from one of the Toro Negro hydro electric plants.

----Rico turned around without moving his feet and legs, waved his arms, invited death. Met the gaze of the boy. Insane spiral spinning ceased.

Marco examined the fragile mind of Rico. Rico shut his eyes, relaxing that this was not the same plant where his cousin Jene followed him to less than a month ago. He had scared Jene then, and realized Jene thought he was going to kill him. And Rico recalled how insane he had acted that night, spinning and waving his arms at the lightning, inviting it to hit him. Marco peered around Rico's shoulder, "Ric'? Are you all...."

"Yes," he snapped, "I'm all right!"

Jene Perera was riding home from Gab's pool that night. He passed a closed up, boarded over, one level shanty. He brought his red motorbike to a halt and looked at the building which was afar from the road. Jene recalled----

---"Let's leave! We don't belong here!"

---Blood shown to Jene in cupped hands.

---"You'll see that place shut down." Rico's face.

Jene smiled warmly, "Rico." The gallera which once housed the brutal sport of cock fighting was indeed closed down and rusted over as Rico predicted. Jene felt a chill at the utterance of his cousin's name but couldn't help but be awed and happily cheerful about Rico's powers, "You were right, blood." As he began to start his bike, Jene thought he felt something but thought it was just his overactive imagination.

Rico opened his eyes, "I'm back. Why did you bring me here? I hate this place."

Marco turned him, holding his shoulders, "Look kid, you've had a very bad time here--gone through what no one should have gone through. Alone. But you can't blame the place--the other people here aren't all like...like..your parents."

Rico's tears dripped slowly around his long eyelashes. Then they dropped. The mention of his parents made him flush red again. "A lot you know about it!" Rico, fists closed, hammered at Marco. "You don't know what it was like!" Marco took the shots to the shoulders, expecting this would happen. Physically, Rico punched--now at his chest and arms from both sides without looking at him. He looked up and down but non-wildly--almost like a normal person. Good Marco thought--he's only being physical--not using his varied powers. He doesn't want to really hurt me. If he did.....Eventually Marco had enough of braving the blows. Rico wasn't as strong as he physically, nor as old bout the boy was far from weak and the pent up anger made him strike in forcible hits.

Marco snapped his hands around Rico's wrists and slowed the downward motion. "Enough," he said quietly. Rico didn't resist. He withered toward Marco, head down. Marco's vest and chest were wet with Rico's tears. Rico collapsed toward Marco who still held the wrists.

"Didn't mean," he gasped, sobbed out.

"Hey, when was the last time you slept, blood?"

"What? What did you call me?"

"You're still human you know," Marco smiled, "Sleep? When did you last..."

"Don't remember," Rico yawned and fell against Marco, asleep. He mumbled two more words in his sleep, "Jene, need."

Marco paid the hotel clerk money that TIM sent. He went back up to the hotel room he had secretly transported Rico into via matter transfer band. He did that before paying. He looked at Rico asleep in the bed. The hotel was reasonably clean--it was mainly for tourists. Marco laughed inwardly--what was there to see in Villalba for tourists ? Marco shot out a hand to undress Rico, then decided against it. He didn't want to take too many liberties with someone who could wipe him out, someone he just met. Only Rico cared so much about these new clothes and they were getting wrinkled. Marco didn't care, it would have been an unneeded risk to strip him--who would know what Rico would think if he tried to take off his clothes.

In his sleep, Rico saw Marco's reach and then the hesitation, "No, take them off. Don't want em' wrinkled."Marco re-hesitated. He'll just have to sleep with them on. "Please." Marco heard Rico plea. He uncovered Rico and took off the denim jacket which clung to the boy. Then he removed the white muscle shirt which had large side holes as part of their design instead of normal sleeves. Marco neatly folded the clothes and put them on a chair. "Not finished," Rico mumbled.

Marco whispered, "I hope he knows what he's saying. I don't want to get killed because he's having a dream and thinks I'm someone else." He unbuckled Rico's belt and slipped off the pants. Marco slowly recovered Rico with the yellow blanket. He put the pants down too and teled to Trish.

"This is going to take a lot longer than I thought."

"I'm not tired, let me take over for you."

"I don't think that is a good idea. Nor advisable."

"But your shoot. You'll miss it."

"Then I just have to miss it," Marco undid the scarf on his head allowing his long hair to fall down to his shoulders and back.

"What do I tell them?"

Marco glanced over at Rico, "Tell them...tell them...one of my family needs me."

"It'll hold up the whole video."

"I know that."

"I'm not telling you-you should go--only they'll want more specifics."

"Yes, I know. I miss you."

"It's only been about two and a half hours."

"Like I said--I miss you. Tell them they can get someone else if they really have to. Explain to them I have to help my..brother."

Trish smiled, glad Marco, at sixteen years old, knew his priorities, "I will." She was 21, older, yet she loved Marco a great deal.

"Oh and Trish, I will need a change of clothes. Have TIM send me a selection you think is suitable."

"I've got them here and ready just in case. They'll be to you in a few."

"Talk to you later. I have some thinking to do."

"Get some sleep."

"You too!"

They broke the mind link.

****

Marco tried to get the lyrics of a silly song out of his mind as he looked out the curtains to the sparkling starry night sky.

"In the village, the peaceful village, the lion sleeps tonight."

Marco kept looking back to Rico, off to his left in the bed. He hadn't stirred since his designer clothes were removed. Marco pondered the beauty of Villalba even throughout its dingier aspects.It had grown in a healthy fashion and lacked the mark of descent of many of Puerto Rico's towns. With growth in those other towns came more people, drug problems, and crime. Marco wondered if that would ever happen to Villalba--which had one horrible crime committed in it already.

"When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we'll see, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear just as long as you stand by me."

Rico's dream of when he hit Marco made him tell himself he would not cry or be afraid, but this only made him cry quicker. He saw a giant flood pouring over Villalba.

"If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall or the mountains should crumble to the sea, just stand by me."

Marco eventually took off his vest and put on cut off shorts TIM and Trish had sent, and went to sleep in the next to the bed Rico was sprawled in. By now Rico had the blanket rolled up between his legs and was in a near fetus position. Marco fell asleep --a sure sign of his bravery. The low hum of the air conditioner lulled him into a deep slumber.

Saturday morning came swiftly. Marco opened his eyes and focused. He blinked once and kept his eyes wide open. Over him were two rough looking figures. One was a hairy troll like man with a lot of weight behind him. He wore a fur animal skin. The other figure was tall with curly black hair and was more muscular. He had on a tunic that looked Ancient Roman--or from Roman controlled Britain. Lothar and Guthran, both henchmen of a villain the Tomorrow People faced in 1 AD, pointed swords at Marco's stomach. To his right he heard echoed voices.

"AW, momma, let me use him as targit practice."

Marco moved his pupils in that direction, not daring to move least these two over him run him through. He saw a curly haired blonde man, skinny as a rail and tall, dressed in a blue cowboy outfit, looking ridiculous. The pistols he waved Made him a dangerous, threatening idiot. And his face, not like the real alien that the Tomorrow People once helped, craved blood.

Two women stood to the cowboy's left. One was a plump older woman on a silky silver spacesuit, bellowing, "Ellll--mer-I told you all this here be Emmm-illlyy's man-boy!!!"

A screeching voice belonged to the skinnier, second younger woman, "Can I ate him now, momma, can I huh, huh?? Please momma, please!" From behind her back she revealed two double pointed steak knives, one in each hand.

Marco felt the Roman's swords resting on his stomach ready to plunge. These illusions of past Tomorrow People contacts seemed solid enough. "Rico! Rico! Wake up!" Emily raised her utensils high over her head, aiming for Marco's chest. "Rico!" Marco used his left hand to grab his pillow and fling it across at the boy. The pillow flew through a cloaked figure wearing silver gloves and a silver helmet, standing over Rico's bed.

Rico awoke with the twisted, confused face of someone startled to consciousness. He became angry as he realized Marco hit him with a pillow and turned toward Marco's bed. He looked up into the face of the cloaked figure. Rico, half off his back, screamed. A young boy scream. The face was seemingly worm covered, dripping with green slime in an eyeless void. This was the face of a Tomorrow Person enemy--a member of the Klepton race--a race that exploits non-Federation worlds and worlds too primitive to fight back. The Kleptons were no better than pirates.

Marco jaunted, avoiding the thrusts of two swords which made large holes in the bed. Rico ran past the Klepton, grabbed his clothes and joined Marco near the door. The smiling characters converged toward them. Rico lost his composure, "They're just illusions!"

"Tell that to the bed," Marco said, "Look at it."

"They are taking on a life of their own," Rico said.

"Try and make them stop," Marco grabbed his tote bag.

Rico closed his eyes. The illusions took labored steps at them, like wind up toys, but they did not show any signs of stopping completely. "I...I can't. They won't go."

"We'd better," Marco shoved Rico by his shoulder and out the door.

A black cleaning woman pushing a cart, yelled, "Hey, put some clothes on. What do you think this is." Rico was in his underwear and Marco had on the cut off shorts only.

Marco yelled, "Clear the hotel!"

Rico ducked as the Klepton swished a burn stick weapon at him. Rico ran to a fire alarm and pulled it. The woman yelled, "Fire! Fire! Why didn't you say so?!"

Soon everyone was rushing out of their rooms. Marco and Rico watched, trying to keep the illusions back against the wall as people passed. Marco yelled, "Keep them busy!"

"With what?" Rico melted the Romans' swords with a stare, "..killing us?" The floor cleared out fast. The Romans vanished.

Marco thrust Emily back into Elmer who dropped his guns, "They know what we want to do!" The two siblings vanished.

"That's impossible," Rico grabbed the shaft of the burn stick from the Klepton.

Marco joined him, "No, it's because you know!"

Rico threw the stick down, the illusions fading. "Now can we jaunt?" The Klepton and Momma vanished.

"Yes," Marco puffed, "Any idea where?"

Rico suggested they jaunt to Estveso's home but Marco had wanted to spend the day investigating the town. Rico stayed mainly in the background while Marco questioned townspeople. At the culmado, the general store, Marco questioned Gab, who worked there part time, stocking shelves. Outside, Rico in his new clothes, stood near a child's rocking horse which gave rides for a quarter to children. He was looking around for any illusions but now he stared at the horse. It held some fascination for him--a prediction for his and the Tomorrow People's future. What it meant he did not know but he had to focus on the present problems. Ari came around the corner of the store with a can of soda at his lips. His eyes caught Rico, who turned fully to look at him, very close, almost face to face. The soda can dropped to the floor, splashing up.

Ari turned pale, not understanding why this time Rico looked even more real. Rico stared, trying to remember Ari, the boy he had once hurt when Ari attacked Jene. So much had happened since then, he almost forgot Ari's face. However he lifted a finger, "I know you." Ari turned and ran, his loss of a voice unable to allow the scream he wanted to emit. Rico frowned as Marco came out of the store.

"No one admits to knowing anything," Marco said. He was now wearing black leather pants with crisscrossed white lace along the outer side of each leg. He had on black boots and a yellow blue purple white green button down shirt which was tied in a knot just above his bare stomach. Hung loosely across his hips was a thick black belt with large silver metal squares. "They're all afraid though."

"Its past 2:30," Rico said, "Jene should be home if he's had a soccer game."

"We haven't seen an illusion all day."

"Maybe they've stopped."

"Do you really believe that?"

"No," Rico said.

"I think it has to do with your fear," Marco said. Rico did not answer. The pair jaunted to the top of a grassy hill. Below, Rico saw the back of Estveso's house which now sported a basketball court. Modest and small it was merely a square block of cement, meticulously lined by Estveso to have out of bounds and off side lines. A metal bar and basket completed the court. Marco pushed, "What are you afraid of, Rico?"

Rico blinked, a foot ahead of Marco, facing the house, "I guess not being accepted here."

"You were before."

"I did some bad things."

"We all do. We all have," Marco admitted, "I'm coming with you." The two strode down the hill, Rico always in front.

The house was set back from the others on the spacious street but was not any more or less than those homes. Estveso had added onto it when he took Jene in after Jene ran away from an orphanage the county placed him in after his parents abandoned him. Estveso had hoped he could get custody of Jene from his remaining aunt and uncle--which lead him to Rico's house and to the attic where he found Rico. Estveso had won custody of Jene but his house was already accommodating to Jene and any friends that wanted to sleep over.

Inside the kitchen, which faced the backyard, Estveso finished slicing watermelon on the table. He called to Jene who was in his room, "Take your shower and then have some of this. It'll feel good after that defeat."

"Defeat builds character," Jene called from inside and went into the shower.

Estveso, not a coach or gym teacher to push winning over fun, trying your best, and fairness, laughed.

"I did some bad things."

"We all do. We all have," Marco admitted, "I'm coming with you." The two strode down the hill, Rico always in front.

The house was set back from the others on the spacious street but was not any more or less than those homes. Estveso had added onto it when he took Jene in after Jene ran away from an orphanage the county placed him in after his parents abandoned him. Estveso had hoped he could get custody of Jene from his remaining aunt and uncle--which lead him to Rico's house and to the attic where he found Rico. Estveso had won custody of Jene but his house was already accommodating to Jene and any friends that wanted to sleep over.

Inside the kitchen, which faced the backyard, Estveso finished slicing watermelon on the table. He called to Jene who was in his room, "Take your shower and then have some of this. It'll feel good after that defeat."

"Defeat builds character," Jene called from inside and went into the shower.

Estveso, not a coach or gym teacher to push winning over fun, trying your best, and fairness, laughed. He wiped his hands on the washcloth hanging by the sink which was against the back wall. Casually he looked out the window over the sink and, his smile frozen, raced to the screened back door. He opened and closed it and the heavier wooden door so that Jene wouldn't hear. He met Rico and Marco at the grassy bottom of the hill. The day just became hotter. Estveso was not happy but he remained calm. "Hello Rico."

Rico felt ashamed, "Hello. I know I haven't been here since the last time but I wanted to see my cousin."

Estveso looked at Rico's eyes, "No, I'm sorry. I can't allow it."

Rico nodded, "I know what I did was wrong. I..."

"You haven't been here for a long time," Estveso said, "Have you even thought about him once?"

"I'm here."

"With what new problem? He thinks about you every day. Ohm he doesn't always come on out and say it but I know he does. I can see it in him--his thoughts--his dreams--his mannerisms."

"I Know I hurt him."

"Then why stay away?"

"I was afraid of some of the things I did last time. I don't want him hurt."

"Nor do I-you are dangerous for him. He is a very loyal friend but are you?"

Marco came forward and talked in Puerto Rican, "This one has changed." He quickly explained to Estveso who he was and how he wouldn't let Rico lose control.

"You may not be able to help it," Estveso says, "No, I'm sorry. Jene's safety comes first and I don't know what Rico can do or will do to him."

"I..." Rico was about to say something but hung his head down, "..love him...he is my cousin."

Estveso turned away from both, "No, don't make this any harder than it is."

Rico looked up at his back, "I can go anyway. You wouldn't be able to stop me."

Estveso knew this to be true------

---The attic was as it always was--dank and reeking of sweat

---A tough, hard lined yet sympathetic face hovered over him.

---Remy Estveso picked up the boy, setting him down into the truck's back seat.

---Estveso followed. NO ADMITTANCE. GENERATORS.

---Rat. Gently stroking it. Estveso fought back nausea.

Estveso said, "That kind of statement proves exactly what I mean." He faced them both again.

"You don't have to worry," Marco said, "We won't talk to him long."

Estveso says, "Please go. I can't force either of you. I know enough about Rico to know he can bypass me. But know this--it is against my wishes."

Rico took several steps up to the larger man, Marco eyeing every nuance of Rico's aura. Estveso thought, "I'm going to be killed by a small kid, Ironic." Estveso had survived Nicaragua and the more brutal gang warfare as part of his program to help solve the gang problem, all before Villalba. Now Rico would kill him--a small boy in a quiet town.

Rico put a hand out to shake, "No sir, I won't do that. You were the one who got me out. Not the Tomorrow People, not some super hero--you--a caring, kind man who was good to me and is good to my cousin. I won't go against your wishes. You were the one who took me out of that stinking place."

Estveso eyed Marco, who looked at him in return. Marco was in deep thought and not of much use to Rico now. He was contemplating the word "attic"---he never heard Rico use it. Rico talked about "the attic" but he never actually uttered "a-t-t-i-c."

Estveso shook Rico's hand, "Please forgive me. I can't let you. I'm sorry. You see, I love him, too." Estveso could not longer look at Rico.

Rico gulped, "I guess I would do the same." He turned to Marco, "Let's go before..." Rico felt odd, then turned back to Estveso, "Know this though, if it had been anyone, anything else keeping me from my cousin, I would have wiped it out in one bloody moment--destroyed it utterly--and I can do the same to you..."

Marco cut in, "Rico, stop..."

"And you," Rico snapped, "..TOO!" He settled down again, "I just wanted you to know that from me, this is a big thing."

"I understand," Estveso said, "And I know you could do it."

"Mistreat Jene and you'll see I can," Rico forced a smile. He turned and began to cry. Marco could it and shot a questioning plea toward Estveso. Estveso looked down, away from both and turned his back again.

Marco persisted and went to him, "He is different than before."

Estveso remained adamant, "The answer is no."

Rico quivered, "Marco, let's go before..."

A voice of joy rang in the air, "It is you! I can hardly believe it!" Jene was at his bedroom window which also faced the backyard hill. As he climbed out of it, he tried to put on a blue muscle shirt, already wearing satin blue gym shorts with an elastic band. Jene fell and hit his shoulder but only laughed. He jumped back up, off the grass, onto his bare feet and ran toward them. "Rico! Rico!"

"Let's go," Rico said, "He doesn't want us...me. Jaunt!"

Estveso put a hand on Rico's shoulder, "Too late--he's already seen you."

"Rico, wait," Jene realized Rico was about to leave, "Rico, wait! Don't go!" He reached the sullen trio as quick as possible. He huffed, "Why were...were you...going to...to..leave? You..you were, weren't you?" He tried to catch his breath.

Rico smiled falsely, "Uh--no, I came to see you. This is Marco Morales from San Juan, he lives in Florida now. Jene, he's one of the Tomorrow People."

"Hi," Jene said with fascination, "Professor Cawston told us all about you and what happened before. I'm glad you're all right. I missed you--a lot." Jene saw Estveso's face and looked at Rico, 'Something's wrong."

Rico smiled, tears welling up, "No, we just...I just stopped by to say hello."

Estveso said, "They have to move on. Important work."

Jene looked at Estveso, "I'm not stupid, you know."

Rico moved back, "We're going."

"Don't," pleaded Jene. Jene looked at Estveso, "You have no right! No right to keep him away from me."

Rico saw himself as Jene--as the time he beat Marco the night before. Jene was lashing out the same way, only not physically. Could Jene hit someone? Rico doubted it and he did not want to cause this rift, "No, he wasn't telling me..."

Jene turned to look Rico in the eyes, "Don't lie to me, too. I know when you are lying, Rico."

"No you don't," Rico said, "No one does, not even me."

Jene wanted to say, "Bull." But all he could do was cry. Estveso hugged him. Jene whimpered, "He's my cousin, my blood, my only living relative. You can't keep him away."

Rico gulped, "He was concerned for you. He was right."

Jene wet Estveso's shirt, "I won't let you. He's family. If he goes--I go with him."

Rico gulped, half smiling in a patronizing way, "You can't--you can't do that."

Estveso noted that Jene did not count his real parents as being living relatives. Only Rico. The man brought his head down to Jene's, cradling him, "I'm sorry, son. I was wrong. Family is family, no matter what."

Marco knew this about his own family. Most, if not all Puerto Ricans held family in high regard and would go all out to help. Blood ties were strong--and with Jene and Rico---Marco felt these ties couldn't be stronger. Estveso moved Jene to his arm and brought him to Rico.

"How could I let you walk away, let you leave with out a trace when I stand here taking every breath as if it never was."

JENE to RICO

"You're the only one who really knew me at all."

RICO to JENE

"How can you just walk away from me, when all I can do is watch you leave? We shared the laughter and the pain---and even shared the tears. You're the only one that really knew me at all."

JENE to RICO

"So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space, there's nothing left for me to rely on--just the memory of your face. Take a look at me now--there's just an empty space."

RICO to JENE

JENE to RICO

"You coming back to me is against the odds and that's what I've got to face."

JENE to RICO

"I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry. There's so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why ---you're the only one who really knew me at all. So take a look at me now, there's just an empty space---and all I have to remind me is the memory of your face. Now take a look at me now."

RICO to JENE

"But to wait for you is all I can do and that's what I've got to face. Take a look at me now, I'll still be standing here, and you're coming back to me is against all odds--it's the chance I've got to take."

JENE to RICO

"Take a look at me now."

RICO and JENE to each other.

Rico looked down, "I'm sorry I've been gone so long."

Jene laughed, "Look at you--those clothes are great." Jene couldn't stand it. He rubbed a tear away and flung his arms around Rico's shoulders. He drew a surprised Rico to him tightly. Strong little bugger, Rico thought. Although Jene was small he had well toned, defined muscles--from participation in sports in school. Rico was uncomfortable with such a show of emotion but he afforded it to Jene, whose built up emotions were now squeezing the life out of Rico. Emotions he was largely responsible for. Rico owed him to bear it and hold out. He owed Jene as much as Estveso--maybe more.

---Jene hopped in the back seat to stand vigil. Covered Rico.

---Jene had a sponge and washcloth, Rico being cleaned, was naked, hands on grips in the bath tub.

---Jene scrubbed Rico's leg and hip.

---Jene stood his ground, found he could not look at Rico at Toro Electric Plant, collapsed onto the grass.

---As planned Jene's arm draped over Rico, protective.

---Jene cut Rico's hair.

---Sitting up. Crying. Listening to nightmare.

---Jene. Phone. Receiver.

---Rico touched Jene's hair, then his cheek.

---"Die? Why? You don't have to."

Jene was recalling things too--some of which made him ease his hold on Rico. A bond was strengthening.

---Rico stared directly at him--with an evil look.

---Shadowed by illumination, Rico walked straight toward him. Going to die.

---Jene looked at Rico--focusing in on blood. Rico's growing smile as he looked at his own blood was horrific.

---Rico's pupils follow Jene's movements during haircut.

---Rico licking his own wound.

---Jene and Rico on red motorbike streaking across hills.

---Rico in hallway, "You are a good cousin."

---Locker caught Ari's back and head.

---Rico, unaffected by the violence, a glimmer of joy on

face.

---Ford crashed into a pole. Front seat empty of a driver.

---Jene and Estveso almost run over.

---Blood splashed on Rico's cheek. Jene saw something come over Rico.

---"I do trust you. Scare the hell out of me."

Jene relaxed his hug and let Rico go. Rico's eyebrows raised to cover his embarrassment. He blinked and looked down. Jene jumped, "I know what we'll do--we'll camp out, on the hill."

Rico staggered for approval, "Well, I dunno--I..."

Estveso nods, "Okay, you can. You both have a lot to say to each other. Only..."

Marco rose up next to him, 'I'll be watching them. Don't worry. I've seen one of his outbursts already. I won't let anything happen to Jene."

"I think I can trust you. I mean I don't really even know you but from what Cawston's told me and the feeling I get from you, I think I can." Estveso smiled, "Go."

After lunch and dinner courtesy of Estveso, the boys made their way to the hillside. It was getting late as Marco finished spraying an area with bug spray to ward off insects and flying pests. Marco wished the illusions could be sprayed away as easily as these bugs. He put his bedroll down onto the ground about 30 feet higher than the spot where Jene and Rico sat on their own talking. He also wished he had used his powers to ward off the insects instead of the harmful aerosol can. Oh, well next time. Marco called to Rico's mind, "Don't forget to ask him about the illusions--if he's seen any."

Rico turned and looked grumpily at Marco in response, then happily at Jene. Marco watched carefully, standing for a long time to keep Rico's mood in check and for any illusions that might endanger them.

The cousins talked long into the night after watching a brilliant sunset. The yellow-purple-red cascaded across the deepening blue as if it were a pastel painting. Slowly the blue deepened into a black. The two were quiet as they watched the sun set. Marco had stood behind them in awe of such beauty. This was before Jene and Rico's long talk and both had much on their minds and hearts. As the yellow played along the hillside and shadows began to lower ontop of them while other shadows twisted and turned, Jene put his arm across Rico's back, resting his hand on Rico's shoulder.

"When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we'll see, no I won't--I won't be afraid no, I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand by me."

---Jene covered Rico, had a sponge and washcloth.

---While Rico was being cleaned, Jene was getting dirty.

---"We're cousins! Cousins!" ---"Whatever happens--I want you to know I will try to be to you as you have to me."

---Jene decides to step through the hole and go in alittle ways until he could see Rico's back.

---Rico met his gaze.

---"If I die this place will let all of you go."

---Jene shook the covering blanket from Rico's neck.

---"Let him stay. With all our help, he'll do okay. He's my blood."

---Resisted the temptation to reveal the night before.

---The Graveyard Planet.

---Jene on his back in bed, shirtless, uncaring about much, thinking of his lost cousin.

---A strait jacket. Looking out an old pane glass window from a ward in an institution. Leave me here. Face impassive.

---A large, gigantic green lizard. A four person family in zoo.

---A shark in the water nearing Marette. Older parents.

---Rico hypnotizing Joe Morgan, a policeman.

---Police in bank. Rico dropped the money.

---Ari shouldering Jene on his first new day in Villalba.

---Ari eyeing Jene with Gab in the hallway.

---Rico, lesson with Heather, Liz walked in.

---Jene showering in locker room with Gab after a game, turns briefly thought he saw Rico by the exit, watching. A fading smile.

---Jene pulled cousin's arm, "Let's run!"

---"Rico, can I trust you?" "I think so."

---"You can pick this receiver up if you know their number."

---"You protected Jene from him. Then tried to kill him."

---"Kill? Yes, you're right."

---"They're not poisoned."

---"I want to help you."

---Jene moved toward Rico after Ari's "seizure."

---Jene felt the boy's heartbeat, put blanket under him.

---Rico walked straight past Jene and out of the hole.

---Marco standing behind two fourteen year olds, guarding.

---Waved a hand over Rico's blank look.

---Had Rico ready for bed.

---Wrap arm over Rico's shoulders to comfort him.

"If the sky that we look upon should stumble and fall or the mountains should crumble to the sea, I won't cry, I won't cry, I won't shed a tear just as long as you stand by me."

Rico wiped a slow dripping tear, "Especially a boy like me."

"When ever you're in trouble, just stand by me....."

The starry night glistened like a hole filled carpet hanging from a line overhead. Jene spoke first, leaving his hand on Rico's far shoulder, "It looks like they're right there for the taking."

Rico looked at Jene who looked only at stars, "Jene, I am sorry. Very." He told Jene about the Graveyard World and Rollin, about the near bank robbery and the Chicago Institution he was put in after he was caught trying to steal money from the ATM machine. He had ranted and raved about aliens to the police and doctors.

Jene took it all in, especially fascinated with the real aliens Rico saw on the Graveyard Planet. "Aliens ? Hard to imagine. But there's more to tell?"

Rico nodded and began to tell about the incident at the Philippine Island when he saved Marette's parents and almost killed the Filipino caretaker, "I wanted to. I could taste his death."

"Why? Why are you like that? Well, you didn't though."

"No."

"Why?"

"If I did infront of Marette's parents--they'd be even more unwillin' to talk to her. This way they at least had a partial understanding."

"So your care for her overpowered your wish to kill." Jene smiled, "I bet she's pretty."

"She is. Jene, I care about you, too. I stayed away because it didn't work out the last time and...."

"You didn't want to harm me by accident."

"Yes." Rico spoke deliberately slow, choosing his words,

"She is. Jene, I care about you, too. I stayed away because it didn't work out the last time and...."

"You didn't want to harm me by accident."

"Yes." Rico spoke deliberately slow, choosing his words, "Jene, since I've been gone, away--have you seen anything, well, weird? Not ordinary?"

"Not that I could think of. Well wait, you know that boy Ari?"

"Yes," Rico looked down at his lap under his sleeping bag. "I'm not proud of that either. What I did to him..."

"I know," Jene slowed his words too now but thought and went on, "He's moved here--and recently he's left me alone a lot. I mean at first he tried to bother me a lot and pick on me....you...you haven't done anything to him, have you?"

"No, no I...have you seen -- well what looks like me?"

Jene laughed, "I think about you a lot. My imagination sometimes plays tricks on me and ..I did think I saw you a few times---in the locker room, at home in the bathtub, oh and once in my bed, not even the one we got for you." Jene laughed, then caught Rico's serious look, "What's wrong?" Rico told him.

Jene shivered, "I don't understand."

"I don't either. Its as if my power is out of control--doing what it wants." Rico put a hand to his head, rumpling hair.

Jene shook him gently, "It'll be okay. No one here has seen anything today, besides this morning?" Rico nodded and frowned. "Well, that's good," Jene decided to change the subject for the moment to cheer Rico up, "Tell me, did you help defeat that monster that attacked Japan and Hawaii?"

"In a way. We all did in a way. I and another--Rollin who I told you about, stopped a missile which would have blown up the satellite. At first I wanted the satellite to go but Rollin made me realize if the Tomorrow People and their base were gone--that Medusa beastie would rampage Earth, destroy it as it did to Bora, oh that's another planet. A near dead one."

"How did this Rollin convince you--he must be quite a patient fellow."

"Rollin met me in a zoo. I saw families. Many. Happy."

Jene understood this, "And you wanted their happiness to go on."

"As I would your own--I don't want to cause problems between you n' the coach."

"You won't. You can't. Well, you can but you won't."

Rico laughed, the first normal human laugh Jene heard from him. The two laid back and eventually fell asleep. Marco came closer and watched. Rico rolled to his stomach and draped his arm over Jene's chest. Marco smiled and sat back down on his bedroll. He would stand vigil for a few more hours--only sitting it out. Marco frowned, hoping this was not his last night on Earth--"Enjoy this now because I know where we have to go." His thoughts were of the calm moment but reached out to tomorrow.

Morning came quickly. Marco changed into his video clothes and Rico had kept his new clothes on all night. Jene was folding up the sleeping bags, carefully eyeing Marco, who took Rico aside. Rico was uncharacteristically nervous and chatty, "Well, now we can go, Jene only saw illusions of me and he wasn't attacked or anything and no one else saw any and..."

"Rico," Marco faced him, "Rico."

"What? I'm going to go back to Greece now. Say hello to Trish and Marette, oh and Rollin too I guess, the little worm. John too --John's not so.."

"Rico, I know where the focal point for the illusions is. They come from there."

"Oh no, I won't go back there, I won't. You can't make me go up there again! I won't!"

"You have to. If you don't, they'll get stronger. The only reason we haven't seen too many is because you are here and you are not going to go there. That's the one place you are afraid of---your fear has made these come alive unconsciously. With it you have no control."

"Try and stop me from leaving! You can't!"

"No, but you can't make the illusions leave either. When you're gone, what will happen if they attack Jene? What will you feel then?"

Rico stamped his foot like a baby, "Damn!"

Jene, holding a bag, came up to them now. He had listened to the whole thing. "Does he really have to go back? Back to the attic?"

"I believe its the only way to face them down. To gain control over them. If not they can run over this town and soon others. We can't waste too much time, Rico. Now that you know we are going there--your unconscious, subconscious will be on the move again."

"I'm coming too!" Jene dropped the sleeping bag.

Marco and Rico joined voices, "NO!"

"Look!" Jene pointed. From a higher hill sloping upward they saw many figures as in a procession. Coming down they saw Rico's version of beings he had only heard telepathically or heard about or glimpsed briefly through receptive telepathy he picked up from the Tomorrow People. The beings, like Emily, Elmer, and the previous illusions did not look exactly like the originals. In some instances they appeared more evil--but they would pass as good doubles. A woman in a skintight blue mini-skirt lead them--this was Sandor--an intergalactic female that once tried to mine magmanite on Earth--nearly destroying it. Behind her was a rapier wielding fat man named Rubowski, swinging it with one hand and poking at his long moustache with the other. The real Rubowski, a Sap Norm from the future, had once captured a Tomorrow Person and a Time Guardian --- Carol and Peter and held them in hyper space on his ship. He wore the military uniform he had on then -- all green fringe and decorated with fancy lining. Many jackal headed Kulthan--eaters of human beings, lined the hill. They could not move fast but there were many, bobbing down the hill in their robes, looking like the Egyptian gods the real Kulthan posed as. Snout noses, pointed ears, and clawed fingers. A grinning blonde SIS Major Anne Turner--who once used the Tomorrow People to get to a Russian telepath---had a green face and a lizardian tongue--the creature of darkness from space that had ultimately possessed her, taken over her features. A charging green Cyclops, more animate than the real Rash had been, seemed intent to kill as he made his rhino like rush. The real Rash was an intelligent alien that was rescued by the Tomorrow People when he was stranded in orbit over Earth. Large, bulbous green Medusa glided along--these bug-like creatures could grow to over nine feet tall and ten feet wide, had arm like tentacles with claws and two black sectioned eyes. The real ones are known for stopping the special powers of telepaths. This group moved down at the trio.

Marco snapped orders, "Jene, get to the house! Barricade it!" Jene ran off, Marco grabbed Rico's collar, "We're going now!"

"NO, I can't!"

"I'll be with you every step of the way."

Sandor raised a gun at them, imaginary but deadly. Maybe. Rubowski thrust a rapier at Rico. It went through air. Rico, wearing his new clothes, and Marco were gone.

Jene found a note on the refrigerator in Estveso's house. It read, "Gone to the general store. Be back before you get in." Jene panicked, "That's what you think." A melting face with dripping, false eyes poured over the screen window above the sink.Had he known Tomorrow People history Jene would have recognized this as Nebor, an alien from Vashir that posed as Hitler. Jene screamed and ran for the front door. He opened it to a large, imposing man dressed in red. The gray haired Vesh Taker, an alien human from Piri, used as slave herders by the Kulthan, snapped a whip, "More Vesh for the burning!" The Vesh takers would deliver their planet's own telepathic people to the burning fires of the Kulthan aliens. He cracked his whip again but Jene caught it with a slam of the door. He charged to the back of the house, ran into the bathroom and managed to climb, standing on the bathtub, out the window. He rolled to the grass and ran. A sabre stuck in the ground where he had fallen. Douglas McCellen missed Jene but withdrew the sabre to try again, a harsh, cruel look on his 15 year old, youngish face. Douglas was a friend to the Tomorrow People and was actually now 29 or so--but this was not the real Douglas. Douglas had been a Doomsday trainee--the grandson of the war minded group called Doomsday Men but he changed due to his meeting with the Tomorrow People. This Rico--created Douglas wanted to kill Jene. Jene headed for the store to warn Estveso, hoping that the man would make everything safe again.

On the satellite, Trish paced in TIM's main control area in a red dress with red ties in her hair. Marette jaunted in and met her at the jaunting pad, "Still no word?"

"You see me pacing? That means no. Do you think....?"

"Let's go," Marette said. Entering the pad, they jaunted, unaware of an arriving Marcus Bradley, in his usual attire.

Marcus came in, "Hey you two, you can't go to Puerto..." He shrugged, figuring they jaunted as he came in, and hadn't heard him. He followed, entering into a jaunt himself.

In a road, Jene saw his own motorbike streaking toward him. It must be Estveso. He must have used it to go to the store, for once, instead of jogging. At once Jene ran to meet it. He saw it approach him. It did not slow. Jene squinted, "Hey! Hey!" The bike came at him. Then he looked quickly up at the house he just escaped from. His bike was still in the driveway. His real bike. The illusion bike was bearing down, not far from his body. Jene dove off the road as the mini bike transformed into a huge silvery motorcycle driven by a hairy chested English bloke with yellow teeth, long hair under his Hell's Angels helmet. Jene didn't know it but this was a Rico version of Ginge Harding, followed closely by a Rico version of Ginge's pal Lefty. Both real men had been the first normals to know the secret of the first Tomorrow People and became close friends to the Tomorrow People. The real ones had been valuable allies and were in a motorcycle gang. Lefty, black haired and usually innocent faced, was now evil in this illusion. He pointed his left arm at Jene--his black, gloved left hand flew off detached and flew at the boy! Jene ran and ducked from under it. The hand hit behind him and exploded. Jene fell forward onto his face. These illusions could pack a punch--and he felt the motorcycle that almost hit him--it had friction and speed and created wind. Jene pulled himself up and saw the motorcycles continue away from him into thin air. Jene ran.

Puerto Rican Marco Moreales pulled Rico out of hyper space to a point infront of the house where Rico was once held in the attic. "Rico, stop, that jaunt exhausted me. Stop fighting and face it."

"I've changed my mind. Let someone else do it. Rollin, Quince."

Rico waved his arms to break free of Marco's grip but Marco held on, "You have to. You're the only one who can."

Rico relaxed, hoping Marco would too. Rico puffed, "I know I'm acting like a baby but..." He happened to look beyond the house to the right of the front door. Behind the house were tow six foot eyes imbedded in bulbous flesh. It was a giant octopus plopped behind the house. Tentacles rose up from behind. Rico screamed. Marco pulled him up the driveway to the front door. He needed both hands to drag Rico, who struggled in a panic now. Marco kicked open the front door, surprised it gave easily--also allowing a mind flow of lock-opening power down his leg.

"No," Rico grabbed the edge of the door, "NO!!Stop! NO!! You're not fair! Stop!"

Marco tugged at Rico's side and then removed each of Rico's hands. He flung Rico inside by the waist. Rico hit a wall near the first flight of steps. He looked up. A groaning sound emanated from above. Sweat came from within Rico. He shivered and clutched his stomach. marco gripped Rico's shoulders, "I'm sorry I had to be so rough with you, Rico, but..." the whole house shook under the weight of the octopus giant. The living room window cracked in and a long reaching, purple tentacle felt its way about the house. Rico saw it wave in the air toward them. Marco, below Rico, pushed Rico's arm up, "Go on! UP!"

Rico wiggled his arm, free of Marco, he ran for the door again, "NO! NO! You can't force me! I'm not strong enough!"

Marco dashed at Rico, ducking the tentacle. Suckers opened and closed. A table went over. Marco had few minutes to do this. No time to waste. He roughly grabbed Rico by the shoulders, turned him around to face him, back handed his cheek, and flung him to the steps. Rico had his arms up over his face, totally unable to defend himself. "NO powers! Now get up there!" Just as Marco yelled, the tentacle hit his back, throwing him into Rico. Rico tossed Marco aside.

"NO! No! I hate you! I hate you! ALL!"

Marco wondered what would crush him first--Rico or the octo-monster--perhaps they were one and the same. Pieces of wood fell from the roof. He heard Trish, "Marco, we're in Villalba, near the general store."

"Trish," Marco coughed. He stood up again, "Get out of here."

Rico started to oblige, "Let's get out!"

Marco grabbed his arm and twisted it behind the boy's back, "You will not use your power on me! Understand! Get up!"

Neither Marco nor the octo-monster scared Rico. It was ascending the stairs and going beyond that frightened him so. When they reached the first platform, the monster hit the side of the house which caused the wall to shudder. This hit caused the food closet to open and splatter its contents at Rico's feet near his new shoes. Rico screamed. The food was the same cheap slop his parents pushed through a trap door to him during the time they kept him prisoner in this attic. Rico screamed and threw all his weight into Marco. Marco brought his knee up to meet Rico's chest. Rico lost his breath momentarily. Then he grabbed at his chest. A ploy Marco thought. He pushed Rico up the first step of the last flight before the attic door. Marco didn't know if it was the strain or if Rico did it on purpose but Rico's legs gave out. He lay across the steps. Too weak to bodily lift him again, marco got behind Rico, slipped his hands under the armpits and dragged Rico upward. Rico's shoes banged on each step as they ascended.

Trish and Marette had appeared outside the general store. A small, dark, curly haired boy (Jene) ran past them to go in. They heard screams from within. Marette pointed, "That must be what we're looking for." Trish nodded and began to follow her.

From thin air, figures came into being. They grabbed at Marette's hair. Other figures held Trish by the shoulders. They seemed to work their way toward the girls' necks. A young, good looking teen with dirty blonde hair and a weird cape on, held Marette. Robert of the Degenerteeli had multi-colored lights spread out all over him. He was of a race that needed violence to spawn--the real one would find this day useful. Flynn and Sulla, two renegade and self-serving Thargons tormented Trish from behind. These two rebels had the odd coloring of the Thargon race. A black man--Poppa Mein, dressed in the uniform of an African terrorist general, came toward Marette with a pistol drawn.

Marcus Bradley appeared and ran at them, "Hey! You boobs let them go!" A huge golden-silvery muscled man popped out of no place, infront of Marcus. "I warn you, I know self defense!" The six foot android had silver hair, curly, and he wore little more than a loin cloth with long ends on his body. He looked at Marcus icily. marcus threw a punch and Copin, the robotic android servant of Rubowski, caught the fist in his hand. Copin used Marcus' fist to bend Marcus' arm down. Marcus' body followed. TO the Tomorrow People these illusions seemed like gnats, circling, causing hurt but not yet ready to kill. However they also noted how the illusions seemed to be waiting to do exactly that--kill and soon.

Jene saw the horror inside the store. Behind the counter, a red head popped up. Gab was there, fighting a green tentacled Medusa. From the other side a bearded Roman in a long robe--Gaius--shoved a small sword at Gab. Gaius was the leader of a band of Romans from an alternate Rome in the future of the universe that never happened that way. The Tomorrow People have yet to discover if Gaius was one of the Rome alternates or someone else. Jene reached over the counter, pulled Gab by his arms and over the counter, grabbing his waist as he came. Gaius stuck the Medusa with his sword by mistake. Both the Roman sadist and the Medusa vanished.

To the rear of the store it was Estveso who was under the real attack. A white hooded being--with tree like fingers and feet--the Spidron flung objects at him with root limbs. Cans and bottles were entangled and tossed at Estveso. The real Spidron had worked with Sandor and mined Earth nearly destroying the planet. The English Lord Dunning, who once held Mike Bell, another Tomorrow person prisoner, picked up a hunting rifle--a real rifle--and aimed at Estveso. Estveso grabbed a $2.50 trash can's cover and used it as a shield against the objects. Jene saw a rolling soccer ball emerge from the melee and kicked it up at Lord Dunning. The rifle fell out of thin air, the chubby gray haired man gone. Estveso tossed the trash can cover at Spidron like a discus. He grabbed Jene's collar, "You two out!" The three ran to the door which was blocked by a multitude of claw waving worm-like crustaceans. Sorsens had arrived, a race that seemed like giant worm-crabs. Many customers were lucky enough to get out the back door. Estveso had held off the illusions long enough but now as he turned the boys that way, he saw it blocked. A man in a red cloak--Jake--lead a party of Soggoth satanists at them--each armed with a wavy dagger. Jake was the cult leader who had once before tried to raise Soggoth--in fact the devil---from hell, through an African tribal drum rumored to contain the heart of Soggoth.

Outside Copin flung Marcus to the dirt, face first. He picked up a heavy boulder that was used to advertise the store. On it was inscribed : WELCOME TO VILLALBA.

Trish kicked Sulla away from her but Flynn, his face pasty and brown, found her neck, "They're only illusions. They can't have object manipulation! We shouldn't be able to feel them!"

Marette back kicked her foot into Robert, "Tell that to my neck!" Robert gave alittle but hung to Marette's shoulders--loosing some grip and sliding his hands off her neck. Poppa Mein, infront, started to pull the trigger.

"They're killing us!" Trish yelled.

Panting, his face twisted in pain and anguish, Rico was propped up against the wall--by Marco. Marco opened the door, Rico swung his head away from the room. Marco grabbed him, Rico shook loose. Marco blocked his way to the steps, "Get in there! Now! They've got Trish, Jene, and the others! The town is under siege!" Rico looked at Marco like he wanted to kill him or run through him. His eyes reddened, his hair dripped with sweat, so much it made it difficult to see. Very little light came into the attic from outside. It was dark and smokey.

Rico swallowed what seemed like his tongue. He stood at the open door and put one foot in. He tensed and shivered. His legs were like stone. His stomach had butterflies. His throat closed and his spit was gone. It was dark and smelly. It smelled of body odor and urine--his body odor and urine. Rico tried to get control over his pumping heart and lungs. Sweating.

Awash in his own perspiration, Rico put both hands over his face, over his eyes, then sighed and let them slide down to his mouth. Marco was behind him, "You knew it would come to this. I'm here. You can face it." He put his hand on Rico's back but did not push this time.

Rico went inside. He passed a pile of clothes. They moved. They jumped up. His old shirt formed with old jeans. They filled in with his face--a dribbling, hairy mess with yellowed teeth. An animal. Rico walked past it, quaking. He didn't look at it. It glided up to his left side and taunted him. "Go to the bathroom! Freak! Let it loose!" Rico moved onward, away from it.

Marco came in too and moved behind Rico. Rico approached a metal basin where he used to bathe. He heard water movement. Something was moving around in the basin--and the water rippled. Rico dared to take a look into the basin, which should have been cleaned away by the police after his parents died. Filthy brown water splashed up onto the ceiling from it, causing a torrent of downpour. It seemed to rain in the attic--causing a haze--a rainbow of brown and black. Rico turned away, as did Marco, when the dirty water fell. The mist of disease swirled about them now. Rico was still turned away when the downpour stopped. Marco was not. He looked at Rico and Rico could feel his stare, telepathically or not neither was sure.

Rico forced his gaze back into the basin. A tawny head of brown hair turned up from it and smiled at him, smudges on his face. His own face, younger. The hair was matted by filth, dirt, and waste. The young Rico chuckled and splashed filth up at him.

Rico stopped, "I...I can't move. I can't move!"

Marco came up from behind, "Yes, you can. These fears were nothing compared to what you have to face. you can! You did face these already, now go on." Marco grabbed Rico's elbows, nudging the whole body forward alittle. Rico stood there like stone, unmoving. His body tensed up again, even more than before.

"I'm stuck. Paralyzed with fear."

"Use it. Use your fear. Not to stop you. To move you on."

"Can't m-move."

Rico saw two shadowy figures mumbling in the far corner of the attic. He couldn't see much except outlines but he heard them. "Those voices--I hate the voices! In my head! It's them."

Marco nudged Rico, "What you do with fear is up to you. You've admitted you have it--we all have fear--now confront it." He held his head up.

Rico had his down but now he followed marco's example--not really seeing the older teen--arco was behind him. Rico felt Marco do this and it gave him encouragement to try the same. Rico looked up and saw.....

Rico's large mother, auburn hair, a homely cooking smock on, moving slowly, awkwardly from behind a beam of wood, "You murdered us!"

The father, big, dark, imposing, came from the darkness near her, "You killed us!"

Together they walked up to Rico, "You murdered us!"

Rico chilled, goose bumps all over him. Wondering if this is what his parents looked like--he hadn't seen them since he was three years old--- he cried and tears fell, "Momma. Poppa. Forgive me. I didn't mean to. I couldn't control the illusions. The illusions drove you crazy. They look like me sometimes. Wasn't me. I didn't direct them at you. They wanted me out--my powers wanted out," he cried. "No, no." Rico caught his breath, "No, no, I wanted out." He swallowed and moved forward--away from Marco. "No. Wrong. You locked me in here for 13 years---nine years--an eternity--you should be asking me for forgiveness. I didn't kill you!" He faced the illusions, who both moved back, a strong look of worry on the faces. Rico's illusions may not be exactly like what his parents looked like since he could hardly recall the faces. "You two killed yourselves! By keeping me here you made the powers want out! The powers made you die! " Rico moved closer as if to drive home his point, "You were the two who went crazy....then were so fearful of things that were in your own minds...you killed each other!"

The illusions looked scared. The mother turned to the father. They choked each other and both went down in a tumble. Rico's tears fell to his chin now, "I'm....free." The illusions all vanished at this moment. In town, evil versions of John, Elizabeth, Stephen, Kenny, Carol, Andrew, Hsue Tai, Tyso, and Mike--the original Tomorrow People as well as long haired Tomorrow People Jake and Josh--the rock stars, all vanished from the hydro electric plant. The illusions had attacked it figuring on harnessing its energy to destroy Rico. The workers there were confused and most ran away. Marette, Trish, and Marcus were free. Marcus looked at the rock that Copin had held. It fell off to one side near his head. "Some welcome."

Gab, Jene, and Estveso, cornered by claws of Sorsens and pointy daggers from Soggoth worshippers, found themselves alone in the store. Gab was confused, "What happened? Where'd they go?"

Estveso said, "Did they ever really exist?"

In the attic, Rico looked around, "They're gone. Really gone."

Marco puffed, "And you're all right."

The attic transformed back to the way it was after the police cleaned it. The basin and clothes popped out of existence. The smell was gone. Rico fell backward as though a great weight were lifted off his chest. Marco caught him and swung him gently to a beam. Rico held onto it, "It...its just a room. An attic."

"Yes, you're right," Marco teled Trish and found out that she and the others were all right too. "And the others are safe, including Jene and Estveso. We can go now."

Gathering strength, the two walked down the steps. The food closet was not open, there were no food stuffs on the steps. The steps behind them began to break and split apart. The two walked out the front door. Rico didn't look back but quickened his stride out. Marco did look back. The hillside the house was built into, squeezed. The house was crushed between the hill. They could hear crunching wood and glass as the rock pressed. The hill seemed to open up and take the entire house into it---then become solid over the remains of the house. Metal bent to the will of the rocky hill or was it....Where the home used to be there was only rock. Rico would never know that this too would scare the boy Ari--a haunted house that just vanished. Marco turned to find Rico far ahead of him on the road below. He ran to catch up, "You did that?" Marco received a blank face in return. Marco looked back, "You could have..."

Rico smiled and placed himself infront of Marco, "You see--deep down, I wanted to go back up there--I could have stopped you if I wanted to." He strode on, leaving a stunned Marco behind.

The house was completely gone. If he hadn't have seen it minutes before, he'd say there was never a house built on the spot.

That night at Estveso's home he set up a table of food and benches in his backyard, close the back door. Everyone sat on benches and ate at the table at the dinner. Trish smiled and took in the last of the sunshine. Marette, Gab, Marco, Jene, Estveso, and she were all there. Trish laughed, "Marcus was mad, that's why he wouldn't stay."

"Mad at us for not including him. Marcus thinks he could have solved this sooner," Marette laughed and quickly added a scoffing sound.

"I think he was really mad at Rico for embarrassing him," Trish added.

Marette bested her, "I think he was just mad because he couldn't best Copin." Everyone except Gab laughed.

"Say where is Rico?" Trish looked around.

"Resting inside," Jene said.

Gab was there too, and confused. "I don't understand any of this and-or what you all be talking about. And I don't buy what everyone else does--a new special effect device for a location movie going haywire. Those things were real, I know, I was there. And I.."

Marette, sitting next to Gab, shoved a hot dog into his mouth. Jene laughed. Trish teled to her mind, "Will they believe it?"

"Who cares?" Marette stood up and burped. "Excuse me!" Estveso laughed and Marette said, "That was a nice, quaint dinner. I really enjoyed the downhome part. Thanks. May I come again?"

Estveso shook her outstretched hand, "I thought you were being sarcastic."

Marette smiled mischievously, "I am never sarcastic." Trish shot her a look of a mixture of fun and warning. Marette changed to total honesty, "I did mean it."

Jene answered as he ate, "She can come again."

Estveso smiled at him and released Marette's hand which was still in his, "Yes, you may."

Gab swallowed, "Well, I have a report for school due tomorrow so I'd better go home and finish it, I mean start it."

"Why wait till the last minute?" Jene stood as Gab did. He walked Gab out to the front of the house.

"You have a rescheduled shoot tomorrow," Trish directed at Marco.

"I know. I just wanna try out the coach's new lighting system," he stood and took the basketball off the bench near him.

Estveso went inside and turned on the lights to the basketball court. It was not yet totally dark but the sky was paling under the setting sun. The lights went on and adequately lit up the cement court.

"Men!" Trish sighed. She went to Marette, "Let's go! Marco, no more than an hour. You need your rest for tomorrow."

"Yes, mom."

Trish gave him the eye and then with Marette, jaunted now that Gab was not in the backyard.Estveso came back outside and caught a pass, "I meant to ask you about those clothes." He dribbled the ball at Marco.

Marco laughed, "Don't you start ribbing me too. Its for a music video."

"Ribbing is a foul," Estveso was surprised at Marco's ability to slow him down. Still, he scored a hoop.

Jene came back from seeing Gab out. "Gab takes an hour just to say good-bye."

"Wanna play," Marco asked, "On my side cause I need it."

Jene looked tired, approaching the back door, "No, I think I'll...ahhhhh..." he screamed, jumped back from the house, and looked up. Above the house a gray, very alive Tyrannosaurus Rex--a meat eating dinosaur, snapped its jaws. Razor sharp teeth snapped with the jaws--a gridlock of death, towering over three puny figures. It stooped over to eat them and...vanished.

Rico leaned out the kitchen window, "Sorry, just me. I must have had a bad dream." He laughed and he was the only one. His laughs echoed through the hills. Marco's orange ball bounced quietly along the cement and rolled off onto the grass. Rico laughed and laughed.

Early the next morning, Marco took Rico off to the satellite FUTURE ONE.

Early the next morning, Marco took Rico off to the satellite FUTURE ONE. He lead Rico off by the arm. "Shh. I don't want Trish to know I slept over at Jene's."

"After what I did you had to," Rico apologized in his tone and honesty, "To calm them down. I'm sorry. I really thought it was funny."

"Forget it," Marco shrugged, "At least you now know you have better control over the illusions."

"Wanna see more?" Rico asked enthusiastically.

"No, no. Thanks."

They were whispering but Rollin came strutting in talking loudly. "Hiya guys. Marco! Rico! Uh--Rico? Haven't seen you in a dog's age." He slapped Marco on the back. Rollin was short, thirteen, with dark Italian features--curled thick black hair, a dark face, olive colored, and bouncy. He also possessed very black pupils in his eyes and only the slightest hint of white--usually just a reflection. He wore only a white tee-shirt, boots, and long, leather, black pants. An ear ring of a sword was in his left ear.

"Shhhh," Marco said, "Quiet! What time are you on?" Everyone who stayed and lived on FUTURE ONE had the advantage of setting their rooms to the time of the spot on Earth that they jaunted to and worked in or lived part time on. Rollin had not yet found a place he wanted to call home on Earth. In fact his home was FUTURE ONE and he spent most of his time on it--or at least that is what the others believed and knew. Rollin had been an ex-prostitute from 42nd street whose life had changed when he broke out, not once, but twice. He had become a super powered Tomorrow Person--the first. Yet, like Rico he lacked the full maturity to fully deal with it and his troubled past. Rollin answered, "No time. I've been up about three hours. I guess right now I'm set...at London, England time--no wait--its California --if its eight o'clock AM in Puerto Rico where you came from..."

"Try five o'clock," Marco told him the correct time in Villalba.

Rollin mumbled, "Who cares?" He took off his tee-shirt and gave it to Marco. "Hold this."

"What's this about?" Marco put the shirt on a chair.

"TIM?" Rollin looked up at TIM's main body. TIM made a short cut style jacket of black leather appear on the small table to the left of the large one. "Not as good as my real leather but..." he put on the zipper covered leather jacket. Rollin moved to see behind Rico's head. Rico had his long hair tied in a pony tail at the back for the morning. "Nice pony tail." Rico looked at him warily. The two had never been the best of friends and had actually fought violently when they first met--but most of that was my fault, Rico thought. Rollin went on, "I mean it. It looks cool. How do I look?"

Rico scowled, "In that jacket--you look--beautiful."

Rollin's self-doubt rushed in, "You creep! Why do you always have to bring me down with you! I was in a good mood until you had to open your..."

Rico put his face up to Rollin's, "Shut up, you overinflated, double break out head!" Deep down Rico may have been jealous that Rollin had two break outs while he, Rico did not even have one and as far as Rico believed he would never be a Tomorrow Person, something he did care to admit he wanted.

Marco got between the yelling teens and gave a gentle push to each's chest, "Break it up you two! Give it a rest!"

Rico stopped, he had put Marco through enough for the past several days. Rollin could see Marco was tired and he had just wanted to make Rico feel welcome on the satellite--Rico never came up to FUTURE ONE much before this. So he too stopped.

Rico peered around Marco to see Rollin, "Maybe beautiful wasn't the right word. It looks hep...uh, cool...it looks wicked..." Rico groped for the correct and current word.

Rollin laughed, "That'll do."

"Snazzy. Boffo. With it. Jazzed up. The deal. Kickin' a..." Rico almost said "ass" but Marco stopped him.

"Enough," Marco said, feeling an uncharacteristic headache coming on, "Rico, I'll show you to a room that could be yours if you want it...."

Rico shrugs, "Maybe later--I...I'm not sure I'm used to all this--or ready to live up here ....with the Tomorrow People."

"I'm a Tomorrow Person, did I make you feel you're worthless...?"

"No, Marco..I just need time."

Rollin changed the somber mood, "Hey, Marco, Marette and uh--your Trish were here."

Marco looked at his watch, "So I have to wash up, shower, and get to my shoot, preferably with these duds cleaned. What is it you are trying to say, Rollin, shoot..."

Rico looked up at TIM, "Bad choice of words."

TIM said to no one, "I like my leather clothes much better than the store bought ones. I didn't have to kill to make it."

Rollin voiced his thoughts, "Well, the girls told me alittle about what was going on. I wanted to know how Rico reacted to facing his fear."

Rico paled to a frightened pout. He had acted like a frightened little baby. Marco took off his vest revealing his muscular body, "Rollin, don't start this."

Rollin shrugs, hiding his real motives, "Its a perfectly good question. I'd want to know if I ever got into a similar situation."

Rico looks nervously at Marco. Marco winks at him and smiles. Marco tossed his head at Rollin, "Marvelously. Bravely. Like a true..man. He faced his fear maturely."

Rollin was genuinely impressed, "WOW."

Rico smiled at Marco, sharing their secret. Marco eyes him awhile and said, "Look Rico, I..."

"If you'd like, Marco, I'll give Rico a room," Rollin said, "Next to my own. John even approved it if Rico ever returned and wanted to stay. Wanted the room."

"Okay because I have to go. I can't miss it again," Marco walked to the exit. Then he turned and looked at them, "Rico, Rollin. I am trusting you. Maybe I should..."

"No," Rico urged, "You go. You've done enough." Marco thought about it and then turned to go out to Trish's quarters to shower. "And Marco," Rico called to him.

Marco turned, "Hmmmh?"

"Thanks," Rico smiled, "Thanks very, very much for everything."

Marco smiled impishly and left the room. Rollin nodded for Rico, who was watching Marco go, to follow him a different way. He lead Rico past his own huge room and to a room just to the left of it. The door opened and the pair went into a dark room.

Rico was suspecting, "Rollin, what are you playing at?" He had heard John telepathically say this a dozen times.

Rollin laughed, "TIM, lights if you please."

TIM's voice called out in the blackness, "Rollin, you used the word please."

"TIM, will you?" Rollin pleaded, unsure how long Rico would wait around for this.

"But I'm very proud of you for using please. It shows..."

Rico laughed and Rollin did too. TIM finally stopped raving and put the lights on. The room was large and clean and all blue. There were red tables and chairs, a large bed set against the left wall, a blue spread over it. On the wall was a poster of an ice cream sundae. Rico looked at the room, it being highly decorated and furnished and far from bare. "You did all this?" Rico was touched. He looked at a flag of Puerto Rico in the corner near the doorway.

"From the little I know about you. And with TIM and Marette's help." He looked at Rico's examination of the flag, "I can take it down if you'd like."

"No," Rico felt accepting of it now, the country he had hated, "No, leave it. I like. Well, the room is very clean."

Rollin looked up at TIM, stifling a laugh. TIM did laugh. Rollin smiled, "TIM, no more makin' fun of me."

"Share the joke," Rico said.

"Well," TIM laughed above, a light on a ceiling panel tied into the TIM body. "Rollin forgot momentarily that I could clean the room automatically...."

"So I cleaned the whole bloody room by hand, myself..."

"You?" Rico asked, surprised Rollin cared.

"...first time I did that I can tell ya," Rollin laughed, "Then TIM cleaned it. So it should be clean."

Rico and Rollin both laughed. Rico gulped after this, realizing what Rollin had done. "Rolli..." he had to clear his throat, "You..."

Rollin shrugged, "See I do care about you. And that wall slides away so that we can have one big room," Rollin points to the right wall which can open up to his room which was on the right of Rico's.

"Well, maybe later." Rico didn't notice Rollin's quick look of disappointment at that. Rico gulped again, "Rollin, I have not had too many treat me well enough...I don't know what to say..."

Rollin tried to act like this was nothing now, "Aw, forget it. I just...wanted to show that I...we, the Tomorrow People do care...I mean they did it for me ...set up a room when I first came here...its sorta a tradition among..."

Rico smiled and warmly said, "Bull." Rico knew Rollin would only admit to caring to a point--not how much he really did. All this from the fiery boy surprised Rico. A lot about the Tomorrow People had in the past few days. "I like. Rollin, thank you too. Thank you." He looked at the boy from the streets and saw a golden heart now. Rollin smiled. Rico turned red, "Rollin, let me be honest with you. I...wasn't very brave at the attic. I mean facing my fear--I was a total baby nerdo--completely freaked out --I tried to run away. Don't blame Marco for not telling you--I mean in his eyes I was brave. I guess in a way I was, to face what I did."

Rollin smirked, "No problemo--that's Spanish for --I bet you did do marvelous." They both laughed again. "So do you want it--the room I mean?"

"Yes, definitely," Rico said, "But maybe later." Rollin's face fell to a cheek-filled pout. Rico went on. "You see I have these dreams about an institute holding a telepath and I have to check them out--undercover like so I can get the telepath out. So I'll need a hotel room to do that."

"I know you well enough not to offer my help but if you need it..."

"Thank you."

"What happens after you get him or her out? What then?"

Rico put his hand out, "Then I'm your next door neighbor and maybe even your roommate." In his mind Rico thought, "Maybe." Rollin couldn't pick up his thoughts--no Tomorrow Person could.

Rollin shook his hand -- a closed union of two powerful forces who as yet did not know about each other's vile pasts. Rico knew some of Rollin's past but not how extreme the youth's involvement in prostitution, drugs, and street life had been before his first break out. Rollin had seen a lot of people die. Rico did not know this and Rollin had no idea about Rico's imprisonment by his parents. The two great powers shook hands---the beginning of a strong union. Strong and--- ROCKY.

NEXT

----Rico and Rollin RETURN TO RIGORA with original TP

Stephen Jamieson, Marette, and Bariene in

RETURN TO RIGORA.

RICO AND ROLLIN WILL RETURN IN :

RETURN TO RIGORA

PARALLEL

FACING THE TRIAD

TELEPATHIC TURNCOATS

MISSING LINKS

and MANY more---

READ ABOUT RICO AND ROLLIN'S FIRST STORIES IN---

THE STORY OF ROLLIN and RELEASE