Chapter 11
A woman from the other side of the dance floor stood up from a booth, looking around in obvious terror.
Alarmed, the two girls with her asked what was the matter.
She did not answer walking swiftly, almost running toward the exit.
I read her mind, seeing it filled with loneliness, confusion, fear and trepidation. I pushed a strong suggestion into her mind.
She slowed, then stopped, hands pressed to her head, trying to resist my intrusion.
The girls she was with went to her, attempting to help.
I sent them both a suggestion to return to their booth. Their friend was ok, just wanted to leave. They would not pay attention to her further actions.
They returned to their booth as the girl, obeying my influence instructions, made her way over to my booth and sat down.
She was short, slight, with curly black hair and dark complexion.
Very pretty and very scared.
I deepened my control over her, sending calming thoughts.
The trilling music receded to a soft background as I connected with her.
As her angst started to fade, I asked, "I'm Jules Vancy. What is yours?"
"Consuela Hermosa."
"Consuela how long have you had this ability?"
With the question her emotions began to anxiously rise again.
Again I projected peace and quiet in her mind.
Relaxing she answered, "Not long, a month."
Her apprehension flaring again, she added, "Ability? NO! A nightmare!"
I had not intended to hypnotize her but she was in such a turmoil I felt it necessary to relieve her of the terror of what was happening to her.
I mentally entered her mind, taking full control and she went limp, slumping in the booth seat.
As I started to install Consuela's prompts, Di returned.
I stood, raising my finger to my lips, shaking my headed and motioned for her to sit. With her programming to obey me without question, she complied.
Di scooted over so I could sit down beside her and I continued the prompt installation on the girl resting opposite us.
When I had her situated in her special room on her special bed with all the command prompts, in place, with her experiencing euphoria, I explored her mind.
She was a very troubled 19 years old. Consuela Anna Hermosa, an only child to legal Mexican immigrants. Her mother had been pregnant when her parents migrated and she was born and raised in Eugene. Her parents, with no education, held menial low paying jobs, living in rental property. They sacrificed to achieve the goal of providing Consuela the opportunity to live the American dream.
She was a lonely child, a combination of a quiet, distant, introvert nature, her parent's ethnicity, financial and social status. She felt from an early age that there something different and others subconsciously recognized it and avoided her. She made few friends and those that she did have were not close, more acquaintances. Her life centered around her loving and protective parents.
Her grades, although a little above average, reflective of her average intelligence, were not good enough to garner any scholarships. She had received an Oregon lottery based grant, available to all who applied. It covered only a small percentage of the tuition. She took out a Federal Student loan and her parents made up the tuition difference with their meager savings. For this reason she enrolled in Portland State University, rather than the University of Oregon in Eugene, home of the Oregon Ducks.
Close to the end of her freshmen semester her parents contracted COVID and died from complications. Their death was devastating as they had been her world. While attending their funeral she too became ill with COVID and was hospitalized. For several weeks, she was near death herself.
Recovered enough to leave the hospital she faced a substantial medical bill. Her parent's funeral had taken all of their savings and the rent was due on her parent's home. There was nothing in the house she wanted other than a few small emotional mementos and personal belongings. She loaded that in her parent's twenty year old Honda and headed back to Portland.
The university was closed for summer and her dorm had been emptied, but, given the circumstance, she was allowed to take the exam finals. Afterward she retrieved her dorm belongings from the bursar.
Stopping at a Chick-Fil-A, for lunch she noticed a help wanted ad. She applied and got the job as a waitress. For the next two weeks she lived out of her car until two other girls who worked at the same place offered to share a low rent apartment with and she moved in.
After her near death experience with COVID she started to hear people's thoughts. At first it was only an occasional random, broken segment, then more and more.
She thought she was going crazy, becoming fearful and depressed.
Her roommates suggested a night on the town, dancing, might help her pull out of her doldrums. She did not want to go but they were insistent saying they would pay.
She agreed but the crowded venue only made it worse with the thoughts bombarding along with a new sensation, a vibration in her mind.
When she felt me she panicked and ran.
I felt sorry for this young girl whose life had collapsed in ruins and decided to help.
First I needed to ease her mind.
I gave her instructions that she would not, now or in the future, be alarmed or fear her ability to read other people's minds, accepting it as normal.
I impressed upon her to trust me explicitly and follow my commands, verbal and mental, without question.
She would not be disturbed with my connection with her mind, embracing and welcoming it.
Acknowledging I could monitor and enter her mind from a distance she would not be concerned or distressed when she felt it.
"Dance Awake."
Consuela straightened and blinked and I introduced them, "Consuela, Di, Di, Consuela."
"Hello," Consuela said hesitantly.
"Hi," Di responded brightly.
"How are you feeling Consuela?" I questioned.
Introspection produced a surprised expression and she paused before replying, "Better than I have in a while."
"Good. No more troubling thoughts about your ability?"
"No. I... its... OK."
"That's right it is OK, perfectly normal for you," I assured.
Continuing I told her, "If you want to finish college and get your degree, I will pay the tuition and give you a monthly allowance for expenses. Also I'll retire your Federal student loan, your medical bill and any other debts you may have. Are you interested?"
Smiling brightly, she exclaimed, "Oh that would be wonderful Mr. Vancy."
"Call me Hay. I think I can get you enrolled at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Although with the fall semester is already underway, you will have to work extra hard to catch up. The mid-term exam's will determine your grade for the semester. Are you willing to put forth the effort?"
"Yes Hay I will."
"Ok. Well here is what I want you to do. We are going to leave and drop you off at the apartment you share with the other two girls. You will be there when they return. They will think nothing of you leaving and you will not mention anything that happened. Tomorrow you will gather your belongings, say goodbye to them. Go by your work, turn in your resignation and pick up your paycheck. You will drive to the Cracker Barrel at Exit 37 on Interstate 5, where we will be waiting for you, and follow us home. You can stay with us until you get established on the college campus."
"Alright Hay,"
I turned to Di and asked, "You ready to go Honey."
"Ready."
I stood offering Di a hand, then helped Consuela to her feet. The two girls Consuela came with did not even glance our way as I escorted them out.
We got into my truck, Di in center and Consuela by the door. With directions from Consuela we headed for her apartment. Arriving about 15 minutes later, she started getting out.
"Hold up a minute Consuela," I said reaching for my wallet, "Here is some money."
Standing outside the open door she accepted three twenties I extended, leaning across Di.
"Thanks."
"Your welcome. See you in the morning. Bye now."
"Bye," She said turning toward the apartment building's open hallway.
We waited, watching until she disappeared into the dimly lit recess.
Di continued sitting close, leaning her head on my shoulder as we drove to the McCutchen.
I lifted my arm and put it around her shoulder with her cheek now resting on my chest.
*IQ ASLEEP.*
Di went limp and I held her tight, telling her to accept and love Consuela as a sister unconditionally and without question.
I allowed her to enjoy the comfort and pleasure of her special bed while we traveled to the hotel.
While enroute I checked on Consuela.
Our link was very strong and I could plainly see her sitting on a ratty threadbare couch, drinking a Mountain Dew, watching a small TV. When she sat the soft drink bottle down on the table at the end of the couch, I sent her a message.
*DANCE ASLEEP.*
Consuela went limp. I told her to accept and love Di as a sister unconditionally and without question.
I allowed her to enjoy the comfort and pleasure of her special bed while Di and I traveled to the hotel.
Pulling up in front of the hotel and as the valet approached, I sent two messages.
*IQ AWAKE.*
*DANCE AWAKE.*
Di roused up and asked, "We here?"