Chapter 8: Imp

Imp was an empath, almost but not quite unique among The People. Her ability shared some attributes with those of a Nexus. Her familiarity was a factor in her quick assimilation and understanding when she merged with Mishka’s Nexus. This probably explained why her mother and aunt so readily accepted her statement that she belonged with her new family.

Assimilating and orienting Imp was a surprising and entertaining exercise for all. Her dress for the morning ‘nightie parade’ became a different colored scarf. As a member of the Nexus, she picked up English by associating the <mind-talk> with spoken words. This was a mixed blessing, as the Nexus communicated mentally ever more frequently.

The two cats loved her. Either she smelled good or she was warmer than humans or both, but they frequently demonstrated their love with rubbing, purring, and demanding attention. Jackie was surprisingly respectful. Maybe he thought she was a big cat and not to be messed with.

Matilda and Imp became inseparable. The friendship, begun in their first meeting, continued and was joined by Jade. Their maturity levels, intelligence, and interests made them very compatible.

Ah, the interests ... Inevitably, their girl-talk turned to sex, and it surfaced that masturbation was not practiced among The People. Matilda and Jade immediately took it upon themselves to educate the avidly interested Imp in the fine arts and techniques of self-abuse. The others of the Nexus, even with their limited experience, had learned to partition their awareness and were not paying much attention to the giggling trio.

Suddenly, they were all too aware and involved as Imp, for the first time, began to diddle herself. You will recall that the pleasures of The Peoples’ mating are not gradual buildups, but rather are a sudden continuous onslaught. Prior to Imp’s joining the Nexus, they had felt Mishka’s pleasures and had watched both Tawny and Imp rampage through theirs. Watching from the outside was no preparation for the actual experience through the Nexus connection!

As the Nexus returned to normal space-time, Mishka spoke to the trio - Imp especially, <Sweeties, that was truly wonderful, but we were very lucky none of us was driving a car or doing something dangerous or complicated. How about next time you give a look to make sure no one will be hurt if they check out for a few minutes?>

He received agreement from the three giggling friends that he sometimes thought of as ‘The Three Musketeers’. For the most part, their subsequent exploits were better timed and more subdued. These young women provided proof that it was possible to have real trust and friendship across different species.

Then, early - very early - one morning, they were off on a corner of the big family bed and decided to make a game of exploring and comparing the differences and similarities of their bodies. This time, the family lazily watched and <watched> them.

The trio began with the differences in texture between Imp’s fur and the others’ smooth skin and enjoyed the tactile feel of each body. The explorations progressed. Boobies with nipples, versus nipples without boobies but surrounded with fur. Rubbing versus lightly scratching with barely extended claws. Everyone but the sleeping Mikey experienced the explorations from each side of the activity. When Jade and Matilda experienced the exploring by Imp’s rough-textured tongue, prolonged pleasure exploded throughout the Nexus.

In the morning, after breakfast, Mishka took the three friends for a walk. He sat them together in the shade and asked, <Jade, Imp, have you given thought about bearing children?> They looked a question at him. <You know that any children of this family will be yours and everyone’s, and I know very well that sex with you is delightful, but many humans have a biological imperative to bear and raise children of their own body.>

The trio, particularly Jade and Imp, became thoughtful, and he continued, <If you decide that you do want to bear children, it would be well if a member of the Nexus fathered them. It would not be absolutely necessary in order for the Nexus to accept your children, but probably a good idea. Jade, BEM told me that young males could be brought into a Nexus before they formed their own. Imp, I don’t know how it would work with you, but you might need to decide quickly - you’ll have a lot of competition. Both of you think on it, and we’ll decide on the best steps to make you happy.>

When BEM next visited, he was surprised at Imp’s presence at the dinner table. He had overseen the negotiating team’s return to the colony ship, but had missed her staying behind. Mishka told him of their decision, and requested an expedited cleanup of Athens and its surroundings. The Nexus wanted to begin moving The People into their new home as soon as possible, and felt that the Athens cleanup would be a good starter task for the three rogue Nexuses that had killed Earth.

Two weeks later, Imp became restless and uneasy. Several times Mishka woke to find her shivering, head on his shoulder, and her fur damp with sweat. Though they were never clear, her dreams disturbed her sleep and intruded into the awareness of the Nexus. One morning at breakfast she told them, <I feel someone who is scared, lonely, and hurting. She’s over that way, > she pointed, <I think she’s a long way away. We should go look for her!>

Imp explained, <At first I thought she was one of The People, but now I think not. Before, my talent applied only to The People, but linked with two other species in our Nexus, I think I can ‘sense’ others, even outside the Nexus. I didn’t know it was possible, and this is much farther away than I can usually feel.>

<Road Trip!> Mishka declared. <I assume everyone wants to go, but we can’t all fit in the Suburban. If we find someone, we’d need even more room. Melody, we’ll need you in case of medical issues, Imp of course, Josella, Siobhan, and Jade, and I think that’s about right.>

After waiting for the protests to die down, he continued, <We’ll take a change of clothes, and if the rest of you can pack up the first aid kit, a picnic lunch, and drinks - food for at least two or three meals - we’ll stop in the crossroads, and fill up the tank and be on our way.> As they prepared, he expressed another thought, <We’ll stay linked, but you could really help by figuring out how we can rearrange the cabin for when we get back. It is already pretty full. Adding another person might make us really uncomfortable when winter comes.>

The day was gloomy with mist and frequent showers. With only a general idea of a direction and location, Mishka was forced to drive at a slow pace, following Imp’s frequent <Turn here> or <That way, I think>. Driving along, passing no other vehicles and seeing only the dark countryside was depressing. This was especially so, because they knew someone was hurting.

During the meandering drive, they passed several chicken and poultry farms, noticeable from afar because of the smell of dead and rotting fowls. <Not much we can do for the chickens, > Mishka told them, <but when we see fenced in livestock like cattle and horses, we should stop and open gates. That would give them some chance to survive.>

Still in Georgia, after four hours of slow, frequent turns, they entered Rome on Highway 441. <She’s off to the right, but I think a little further the way we’re going, > Imp directed. When Mishka turned northward at her direction, they soon passed Berry College and on into the hilly countryside. Were it not for their urgent feelings, the beauty of the hills and trees would have been truly impressive. At a dirt road, they turned left and continued three miles to an old white columned, antebellum-style house. <Here! It feels like she’s below ground, > Imp explained.

Mishka parked the Suburban in front, and they piled out, mounted the porch, attempted to ring the doorbell, and knocked on the door. Hearing no answer, they tried the door and found it locked. <I don’t think that she heard us; there’s no change... > Imp told them.

The group walked around the side, still on the porch, and Mishka tried the windows and the side door without success. Finally, in the rear of the house a garage stood open, a silver late model Lexus convertible was half in and half out. The top was down and they could see the body of a man slumped over the steering wheel.

Mishka walked over and removed the keys from the ignition, and when he walked back to the house and tried the keys, one unlocked the rear door to let them enter. Because the power had failed, they made their way gingerly using the light from the many windows.

<Down. She’s down, and that way> Imp pointed to a door in the hall leading from the kitchen.

The door led to a large, dark basement. Mishka flicked on his flashlight, handed it to Imp, and they descended. Imp led them across the dark area to a wall fronted by shelves loaded with jars of homemade preserves. One shelf had fallen, revealing a door.

<There!>

While Imp held the light for him, Mishka used a shovel to clear broken glass and spoiled food, then turned the handle. Though the handle turned, something wedged under the door prevented it from opening. He pushed on the door to release the pressure and managed to clear several large fragments, letting the door swing open.

In the open doorway, clad in a short nightie and heavy slippers, stood a petite blonde woman, tears streaming down her cheeks. Pushing past Mishka, she ran directly to Imp and clung.

“You came! I dreamed you’d come for me, and you did,” she said through her tears.

Imp handed the flashlight back to Mishka, and moved away from the mess. She folded herself to sit on the floor, drew the young woman into her lap, and cradled and rocked her.