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though the boy appeared a good choice, at the moment his youth disqualified him. She should measure her expectations carefully next time. Remembering the young of humans took twenty-two years for their brain to mature, her mistake shamed her.
    Life worked more efficiently for her species as all the young were born with their birth parents genetic memory. The fact that humans did not evolve this necessary trait is a severe handicap. She would love to know what the Elders thought they were accomplishing as they handicapped this life form. A simple adjustment to their enzymes during evolution could turn the trait on. She knew the Elders rarely made mistakes. Perhaps they did it deliberately. She promised herself to ask the Womb.
    Now, forced to rectify the situation the only way she knew, even though it might cause more problems, she must leave the boy alone. Sadly, she climbed down the rock, wobbling over to the boy. She watched his eyes flutter, bringing him back to consciousness. Hurrying, she reached out to grab the cake, still remarkably intact, clutched tightly under his arm. She wobbled over to the cairn of rocks that marked the way to the Hive and disappeared.
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    Scotty sat up slowly. What was he doing on the ground? He could feel the rough edges of the cold rocks digging into his tender skin. He picked himself up off the cold rocks and made his way back to the glen he usually played in. Looking around, confusion made him dizzy. Shaking it off, he stretched and yawned, freakishly feeling vigorous. Deciding to return home, he wondered if Abby was back from the doctors. She’s so tired of late and he needed to help move Mom’s stuff from her bedroom to get ready for the Diaz family. Trudging back down the hill, he wondered what happened to the piece of birthday cake he took into the woods with him.
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    Deep inside the cavern, the creature blinked her golden eyes, curled up in her chamber, golden tail wrapped protectively around her furry body as she contemplated the shrinking piece of cake in front of her. She did not take it to eat, not having that capability. Curiosity compelled her. It belonged to the human Brother. Maybe it would help with the sadness she felt, knowing he could have been The One . The only reason the Womb even allowed the healing was because she caused the incident. The humane solution called for the creature to let him die in the fall. Sadly, even though he now lives, the human will confront a troublesome road.
    She ached with the knowledge that the only thing she envisioned for herself was the unremitting loneliness of passing years. Reaching out with one of her long golden leathery fingers, she stroked the tiny piece of cake and closed her eyes.

Chapter 4
    Jose hardly remembered his birthplace. At fifteen years old, his height outstripped the average teen from Costa Rica, a lush country known for its riches, lovely people and diverse topography. Mountains, volcanoes, wet rainforests, dry rainforest, hot springs, mud baths, coast lines on two different oceans and rich fabulous wildlife. Unfortunately, he now lived in New Jersey, with his adoptive family. A singularly ugly state of cement, asphalt, exhaust filled highways, billboards, high security prisons, massive tenements and poverty.
    He couldn’t bear to think about his beautiful mother yet he continued to torture himself with the pain, knowing he would never forget. She was found in the garden of their home in San Jose, where his father worked as a police officer.
    His father had been found that morning, in his car in front of his favorite breakfast place. He stopped there every morning, without fail, on his way to the station. He just loved what they could do with a few leftovers and some fresh eggs. He knew they were fresh because he personally knew the names of the chickens in the back of the restaurant. He liked to stick his head in the backyard and say hello to the old mama that fed them. That morning, his head was found sitting in