By Jim Doran
“I thought you said this would be easy.”
The frustrated undertone in Jo’s voice rang out across the entire car. Rebecca’s friend and partner, Jo, swerved to avoid a deer standing in the middle of the road. Rebecca had used the word “easy,” referring to their secret assignment as a “wiffle ball mission.” Now, she regretted those words.
Rebecca’s blonde, willowy captive glared from the back seat of the VW Passat. “I don’t believe what you just told me.”
Rebecca pointed out the window. “Harmony, what do you think is happening out there?”
Jo, all broad shoulders and green curls, slammed on the brakes. “What the—”
The horn drowned out the last word, but it did little to startle or move the four hawks clutching the hood of the racing vehicle.
Jo pressed a button on the viewscreen. “I’ll have to drive in camera mode.”
“Amazing.” Rebecca ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
But Harmony’s eyes were glossed over. She blinked away her confusion and asked, “Where am I?”
Jo groaned. “Not again.”
Whether Jo referenced the traffic obstacles or Harmony Star’s short-term memory loss wasn’t clear, but Rebecca was the senior agent on the mission. The burden fell on her to explain the situation for the third time. This go-around, she’d shorten it to the essential details.
“My name is Rebecca, and Jo and I work for a certain government department. We ensure the safety of extraordinary people—people such as yourself.”
“Extraordinary?” questioned Harmony. “You have the wrong woman. Unless you consider a ukulele player extraordinary… I guess the Crooning Crows are pretty extraordinary though.” She smiled proudly. “That’s my band.”
Using windshield wiper spray, Jo cleared the birds. She accelerated the sedan, throwing Rebecca and Harmony against the seats.
“You’ve demonstrated your ability with the local wildlife. You told us you make ‘suggestions’” Rebecca used air quotes. “And they will follow them. Clearly, all animals, even the dangerous ones, will protect you.”
Harmony leaned away, jaw agape. “Sure, wild animals won’t attack me. But defend me?”
Jo gestured outside the car. “What do you think they’re doing right now, Harmony? All these animals think you’re in danger, and they’re trying to stop us!”
“I’ve told you this before, Harmony.” Rebecca folded her hands. “You’re not human. I thought you were a siren at first, but now I’m convinced you’re a rare and special kind of nymph called an epimelide.”
“A what-a-melody?”
“An epimelide.” Rebecca kept her tone casual and steady during the explanation, tapping into years of experience in calming spooked extraordinary targets. “Nymphs have many names and abilities, such as naiads and lampades. My department sent me to investigate you.”
“But why?”
“Nymphs who don’t know they’re a nymph may be a harm to themselves or others. We thought your kind, nymphs of animals, were extinct. Yet here you sit. I’m shocked.”
Harmony blinked.
“Your short-term memory loss isn’t any such thing,” Rebecca tapped her own temple and flashed a reassuring smile. “You are so in tune with animals that you inherited a portion of their memory function. As a dryad may have bark skin, you have a cognitive affinity for your beloved four-legged creatures.”
A massive black bear lumbered into view on their right as if to prove her assertion. The ursid raced across the forest toward the road, her cubs loping far behind.
“If the bear intercepts us before the clearing, we’re through.” Panic edged Jo’s voice.
“Fascinating.” Rebecca leaned toward the window. “A mother bear doesn’t leave her young unless something powerful is summoning it. Call it off, Harmony.”
“The cubs!” Harmony closed her eyes, and the bear stopped.
Opening her eyes, Harmony focused on Rebecca. “I may have abilities, but I’m not this melody-thing. My parents are both human.”
“But your surrogate mother was not,” replied Rebecca. “We found your files. A mysterious woman befriended your mother here in western Canada. Shortly after you were born, your parents lost contact with her.”
“How do you know that?”
“My department has advanced technology.” Rebecca’s voice softened. “We’re here to help. Harmony, I’ve traveled the world. I’ve saved a raft of kitsunes, captured a Finnish harpy, and kept a promise to a gorgon in Greece. I thought I was going to be hauling another unwilling siren back to a sanctuary. This job has become a grind. A chore.”
Harmony crossed her arms. “I’m just a chore to you?”
“That’s just it.” Rebecca raised her eyebrows. “I thought I’ve seen it all. If epimelides exist, what else might be out there?”
“Movement, eleven o’clock,” announced Jo. “I can’t make out what they are.”
Rebecca ignored her. “We’d like you to accompany us to a facility where we will help you control your abilities.”
Jo slammed on the brakes and slapped the steering wheel. “Now you’ve called foxes to help you.”
Rebecca glanced at the blockade of foxes in the road. “If you are an epimelide, think of the animals you’ll save from becoming extinct.”
Harmony reached for her ukulele. “I would like that. Oh, I hope you’re telling the truth.”
The musician strummed her instrument and scatted a pleasing melody. The skulk grunted as they shuffled off.
Again, Jo increased the speed of the Passat. “We’re about ten minutes out from the helicopter.”
“From a helicopter to an airport to the facility,” said Rebecca. “We’ll be there in less than twelve hours. After we confirm your abilities, we’ll return you exactly where we found you. The department will set up an endowment for you to keep playing with the Crooning Crows.”
Harmony scowled. “Knowing I’m not like anyone else.”
“Yes, you’re one of a kind.” Rebecca laid her hand on Harmony’s. “You’ve inspired me.”
Harmony’s eyes sparkled, and then they dimmed. She blinked rapidly. “Who are you, again?”
The car lurched as Jo pressed the pedal to the floor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Great addition to the DEED series! A fun mix of dialogue and adrenaline! Super fun to read.
I’m glad you liked it.
Loved the explanation for why animals love her. Wonderful story.
Thank you! Trying to do the character justice. ;-)
Interesting combo of Harmony’s gifts and memory problem.
Thank you!
Nice! Kept me smiling throughout. And I’d love to read more of Rebecca’s adventures, especially about the promise to that gorgon in Greece.
Thank you very much. If you want to read the Greece story, check out “The Cement City” right here on Havok. ;-) This was the first published DEED story.
This was great! I loved the twist you gave to Harmony’s story. It has certainly made me want to check out DEED.
Thank you so much. There are also DEED stories here on Havok to read.
Enjoyed it very much. DEED is on my to-read list now.
Thank you. I’m looking forward to your story later this month.
Loved this take on Harmony and her love for animals–and their love for her!
Thank you.