Nyla stopped pestering Zach and turned to look at the new arrivals.
She saw Fred with his family and a girl with hers.
She looked at Zach, and he smiled weakly before stepping up.
Zach cleared his throat to speak, but everyone threw up.
Jared and Nyla grimaced at the scene.
Zach waved at Blair and Fred.
Jared and Nyla went to help them.
Fred saw Zach in his uniform and whispered, “Should I get in my uniform too?” Zach shrugged his shoulders, “According to the manual, only I need to when I am introducing or receiving people in an official capacity.
My attendants don’t need to unless I say so.”
Fred sighed and wiped his forehead.
“Good, because I am not ready to actually reveal that just yet.” Zach nodded in understanding.
“I can understand why, but I do suggest you reveal the tattoo.
You can turn it into some deal we made or something.” Fred gave him a thumbs-up.
Blair looked haggard.
“Zach, you have no idea what I had to do to get them here.
I really hope you know what you are doing.” Zach smiled.
“Me and you both.
At worst, Fred here can do the Jedi mind trick on them, or I can use a new technique on them to get them to stop worrying.” Blair sighed and felt relief.
Zach saw everyone looking at him and stepped forward.
He swept his energy over them.
He frowned before pointing up.
Blair’s parents and her sisters’ phones flew up.
They tried to catch them, but Zach put them in his storage.
He gave a look at Blair.
“They were the only things they took everywhere.
Sorry.”
Zach nodded and turned back to them.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I demand you give my property back right now!” Jared, Nyla, George, and Lilly frowned at his outburst.
Zach took a deep breath before introducing himself.
“I apologize for the inconvenience.
All personal property will be returned once we have discussed everything.
My name is Zach Maddox, and I am the ambassador for the ALL of Nature.
You stand before Nature’s Sanctuary, please come inside.” Zach took a bow and gestured for them to walk through.
He made the trees glow, and leaves appear on them.
He made the smell of spring appear with a soft breeze.
Blair looked at her family.
Her sister looked ready to run inside, her eyes filled with excitement.
“Dad, Mom.
Just enter, and you will see that I am not crazy or a witch.
For Christ’s sake, we have people who can do extraordinary feats.
Why is it hard to believe I can too?”
George placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I know this is the first time meeting you, but let’s give the kids a chance.” He took his wife’s hand and stepped through the arch.
Jared and Nyla were next.
“David, we should go.” Blair’s mother said while taking Blair’s younger sister’s hand.
David gritted his teeth.
“Zach, is that your name?
If this turns out to be some dark ritual or cult or something, no matter how powerful you are, I will hurt you.” He stepped through the arch.
Fred clapped his hands.
“That went better than I expected.
Zach shook his head and stepped through.
Fred and Blair followed him. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Zach walked to the front of the group.
“I welcome you to Nature’s Sanctuary.” Blair’s younger sister ran to the flowers.
“These are so pretty!
Can I take some home?” The adults were gobsmacked by the sight that was before them.
Zach knelt down to her level.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Piper!” Zach smiled and plucked some flowers for her.
He turned them into a little crown for her to wear.
She grew excited and ran to her mom.
“Mommy, look!
I am a princess.” Her mother smiled.
Jared walked over to Zach.
“Zach, just what or where is this place?” He gestured to their surroundings.
Zach stood up and dusted his hands.
“We are still in the park and Chicago, if that is what you are referring to.” He turned to everyone.
“Ok, everyone, follow me and don’t leave the trail, there’s still more you have to see.” They reached the doors and started going downstairs.
George ran his fingers along the wall.
“Zach, could you explain how this place came to be?
I mean, something like this takes money, influence, and has a long history.
You said you was an ambassador, how did you become one exactly?” Zach chuckled.
“I guess Fred does take after you, Mr.
Adams.
He asked me the same questions when I first showed him this place.”
They reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Before I open the door, I need you all to know that what you have and will see is strictly off the record.
The government has no idea it exists, and I want it to stay that way at least until it’s ready to be shared with the world.”
Everyone nodded.
Piper nodded along as well, but didn’t really seem to understand why it was so secret.
Zach opened the doors and let everyone inside.
“This is the first floor of the Sactuary.
Here, people can meet, make requests, or train.
Each door with a symbol is a training room.
The doors without any symbols are offices and meeting rooms.”
“You guys can freely go anywhere you want.
If you have any questions, Blair and Fred can answer them.
Some places are closed off for safety reasons.” Blair and Fred understood what places he meant and took their families on a tour.
Zach gestured for his parents to follow him.
He brought them to what could be considered his office.
He sat down and slumped in his chair.
His parents sat down across from him.
He waved his hand, and three glasses of water appeared.
“I promise you, once you taste this water, you won’t ever go back,” he said before taking a sip of his.
They followed his example.
Their eyes widened, and before they knew it, they had finished it.
He waved his hand again, and their glasses were filled again.
Jared spoke first.
“Son..this is…it’s shocking.” Nyla shook her head and rubbed his arm.
“Zach, baby, I need you to tell us everything you can.” Zach nodded and revealed what an ALL was.
He made up a story about being chosen, told them about his powers and responsibilities, and offered them the chance to join.
“I know this is a lot to take in, so let me show you around the place.” Zach got up and walked out the door. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
They looked at each other and saw the worry in their eyes.
Jared hugged Nyla and led her out.
Zach walked them down to the second floor to grab something to eat.
“This is the cafeteria.” Jared was astonished by the kitchen, which was fully equipped, as if it were ready to serve an entire restaurant.
Nyla saw the trees and vines with fruit.
“Are these fruits real, and are they safe to eat?” Zach answered her question by grabbing a pear and taking a bite.
Jared yelled, “Honey, the meat freezer is huge and stocked to the brim!” Zach was about to say something when he heard David’s voice.
“That’s great news, cause I’m starving.” He walked in with a smile and stopped near Zach.
“Young man, I owe you an apology.
I am sorry for the way I behaved earlier.” Zach shook his hand.
“Water under the bridge, Mr.
Dezmond.
You were only concerned with your daughter’s safety.” David smiled and nodded his head.
He introduced himself and his wife to Jared and Nyla.
“I am David, and this is my wife Phobe.
Your son is amazing, putting it lightly.” Jared shook hands with him and conversed for a while before going over to Blair and Zach.
“Zach, how about giving your mom and me the rest of the tour?” Zach nodded.
Jared nodded his head at Blair and waved over Nyla.
“I will see you later, Zach.
I think Fred took his parents to the library.” She took Piper’s hand and let her pick some fruit from the trees to eat.
Piper waved at Zach while they walked away.
Zach took his parents to the third floor and showed off the rooms.
Jared sat on the bed.
“Zach, you have to get one of these beds for us if possible.” He pulled Nyla to sit down next to him.
She quickly agreed with Jared.
Zach laughed.
“If I can, I will, no promises though.
Come on, there’s still more to see.” They left the third floor and went down to the fourth.
He stopped by the library.
He heard Fred’s mom asking to take a book out.
“Come, honey, it’s just a book about mathematics.
It shouldn’t be that bad.” Fred didn’t cave and made a stern stand.
“Nothing in this building leaves without Zach’s permission.
Especially, knowledge mom.
I know your instincts as a reporter are screaming to write a juicy headline, but you can NEVER do so.”
Zach spoke up before she could try to convince him again.
“Mrs.
Adams, which book are you trying to take?” Her eyes lit up.
“Perfect timing, Zach.
I want to take this book out, or at least a copy of it.” Zach read the title, [Mathematics for Deep Space Travel].
His face turned blank.
“I am sorry, but no.
Under no circumstances does this knowledge leave this building.
Fred was right.”
Zach’s tone was harsh.
“Hey, easy son, she doesn’t mean anything bad.
Think of all the possibilities and doors this one book can open up for humanity.” Zach turned his gaze to George.
“I already have, and that’s why my answer is no.” He snapped the book shut and put it away.