Invisible Touch Read online

  “I’m the only one of my family with touch clairvoyance. My dad would be categorized as a Variegated Psycept, he had distance perception that was mostly focused on us kids and my mom. He always knew if something happened to one of us. My mom was a PreCog, like my sister, but their specialty is commerce. My brother is also a Variegated Psycept, a rhabdomancer or object seeker.

  “When all the court cases and petitions were going on twenty plus years ago, we all knew that I would be the most sought after one in the family by the US government. We hoped that the rulings would indicate that Psycepts would be their own person, not subject to guardianship, and unable to be compelled to work for the government. While the rulings did favor Psycepts as full citizens and not under government guardianship, the compelling issue was not as favorable. Psycepts can be subpoenaed as expert witnesses or have Writs of Assistance issued, and some Psycepts can even be drafted or deputized against their will, if adequate monetary compensation is provided. As if money makes up for this.

  “While the Psycept DNA tests are not sensitive enough to provide details of our abilities, the general categories were sufficient for the government to rank us. TouchVoyants were of the highest priority as we can serve as spies and interrogators. Variegated Psycepts are lowest ranking, just because their miscellaneous abilities are so diverse. In fact, they are identified as Variegated via exclusion, as in they are not of any of the other six genetically tagged categories. PreCogs are also of lower rank, due to them being more probability analysts. Computer programs were already established that mimic those abilities. So, when the Greater Tribe offered the opportunity, we decided that I would apply for asylum. We also decided that though they would visit me, I was not to visit them in the US. I only broke my promise once, three years ago when I attended my parents’ funeral.”

  “Where did your Mind Sage abilities come from? Seems like your parents passed on their abilities to your siblings.”

  “We don’t know. My dad grew up in foster care and did not know his family. My mother was a blind adoption and neither she nor her adopted parents knew where she came from. Neither were interested in pursuing their roots and did not ask me to try to read their past.”

  “Can you read the past? I mean read a person before they’re born?”

  “Not really before they’re born, but I can try to read memories from birth. Newborns are difficult to read because they are overwhelmed by sensations at birth. Light blinds them, noises are no longer muffled by amniotic fluid, and touch sensations can be excruciating to process at first. It can be a lot to filter that extra stimuli out, but it can be done.” I’ve never told anyone that I can use birth as a link to the mother’s memory lake. Nor that I can use a person’s death to link to those present at the time, which is how I can place a touchmarker on a killer. That information I keep to myself, my known abilities are enough.

  We finish our breakfast and head out to the Waggoner vehicle we’re borrowing to drive to Wichita Falls. I receive a message from Tommie when we arrive at the entry point.

  Kai and I just drove into WF. We’ll be at the long-term parking spot next to the border crossing in less than 10 mins.

  Cool. I’m on the Llano side of the buffer zone at the entry point. Make sure you have your IDs and paperwork ready for the Llano entry guards to quickly clear you.

  Sheriff Helki and I walk towards to the waiting area at the entry point. Tommie and Kai will leave the US border, walk the quarter mile to the Llano Estacado entry point, then gain entry with their passes and identifications. The GT is strict about not allowing vehicles into and out of the nation, so walking or other ambulation is the only way to enter any conservatorship. All GT vehicles are electric and combustible engines are not allowed unless for air travel. Flights originating outside the GT are not cleared to land inside GT borders, so people wishing to travel to a GT conservatorship arrive at the nearest town to an international entry points, then walk or take a wheelchair across the border. They can then rent a vehicle on the GT side. Entry into the GT cannot be a spur of the moment decision, prior approval must be obtained, and a visitor’s or traveler’s pass issued by the GT for the dates requested.

  The tight border security stems from the GT inception. The Greater Tribe nation was grudgingly carved out of Canadian, US, and Mexican territories, as such, the GT was surrounded by three somewhat hostile countries. The Canadian and Mexican governments seemed to reduce their resentment by the early 20th century and the associations have been cordial ever since. However, the relationship with the US federal government never warmed, though it has been cooperative during both world wars and over two-thirds of all Psycept cases originate from the US. Even though the GT is a member of the United Nations, the border entry requirements have not relented, and a passport is not enough to gain entry to the GT, you must also have a GT issued pass.

  I spy a tall man with chocolate brown hair underneath a vaquero hat walking towards the Lla-Esta entry point. He carries a rifle case slung diagonal across his back and on the opposite shoulder hangs a full backpack. He wheels a large suitcase with his backpack hand and carries a duffle bag in his rifle hand. Next to him strode a short, dark auburn-haired woman with straps from a duffle bag and a tote bag crisscrossed across her chest and rolling luggage bags in each hand. Goodness, the warning to allow for extra time in returning to America was certainly taken to heart. Both Kai and Tommie packed heavily for this visit.

  When they reach the military ranger guard at the entry point, they both release the handles of their luggage. Tommie pulls their traveler and visitor passes, along with her passport and driver’s license from her tote and passes them to the ranger. Kai pulls his passport and driver’s license from the inner pocket of his calf-length duster, sweeps his brown hat off his head, and hands his identifications to the ranger too. A few minutes after the passes and IDs are scrutinized and verified, Sheriff Helki is waived into the inspection area. He made prior arrangements to inspect the luggage and carry-on items, the weapons, and wand Tommie and Kai at the same time as the guards to get them cleared for both Lla-Esta and SWACon concurrently.

  Ten minutes pass while their baggage and persons are inspected. After everything is checked off, weapons secured, wanded, and repacked, Sheriff Helki helps carry Tommie’s two wheeled suitcases and guides my brother and sister to the entry area where I am waiting.

  “Here, Kai, let me carry either your duffle bag or backpack. It’s not too far to the vehicle but I’m sure you are tired of lugging all that around.”

  “Thanks, Sis. You can have the duffle bag, it has a strap, I just didn’t have the shoulder space to use it.” He rubs my beanie as we carefully hug before I take the duffle bag from him.

  “Hey, Gray. Thanks for coming to meet us. If I had to spend ten more minutes trapped alone in the car with Kai, blood would be shed.”

  “It’s only a ninety-minute drive to Wichita Falls, you two couldn’t even handle that? Other than wanting to kill each other, how was the trip?” I ask as we arrive at the borrowed car and begin to load their luggage.

  “Pretty good. The flight to DFW this morning was unremarkable, then Kai picked me up and we hit the road. Honestly, getting through the security and explaining that letters are our full, given, and legal names and not initials takes the longest. For a country that has citizens with a multitude of naming conventions, they sure are picky about our letters.” Tommie finishes answering as we all climb into the car and Sheriff Helki begins the short drive to Waggoner.

  “My given name is Helki, I don’t have a surname. If further identification is needed, my mother and father’s tribes are provided. So, technically, I am Helki of the Sierra Miwok and Weeminuche Ute. As most Miwoks are in the Plateau Conservatorship and Helki is a Miwok name, I’m the only Helki on SWACon, so it works out okay.”

  “My name is still a little touchy for me on SWACon, and I’ve lived there for fifteen years. Everyone calls me Gray and I managed to have Gray listed as my name in the Psycept case databas
e. But the package sorting still has me listed as MT, as does my official identification. Liaison Lowell tells me they still collect bets as to what MT stands for.”

  “You told him that without periods, the letters are not initials and don’t stand for anything, right? Most people call me Kai, but some are jackasses and call me Kissie for my KS name.” I suppress a smile as I am sometimes one of the jackasses, at least when Kai deserves it.

  “I’ve had no problem with Tommie. They figure that TS stands for Thomasina something and call me Tommie with sympathy.”

  “So, all of your names are letters? Is there a reason for that?”

  “Mom felt that true names held too much power, so she only gave us letters. Gray is just a nickname for Graham that my dad started calling me. Dad also started calling them Kai and Tommie. He respected my mom’s premonition but said he could not call us letters. Kai is a common name that is found in many cultures from Wales through the middle east to southeast Asia. As Dad was an anthropologist, he appreciated a name that spanned cultures. Dylan Thomas was one of my dad’s favorite poets, thus Tommie.” There’s no need for anyone to know that both Kai and Tommie are nicknames for their true names. While we know each other’s true names, we never say nor write them down. We follow our mother’s wishes in this regard.

  We arrive at the military outpost, drop the luggage in the baggage loading area, then return to the mess hall. Tommie and Kai eat an early lunch, while Sheriff Helki and I just grab sandwiches to eat on one of the return flights. It’s almost four hours later that we arrive back in Albuquerque. Sheriff Helki helps us carry Kai and Tommie’s luggage to the car that I rented for the duration of their visit.

  “Well, thank you for the escort there and back again, Sheriff Helki. We appreciate it. Do you want a lift to your truck?”

  “Nice Lord of the Rings reference and my pleasure, Gray. Nope, it’s not too far to my truck. It was nice to meet you two, though Gray speaks of you enough that I’m surprised we never officially met. I hope you enjoy the visit with your sister. She can be a bit bossy, but we generally like having her around.”

  “You think Gray is a bit bossy and you only work with her. Try having her as an older sister,” Kai replies with a chuckle.

  Sheriff Helki begins the short walk to his truck as Kai, Tommie, and I hop into the rental. I’ll first take them home to unload their luggage. Then we’ll make a trip to the community garden to pick up some fruits and vegetables.

  “Gray, in all the times you grumbled about Sheriff Helki, you’ve never mentioned how attractive he is. And he was a pleasant traveling companion. He looks close to my age, is he single?”

  “He’s single as far as I know, but I wouldn’t count on it, Tommie. I am not exactly in the gossip loop, so he may be dating five people for all I know. And he looks like he’s in his mid-20s, but he’s at least in his mid-30s.”

  “So, what’s the plan, Gray? I know you have an itinerary all laid out.”

  “Don’t worry, Kai. It’s a loose itinerary. We’ve already trekked around the Cibola Forest the past years that you’ve visited as well as hiked up Bien Mur to the tallest peak. We’ve also explored the canyons in Chaco and Hohokam regions. So, I’ll let you sleep in tomorrow, then we’re going to Mesa Verde region where we’ve been granted permission to visit. Friday, I’ve booked a Pueblo guide for us to explore the cliff dwellings. Then Saturday, we’ll go to Tsé Bií Ndzisgaii, a valley full of rock formations, and have a Diné guide. We’ll drive to the areas, but either walk or ride mules or horses while we’re there. Finally, we’ll return Sunday.”

  “What is the travel time to these areas? Weather conditions? And why are you letting us sleep in tomorrow, you usually make us get up before dawn.”

  “You know me too well, Tommie. I have some cases that I want us to work tonight, so sleeping in is the reward. It is a little over four hours to the cliff dwellings, and almost three hours from the cliff dwellings to Tsé Bií Ndzisgaii. I spoke with a Weather Guide and she said it should be cold but clear and sunny for the next several days.”

  “Good thing Tommie and I figured you’d have some outdoorsy activities for us planned and packed accordingly. My friends never believe how much riding I do when we visit you. They think I’m joking until I show them the approved pictures.”

  “For this time, as per usual, the approval will probably be some general landscape and animal photos, but nothing of the ancient or sacred landmarks. Now, it’s time for the two of you to unpack, then we’ll grab some food from the community garden.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  We run into Tiko at the community garden as we’re leaving. Kai and Tiko have struck up an easy friendship during previous visits, so we chat for a few minutes. Too bad Vic is still in Chaco as she and Tommie are friendly too. Maybe everyone, including Sully and Wendy, will be back Sunday afternoon, so we can all hang out before Tommie and Kai leave Monday morning.

  “What epic journey does Gray have planned for you two this visit?”

  “Man, Tiko, she’s dragging us all around Mesa Verde region. My butt’s still sore from riding horses in the eastern Cibola Forest this summer.”

  “Kai, no one wants to hear you complain about your butt. Tiko, have you and your sisters been to the cliff dwellings or some valley of rocks with a Navajo name I can’t pronounce? Gray’s set up guides for both locations.”

  “Tsé Bií Ndzisgaii? Yes, we’ve been there, must have been a few years back. But we haven’t seen the cliff dwellings, just heard about them. You’ll have to tell us about it when you return.”

  “I’m thinking about trying to get together Sunday afternoon, before Tommie and Kai leave early Monday. So, you and your sisters plus Sully and Wendy maybe. What do you think?”

  “I think Vic and Jay should be able to meet, but I’m not sure about Libby. She may have plans with her boyfriend, Sri. Hopefully Sully and Wendy will be back by then.”

  “I’ll send an evite to everyone. I’m thinking the Food Corral at 4pm as they serve both breakfast and lunch foods all day Sunday.”

  “Sounds good. What’re you doing tonight, just hanging out?”

  “Nope. Gray wants us to look at some cases with her.”

  Tommie and I both look incredulously at Kai. As a SWACon resident Psycept and consultant on file with the cases, I have access to the petitions and results. However, neither Tommie nor Kai are cleared for cases. Kai just admitted to Tiko that I let them review cases when they visit me, even though that is not entirely accurate.

  Seeing the glares that we direct to Kai, Tiko responds, “Thanks for the heads up, man. I’ll warn everyone. Gray, Kai and I talked about this a several years ago.”

  “Talked about what?”

  “Many Psycepts feel a huge, whirling draw of psychic power whenever your brother and sister visit you. We didn’t mention it to anyone from SWACon or even talk about it much amongst ourselves. Not all Psycepts are sensitive to the feeling, but those that are can get a bad headache if we don’t reinforce our shields.

  “Six years ago, some PsyChometrists and sages approached me just after our headaches appeared again and asked if I could talk to you about it. It was the third time we felt the disturbance and we determined it coincided with your siblings’ visits that started the year before. We don’t need to know the specifics, but a warning is welcome. I visited your house, but you and Tommie were out on errands. Kai was hanging out at the house with your dogs.

  “I was a little apprehensive about speaking with you about this. We can all be protective about our families and abilities, and you can be a little scary in your fierceness. But Kai and I had pleasant interactions during his previous visits, plus he is younger than me. So, I decided to subtly broach the subject with him.”

  “Yeah, real subtle,” Kai interjected. “Tiko basically said ‘Do you know that you three give us giant headaches whenever you get together? Whatever you’re doing, it sends huge ripples across the psychic plane. So, maybe don’t do that.’ I didn’t
go into details, but I told him that we needed to continue.”

  “Kai explained that the three of you work on unsolved cases, Gray. I knew that I couldn’t ask you to stop, but others may not feel the same way. So, I told everyone that the ripples are caused by a connection ritual you renew when you meet in person.”

  “In addition, Tiko and I came up with a warning system. I let him know when Tommie and I will be visiting you.”

  “Then I can warn the Psycepts to strengthen their shields around that time. Not many people know when your relatives arrive as you tend to keep to yourself.”

  “Then, a few hours before we review cases, I text Tiko an imminent warning. I haven’t done it yet this time as my phone is dead and recharging at your house, Gray. I would’ve sent him the text while we prepared our dinner.”

  “The imminent warning allows us to batten down the hatches for a few hours. It’s been working well ever since.”

  “Oops. Let everyone know that we’re sorry, Tiko. We didn’t realize that others can feel when we sync up our powers. We shield when we do, sorry there’s still spillover.”

  “That’s okay, Gray. Non-criminal Psycepts don’t know what triggers the ripples, they just receive our warning and think it is PsyChometrist or sage ability related. Mostly it is the criminal Psycepts that know that your family visits presage the event.

  “Though, I do have to let you know that some non-resident Psycepts may suspect. About five years ago, Shaman Wakun alluded to headaches that he and some SWACon citizens experienced twice a year. So, I let him know we were aware of the cause, but it couldn’t be prevented. He was fine with being included in my warnings and nothing has been discussed on the matter since.”

  “Does Tracy know? I’m surprised she hasn’t thrown this in my face.”

  “As far as I know, Tracy and her ilk don’t know it originates with you. No one is exactly eager to talk to her either. She’s made enemies of most TouchVoyants.”