James Hoch - Heckel Casey

"Sleep well. I really enjoyed talking with you this evening," she said blushing. It's been a very long time since I could trust someone and…um…let them into my life. Oh, and I couldn't forget Jerky." The cat had positioned herself on top of the couch so that Sela could pet her.

I looked at the both of them and felt a warm sensation spread over me. "Looks as though I have two protectors now."

Sela said good night again and started walking to her bedroom. Jerky jumped off the couch and followed her. I started to protest and Sela said that it was fine. Jerky turned, bushed out her tail and I swear it looked as if she had a grin on her face.

I made up the couch, took off my dirty clothes and lay down. The soft light from the dying embers functioned as a night-light and it was very comforting. My last thoughts for the day turned to Leonard and his sacrifice. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Leonard. You were a good friend. You're at peace now and I'm sure united with your wife. Thank you for everything you…" Sleep finally took over.

In the middle of the night, I woke up and started recalling events in which Madeline's power seeped into Washington. It did not take long for her to infiltrate into the ranks of the powerful. She had her hands in everything. As Director of Homeland Security, she had a line to one of the most powerful men on the planet and had become fast friends with the president. And he was a popular president. The American public adored him, which helped in Madeline's gaining trust with people across the country. So, when the first of many tragic events started taking place, she had his support and cooperation as well as that of the American people. Madeline usually just had to come in after the destruction and mop things up. Of course, she always looked good, both figuratively and literally.

That first incident, the Super Bowl, was a work of genius. Watching close to seventy-five thousand people kill each other over a silly game was…well, difficult to put into words. Of course there were all the people around the world watching the Super Bowl who had their own personal little meltdowns.

Needless to say, Madeline's office was heavily impacted by the tragedy. From that moment, the sequence of events was set in motion and the office of Homeland Security became inundated with one problem after the next. Of course, Madeline remained calm, cool and in control. It looked like things were being well taken care of, but in reality chaos was inching its way into every fabric of society and the world's population.

When summer came, it was one tragedy after another. The news reporters couldn't keep up. It was as if a dam of ruination and horror had burst, leaving misery and despair to follow.

"Ah, the road rage," Madeline said, looking out the window and fondly remembering the first reports out of Los Angeles. "There was another stroke of brilliance and erudition. If I could reach my back, I'd pat it."

William came in with a restrained look as if he were a mouse who just got away from a prowling cat.

"What is it?" Madeline asked.

"The president just reported on the news that the vice-president committed suicide."

"Really," she said, picking off lint from her sweater.

"The good news is that he is preparing to announce a replacement and the buzz on Capital Hill is that you are on the short list."

"Interesting." Madeline stifled a yawn, but inside she knew it was the next step in the plan. She felt the power within build, and it felt like a generator in the first steps to an overload. Glancing down at her fingers, she noticed a red spark ignite between two of them.

William furrowed his brow and with a look of trepidation asked, "Are you all right?"

The power continued to seethe within her.

"Miss Madeline, your face is changing. You look…"

The energy wants to be let loose. No, it wants to kill, Madeline thought.

"William, I suggest you leave immediately, or I won't be responsible for my actions."

"Miss Madeline, your eyes are turning red," William reported as he slowly backed up to the door.

"I'll be fine. Leave now," Madeline shouted. "Go!" William shrank back with fear. He spun around and grasped the doorknob. His sweaty hand slipped repeatedly off the handle. He gasped in relief as the door opened, and he bolted from the room.

As soon as he left, Madeline felt the first twisted bolt of shearing red heat flash from her eyes. In shock, she turned her head at the last minute, deflecting the energy blast to a nearby sofa. The old Victorian settee was immediately reduced to a pile of smoldering ashes.

Madeline giggled and then laughed heartily. She stood up from her desk, walked over to a full-length mirror and examined her image.

"You awesome bitch. You rock. No one dare mess with you!"

It felt like I had slept for days. At first, I totally had forgotten where I was. As I opened my eyes, I could see rays of sunlight streaming into the room, making patterns on the rug in front of the couch. Swirls of dust danced on the rays. I shut my eyes and was ready to go back to sleep when I heard a sound in the kitchen. It was a familiar sound, one I had not heard since…well, I can't remember. I sat up, stretched and yawned.

After I got dressed, I shuffled into the kitchen. Instantly, I smelled bacon and eggs. I nearly fell over.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Sela said as she turned a strip of bacon.

With my mouth open, I must have looked like the village idiot. I stood there in complete awe.

She didn't say a word, just busied herself preparing breakfast.

"I hope you like scrambled eggs."

"You have eggs? You have chickens?" I babbled in disbelief.

She just smiled and continued cooking.

"Okay, this is unbelievable. My mouth hasn't salivated like this…oh, heck, I don't…"

"Just relax and enjoy," she said, handing me a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and several hard crackers.

"Sorry, there's no toast. I haven't found any yeast for a while to make bread."

"No need to apologize. This is a feast," I said excitedly as I sat down at an old round oak table. I waited for Sela to join me. Jerky was purring loudly over by the counter. She was squatting in front of a large bowl of food. It wasn't just ordinary cat food. It was a mix of scrambled eggs, a few bits of bacon and some other scraps I didn't recognize. The cat, judging from the volume level of her purring, was clearly in the same food nirvana as I was.

Sela sat down and asked me to say grace. Now that took me by surprise. I stumbled, cleared my thoughts and was about to say that I forgot how, when I remembered what my mom always said for the blessing. I cleared my throat and said the prayer of thanks. "Bless us, O Lord, for these Thy Gifts which we are about to receive from Thy Bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

"Amen," she said softly and picked up her fork. "Dig in."

A large lump welled up in my throat and a tear gently inched its way out of the corner of my eye. I sighed heavily and picked up my fork.

"You all right?" Sela asked, putting her hand on my arm.

"Just a little emotional, I guess."

"Nothing that a bit of warm tasty eggs can't fix," Sela said smiling.

That first taste of eggs sent wave after wave of pleasure. I closed my eyes and leaned my head slightly backward as if I were in some sort of hypnotic trance. I let the forkful of eggs sit on my tongue so that every taste bud could dance over the mound of eggs. Who would have ever thought that the incredible, edible egg would taste so remarkably fantastic? It was as if I were tasting lobster or filet mignon for the first time. I finally swallowed. Each subsequent bite was savored to the fullest.