I didn’t say anything and he laughed as he started making some signs in sign language. I surprisingly knew them. “Hey. I can hear you.” I shouted back.
“Well, then come down here.” He said with a taunting voice as he smirked back up. I jumped down the two-story house tall tree and landed on my feet with ease.
“Wow.” He looked at me in surprise. I looked up at the menacingly tall tree. “How’d you do that?” he said with an easiness that showed me he must know I wasn’t normal. He turned quickly and began to stalk back to his task as though he hadn’t just seen me jump from such a tall height.
I didn’t reply but he still led me to the backyard rope. “What is your name?” he asked as he turned his head slightly to the side, and I detected a smile in his tone.
“Uh. Lena.” I said silently. I knew this wasn’t allowed. Theo made it clear that it was against the rules but I didn’t care. I could lure him in and then sneak attack, then eventually kill him. I decided that was the reason for this, and I was going to stick with it.
He didn’t talk anymore as he led the way. I didn’t ask his name because I didn’t want to get anymore attached than I already was.
“Well, Lena.” A slight grin played on his lips as he spoke my name and I couldn’t help the butterflies from wavering up. “Count of three, pull as hard as you can.” I smiled and cracked my knuckles as if to say, “I can totally handle this.”
“Easy.” I said and he squinted his eyes up at me.
He counted, “One. Two. Three.” He grunted a little on the three and I pulled hard, well, a little too hard. I heard a crack going along the grass until it reached the house and I smiled as bashfully as I could. “Too hard?” I asked coyly. Was this my idea of flirting? Mental slap number three.
“Actually. It was just right. As long as the house doesn’t fall over.” he laughed, and I looked up in amazement. Any time I imagined this boy’s laugh, it was always this way. It was so accurate. Surprised at myself, I dropped the rope and backed away.
His eyes turned up in confusion. “Is everything okay?” he said concerned. I shook my head like an idiot and cleared my throat.
“I uh..” I stopped myself. “I have to get home. Uh you’re welcome with whatever I did.” I backed away and took off running as fast as I could. I heard him shouting my name but I couldn’t turn back. It turned out I could run pretty fast. When I knew I was out of sight, I flew into the air and away from this place and away from the boy who frightened me with his familiarity.
***
From that day on, I knew I would have to try harder at not letting the boy in or let the mysterious boy see me when I went to watch. I had gone once more to see him and all he did was wave. I cursed myself because I wasn’t doing well. I knew I wouldn’t tell anyone about this but that was until Dr. Ravana called me to his office on a cloudy Tuesday. He literally called me through the loud speaker and I shuttered at the embarrassment I felt. I bet Clementine loved that.
Aiden came to pick me up from my room to my dismay and disappointment. “How are we doing today miss?” he asked me with disapproving eyes. That wasn’t the right word, but he didn’t look too pleased with me. We began walking down the hallway.
“A little bored. I’ll survive though.”
“Yes you will. Say, would you like to go see a movie with me sometime? We have a home theater here. It’s downstairs.”
I stopped my pace and looked at him with confusion registering plain on my face. “I don’t know Aiden.” I turned away from him and towards the door. “I think it wouldn’t be the best move for me right now.” I smiled as kindly as I could. “I have to think of my target.” I paused because I felt that I had said too much. An aching in my heart made me think of my target.
Aiden nodded as if he really understood. “That’s okay.” He looked vaguely disappointed. “Hey! I have an idea. I can help you with your target, I can track them down with you.”
“I want to prove my worth on my own.” I stopped myself fast, “I hope you understand. I want to do this on my own.” His smile faltered only to pick up once more.
“Just a thought.” He winked at me and I cringed a little inside. “Ah, here we are.” We approached the double doors, and I felt nervousness throughout my body.
He brought me into the room and I was a little shaken. Dr. Ravana was someone I didn’t want to displease.
“Ah. Hello.” Dr. Ravana said when he saw me. He did not smile but instead gave a smug smirk.
“Hello sir.” I said as calmly as possible and took a seat in front of him. He sat behind his desk and glanced over to Aiden.
“Give me and the lovely lady some time, will you Aiden?” He told him with cautious eyes. I turned to watch Aiden go and took a gulp. I was nervous. What if he had seen what I had done? I talked to the enemy and even showed him my strength.
“Lena.” He said with sincerity. I was happy to know my name now and was even happier to hear the Doctor use it. “First off, I heard what happened with Clementine.” He shook his head lightly, while making a sound of disapproval. I cringed at how cliché that seemed. “Second is a little more important.” He hesitated and I held my breath. “Well, I wanted to know how the target is coming along. Have you found out anything useful about him?” he asked me and leaned in so that he could see me square on.
I felt like blushing but I knew I could hold it in. And I did. Nothing can compare to when you can hide your feelings. I decided to go with half-truths instead of flat out lying. Something inside me told me that I had to lie to not get hurt.
“This target is very secretive.” I told Dr. Ravana. I stopped and he leaned in closer. I wanted to protect this boy. I didn’t care what he had done. I didn’t care if he had really given me the disease because he led me to get these powers. He also gave me hope. “Dr. Ravana, I can not find anything wrong with his behavior.” I was still worried that I didn’t hate this boy.
He got up and sat down right beside me. He reached for my hand. I wanted to jerk it away. I felt a weird sensation of resentment to him but I left it there. “This target has caused us this great pain and suffering. Have you ever wandered around to see death around you? Well this target is responsible for the entire thing.” He smiled miserably at me. “You have been given a great target. He is our number one because he caused the great disease that almost wiped out mankind.” I didn’t want to face that such a lovely person caused pain.
“Did he really do this?” I felt shocked as soon as the words slipped out and I knew my face showed this. Dr. Ravana’s face darkened.
“Lena, this man is full of trickery. He is deceitful and what are all deceitful people known for? They looked beautiful. They are tricksters.” He got up and placed both hands on the arms of the chair I sat in. I cringed but moved forward again. I was no coward. We were almost nose-to-nose. “Have you seen anything? Do not protect him.” He peered his bloodshot eyes into mine. I didn’t trust them like I trusted the beautiful boy’s eyes.
“No.” I said confidently. I was lying to my protector, my master and my ruler. He didn’t move an inch and I stayed put too. I didn’t dare to look away.
“Do not lie to me. It will be a big mistake. Even for you.” I didn’t budge. I felt stronger; I felt defiant.
“Why would I protect our enemy?” I said coolly.
“My sentiments exactly.” He moved away from me and I felt a sickness wash over me. I was lying to my creator. “Well, you must find something out for me. What he knows and then you must kill him.” I felt my breath take. I dreaded this day and I didn’t think it would be this soon. “Do not return to this office unless he is dead in three days. You have three days.”
I was glued to the seat. He noticed. “I know, sweetie. It is your first kill. It will be okay.” I stopped again.
“I thought we helped others. We brought them to you.” I said calmly.
“Oh. You’re right.” He looked thoughtfully. “New conditions. Three days to bring him to me. Alive. You can do
whatever you want to him. If you kill him then that is okay. But I would like to torture him if I can.” I cringed again.
“We aren’t going to make him one of us? I thought that was what our targets were for.” I said steadily as I could muster.
“Not this one. He will die. And you will be the one to deliver him. Fail me and I will show you no mercy.” I felt anger inside me. This “great creator” of mine was nothing but an asshole.
I stood up and wanted to tell him that I wouldn’t bring my target to him. Instead, I instantly couldn’t see anymore. I heard voices. They hissed at me, and I couldn’t escape them. I felt a hand close around my neck and Dr. Ravana spoke close to my ear.
“Dear Lena. Do not be a fool. You are so useful and especially for this. He cannot deny your beauty. He would follow you anywhere. He loves you so.” I was shocked. He didn’t know me nor did he love me. I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but my vision returned to me and I didn’t want to push him further.
Dr. Ravana released me, and I backed away from him, taking a deep breath. “Now get out of here. Find him. Do not speak to him. Do not let him trick you. Remember, he is like a fox and a trickster. Don’t be a fool.” I turned swiftly and knew I would have to capture my target tonight. My feet moved as fast as they would allow me to. Away from his stare. Away from his threats. Away from it all.
Chapter Ten: Cut Deep
AS SOON AS I escaped through the night, I didn’t know how I felt. I wasn’t in control of my own body and I wanted to scream but my mouth was always somehow glued shut when I was blinded by an unknown source. It wasn’t normal. I hated that Dr. Ravana was in control of me all the time. I wanted to be free of him. I didn’t want to kill my target at all.
I was worried that I would run into a wall or worse, get burned by the water. I felt the water singeing me, and I was breathless as I fought through it. I jerked my head around as fast as I could but I still couldn’t see. I yanked open my mouth to let out a shout and finally my mouth obeyed open. I screamed and saw that my sight came back, but fuzzy. As soon as my scream faded, my eyes went black. The next scream was long and drawn out, I saw without any fuzz around the edges.
I felt like a bat. They had to make a sound to be able to guide them. I needed to scream to see. I felt my voice cracking as I screamed. I understood why I was blinded. I was being led straight to my target’s house. My vision was red and on the side of my vision, I saw words. Before I could make them out, my voice faltered and I groaned in frustration. This was the only way to stay in control and it was flawed by my voice being too weak. I remembered that my scream had affected more than just my vision. During my fight with Clementine, I almost killed her. Or maybe it wasn’t my voice because that would have been silly.
I landed on pavement and saw without having to scream. I winced as I saw my target’s house. I didn’t even know his name, and I would have to kill him. I couldn’t handle how I felt. He was so special to me, and I didn’t even know him. Dr. Ravana said this boy loved me. It might have been a slip up, but I couldn’t help but believe it.
How would I catch him? He would know I was here, as he always seemed to. I needed a plan. I could go through the front door but he seemed so attentive that I knew I would have to catch him off guard somehow.
I stood there for a second before jumping on the roof. I landed with a thud and quickly flattened myself down on the roof so that no one would see me. I slowed my breathing. My hands began to shake from nerves, and I needed a way to calm down. I reached out of instinct down to my neck and froze when I felt something there. My necklace, the one Clementine so desperately wanted.
Warmth ran through my body and I suddenly felt calm. I peered down to see a golden key necklace around my neck. It was beautiful; there were diamonds that followed the side of the key. They each held a promise to me, a promise that I wasn’t alone. At that moment, a flash of an auditorium entered my mind. A face so familiar came into view. I jumped up as I felt a memory sweep into my brain and I clenched my fist as it went away too quickly. It was there on the tip of my brain but I could not grasp it. Frustration shot through me, and I felt tears wanting to gather in my eyes but they wouldn’t come. I wanted to remember what more there was to my life before this. This key, this necklace was a part of me. I knew it was. What could Clementine possibly want with this? I had to know. But first, I had to do my job.
I peeled my eyes away from my necklace and looked at the tin on the roof. Dr. Ravana deliberately made me land on my target’s house so I could get the job done, but I wasn’t ready. I felt so close to the house and the boy inside. I knew he was something to me. I had to just ask.
I looked to my side to see the window on top of the roof, the one he saw me in just nights before, was open. I decided I would just have to go inside and get this over with. I swooped down the hole and before I knew it, I was face to face with him. His eyes were striking. They seemed to hold the world within them because I could not move from that place.
He exhaled loudly and closed his eyes briefly. He held a bag that was the size of a bowling ball and I met his eyes as they opened once more. I stopped as my throat constricted. Now that he was right in front of me, I remembered that he was someone I had seen before. Not just a few days ago, but someone I was once supposed to stop. I froze as I remembered he was my target once before.
I thought my life started when I woke up to this new world, but I was like this before. I might not remember anything but his face made me remember something terrible. We had to fly to their safe house. All of us together and seeing him, I remembered it now. I remembered how he made me feel then too. He confused me. I loved him and I didn’t know why. My memory must have been wiped because the love I felt. I closed my eyes. I let myself be vulnerable. I felt safe in his wake.
I had blacked out this event and probably many other things until I saw his face again. Then I remembered my mission and this consumed my thoughts. I was not going to be punished with memory loss again because I had failed to get this target once more and had loved him.
He reached for my waist and his face neared me. He was going to kiss me and I felt pure panic coursing through my veins. If I let him, then that would mean I was failing Dr. Ravana. I wanted to feel his lips as his eyes closed and his mouth opened slightly. This was to my advantage and I lunged back. My hand met his nose, and I felt the delicious crack and his defied groan. He was unsteady for a moment but gained his balance with perfect precision.
He lifted his hand to his nose and looked at me in surprise. I watched a small pool of blood run from his nose. For some odd reason, he seemed to smile at me. He stared at me and I was frozen in place by the intensity of this look. Finally, he broke his gaze and I could breath again.
He hurled the small bag at me, it made me hunch over from the intensity of the throw and he took off running. I flew after him and landed right in front of him. I smiled at him villainously and kicked him hard in the gut. He was huddled over, but he stood standing and did not fall to the ground. He glanced up to me, and I saw that blood was pouring from his nose, but he still looked like something from a dream. I was getting annoyed with myself. I shouldn’t be infatuated with this monster. I wanted to knock him unconscious so that he could be taken in.
“Lena.” He said in the softest way. It made me stop as my heart ached, and I wanted to reach out to him but stopped myself. “Look at me. Remember me.” I didn’t know what he meant but it slowed me down. He smiled deeply, and I shuttered. He was tricking me.
I threw another punch towards his jaw but this time he dodged it. I grunted in frustration. “Fight back, you coward.” I said forcefully.
He smiled weakly. “I would never lay a hand on you. Even here. Even now.” I stopped again and shook my head to get him out of my thoughts.
“I have to take you in. You have done an injustice to the world. Look around you and see the destruction you have caused the world. You’re a monster. Hit me. It wouldn’t hurt. You’re a disgusting creature w
ho has thrust upon us so much devastation. It is my job to destroy you or bring you to be destroyed.” I didn’t even believe my words, it was as if I were trained to say these things. Hell, maybe I was. He didn’t look frightened. He stared obliquely in my direction.
“I do not care. Lena, I do not care. I don’t want to be here without you anyways. The real you.” He said calmly.
“This is the only me that I know and you don’t even know me. So will you go willingly then?” I said to him evenly.
“I do know you.” He stepped towards me and reached for my face. I slapped his hand away forcibly, and he didn’t even twitch away in pain. He reached with the other hand before I could stop it. His hand might as well have burned me. I closed my eyes and I felt like I was melting beneath his touch. “I know who you are and this isn’t it. Remember me. Please just try to love me again.” I jerked my head away.
“Who are you? I don’t know you.”
“You do know me. I know you think of me even now. You follow me around.” He smirked with an arrogance I couldn’t stand.
“It is my job to follow you. I don’t know your name though.” He didn’t speak as I hoped he would tell me his name so I continued. “I don’t know you or what you’ve done but I do know that you destroyed the world and caused so much heartache.” Or so I have been told.
“Do you remember that you are the last hope of the world? Don’t be so damn stupid.” He shouted and I felt my anger boil. I felt his stare boring into me and I was trying to keep myself above the anger.
“Be careful what you say to me.” I said through gritted teeth and heard the fierceness in my voice. He continued on. He was not afraid of me still.
“You don’t determine the fate of others. You are a stupid little girl who has some fancy new powers that will never amount to anything. You’re a useless girl. You had so much to give.”
Antidote Trilogy: The Complete Box Set Page 25