8 TH Vol.1

Prologue

I love you, she whispered to the baby in her arms.

He stared up at her with sweet, trusting eyes and she felt warmth radiating through the physical construct she was inhabiting. Almost immediately, though, her sorrow increased.

The parting would be hard, mostly on her. She had already stayed so much longer than she intended. There

was the pregnancy and then the last three months. Every day was new and wonderful, bringing with it some unexpected surprise.

That was the best part of all. She’d long ago given up the notion of finding something new in the universe.

Everything always played out the same whether a year or ten thousand had passed.

In a few hours the physical construct, Jenna, would awake to realize that she had lost time. How Jenna would react was uncertain, but she had prepared and left her videos of memories that weren’t Jenna’s but could have been.

The baby fussed in her arms and she glanced back down at him. He was so perfect, even if he looked completely normal. That was best for now. He needed to be this way so his guardians would take care of him, love him, and raise him as their own.

The baby, Jaxon, grabbed her finger in his pudgy little

fist and squeezed hard. It wasn’t nearly as hard as he’d squeezed her finger that first day he had come into the world. That was good. He was absorbing her teaching. He needed to in order to pass.

It won’t always be this way, my darling, she whispered to him.

He cozied up to her.

We will be together again, she whispered for his ears alone.

There was comprehension in the young eyes that stared up at her. She felt her throat constrict as several emotions vied for control and threatened to overwhelm her. A tear slid down her cheek and Jaxon let go of her finger and stretched his tiny hand up toward the tear as though to wipe it away.

When he touched her face he frowned, his face scrunching up. Then something else happened. It was like watching a ripple beneath the surface of a small pond.

Something moved beneath the baby’s skin.

She blinked away the tears and stared intently at her son.

There it was again, a small movement at first, so subtle only a mother would have noticed. The skin shifted slightly as something passed under it.

Or was trying to pass through it.

The baby’s face shifted, growing swiftly darker. Then it seemed to turn slightly to the side. Suddenly where there were two eyes now there were four. A second nose appeared and a second mouth. Her true son was trying to break free of his vessel and he was about to succeed.

The second face emerged from the skin of the first until the child had two heads. He began to struggle to free himself of the body as well.

Not yet, she whispered.

She grabbed hold of the emerging child. With her hand she pushed on his neck and after several seconds shoved

him back inside his prison. She stuffed the last of him inside. The baby looked serene, whole, again. The only thing to show what had just passed was a bright red mark on his neck in the shape of her thumb.

Even as she watched, the red faded, but the mark remained, darkening to look like a birthmark.

What am I going to do with you? she chided gently.

The baby began to cry.

I know you’re impatient, but it’s not time yet. You’re not ready. She heaved a sigh. No one is ready.

She could feel him struggling to get out again and she placed her hand over his tiny chest, closed her eyes, and concentrated. Energy flowed from her into the infant, surrounding him in a faint glow. She could feel her son fighting, pushing back, wanting to come out into the world.

She held him inside as gently as she could but she was amazed at how strong he was.

He didn’t want to be contained. He didn’t want to be

denied.

But he had to be. Just for now.

She pushed harder, sending the energy spiraling through the small body she clutched to her breast. It would bind the two together for as long as it needed to.

Until he was truly ready to take his place in the universe.

She began singing a lullaby. It was not one she had sung before, but it seemed to come from deep inside her.

Jenna was awakening. The process had begun and while it was not too late to reverse it, it would be unwise to stay any longer than she already had.

So, she sang the lullaby that bubbled up from inside her. It made her heart ache and her eyes burn. The song was meant to soothe but somehow it just made her feel worse.

Like she was abandoning her child.

She took a deep breath, pushing the emotions down deep inside of her even as she had once pushed Jenna

down, down deep where there was only darkness and emptiness.

She was not abandoning her child. She would be back, but for now she had to let him learn and grow on his own.

It was important.

The child was still fighting her, but it was growing weaker, succumbing to the energy she was pouring into it.

Finally, the inner child became still, waiting, watching. He didn’t understand. Not yet.

But he would, she told herself.

At last he gave up, resigned to submit to her will, at least for the moment. She staggered slightly, her energy nearly drained after having to suppress his.

It was not the way she would have wished this parting to go, but she was glad he had tried to manifest himself now while she could still take care of it.

She took a shaky breath and wondered if all mothers felt the sting of parting as fiercely as she did. Somehow,

she doubted it. How could they, after all?

She sat down slowly in the chair in which she had rocked her baby to sleep many nights. The eyes that looked up at her were those of Jaxon. Her true inner son was sleeping for the moment which was good for both of them.

I am coming back for you. Until then, I will give you something so that you are never alone, she whispered.

With the baby in her lap she took off the necklace she was wearing. It was a seven-point star. She stared at it a long moment. The whole universe had revolved around seven since the beginning. Things were different now.

Changed forever.

She held the star in her hand and focused, rallying the last of her reserves. Before her eyes the star began to pulse and shimmer. Then, ever so slowly, a new point began to emerge. When it was half as long as the others she collapsed, nearly overcome by all her efforts.

She felt weak, the body containing her was so limiting.

That was one of the reasons she couldn’t stay. It had never been meant to hold her for so long.

She put the necklace on the child, knowing that he was far too aware to choke on it as another baby might.

This will protect you, comfort you, whisper to you of your greatness until the day which we are reunited, she promised her son.

At last Jaxon, too, was asleep on her lap. Ever so gently she lifted the tiny form, careful not to damage the vessel.

She placed him in his crib then stood looking down at him for a moment.

In the next room Julius stirred.

Hon, you coming to bed? he called out.

I’ll be right there, she said.

Slowly, deliberately, she shed her clothes as she would soon shed the body that held her. She turned and walked into the bedroom. Jenna would wake in the arms of her husband, though to her mind he would still just be her

lover. At least she would find comfort in his presence.

As for her son, she had done everything she could. Now so much was up to him.

It’s all about you, baby, she whispered, willing him to hear this one last message before she left.

Chapter 1

Transcending

June 15, 2018br

City of Angels, Baja California

On your marks. Set.

The crack of the gun sent a shockwave through Jaxon as he exploded out of the blocks. Drive, drive, drive. The roar of the crowd filled his ears. Get tall, get tall, straighten up, knees up, pump those arms. In his

peripheral he could see his two friends Sadia and Pete leap to their feet to cheer him on. Jaxon pushed harder and began to run as fast as he could. At a quick glance he looks at the other runners, some keeping an even pace with him, some falling behind. He didn’t care about them. All he cared about was the man who was in front of him.

Reggie Rapid, the fastest man alive, was running away from the pack as everyone expected. This was an exhibition race for charity, where any and all were invited to match their speed against his. None were expected to come close.

They didn’t know Jaxon.

The runner next to Jaxon crashed to the ground, whether a victim of the extreme heat or tripping Jaxon didn’t know. He couldn’t focus on him or the others. All he could do was focus on Reggie. He had to catch the man who seemed to be pulling farther ahead of the pack.

Relax, allow me to control the chaos. I’ve got this, just let me take control and we won’t have any problems,

his inner voice purred.

Yea I suppose, Jaxon muttered back to himself.

I’m still a little nervous, though.

Don’t worry, relax, and enjoy the show.

The inner voice had been with him as long as he could remember, the inner half, inner power, whatever it was. Lately he could feel it growing, it was becoming clearer, stronger, and it decided it wanted to do more.

That was the only reason he was in this race. The other, the inner wanted to win. It had something it wanted to prove.

Just breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. I’ll handle the rest.

Jaxon hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t sure why.

Then he let go and everything seemed to click, a new power just flowed through his body.

He could feel his breathing, strong and even. The track began slipping away beneath his feet at an

unbelievable speed. There was no fatigue in his muscles, no sensation of strain or effort. Everything felt free and easy.

He surged forward, faster than he’d ever run before.

Wind whipped past, causing his eyes to blur, but he didn’t slow down. Instead he just went faster and faster.

It was like there was no upward limit to how fast he could go. There was a vague realization that he was catching up to Reggie Rapid. A few moments later he was right beside the famous runner.

Yes, yes, faster! Jaxon, Sadia called out, as Jaxon pulled alongside Reggie.

Pour it on! You can do it, Pete yelled.

His legs extended, pushing down and back, applying force harder and faster. He was pulling ahead of Reggie.

The track in front of him was clear. It was just him ahead of the pack racing alone, and he felt alive, free, in a way that he never felt before.

The tape loomed in front of him, much earlier than it should have. Before he could think of putting on a fresh burst of speed, it broke across his chest. He kept running, but finally started to slow as thoughts began to reenter his brain.

He won the race.

We won!

He beat the fastest man alive.

We are the fastest man alive!

He turned and began to jog back to the finish line just in time to see the last three racers cross it. He was struggling to comprehend what just happened, and then sound came rushing back in.

A new world record! Unbelievable! A complete unknown dominated the field. Ladies and gentlemen, this is history in the making.

He jogged up to Reggie Rapid who was standing, hands on his knees, breathing deeply. He looked up at

Jaxon as he approached and he felt a wave of almost embarrassment. He couldn’t quite explain it, but it felt uncomfortable.

I’m sorry, the words burst out of him before he realized he was going to say them.

Reggie looked surprised and then chuckled.

Don’t ever apologize for being the best at something, he said. Records are made to be broken.

The other runners walked slowly over to him.

Several congratulated Jaxon and patted him on the back.

All of them were looking at him with the same awe that he had looked at Reggie with before the start of the race.

The announcer came back on and a hush fell over the stadium.

Ladies and gentlemen, an update. Since this was a charity event and not an official race, the time is not official. That means Reggie Rapid’s record still stands.

There was an audible reaction from the audience.

Reggie looked at Jaxon. It’s okay. Everyone here today knows what happened.

Thank you, sir, Jaxon said, reaching to shake his hand.

It didn’t matter. He had a question and it had been answered.

Pete and Sadia stormed the track along with others he didn’t know. Sadia flung her arms around him, squeezing him tight.

You were amazing! she shrilled.

Dude, where have you been hiding all that speed?

Pete asked.

We are a lot faster than that.

Other people flocked around them and started snapping pictures.

How did it feel to beat the fastest man alive? a woman asked, thrusting a microphone in his face.

We beat the second fastest man alive, the inner voice

whispered, full of pride. We are the fastest.

It was a thrill and an honor to be here, Jaxon said, struggling to not echo his inner voice.

He turned to Pete.

Let’s get out of here.

Why? You’re going to be famous, Pete said, grinning broadly.

Jaxon didn’t want to be famous. Well, not that he had an objection to it, but that wasn’t the point. He didn’t run the race to be famous. He ran it for a much more personal reason. It was his first step to understanding who he really was and what he was becoming.

There’s so much more we can do.

I think he’s right, Sadia murmured, looking at all the reporters. It’s gotten a bit crowded.

Just a reminder, ladies and gentlemen, the Olympic trials will start in twenty minutes, the announcer said.

Make sure to stick around and root for your favorites.

Jaxon, Sadia, and Pete quickly headed off the track.

I thought for sure that one guy who collapsed was going to fall right into your lane and knock you over,

Pete said.

Jaxon frowned, the memory of that was slowly coming back to him. What happened to that guy?

Heat man! It’s like a bazillion degrees out here.

102 to be exact, Sadia corrected.

Same diff. I don’t know why you or anyone would want to be running on a day like this. It’s too hot to live let alone move.

Aren’t you the one always complaining about being cold? Sadia asked.

Not ever again after today, Pete said.

Jaxon chuckled.

Besides, me and my boy here are going to burn to a crisp in this sun, Pete said.

Sadia rolled her eyes. "Boys, always complaining

about a bit of sun."

They made it to the car and as they were climbing in, Jaxon inadvertently glanced at the side mirror. Instead of seeing a lanky eighteen-year-old kid with pale skin and brown hair he saw the inner, the voice that whispered from inside. The image reflected back to him looked more focused, more mature in some way. He was well-muscled and had