The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

You know that saying “God laughs at the plans of men”? Well He laughs at the plans of women too.

Everything was FINE until about halfway through the flight to DC. 

I had managed to cram everything I would need for the trip into my backpack so I would not have to worry about checking in any baggage.  So I brought it on with me.  Well I decided I wanted to take a couple of pictures of us on the plane and out the window, so I hopped up to get it out of the overhead compartment and well seems my feet never hit the floor. 

Now this was the first time AFTER the “EVENT” that I had flown and I did not realize that being back up that high would cause sporadic spaz’s of my abilities. 

As I floated up to the ceiling, I looked around and noticed that most people had their noses in their phones and IPad’s.  But there was that one lady… you know the “one” … that one lady who always has her nose in others business and then promptly gives her opinion on how you should run your life?  Well THAT lady  saw me and when we locked eyes, she shrieked LOUDLY and rudely pointed at me.  “EEEEECK! Look she is floating!”

I really tried to right myself and push me back down to the floor but it was too late.  Now EVERYONE was looking at me.  So what else could I do but be a smart butt but play dumb.

“What is happening?  Is this another Event? Someone help me.”

How embarrassing when everyone just took video.

I finally made it back into my seat and it wasn't pretty getting there.  I had to hook one of my feet under the arm of my seat and push off with my hand and then PULL myself into my seat and buckle up.  Since I had tossed my bag onto my seat, I sat by the window.  Thankfully I did not have anyone sitting with me. 

The rest of the flight was a nightmare as several strangers tried to sit in the seat next to me and ask me questions and wanting a picture with me.   I finally got them to leave me alone when I shouted “The next person who bugs me will have me puking on them.  Ya’all are making me SICK!”  

Now that got me an icy cold ginger ale from the airline steward, he was very nice.  He even gave me an extra cookie.

The only ones who did NOT try to bug me were my professor and the other four students in our group.   I think they were in shock.

When we landed, I waited until everyone was off the plane before I unbuckled.  Thankfully I was back to normal, well normal for the ‘new’ me anyways.  No floating.  I was so relieved.  

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Two days before we were leaving for DC, I went for the seeds.  It was a beautiful night, one that just begs for a midnight walk about campus, which is much safer now thanks to Aunt Becca.   But most people were indoors by 1am and that is when I went for my own walk.   I didn’t encounter anyone as I made my way to the greenhouses but that could be because I was flying. 

I flew to the window of the lab that had the seeds I wanted.  It was just as unlocked as when I checked it three days before.  Ok, I was NOT very graceful going into the window, but YOU try to fly to a window and open it and crawl in; I doubt you could do better.

I pretty much fell into the room and knew I’d be sore later.  At least I landed semi on my feet; ok, my feet and my butt.  It could have been worse, like I could have landed on my head.

I turned on my headlamp on the red light setting and went into the storage room where the freezer was.  It only took a moment to open the ten pound (at least) bag holding the seeds and transfer enough to fill my little coin envelope.   I must have gotten hundreds of seeds. 

I had gloves on, so no prints and no seeds touched by my ability.  Everything back in place and I was back at the window, slowly flying through it again.  I grabbed the window so I could close it and then I was back in the air headed back to my dorm.  Easy peasy – and thankfully no new video’s online in the morning.

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

One of the first things I had to figure out was how to get some kudzu seeds.  I did not want anyone to connect me with what I was going to do, so I really could not just go in and ask for some seeds.  I couldn't volunteer to work on that project because it already was someone’s project and again, I did not want to connect myself to the kudzu. 

So that left stealing the seeds.  I couldn't go out and collect any on my own because it was the end of winter, hence no plants had made any seeds yet.

I wished I had the popping power of that guy I saw on TV because then I could just pop into lab and grab some.  However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I may have access.  The lab is just one of several that are connected to the greenhouses on campus.  In fact, the lab where I was working is connected to Greenhouse A, or GH Apple as I call it.  This is the biggest one and has several dwarf apple trees.  One of the things I’m working on is apples.  I’m working on ‘creating’ an apple that is crisp but sweet and is resistant to disease and pests.  Yes I know, not probable but also not impossible.  I have to be careful to wear gloves all the time I’m “officially” around any of the plants here at school.  My “other projects” don’t call for the gloves.  Maybe I’ll tell you more about those later. 

Back to the stealing of the kudzu seeds.  I could go through the greenhouses to GH-C and see if they left the door to their lab unlocked. 

Now everyone is use to me being in ALL the greenhouses because I’m constantly taking pictures and uploading them to my blog.  Yes I have a plant blog with a whole ten subscribers. 

So I began to go take pictures at different times, even during the night and found ways to talk to the two students who worked in the kudzu lab.  I had four weeks to figure out how to and grab the seeds.  I really didn’t want to get them too early since I did not want to accidentally make them grow too soon.  Getting on and off the plane with seeds would be much easier than with plants.

Mark Graffon and Sandi Piper were the two students in the lab.  They were graduate students working on their Phd’s.  So me asking them questions was a normal occurrence since I was an undergrad and it was what we were supposed to do.  I actually found myself fascinated with all I was learning about kudzu and that just increased my motive for what I was going to do.  Or at least TRY to do.  It was a fascinating three weeks and all my questions paid off.  See sometimes a grad student will want to ‘show off’ for an undergrad and show off she did.  The whole lab!  Which included the freezer where they kept the seed.  They had POUNDS of the seed.  I knew then that the few dozen I’d be taking would never be missed at all.    I also learned that at 7:00pm every evening, the lab was left unattended for supper time.  And that while the door was locked, the windows were not. 

I guess I should explain a bit about how the labs are laid out.  Each lab has three rooms; the first one being the ‘entry’ and this has windows about six feet up the wall.  And one of those windows is ‘in’ the greenhouse.  They open but I doubt anyone ever opens them.  I think I’m the only one that ever does in my lab, though that is only on especially gorgeous days.  And my windows have screens, the kudzu lab’s windows don’t.  The second room is usually storage for all the equipment and supplies.  The third is usually for secure procedures or isolation of specific organisms.  One usually has to follow specific protocol to enter into this room.  Hence the nickname: “proto-room”.  I’m currently using mine for some not so “official” experiments.

I have to tell you that NOT many undergrads have this opportunity to work in a lab.  Most who are invited find they don’t have the time.  And usually ONLY those in their senior year (aka: close to graduation) ARE invited to work with a professor. 

I’m not trying to say I’m “special” but … I am.  Hahaha!

At least that is what Professor Hill has said.  The lab is his lab and he is just working on the apple trees and when I asked if I could do some side experiments in the proto-lab, he said sure since he wasn't using it. 

Ok, ok, I see I’m rambling a bit and getting side tracked.  Let me explain how easy it was to get the seeds.  

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

How could I help people?  That thought had been rattling around in my head for several days.  I did want to help where I could; I was just not finding where that “where” was. 

Then came the day when Professor Hill, my botany adviser and teacher, announced a trip to Washington DC to see the Botanical Gardens.  The trip would be over five days and during spring break.

I was kind of scared since I was not sure what my presence in the gardens would do to all those plants over five days but then the mischievous side of me began to emerge. 

One of the plants that were being studied here at the college was Kudzu.  I’m not sure if you know what that is but it is a very invasive plant here in the south and many are trying to find ways to eradicate it.  Now the poor plant has a bad reputation which it may deserve but it is also a very beneficial plant.  The young shoots can be eaten and they are finding that this plant may have some serious benefits when it comes to our health.  But it does grow quite quickly on its own. 

This got me to wondering how it would grow with a little nudge from me.  Which of course got me to thinking about WHERE it could grow – and I was going to be in Washington DC for five whole days.  And the botanical gardens were just a few blocks from some certain places that I personally thought could benefit from some expanded ‘greenery’. 

Maybe I will end up being one of those “super villains” after all.  Nah, my abilities are not powerful enough.  But my plan would be a test of them.  And that is how I convinced myself to “go” with “operation: tangled up.”

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Two weeks before spring break and I met Selman.  Oh she was nice enough, asked lots of questions in that false sweet, respectful way of hers.  See I don’t trust her especially since I was right in the middle of planning  for my “caper”.  She caught me outside walking to the cafeteria for lunch under one of those big oak trees the campus is famous for.  

I didn’t say much to her at all nor did I agree to her “oh so generous” offer for me to come to her lab and be studied.  She went on and on about how those who came were able to refine and even increase their powers, thinking that would be a selling point to me.  I do have to say HER file on me was a bit thicker than the other one.

I honestly started out listening to her but the conversation that three squirrels were having about us caught and kept my attention. 

“Dancing Wind is not stupid enough to go with that woman”

“oh no, not our Dancing Wind.  She will see through all that fake talk.”

“tag your it”

“no fair!”

At that I had to look up and watch as the three began an earnest game of tag all over that tree and even into the one next to it.  I kept catching little bits of their conversation as they ran by every so often.

“That lady still here?”

“Dancing Wind needs to go eat so she is ready for winter.”

“That color of that suit makes that lady look like a dead person.”

“You missed me! Hahahaha!”

“No I didn’t.”

I was trying really hard not to laugh and FINALLY Selman realized I had not been listening to her but rather the squirrels.

“What did they say?” she asked me.

I just looked at her like she was crazy or something.  Finally I said “excuse me” and walked off to lunch.

Darn woman followed me!  Yes I have to admit I BRIEFLY entertained the thought of asking the squirrels to run all over her but restrained myself.  She should be thanking me for that.  But I seriously doubt that the thought I’d sic any animal on her ever crossed her mind. 

I thought it funny that she had to pay for a meal in order to follow me into the cafeteria.  Oh they had potato soup that day…delicious!  I fixed my salad and grabbed a cup of that soup and went and sat down without really thinking, at my usual place -an out of the way booth in the back.  As soon as I sat down, I realized my mistake.  Drat if that woman didn’t just slide right in next to me.  I was nicely trapped.

After several minutes of her describing all the benefits to ME about working with her, she changed tactics and began the “you can help save the world” line of BS.  (sorry for the swearing Aunt Becca)

The thing is, I had ALREADY been thinking about how I could use my abilities to help others, hence my little 'caper' I had already begun to plan.  Touching seeds seemed to be the only real way I could help.  But that took so much out of me, I don’t really know how much of a help it would actually be for 7 billion plus people of the world.  I don’t even know if I could lift anyone up with me.  I never tried it.  I made a mental note to try it with Kassie that weekend. 

I was getting really good at tuning this woman out.  She finally got the point and after giving me her thick fancy card, she left.  She probably went off to arrange people to spy on me.  I think she was more upset that I would not even confirm my name to her, let alone my abilities than for my tuning her out. 

Did I mention she even tried to play that video on her phone.  I just ate my salad and soup.  After fixing myself a hot cup of sweet tea in my handy stainless steel coffee mug I keep in my backpack; I took my dishes to the window that they mysteriously disappear from and went back outside.  I did look around to make sure she was really gone and headed to my next class.  I almost threw her card away but decided at the last minute to keep it and give it to my Aunt. 

And that was a mistake.

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Thankfully, I was alone in my room since my roommate had already left.  She had had her last final exam two days prior.  I called my Aunt and explained what happened.  Of course, I had to listen to a twenty minute lecture about being more careful.  But she was furious at me begin attacked and abruptly hung up on me.  Thirty minutes later she called back.  Seems she called the Dean AND the Chancellor of the college about what happened and asked what they were going to do about it. 

Both my Aunt and Kassie came and got me.  I had everything packed up and managed to sneak it all down to the lobby at 3:30am.  No one was around.  Kassie was all excited and said she has watched that video a hundred times at least.   She wanted to know why I meowed when I usually just spoke English.  I didn’t really have an answer for her since at the time I was scared and desperate for help. 

Over the winter break, my Aunt did not give up about what happened to me and by the time the spring semester began a new program was in place for anyone who felt they needed an escort to their dorm could call security and have two people walk them to their dorm.  You could even request specific people.  It was run by volunteers who had to go through training and pass a physical that made the football guys cry.  There is a local martial arts club (three actually) who volunteered to be escorts.  Not only did this program work great, the clubs got many new clients.  One of which was me. 

Another thing my Aunt got was a settlement from the boy’s families.  And that bought my first vehicle.   I did speak at their hearing, both the college hearing and the criminal hearing.  I truly believe they would not have gone to such extremes if they had not been drunk.  Though they did choose to get drunk.  I also felt that the cats did a thorough job of “punishing” them.  They both have some nasty scars.  Now I could be wrong and they could be good actors, but it turns out that both those boys transferred to a different college anyways and I never saw them again.   Both hearings ended up being more about my abilities than what happened.  I declined to answer those questions. 

During the winter break, Kassie and I experimented with all the ranch animals and a few wild ones.  Seems I was able to speak THEIR languages too.  More like Dr. Doolittle.  UGH!  I don’t know who laughed more during that time: Kassie or the animals.  And yes I could carry Kassie but could not go too high up.

Thankfully the “Flying Girl” story disappeared and got buried under new stories and when I went back, things were calm and very few bothered to say anything.   It helped that I got a different haircut and contacts.  No one was quite sure if it was me or not. 

The weeks were flying by until it all changed.

The Affected: Dancing Wind Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

The first semester of college went really well.  I choose my major: botany and minor: chemistry.  I was debating doing a dual major with environmental sciences but decided to wait until next semester to decide.  I tested out of most of the “general courses” so that I could devote my time to my actual degrees.

I have a set of personal rules for myself and tend to get aggravated when people want me to “bend” them.  And there came a night at the end of the semester, with only ONE day of final exams to go, when I had to take action and use my powers to defend myself. 

I had just come out of a LONG study session at the college library and I had to walk past fraternity row to get back to my dorm.  Well parties were going on and it looked like the whole campus was at the house I called the “Jerky Jock House” which housed many of the football jerks.  I can’t count the number of times they hit on me.  It really bugged the crap out of me.  Well tonight was no exception and a couple of the fellas took it too far.

They caught me just as I was getting ready to cross the road and drug me back towards their frat house.  They were not taking NO for an answer and they were SO drunk that I swear I got a bit of a high off their breath. 

One thing you may not know about college campuses is that there are a LOT of feral cats that live on them and only come out at night.  I have to say that they were starting to hurt me and so out of fright I called out to all those cats for help. 

I must have meowed instead of using English cause the boys paused for a moment and looked at me.  I tried again to break their hold and get away but they jerked me as they began to walk again.  Oh they started to say some HORRIBLE things about what they were going to do to me and “goodie two shoes” was the nicest thing they called me.  “Frigid B” was another.  I called again and could hear cats calling back. 

Suddenly about twenty yards from the frat house, dozens of cats descended on us.  Well on the two boys.  Oh they let me go right quick then because they were trying to get all the cats off of them.  I ended up between them and the house and I wanted to get out of there so I thought “why not” and ran a few steps and up I went.  When I was up about 15 feet, I called the cats again and they disappeared as fast as they showed up and I flew away towards my dorm.

The next morning I was all over YouTube and Twitter and fifty other social media sites.  Darned if someone hadn’t taped the whole thing with their phone.    I didn’t even know until I went in to take my last final.  When I walked in, everyone applauded.  Oh did I mention that those two boys were in that class?  They were a mess, scratches and bite marks all over them.   I was surprised to see the amount of damage but thought they deserved it.  

But what really surprised me was their heartfelt apology.  They didn’t even try to use their drunken state as an excuse.  And of course I was bombarded with questions that I did not want to answer.  The professor finally got the room back under control and gave us our exam.  Which I’m pleased to say I did pass with an A. 

Afterwards I went back to my dorm and watched the video.  It was not hard to find.  The heading “Flying Girl Calls Cats to Defend Her.” Is that stupid or what? 

Oh and then other students found out where my dorm was and a never ending knocking and yelling began.   I kept quiet and didn’t answer the door.  After three hours, they went away.  I was beginning to wonder how I was going to get away so I could go home.