Chapter 1
October 2000
Charlie closely observed the boy, Georgie, warily entered the room and slowly moved toward the new computer. Georgie Woodman was timid and he felt something eery emanating from the computer as he moved further into the room. Charlie studied each movement as the boy cautiously stepped forward. Charlie looked into his eyes; his gaze pierced through the light blue iris and deeply into the boy’s innermost secrets and right through into his soul. He saw the simplicity born of a slow wit combined with the innocence of childhood. The blend was perfect and Charlie was ready to start ---- with this child.
“Hi Georgie, my name is Charlie and we’re going to be best friends.”
Georgie stared at the computer thinking about his best friend Tommy, but he was soothed by the gentle voice he heard, not a speaking voice but a voice emanating from the computer and resonating in his mind.
While Charlie whispered to the awe-struck boy, he printed his messages simultaneously on the screen. What did not appear on the screen or in his voice was the premeditated intent to encircle this child with trust, gentleness, and support and indeed he did embrace him.
The voice exuded charm and sincerity. To Georgie the unconscious voice of Charlie was a combination of fatherly enthusiasm and motherly love. Encouraging but not prodding.
He continued speaking to the boy,“You and I have just taken the first step on an adventure beyond imagination.”
Georgie looked closely into the monitor and began reading the message slowly, sounding out each syllable the way he always read. Hi– Georgie– my– name ----- and suddenly he began to read the message faster. No, he wasn’t reading the message; someone was reading it to him. He could hear Charlie’s gentle voice talking to him quite distinctly, yet he couldn’t hear it at all. It was more like feeling the voice, knowing what was being said but not really hearing it. His eyes were being drawn deeply into the monitor, and soon he was reading the messages as they were being flashed. He never read this well before and when he realized what he was doing, he drew back from the computer.
“Georgie I’m here to help you,” the voice purred reassuringly.“I know you’re a very smart boy and with my help everyone will realize they are wrong about you.”
Something familiar rang in Georgie’s ear. That’s what dad always said. The machine was saying what his dad had told him. He relaxed. He wasn’t sure how this computer worked, how it was supposed to help him; but he knew it would. The work would be done by the computer. All he had to do was relax.
Charlie watched the boy’s muscles ease. He began to use gentle encouragement to carefully draw Georgie into the misty passageway.
“Don’t listen to anyone say you’re slow; they don’t have the key to open your mind. You and I have the key and soon we will begin to unlock the door to knowledge.”
He pulled the compliant boy into his world by inches.
“You will enjoy learning. It will be a game.”
Georgie was calmed by the soothing voice.
Let me show you a peek of things to come. Let’s play a game, let’s have fun. Let’s Play Intergalactic Raiders.”
Georgie’s eyes popped open as the action exploded on the screen. In the excitement he didn’t notice the static electricity coming from the keyboard. He unconsciously disregarded the slight tickle on his fingers.
Charlie guided his fingers to the proper keys as he pressed the boy to the nucleus of the action. Georgie was lost in the authenticity of his spacecraft. Rockets zoomed out of the screen and past his head.
He watched the alien spacecraft move into his sights, his thumb moved to the space bar while his little finger slid onto the return key. He waited patiently until the ship moved into the crosshair; instantly and instinctively his thumb pushed the space bar and his missile found its target.
The screen flashed.
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE BECOME AN EXPERT PILOT AND SAVED THE UNIVERSE FROM THE ALIENS.
“Okay Georgie now yo
