The Visitors by Katy Newton Naas Page A

memory capacity was aided by an implanted computer chip?
    â€œYou seem so similar to us, physically. There must be something biologically, something that makes your mental capabilities so much greater than ours. I would love the chance to explore that further.”
    â€œWell, I, um,” I stammered, “I don’t know which, uh…I’m not sure what Sir Andrew has planned for your stay…I’m sure he has packed your days here with learning opportunities…” I didn’t know what else to say, so I just stopped. What had I done? Jady was sure to pass this information on to her crew. Questions would be brought to Sir Andrew. When the source of the information was revealed, I would have to face the leaders. That thought made me shudder.
    For the moment, she didn’t push the language issue any further. Instead, she came out with a question that took me by complete surprise. “So, Noah, what do you do for fun around here? You know, after your work is done.”
    I smiled at her in confusion. “My work is enjoyable.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Of course it is. But it has to be a little stressful. What do you do to unwind and have fun?” As she looked into my eyes and asked her questions, her emotions lightened. I immediately felt the strange sensation in my body that she had caused since the first time I saw her. Her gift was affecting me again, and I reminded myself to fight it.
    â€œWe have community gatherings once in a while, where we socialize with each other. Is that what you mean?” I tried to keep my voice cold and my body positioned away from hers. While I was unsure what the source of her power was, it seemed to be stronger when I made direct eye contact with her.
    She laughed, which was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard in all my life. I couldn’t help but look at her and hope to make her do it again. “Sure, I guess that’s what I mean. It just sounds so…formal, the way you say it. When is your next community gathering?”
    â€œIn about a month,” I replied. “Why?”
    She shrugged, still smiling. “I just want to experience everything, I guess. Including the social life.”
    Suddenly, I had a wonderful idea. I knew I wanted to confront her about her gift. But something was telling me that I should not do it in front of others; I needed to get her alone. Although I knew that could be a dangerous thing for me because of the strong pull I felt toward her, my instincts told me that was the way to do it. If I questioned her in front of others, I may not get the information I was after. Questioning her privately may make her more willing to share the truth with me.
    I suddenly knew the perfect way to get her alone. She gave me the opportunity to do so in her quest to “experience everything.” Before I spoke, I looked quickly to Sir Andrew, who was occupied in a conversation with the captain. He could not hear the question that was about to come out of my mouth.
    â€œJady, there is one experience here that you shouldn’t miss. I am willing to bet it is unlike anything you have on Earth. It is a waterfall, and it is incredible. Getting to it is a little tricky; you have to go through a thick wooded area and it’s a bit of a journey. Would you like me to take you to it?” I didn’t know why I felt so self-conscious as I asked her to accompany me. Maybe it was because I knew I was breaking a rule in my invitation. In all my years in the society, I had never deliberately broken a direct order, and never thought I would see a day when I would have to do so. But this was necessary. As far as I knew, we had never in the history of society had a member that was given the gift she obviously had. I had to find out more about it.
    She smiled as she considered my invitation. “When would we go?” she asked finally.
    I smiled back at her. “Tonight. After dinner. You have to see it when