The Star Group by Christopher Pike Page A

day.” He paused. “Is there something wrong?”
    I sat down on a medium-size boulder. “No.”
    Sal smiled. “I love this place. I feel so good here. I slept like a baby last night.”
    “That's what I wanted to talk to you about, last night. At breakfast this morning you didn't say anything about Mentor.” I paused. “Do you think it's all nuts?”
    Sal sat and pulled out a cigarette. “Not at all. There's something there, that guy sure can speak on profound subjects.”
    “But what did you feel after he led us through the seven centers?”
    Sal lit his cigarette. “I just felt great, but I think I fell asleep somewhere in the middle.”
    “What's the last thing you remember?”
    Sal considered and then shook his head. “I'm honestly not sure. I just know I had a bunch of psychedelic dreams afterward.”
    “But you feel good now?”
    “Yeah.” Sal stood back up and did a couple of deep knee bends. “What do you think of that?”
    “I don't think you should go out for the cheerleader squad in college. What do you mean?”
    He beamed. “My knee feels better than it has since I hurt it. You probably don't notice because I don't walk with much of a limp, but I always have some pain in my left knee. Now it's gone.”
    “Totally?”
    “Yeah. I don't even feel a twinge.”
    “That's incredible. Do you think it has anything to do with last night?”
    Sal was puzzled. “Why do you say that?”
    I shook my head. “Never mind.” I pointed at the rocks. “Those are pretty big rocks to be tossing around.”
    Sal measured me with his eyes, which made me feel uneasy. But it wasn't as if his manner was hostile, only elusive. I couldn't imagine Sal angry, especially not at me.
    “What are you getting at, Daniel?” he asked.
    I stood. “Nothing. Have a nice hike. I'm going back.”
    Sal didn't offer to accompany me.
    I found another solitary explorer thirty minutes later – Jimmy. He was sitting by himself on a stone ledge, staring off into the distance. The sun was brilliant in the sky, and I missed having my sunglasses. Like Sal, Jimmy did not even notice me approaching. He didn't jump when he saw me, only flashed me a beatific smile.
    “How are you?” he asked. He appeared to be drunk.
    “Great.” I climbed up on the ledge. “Where's Shena?”
    “I don't know.”
    “What are you doing out here by yourself?”
    “Grooving.”
    I sat beside him. “Are you stoned?”
    He kept grinning. “I feel like it, but I'm not. I think your Mentor session did something to me.”
    He was a pleasant change from the others. Actually, Jimmy had already been out for a walk when I awoke. He was the only one I hadn't questioned.
    “Tell me what's happening,” I said.
    It was his turn to look embarrassed. “I know this will sound crazy, but when I sit here and close my eyes I’m able to see things far away.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I see things in my head. Things that I can't see when my eyes are open.”
    “How do you know these things are real?”
    “Because I can see them! They have to be real!”
    Mentor had mentioned that powers would manifest themselves.
    “Can I test your ability?” I asked.
    “I knew you were going to ask that. But don't give me a formal test, just go with me to see if the treasure is where I think it is.”
    “What treasure?” I asked.
    “Somebody buried a bag of gold dust a mile from here. I can see it. I can see it even underground!”
    I was doubtful. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”
    Jimmy was offended. “Ridiculous? You told us last night about an alien from another planet communicating with you via some sort of telepathy, and you say that l sound ridiculous?”
    He did have a point. “How are you going to dig up this treasure? We don't have a shovel.”
    Jimmy was already on his feet. “We won't need a shovel if I'm right. It's only three feet below the surface.”
    I stood and brushed off my pants. “If we find it do I get half?”
    Jimmy hurried