There was stunned silence followed by one man clearing his throat and standing up.
“Mr. Christenson, this is the former leader of the terrorist group you sought to annihilate…” he whispered.
“Yes, it is. What better way to rehabilitate her?” Dana said strongly. “I assure you, I have fully educated her, and she is now one hundred percent in agreement with the Commission’s actions, and is also an active member in the Machine of Neutralization project.”
“You cannot expect us to accept this,” one woman snapped. “After what she did…after what she did to our children.”
“Ah, technically, what you did to your children,” Dana smiled darkly. “No one thought to go after their children? To lead them back down the correct path? You basically gave them to me when you agreed we were going after the Central Angels. What you, as parents, did was far less noble that what Little Lily did.”
I let out a chuckle and raise my voice.
“People of the Commission, you know that I was part of the Central Angels, and I’m sure you feel extremely uncomfortable with me being here before you today. But I can assure you, I have seen the error of my ways, and I have changed in ways you could never imagine. Rather than attack Mr. Christenson about bringing me on board, you should be celebrating him. He has proven that the Commission is powerful enough to withstand even a direct attack because, in the end, people will always come around. He taught me that the true power of the Commission, of Central, of America, was the peace the Commission of the People has been able to maintain.” I turn to Dana and smile, raising my hands. “Let’s applaud Dana Christenson.”
I start clapping alone, smiling at Dana, but the applause follows shortly after as Dana turns to me.
“Too much…” he whispered with a smile.
I participate in the meeting as I have never before. I listen from the side as the different presenters talk about the coverage of the false manhunt for Chris, and the plan of finally releasing Eyna only for the purposes of taking down Chris and proving we have the power to remove the terror.
“By the way,” I say, turning to Dana, “Chris was a nice touch.”
“Thank you,” Dana smiled. “I was proud of it.”
International relations were discussed and plans were laid out for the week. The three hour meeting passed with amazing progress, and I was able to pay attention to the information while still staring around the room at the faces that were trying not to turn to me.
However, when the meeting was over, they could not escape me.
I move like water between them, conversing with parents who had obviously only heard of me as the one who corrupted their children and destroyed their families, possibly even their reputation. After some flirting, the fathers are practically licking the palm of my hand and the mothers are shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
Of course, that’s not the technique to use on my own parents.
“Lily…” my father whispers, blinking as I approach.
“Dad.” I nod to him. I turn to the woman at his side. “Mom.”
“Lily,” my mother hissed. “We…we thought you were dead…”
“Your daughter is dead,” I assure with a smile. “That must make it much easier to handle.”
“Lily…please, understand…”
“I’m not upset, Mother,” I grin. “How could I be? Do you see how powerful I am now? I’m just like Dana. You should be happy.”
“Are you happy, Lily?”
“Dad, really?” I bark a laugh. “I have never been happier. And you don’t have to worry about me being rebellious against the Commission now. I really understand its role and how important it is to the peace of the world.”
“Well, Tommy, Karen,” Dana smiled, stepping up behind me. I felt him approaching long before and am not startled when he puts a hand on my waist. “What do you think?”
“I…I don’t know what to say, Dana,” my father said slowly. “It’s such a shock…I would have preferred if you had told us that she was in your care…”
“We assumed that she was…” my mother whispered, looking hurriedly between us. It was obvious she was frightened by my appearance. I have a sense of excitement at the feeling and find myself smiling.
“I was not sure how you would react.” Dana shrugged. “To be honest, you were so quick to turn her over to me, I wasn’t sure if you even wanted to know what happened to her.”
I chuckle and bite my bottom lip.
“Is this going to be uncomfortable?” I ask, trying to sound concerned. “I mean, after all, we’re going to be working together. I would not want anything from the past to hurt that relationship.”
They are both surprised to hear me talk in such a manner. It really is comical how they cannot seem to get their thoughts together enough to talk to me.
“Well…it will be difficult, of course,” my mother murmured.
“But manageable?” I press.
They looked between Dana and me, but then slowly nodded. Not like we gave them any other choice. Of course they would have to learn how to work with us. There was no way for them to get out.
“Excellent,” I smile.
“Now that that’s settled, Little Lily, if I may speak to you…” Dana said, motioning for me to follow him. I smile at my parents once more before following Dana.
“See?” he grinned, putting his arm over my shoulder and hugging me. “Let your instincts take over and you can play everyone in the room perfectly.”
“I never realized people were this easy.”
“Extremely simple creatures,” Dana agreed, looking around as we cleared the area with the tables and made our way back into the cold stare of Mrs. Markus. I ignore her.
“So, you don’t want to do anything to them,” Dana stated, turning to face me as I glance back at my parents, knowing exactly what he meant.
“No,” I say with a smile. “I think it will be enough that they have to confront me every week.”
“I love the way your mind works,” he breathed.
“It works just like yours, I’m sure,” I tease, winking.
“Why do you think I love it so much?”
I gently run my hand along the lapel of his suit and glance at him with a smile.
“I think I have been a very good girl, lately…”
“I would have to agree…”
“And, as a reward, I think it would only be fair if you let me play a little…” I hiss, blinking at him slowly. He sighs and looks hesitant as I press myself close to him.
“Come on, let me try…” I pout. Dana smiled and gently ran his fingers over my cheek.
“You think you’re ready for the big leagues?” he challenges me. I nod.
Looking thoughtful and taking a deep breath, he glanced around the socializing room.
“Fine, you think you’re ready?” He turns me around and leans close to my ear. “Pick a target.”
I look around the room of potential prey, singling out the few that catch my interest. Finally, I see the one I want in the crowd, nervous, constantly casting an eye around, knowing that a predator was close.
“That one,” I tell him, nodding to my victim.
Dana smiled and his hand skimmed down my waist as he nipped at my ear.
“Very good choice,” he complimented. “You have six hours,” he tells me, smacking my ass and making me feel twice as empowered.
I take a deep breath, finding the center I need, and then I walk to my target. As I am walking, Sean approaches me, nervous.
“Lily, what are you doing?” he asked, his tone tight with concern. I pat him on the lapel, winking at him.
“We’ll play later,” I promise, walking toward my target again. I admit, I am impressed with Sean’s ability to see my entire demeanor change with the object of my game in sight. It makes me want him more. But not tonight.
My hips are moving smoothly as I stride to the group, gently weaving through the others in the room and finally walking up behind my
target.
I tap the shoulder.
The way she stiffens before she turns around tells me that she understands exactly who is behind her. She turned anyway.
“Lily…” she whispered, her eyes wide.
“Becca,” I grin. “I’m surprised to see you here. Dana didn’t tell me that you had joined the Commission.”
“Well…y-you know, with my inside knowledge…he kinda had to let me in…”
“Without your parents?” I ask, looking around her at the group staring at me.
“…yes,” Becca admitted. “But he’s thinking of bringing them in, since my mother is having an affair with your father as it is.”
She tried to make the comment sharp, but all it did was make me shiver, thrilled at the twist of fate.
“Is that so?” I giggle. “Good for them. Must be thrilling…”
“You’re not upset?”
“Why should I be?” I chuckle. “Are you?”
“Of course,” Becca snapped. Her face softened and her eyes became fearful. “How long have you been down here? How much do you know?”
“I’ve only been out of the back for two weeks or so,” I answer. “I’m still learning some things. I would love to catch up with you. I have been wondering what you’re up to.” I glance at the rest of the group, silently telling them to leave. They obeyed, bidding quick goodbyes to Becca. I motion for her to sit at the nearby unoccupied table, moving to take a seat myself. She remained where she stood until I was seated completely. I chuckle when she does not join me.
“It’s alright.”
Slowly, she lowered herself to her seat, crossing her legs and pulling her skirt over her knees. I proudly let my hemline rest at my upper thigh. I look over Becca’s nervous frame, taking in her state of mind and seeing what I could exploit. Admittedly, I cannot remember much about our last meeting other than that we were in an alleyway. I need to relearn her to play my game with her.
Six hours is more than enough time.
“How soon after our last meeting did you get pulled into the Commission?” I ask bluntly. She blinked, leaning back in her seat, surprised at how simply I had asked the question. I smile, warming my expression. “There is no need to be concerned. I bear no grudge against you.”
“You don’t? Even after…”
I lean forward and place my hand over hers on her knee. She jumps, surprised at the sudden contact and I change the look in my eyes, adjusting my entire body to show sincerity and undeniable warmth.
“It’s in the past…and regardless of everything, we’re going to be working together here in the Commission. I want to make sure that we can be friends.”
“But…you’ve changed so much…” she murmured, her eyes flicking back and forth between my hand and my eyes.
“So have you,” I purr, but gently, being sure not to come on too strong until I had her relaxed. “To think, someone of your particular tastes in the mouth of the lion…”
She lowered her head. I squeeze her hand and she glances back up at me.
“It’s alright,” I whisper. “This is probably the safest place. And after everything you did for the Commission, I’m sure that you’re safe.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.
“I’m sure of it,” I smile. “If you were going to be captured, it would have happened already. Besides, I’m sure Dana likes you.”
“Oh…he’s kinda frightening,” she chuckled brokenly, her body slowly relaxing. My hand is still on hers, being sure to establish physical contact early. I laugh and nod.
“He can be intense.”
“I thought you hated him…” she hissed, leaning closer. I look around, pretending that the watching Dana does not know what I’m trying to accomplish, before leaning forward.
“I didn’t understand him before. He’s still intense, of course, but I understand a little better, now.”
She is skeptical, I can tell. However, she is more relaxed, which makes it easier for me to talk to her.
“No one at school knows you’re a Commish Kid?”
“There are no more Commish Kids,” she muttered. “And I don’t want anyone to know.”
I nod. She leaned close again.
“What happened to everyone?”
“The Commish Kids?” I ask. “Well, ten of those in the rebellion were killed. Three surrendered before the final capture and, as far as I know, are with the other survivors in the holding cells.”
“What’s going to happen to them?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her, looking down at the ground. “It just depends…”
“On what?”
“A lot of factors.”
“Lily, there’s a lot I want to say to you,” she said. There is the first crack in her barriers. I smile and squeeze her hand, trying to provide some comfort. She opens her mouth again, but stops when I move. I look around the empty room, noticing that even Dana had left with Sean. There are a few guards around because we are there, but I realize quickly this is the best moment to exploit the weakness in her armor.
“Actually…” I whisper, nodding to the guards in the quiet room. “Maybe we should go somewhere a little more…private?”
She looks around as well and nods.
“Good idea…where can we go? Do you have an office now or something?” she tried to laugh, though I can feel her nerves getting high again. I smile.
“No, I share an office with Dana. But I have my own room.” That’s a lie. I plan to move to a specific room. I move confidently, my hand no longer on hers, as I lead her into the back. I tell the guards that she is a close friend and I can see them smile knowingly. Surely, with Dana, they came to understand the way we play. One insisted that he follow, just in case there was any trouble, as was ordered by Dana.
Becca follows close as I lead her down the numbered rooms to the third door without a number, which was one of the four rooms that belonged to Dana. The third room is one I remember well as the room in which my transformation began.
I slide my card over the lock and hold the door open for her. Becca stepped inside worriedly, looking around the simple room as if waiting for something to jump out. I turn to the guard, who positions himself next to the door, pretending he does not know what is about to happen, even though I can see the knowing glint in his eyes.
I close the door and turn to Becca. She is standing still in the middle of the room, wringing her hands nervously behind her back, which I know from the tensing of the muscles in her arms.
Knowing I have to calm her down before I can do anything else, I motion for her to sit on the bed, walking to the chair by the desk and wheeling it out to sit near her, but not right across from her, giving her some physical space.
She slowly lowers herself to sit the bed. I am disappointed that the chains that were once attached to the headboard are no longer there. They would have been very useful…
I guess I’ll have to improvise.
“Lily…you said that there is no grudge between us…” Becca started, rubbing her hands together in her lap, avoiding eye contact. I sit in the chair, looking at her, being sure to keep my arms uncrossed to avoid appearing defensive. “Are you sure you can forget that?”
“It’s not forgotten,” I lie, “but it’s understandable why you did what you did…and truthfully, it was for the best in the long run.” I only have a small inkling of what I’m talking about.
“You really believe that? After Josh?”
Who?
“Yes,” I nod. “It was hard at the time, but…you know, sometimes things happen that we just can’t understand until we reach the other end of the tunnel.”
“I feel so guilty…” she murmured. “I got so scared…I was terrified that you were actually killing people, and that it was Mykail who was attacking Central…but then I got here and I learned that you had been right.”
I listen to her, vague memories of distant times slowly bubbling to the surface. They are unclear, out of sequence, and
it is difficult to tell what ones were from a dream and what had once been my reality.
“I spent months agonizing over what I had done…”
I tilt my head to the side, my eyes remaining soft. There is a tremor in her voice. She is close to tears. I see the situation play out in my head before it even happens and smile internally.
What a fun game.
“And then I see you…like this…”
“What do you mean?” I press, sounding genuinely curious, even though I know I am reading from a script to get what I want.
“Well…you’re just…not Lily anymore.”
“What are you talking about?” I chuckle lightly, shaking my head. “Of course I’m Lily.”
“No…you’re someone else,” Becca murmured, her voice trembling as she fought the tears. I wait on each passing beat, knowing she is going to break soon. “You’ve been changed by Dana…and…it’s all my fault…”
There it was.
She bowed her head forward, the tears gathering in her eyes as she hiccupped, trying to control herself. I make my move, sitting next to her on the bed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. She leaned her head on my shoulder and sniffed, reaching to her face, becoming intelligible as she mumbled into her hand.
“I should not have been so weak…b-because of me…people are dead…changed…h-how could…”
I rub my hand over her arm, reestablishing touch after our departure from the meeting hall. I remain silent, letting her cry and babble against me, offering comfort and drawing her close slowly, putting pressure on her shoulder that brings her closer to me.
She cries for seven minutes, releasing tension in her body that had been there for months, apparently, and her entire being weakens in exhaustion. I pull her closer and closer, until she has one hand on my leg, my own hand covering hers while the other strokes her shoulder. I am no longer pulling. I am merely trailing my fingers over her skin, gently pushing the edge of her sleeve upward.
Becca started to lift her head every now and then to wipe the tears away, which was a sign she was calming.
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