Inhumanity

Chapter 24

"Well, this is a touching scene." We're so absorbed in each other that we didn't notice Audrey enter the car. I lean into Adam, trying to keep it casual. "Good evening, Audrey," I greet. She holds her hand out for me to take, but I remain seated, and her hand drops to her hip. "Wilford is wanting you in the engine," she snaps. I roll my eyes. "He calls, I must answer," I mutter. I quickly kiss Adams cheek. "See you soon," he nods, but there's doubt in his eyes at that statement. I follow behind Audrey, not saying a word. She betrayed us, and I doubt she's kept quiet about all the secrets that's she's picked up in the nightcar. When we enter the living area, it is a mess of fabric and clothes as if someone has emptied out the entire contents of a child's dressing up box. Wilford is standing at the bar nursing a glass of whisky "found her joe." Audrey sings out cheerfully. He smiles. "Ah Eve, I've just visited Layton. He seems thoroughly miserable in his new station," he says. I try to remain neutral "anyway despite your outburst earlier, I've decided that you shall be attending our little dinner party," he says. I glance round at all the dresses nervously. "Thank you, sir," I say woodenly. He claps his hands together "but as a bit of fun for Audrey she'll get to choose what your wearing" Audrey giggles "come on" she pulls me over to a podium and urges me onto it. I can't believe this is how I'm probably going to spend my days, as some kind of doll for Audrey to play with. She starts unbuttoning my dress, I swat her away and start to do it myself. Not one to be deterred, she bends down and unties the laces of my boots. She gently pull them off and then takes my socks off as well. She hands me some horrible lacy underwear, and I quickly swap my old underwear for that as well. Wilford watches our interaction with interest as if he wants to study the nature of our friendship. Audrey holds up two dresses, I think the green matches your eyes, but the red one is something a little different. She holds them up. "What do you think, joe?" she asks. He tilts his head. "It's up to you, my love," he says cheerfully.

The door slides open, and Javi stumbles through. "Um, sir, we have a pr-" he stops and stares at me. "Eve!" He gasps. I don't move but smile weakly. "Hi Javi," Wilford waves him over to the bar. He offers him a drink, which he declines, but it's forced into his hand anyway. "Ravishing, isn't she," he says teasingly. Javi looks to me "beautiful" he says softly. Wilford laughs. "I'm surprised you haven't had a go of her yet." I then realise that Audrey has kept her mouth shut on certain things, and I sigh in relief. She turns to me and fixes me with a warning look.
Javi shakes his head. "She's never offered," he says wearily. Wilford shakes his head and downs the last of his drink. "Shame Mel removed the BCRU. She couldn't have refused you even if she wanted to." I look down at the ground shamefully as I remember the things he had me do when I was under the control of the BCRU. Javi coughs awkwardly. "we have a problem with the regulator," he says. I perk up. "I can help. It'll only take me a minute, and then we can right back to dress up," I offer brightly. Wilford looks to Audrey "oh alright, but hurry up."

Once we're in the control room and out of sight, I hug javi tightly. "Are you okay?" i ask, scanning him for any injuries. He curses under his breath. "Am I alright? Eve he's got you playing dress up and talking about fucking you. Are you okay?" He asks. I nod "I've had worse" I move to the control panel "if you just adjust the sensors and open up the gills a little" he grabs my hand "what are you doing?" He questions, I tilt my head "fixing the problem, can't be alone in here for a few minutes with you and not fix it, he's not stupid" I whisper. He catches ahold of my wrist "he doesn't know about us and that's how we need to keep it" I explain. He runs a hand through his hair "can't believe we got that lucky, thought Audrey would have spilled that to him first" he murmurs. I shake my head "me neither but we need to be discreet. If he finds out then I dread to think what he'll do, he's a control freak and when he looses control he lashes out". He nods "yeah figured that out on my first day here... met your ex by the way Adam... he different from what I expected" my heart skips a beat at least I know Wilford was indeed telling the truth about that arrangement "adam and I have actually never been together actually" I whisper. He frowns "but you're-" I cut in there "Adam and Eve? Yeah that's just another cog in the Wilford propaganda machine." He nods slowly as if processing this new revelation "so what's he diverting you all dressed up for?" He asks. I roll my eyes "stupid dinner thing tonight and I'm not so sure it's going to be much fun." Wilford then calls out "come on eve Audrey's getting impatient" he bellows. I quickly press my lips to javi's "he knows about Mel, just whatever happens from now I want you to know that... I love you". I pull back and hurry out of the engine before I can see his reaction to those words.