A.I. Evolution: The Fall of Lucien

Chapter 43

Lucien wakes to the sun coming in the windows of the cabin, and the smell of eggs and bacon frying on the stove. The slight smoke and the strong odor of the food has him quickly climbing down the small ladder at the end of the wooden framed bed.

Two steps and then a jump down to the cold floor brings Henri around to face him, smiling. I did not think it would take too long to get you up once Will started cooking that bacon.

I smile back at him. "Do I have time to go to your favorite building out back first."

Henri smirks. "Very funny. That is the only thing I will not miss about this palace. The smell of it turns my stomach every time."

I head for the door adding my comment as I go hoping to get out before Henri can retaliate. "It can't be mine, because we both know that mine does not smell."

Henri's eyes go wide, as he reaches for the cushion on the chair beside him, quickly pitching it at the space I had occupied only a second before. The pillow hits the door frame and drops to the floor as I race outside into the coolness of the morning, still in my bare feet, and only wearing a thin pajama top and bottom.

I quickly do what I need to at the small outhouse, and rush back to the front door of the warm cabin, only to find the door locked from the inside. Henri must have slipped the latch into the groove of the metal bar embedded in the solid door frame. I pull on it a couple of times to see if it will give, but it is being held fast. I close my eyes and picture the metal bar slowly lifting away from the groove it is resting in. I try the door again and it opens with ease this time.

I step inside to see both Henri and Will staring at me. Henri speaks up first. "How did you do that? That latch was securely sitting in the groove."

I look from Henri to Will and I can see the understanding of my ability starting to register on their faces. "I just imagined it moving up past the latch, and it did."

Will nods his head. "That is OK Lucien. It is something I have been waiting for you to get the hang of. Your father could do it and I knew it was only a matter of time before you would be able to accomplish it also."

I go to the back of the cabin and get changed into some warmer clothes before returning to the table and sitting on the opposite end from Henri, who is not smiling any more. Will brings over the plates of food for us and sets them down, so he can go back and get his own from the end of the counter. I glance to Henri. "I didn't mean to ruin your joke with the door."

Henri shakes his head. "It is not that." He looks around the small cabin and the rustic look of the fireplace, the wood floors, and the feeling of simpler times. "I have come to appreciate the charm of this place and don't want to return to the city today, because I know that it is time for you to go back to the Vatican, and I am afraid that it will pull us apart."

Will sits down and looks to Henri, before turning to face me. "I feel the same way. We have become a small family over the last nine years, but all that is about to change. Henri will continue to be your personal bodyguard and I am still charged with watching over your growing abilities, but you will be introduced to a whole new world."

I poke at my food, as I look down on the plate. "I know. It is something I have been refusing to think about here at the cabin. I feel like my life is going to change forever when we leave, and I will not see as much of you two after I enter the training program at the Vatican."

Henri nods his head. "At least Cardinal James Gomez is still there, and from what I hear, he will be your personal teacher, because you are expected to learn everything so much faster than the other boys."

Will finishes chewing a piece of bread with marmalade on it. "He seems to be a very nice man and will be a great asset to you as you learn and grow in the word and actions of the church."

I continue to eat my breakfast in silence as the main question keeps pushing its way forward in my mind, till I must put voice to it. I look up slowly. "Will I be able to have some friends that I can play with?"

Will looks to Henri and the two of them start to tear up slightly, because they know that it has been hard for me to see kids playing on TV, but not being able to myself because of who my parents were. Will reaches over to place his hand on my arm in a fatherly fashion. "Yes. You can have all the friends you want at the Vatican."

I smile and nod my head happily, as Henri slaps the table. "OK, now that we have the touchy-feely moment over with, it is time to get ready to go. The boat needs to be put away and the windows need to be sealed up again."

Will pushes his chair back from the table. "Yes, while you two are doing that I will gather up the rest of the food and clean the counter, before getting our bags packed and out to the truck."

Henri stands up. "My bags are already packed and at the foot of the bed. Lucien, where are yours?"

I look to my bunk on top of Henri's. "I just have to put my clothes in it. It will only take a second."

"Well don't be too long. I need your strength to get the boat out of the water and into the boat house," adds Henri, as he gets up and heads for the door.

I shovel in the last of my breakfast and go to my bunk where my clothes are spread all over the blankets. In seconds, I have everything stuffed back into my small suitcase and have it sitting by the door. Will is cleaning the last of the dishes as I head out to the boathouse.

I stop at the end of the dock and look out over the water and the slight mist that is always there first thing in the morning. "I hope this is not the last time I will get to see this lake."

Henri calls out to me and I rush over to help him in the boathouse.