Ella`s Story
My Love From The Future
BOOK TWO

Chapter 8 : Awakening Consciousness

Episode 19 : September 30th 2019 Monday 9th grade

Copyright © 2019-2025 Gary Brandt. All rights reserved.

The Navy office is stark, its fluorescent lights casting a clinical glow over the folding chairs arranged in a semicircle. Commander Beaker stands at a whiteboard, his uniform crisp but his face weary. The girls' parents—Robert and Judy Danvers, Hannah and Eugene Park, Rahul and Alisha Patel—sit attentively, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. The girls, Ella, Roxana, Eileen, and Helana, slouch in the back, exchanging wary glances.

"Thank you for coming," Beaker begins, his voice steady. "I welcome Robert and Judy, Eileen's parents; Hannah and Eugene, Roxana's parents; and Rahul and Alisha, Ella's parents. You've signed the security oath, so we can share more about the program your daughters are in. We tried to keep you in the dark, and that was a mistake. It disrespected your authority as parents, and I apologize. Going forward, you'll be fully involved."

He paces, choosing his words. "Over the past fifty years, military intelligence and academia have deepened our understanding of human nature—political science, conflict, war. Advances in computer science, particularly artificial intelligence, allow us to analyze vast data instantly. This technology birthed this program."

He pauses, meeting their eyes. "Some children are different. We don't know why—epigenetics, technology exposure, divine intervention, or life's resilience—but some, like your daughters, have an awakened consciousness. They blend spiritual and physical attributes, mental and physical skills, rare in past generations."

"Second," he continues, "our AI predictive algorithms excel at forecasting broad trends. By mid-century, political tensions, resource scarcity, climate shifts, and human hubris could spark a global conflict worse than the World Wars. It could be an extinction-level event, with a projected 95% depopulation. We believe these 'New Kids,' in their forties and fifties by then, could mitigate or delay this crisis with proper training, saving millions. But our models suggest they may be too few, too late, to prevent it entirely."

"This program is experimental," he admits, "and lacks full Navy or Congressional support. We operate on a shoestring budget, hounded by officials who see it as a waste. I'm committed to making it work—too much is at stake to leave to chance. It sounds like a kids' movie, a few youngsters saving the world, but here we are. I need your support."

Hands shoot up. Beaker points to Hannah Park. "Yes, Hannah, may I call you that?"

"Yes," Hannah says, her voice soft but firm. "You mentioned a spiritual blend in these children. Will prayer be part of the program?"

Beaker chuckles. "I used to pray nightly, then throughout the day. Now I live in constant prayer. Yes, spirituality is vital, as the girls have shown."

Judy Danvers leans forward, skeptical. "How can four girls impact the world? It doesn't make sense."

"There aren't just four," Beaker says. "Others exist, but these girls score highest on our tests. We don't expect them to save the world alone. By nurturing them as mentors, teachers, role models, they'll inspire thousands, maybe millions. We'll guide them into influential roles—science, politics, religion, academia—to amplify their impact."

Robert Danvers frowns. "If they're that special, was the gunman targeting them?"

"We don't know," Beaker says. "It could've been random. But we're maintaining a hidden security team around the girls. If you notice them, don't stare, wave, or talk—just ignore them."

"Are you taking our children away?" Alisha Patel asks, her voice tight.

"Absolutely not," Beaker says. "For them to be influencers, they need normal social development—high school, college, like any kid. A military lab would isolate them, undermining their ability to connect, which is critical."

Eileen raises her hand. "When we're 16, can we date? That was the plan—will it change?"

Beaker smiles. "Your life should be normal. Dates will be vetted, and you must guard sensitive secrets, making dating tricky but not impossible. In the future, having families will be important. Your husbands will need a meeting like this, to be part of the plan. Secrets don't work in marriage."

"If you're talking arranged marriages, forget it!" Ella says, crossing her arms. The girls nod vigorously.

"It's too soon for that," Alisha says, glaring. The parents nod in agreement.

"How will you train them?" Eugene Park asks. "Just Saturday classes?"

"Occasional Saturday classes, sometimes after-school meetings," Beaker says. "In high school, they may join military exercises for real-world experience, more so in college. Never with live bullets, guns, bombs, or alien invasions—just safe training."

"That wraps it up," Beaker says. "We'll have regular parent meetings to keep you informed."

The mall's food court buzzes with after-school chatter, the air thick with the scent of fries and cinnamon pretzels. The girls sit at a sticky table, sipping sodas, their school bags piled nearby.

Ella twirls her straw, skeptical. "Do you think we're that special?" she asks. "This feels like Much Ado About Nothing. Beaker's hyping it to scam more funding."

"You're more special than you know," Helana says, her voice quiet but certain.

"You're the special one, Helana," Roxana says. "Time traveler from the future."

"A future I've apparently wrecked," Helana says, her smile bitter. "Maybe I'm not so special."

"Let's use this," Eileen says, grinning mischievously. "See that couple by the theater? Never seen them—bet they're agents. Let's telepathically make them leave four tickets at will-call."

"Beaker said no talking to them," Roxana says, nervous.

"He meant don't be seen," Ella says.

"Nothing about telepathy." The girls focus, visualizing the couple buying tickets for their chosen movie. After a moment, the woman walks to the ticket counter, leaving the man looking confused.

"It worked!" Eileen says, eyes wide.

"The guy didn't get it—he's not sensitive enough," Helana says.

"Girls are more sensitive," Roxana says, giggling.

"Did she hear us, or did we zombify her?" Ella asks.

"She heard," Helana says. "Controlling her would be wrong."

"Let's check," Ella says, leading them to the ticket window.

"Will-call for Roxana, Ella, Helana, Eileen," Ella says to the agent.

"Here you go," the agent says, handing over four tickets. "Theater four, to the right."

As they enter, Ella's phone rings. A woman's voice says, "Enjoy the movie, girls, but don't do that again, or I'll report it. We're protectors, not servants."

"Busted," Ella says, laughing. "But we got the tickets."

"Can we do that for snacks?" Eileen asks.

"Don't push it," Helana says. "Mom says abusing gifts can make them fade."

"Let's get boys to meet us here next time," Eileen says, smirking.

"Not a date if it's accidental."

"Eileen!" Roxana scolds.

"Yes, it is. I'm telling."

"Don't be such a scaredy-cat," Eileen snaps.

"Girls, stop," Ella says. "Movie's starting."

Mr. Danvers' SUV smells of coffee and leather as he drives the girls home from the theater, the October dusk painting the sky in purples.

"How was the movie?" he asks, glancing at them in the rearview mirror.

"Awesome!" Eileen says.

"Troubling," Helana says, her voice soft.

"Troubling how?" he asks.

Helana hesitates, choosing her words. "There's this actor—attractive, muscular. I find him dangerous."

"All hotties are dangerous," Eileen says, grinning.

"Dangerous how?" Mr. Danvers asks, his tone gentle.

"If he were here and smiled at me, I'd run to him," Helana says, her cheeks flushing. "My mind would scream stop, but my body wouldn't listen. Men like him shouldn't be in public."

"This is a Mom thing," Ella says, shifting uncomfortably.

"Your mom would talk about friends who chased men and suffered," Roxana says. "My mom would make me pray."

"Mine would book a therapist," Eileen says. "You're elected, Mr. Danvers," Ella says. "But don't say anything embarrassing."

He chuckles. "I'll try. Helana, there's nothing wrong with you. These feelings are normal, but learning control takes time. That's why we want you to wait before dating, to handle these decisions better."

He continues, "Even if you mess up, it won't ruin your life. Those friends Alisha mentions? Their parents abandoned them. We'd never do that, I promise."

"Will we control these urges by 16?" Helana asks.

"No," he says honestly. "They never fully go away. Avoid situations where things could spiral—parties with no parents, drugs, alcohol. Even if you're strong, a little alcohol can weaken that."

"Do you still fight these urges, Dad?" Eileen asks, curious.

"Yes," he says. "Last week, a pretty coworker asked me to lunch. It seemed innocent, but could've led somewhere wrong. I said no. Pretty women are as dangerous to me as muscular actors are to you. I avoid those situations to honor your mother."

"And because Mom carries a gun," Eileen says, giggling.

The girls laugh.

"Can we have our bikes back?" Eileen asks. "With agents watching, we're safe."

"I'll talk to your parents," he says. "Agents help, but I know you girls. You could ditch them or confuse them with telepathy. Promise to be responsible if you get your freedom."

"We promise, Dad!" they say in unison.

"We're here," he says, pulling into Ella's driveway. "Tell Alisha hi. We need to discuss getting my girls home. We can't keep imposing on the Patels."

"We'll talk, Dad," Ella says, as the girls spill out, racing into the house.

In Ella's bedroom, the night is quiet, the glow of a desk lamp casting soft shadows. Roxana sleeps, her rosary tucked under her pillow. Ella opens her diary, her thoughts swirling.

Check out Our Ads. If you buy a product by clicking one of the images we may receive a small (very small) commission on the sale.

     Eileen`s Fashion Pick
The-Upside-Peached-Lucette-Pleated-Dress-Eden
$179.99
Click The Image

     Eileen`s Fashion Pick
Sea-Lia-Print-Mini-Dress-Multi-[M]
$325.00
Click The Image

NEXT >> Chapter 20
Influencers

Four teenage girls with telepathic abilities are recruited by the Navy to use their psychic powers to locate the source of mysterious cries for help in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their investigation leads to the discovery of a horrific pedophile trafficking ring involving children from Earth and other planets who are being exploited as `pleasure children` for criminal adults.

<< PREVIOUS Chapter 18
18

In a supernatural war between forces of Light and Darkness, teenage Helana learns from her mother in `night school` that she and her sisters are warriors protecting Earth's timeline, which is being destabilized by powerful level 10 entities who can alter reality itself. After Eileen shoots a gunman to save her friends, the girls face increased danger as the Darkness targets them for their forbidden knowledge, while government agents struggle to protect them and keep their true mission secret from suspicious parents.

FIRST Chapter 0 Sleep Over

Thirteen-year-old Ella and her best friends Eileen and Roxana encounter an interdimensional being named Helana during a sleepover, who appears as different benevolent figures to each girl and reveals glimpses of their legendary futures. When Helana tries to leave after accidentally revealing herself and disrupting their timelines, Ella cleverly traps the entity by claiming authority over her domain, forcing Helana to stay as their `genie in a bottle` despite her pleas to return home.