Early in the night in a Chinese province, a young man was running around from house to house in small area of the village. He was hoping to find a car. Needed for it for something very important. His sister was in labor and they needed to get to the hospital.
After running out of people to ask, he reluctantly headed back to the house. Knew he could deliver the baby, but had hoped didn't have to come down to that. But now it looked like that was going to happen.
Entered the house. Stopped. Shook his head.
His sister was standing near one of the recliners in the living room. She looked worn out and exhausted.
Walked over. Stopped in front of her. "I can't find a car."
"I can see that." She stopped. Bent over. Took a few deep breaths. Stood back up. "But I know you can deliver the baby. And you tried your hardest, Cal."
"Jaying –" Cal paused. Looked at his sister. "We need to get you to the bed. The baby will be coming any minute."
"Okay." Jaying bent over in pain. Screamed. "Oh my gosh. It hurts."
"I know. We need to move. We don't have much time. The baby has started coming out faster than before." Cal wrapped his arms around her waist and guided her over to the bed. By the end though, he was holding her up.
Less than twenty minutes later, Jaying was holding a small baby girl in her hands. Looked down at her daughter. She had her father's eyes and her hair.
Shook her head and looked away from the girl.
Who are you? called a voice.
Jaying turned back to look at her daughter. Blinked her eyes and smiled. I'm your mother. You're smart.
Thanks came the reply.
"Jaying, you listening to me?"
Jaying looked up. Cal was staring at her. "No. Sorry, I was talking to your niece."
"You weren't saying a word."
"I know. We were talking through our thoughts. I believe my daughter is a telepath. And a genius like her father." Jaying laughed. "Sorry, I know that must sound strange. So what were you saying to me?"
"I was telling you how beautiful she is." Cal quickly took a step back. Looked to the left than the right. Then back at his sister.
"You heard her, didn't you?"
"I did. She said thanks for the compliment."
"I know. I heard it, too." Jaying looked down at her daughter. "She truly is something."
"Jaying."
"Yeah." Jaying looked up at him. He was stepping from side to side. His hands were rubbing his legs.
"Are you going to tell her fath –"
"Cal, please don't finish that question. You know I'm never going to tell him. He isn't ready to be a father and he doesn't know my secret."
What secret? The baby grabbed her mother's hand. Who's my daddy?
I can't tell you right now.
When? The baby frowned.
Never. Jaying looked up quickly. "Cal, do you hear that? What's that noise?"
"I can't hear any –" Cal stopped and listened. "Never mind. I hear it. I'll go and look out the window. Be right back."
Cal headed into the living room. Over to the window. Looked out. Shook his head. The men are back.
What men?
Cal looked back into the bedroom. His niece could still read his thoughts. I don't know for sure. Just talk to your mother. Don't read my thoughts.
Sorry. Can't help it. I'll try not to.
Cal turned back to the window. Let his mind rest. Didn't want to upset his niece or his sister would come to the door.
The men were going from door to door. Taking out the family. Looked each one over before they shot each one in the head. Then they moved on to the next.
Cal focused his attention to the symbol on the shoulder of their jackets. "I was right. They are back."
"Who's back? What men was Daisy trying to tell me about?"
Cal turned to his sister. "Daisy?"
"Yes. That's her name. Daisy Skye Stark."
"Stark. Are you sure about that?" Cal tilted his head. "You know that will have people asking questions."
"You're right. So her name is now Daisy Skye Johnson." Jaying sat Daisy down in the recliner. Put her hands on her hips. "What men, Cal? I need to know."
"The men that were chasing us a couple weeks ago. They're back. They're doing what they did to the last village we lived at."
"Oh my gosh. You've got to be joking. This village has to be at least twice that size." Jaying sat down the couch near her daughter. "And how did they find us? And why now of all times they could?" Jaying looked at her baby. "They can't take my baby."
"Jaying, they're not interested in her. You know that." Cal stepped towards her. "And we don't have enough time to run this time."
"We can't let them take her." Jaying stood up. Picked up Daisy and backed away from Cal. "That's crazy."
"We won't. We'll hid her. I'm sure someone will find –"
Jaying looked at him. Set Daisy back down again. Walked up to him. Smacked him. "Are you serious? You want me to leave my daughter? She was just born."
"I know, but –" Cal stopped. Turned to Daisy. Turned back to Jaying and pointed at the baby.
I know you're scared, Momma. I can sense it. I don't want you to be afraid. And besides, I can hear someone coming. She's different than the bad men. She thinks of her little girl. Her little девочка.
Did you just say a Russian word? Jaying turned to Cal. "That's not possible."
I did and it's possible. Daisy clapped her hands. Giggled. She had just impressed her mom and uncle.
Cal shrugged his shoulders. Turned his head. "You need to hid her now."
"I know. And you need to leave now. They don't need you so they'll kill you." Jaying picked up Daisy. Took her to her bed. Moved the pillows around so there was room in between them to hid her baby.
Jaying sighed. Looked at Daisy one last time. I love you, Daisy. I hope to one day see you again.
"Me, too. Momma." Daisy giggled.
Jaying smiled. Turned. Walked to the door. Looked back at the bed. Sighed. Be safe, my little girl.
Once Jaying entered the room, she found a bunch men looking around the house. One looked up at her. Walked over grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the house.
As she was placed into a van, she saw a lady dressed in black enter the home. I hope I did the right thing. I hope Daisy was right about that women.
You did. And I am right came the reply.
Jaying shook her head as they drove away.