Headsets For Fear

VILLAIN 06 : LEAH

Fifty days after

Leah leaned against the door of Amara's office. She knew that Amara would be mad if she found out, but she couldn't help but listen to the conversation between her and Callan.

It wasn't long since Callan had entered. Yet, Leah could feel the tension seeping out through the walls and the door. The room was sound proof - but she had managed to create a program and nullify that effect.

"That was the only thing I asked you not to do," Callan said. His voice was low, but it was clear to Leah that her son was angrier than he had ever bee. "And you couldn't even listen to that?"

"I had no other choice, Callan," Amara insisted, her voice strained. "I know you loved her. But she was becoming a hindrance."

"I don't believe you," Callan said.

"Really?" Amar chuckled, her disbelief clear, "you don't trust me after all the times I got you out of messes? After all the times I protected your spotless reputation and tainted mine? You don't trust me?"

"That doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want."

"As if you haven't been doing that," Amara snapped.

"What do you mean?" Leah could sense the guilt from Callan's voice, even though she couldn't see him.

"Didn't you constantly hide information from me?"

For the first time, Leah couldn't hear Callan reply.

"I've been making things easier for you ever since I got you out. Admit it, if I weren't there, you wouldn't have managed to get this far," Callan finally asserted.

Amara laughed. "I know. I admit it. But don't think you can change the subject so easily, Callan. She's dead. It's over. So you'd better do your work with more sincerity."

"Like hell I would," Callan shouted. "I'd kill you before that."

There was silence. Then the door opened, and Leah found herself staring at Callan, who didn't show even the slightest sign of surprise to see her eavesdropping. Amara, on the other hand, was evidently furious.

But as Callan strided past them, Leah thought that going after him was more important.

Tears were flowing down Callan's cheeks, an expression of emotion which Leah rarely saw. She followed him until he entered his office and sat on the chair with a huff.

"Hey," Leah said softly. She had no idea what she could say to him that would comfort him. But she wasn't going to let him do anything rash.

He didn't reply. He was lost in his own world, apparently. It was a good thing that this room was sound proof as well, and no one had tampered with it. She didn't want Callan's loud sobs to enter the ears of anyone else.

"She killed her, Mom," Callan stuttered. "I'm going to take revenge."

"Callan, dear, I understand your pain. But please don't do anything you'll regret."

"I won't regret it, Mom," Callan said. There was a sudden drop in the temperature of the room. Leah could not believe what she had just heard.

"I'll kill her," Callan repeated. His tear-stained face grew resolute. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. She's not doing the right thing. I need to end this, since I was the one who started it."

"No, you won't do anything, Callan. Don't you remember all that she did for you?"

"Oh yeah, I do," Callan replied cynically. "She did a lot of stuff to train me. And to use me."