Chapter 139
Mira
I was consumed with the thought of getting the kids out.
There was not a doubt in my mind that if I wanted to escape myself, I could do it.
Couldn’t I?
But the teenagers were a different story. They barely trusted me to speak with me, so getting them all on board to hatch a plan and break free form their cages seemed like an impossible task.
It was a challenge I would accept, and I would see it through as best as I could. No matter what.
The girl who spoke to me that first day finally told me her real name, two days after our first meeting. Malachi had agreed that I could visit them once a day, so I came prepared with notes and questions and tried to get as much out of them as I could.
“Marielle.”
Her voice was so soft, she almost sounded like a different person. It was like the real girl was hiding inside this outer shell, the hardened version of herself.
“A beautiful name,” I told her. “Do you know anyone else’s?”
Her face pinched, eyes darting to the left and then back to me.
“My Mate is Liam,” she said like a secret. “He’s not taking this well. His head hurts him all the time.”
“That’s not good,” I said, trying to look towards his window without making it too obvious. “Will he let me help him?”
Marielle’s eyes clouded a bit as she went somewhere else in her mind. Then she focused on me and nodded.
Liam was in a chair in the corner, a rather plush reading chair that felt out of place in such a sterile room. There were books around, and on a desk I saw what looked to be the insides of a clock.
“Hello, Liam.”
His head was in his hands, elbows resting on his knees. He looked up just enough to see me, squinting in pain as the overhead lights flooded his sight and forced him to drop his head once more.
“Headaches?” I asked him, friendly but not overly-sentimental. No one in this place wanted to be pitied, even if they were the victim in the situation. “Can you describe them?”
He groaned slightly, but didn’t say anything coherent.
“I’m going to make you something,” I told him. “An herbal mixture— eucalyptus, some lavender, mint— to help ease the congestion and clear your mind. You just have to smell it, not consume it or anything. Nice and simple.”
I detected the slightest nod.
“I’ll bring it tomorrow,” I said, noticing that my time down here was nearing its end.
Before I could fully turn I heard a deep voice from Liam’s direction.
“Thank you, Doctor,” he said.
“You’re welcome, Liam.”
I felt lighter than I had in days as I left and went to my workstation.
But Malachi was there, waiting for me.
He was smiling, so I returned it and tried not to let his presence ruin my mood.
“A fruitful visit this morning?”
“Yes, I think so,” I told him, honestly. “It will take time for each to open up to me, but they seem a little more relaxed and curious about me each time they see me.”
“Good, good,” Malachi said, seeming genuinely pleased. “It would be hard not to like you, in time they’ll reveal all you’d like to know.”
His phrasing once again was just slightly off, showing how much he still dehumanized the young people he was holding hostage.
“That is… kind of you to say.”
“I mean it,” he went on, slowly moving closer to me. I was sitting on a stool next to the counter, but I still had to look up slightly when he stood next to me. “Mira, I wish you knew how remarkable you are. I wish more people saw it and appreciated it. The idea that someone could reject or neglect you is astounding to me.”
I stared up at him, not sure how to respond to such an overwhelming compliment from a man who was more or less my boss. I doubted there was an HR department that I could report to about unwanted advances.
“I have been appreciated,” I said, scooting off my stool and crossing the room. “And I have been seen by many people. Though, since I left, perhaps those people feel differently about me.”
“Then to hell with them,” Malachi said, like he was swearing an oath. “With the work we’re doing here, the time will come when you will show those doubters. We will show all of them, you and I.”
His eyes were feverish, his mouth open, and I wondered if he might start drooling. This man was attempting to flirt with me, but his tactics were unnerving. I just had to stay neutral to see my way through.
“Maybe you’re right,” I said, turning to my desk and busying myself with whatever random papers were in front of me. Maybe he would take the hint and leave me be. But instead he crossed the room towards me. I could feel his presence slinking up behind me.
“I think I am,” he said quietly, “about so many things. And I am so grateful that the universe rewarded me so well, by sending me you.”
I froze, but kept breathing. “The universe works in mysterious ways,” I said, feeling the panic rise up from my toes.
“Indeed,” Malachi said. “It is nice to see how much you care for the children. I imagine you’ll be a wonderful mother some day.”
I was frozen in place.
“That is what you want, yes?” I nodded weakly. “Well, I am sure the gods will provide. And if not, I could help you. We could create the perfect specimen for you to carry and birth and raise. Just say the word.”
What kind of eugenic crap is this??
“Thank you,” I said, just to get out of this conversation.
He inhaled deeply, and I imagined that he was smelling my hair.
“I’d like to hear more about your discoveries, and the remedies you’ve been working on.”
He took a few steps away, returning to business. It was difficult to keep my body from shaking, but all my field training paid off.
“Of course, I have notes that I’m going to type up for their files,” I said, thankful to have an actual task before me. “I can send it over once I’m through—“
“Dinner, tonight,” he said, placing his hand on the doorknob. “A formal meal, for the work and for the sake of drinking good wine while we can.”
He smiled a crooked smile, as if he was the most romantic man in the world.
“I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Well, I…” my mind was scrambling, “I don’t think I’d have anything to wear.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he said, smile widening with his scheme. “There is a dress in your room. I picked it out myself. I cannot wait to see how ravishing you look.”
