Echo

not be there to handle the situation. He breathed a sigh of relief as he spotted the airport bus coming to pick up the next load of passengers. He kissed Abby goodbye and slid into the back seat of the limo, giving Scotty a thumbs up, Barney a pat on the head and scooping Echo off the seat to sit on his lap. As the limo made its way to the Turnpike, he confronted the mysterious Echo.
    “Come on, you rascal, we need to talk.” The golden aura fluttered in his mind.
    “I am happy when you talk to me, Brother. Have you an inquiry?”
    “Yes. I would like you to explain to me exactly what your mission is.” Jose tried to be careful with his questioning. Sometimes Echo shut down or spoke so literally that she was impossible to understand.
    “The mission is not mine, Brother.”
    “Echo, you told me before that you had a mission to fulfill.”
    “Yes, Brother, but the mission was not mine, it belonged to my species Brother.”
    “You have another Brother here? Can we see him? Is he from your planet? What do you mean you emerged ? And what was his mission?” Jose stopped his rapid-fire questions. No point in overwhelming Echo. He was quite surprised to learn there was another of Echo’s kind. Why had he not thought to ask Echo if she was alone? Maybe there were more of them back at the cavern.
    “Echo, how big is the cavern where we met?”
    “Brother, the cavern is as big as the Womb thinks it needs it to be. The Womb knows you question. I also questioned, for over a century, until you came into the woods and brought me My Barney. I have a great affection for my human Brothers and Sisters; for the few good ones. You deserve the privilege of helping me create the future. The Womb also agrees. I feel the Womb soften. My Brother, sadly, does not walk on this world. He was killed by violent evil humans. His death necessitated the Womb to take more time to assess human viability. We have waited a long, long time. Many chances have been given, always a disappointment. Humans, as a species, are detrimental to all life on this planet. This is not the first time the Womb made a mistake with a species. This has happened before. It began to disturb the Womb after humans achieved the ability to greatly change their environment. The Womb is proud and protective of all life on this planet. I am the offspring of my Brother, so the duty falls to me. If I fail, another minion will be sent to take my place. But I will not fail. The Womb will see to it. As much as the Womb softens with direct observation, it affirmed the mission after Brother’s vicious death. Your future is assured. You will be Elders. For a human, there is no greater honor.”
    “I’m confused Echo, some men killed your brother? When did this happen? Who exactly is the Womb? Do you answer to him, I mean to the Womb?”
    Jose was deeply disturbed by Echo’s words. They only invited more questions. Ass ess human viability? He needed to talk to Abby. This sounded serious. He knew if he probed further, Echo would only shut down. Looking over at Scotty, he could tell from his fearful look that he had gotten the golden aura in his mind the same time he had. With a nod to Scotty, he signaled silence.
    “Echo, I hope you realize how much we love you and would protect you at all cost.”
    “Of course, my Brother; and I, you. We are family. I am happier than I have ever been.” Hopping off Jose’s lap, Echo climbed up next to Barney to bury her head in his fur. Clearly the interview was over.
    Jose thought about Echo’s revelations. What the heck is she talking about? Echo hailed from another world, but she and the Womb (even saying the Womb sounded like a joke) seemed to think they were in charge here. Why? Looking at the funny looking little creature made him laugh at the thought. He wondered how to explain the changes they were all going through; his tail, and the fact that Scotty healed Abby. Wait a minute . How do they know that Abby was healed? Sure she felt great and missed several treatments without any negative effect. Jose made a note to suggest to Abby that she see a doctor. Maybe there would be a way they could do it without her doctors in New Jersey discovering her location. They didn’t want to make any slips with anyone, not even her doctors. That connection could be easily traced.
    Jose studied Echo. Why the obsession over a dog? Echo was obviously a highly evolved, (appearances aside) creature. Yet there was much in Echo’s manner that