LINKAGE (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 23: THE CUBE

Angelina ran through those busy hallways like people were not around. She bumped into them, and some swore at her for making their belongings fall on the floor, but in the end, she didn't listen to it at all. She was more focused on crossing the first part of the State Union to get to a block she never thought she would have to be in again, since the first time 22 years ago.

Something she did that day did not work out the way she planned and now a lot of things were at stake, and the most important thing she could ever accomplish, her family, was being threatened by Kyedoth himself during that night.

Angelina did not know what was going on in Kyedoth's mind to do it, but when she was about to leave the office and head home, she received a physical letter, formally written and signed by the President, letting her know that her family was under his custody and her presence was being requested immediately at the Cube room at the end of the State Union.

She ran as fast as she could to get there. Some people were also heading there because it was not normal to have the Cube being used so suddenly like that. The so-called Cube had 160 square meters, made out of glass, letting everything inside of it be visible. It was a weapon that Kye develop himself so he could bring death and justice whenever he felt like it was needed.

Angelina stood in front of a staircase, and she walked it down to find Kye's back facing her, and her family unconscious on the floor next to them. Her two youngest children and her husband. Kye turned around, not caring if the whole crew that worked in the State Union was watching it. He smiled widely at Angelina while the woman felt fear, desperation, and a wave of immeasurable anger toward that old man.

"Mrs. Bethervan! Hi! We were waiting for you." He said cheerfully like he was very excited for what was about to happen. "Do you recognize these people?" He pointed to her family laying on the floor, probably knocked out by anesthesia.

"What is the point of this, Kyedoth? Have you lost your fucking mind?" She started walking to the man, but the federals standing next to him pointed their guns at Angelina, making her stop immediately.

"No, I did not. Actually, I have never been more conscious in my life. You, on the other hand, probably lost it when you thought you could transfer expensive and high-technology equipment around the city without me noticing. I know everything, Mrs. Bethervan." He said, making Angelina realize he found out about the tricks she did that day to get the equipment Isaac requested. She was not aware that her son was being chased by the Federal Opus at that exact moment. "I know you transferred it to Atham DeVare Institute and the troops are already inside the place to get to know whatever you were trying to do in a restoring building."

"I want you to prove I did it, and let my family go." She raised her tone to the President, who didn't like it at all.

"You know very well I cannot prove it because you did an amazing job faking documents and persuading workers to do so. I know you are up to something for a while, Angelina. You better tell me now, instead of one of your beloved ones will be inside the Cube in the next five minutes." Angelina knew he was not playing. Kyedoth Malone did not play with threats. When he did it, he meant it for real.

Angelina couldn't tell why she transferred the equipment to the Institute. She couldn't tell what Isaac and Gavin were up to. It killed her to think she was about to sacrifice her family for this, the feeling just didn't feel right for sure. She couldn't live without them and she couldn't think about their kids not living a long and good life. Tears rolled down her face as she remained quiet. Kyedoth was aware she was going to do it. "Take the boy." He motioned for the soldiers to grab Oliver, her third son.

"NO!" She screamed, trying to reach the boy from the grip of the soldiers. She was held by other two federals while her boy was dragged away into death. "KYEDOTH, YOU CANNOT DO THIS. TAKE ME INSTEAD. TAKE ME TO THE CUBE!" She screamed and sobbed, watching her unconscious kid be directed to a death sentence even though he did nothing wrong.