Absent Link

Chapter 11: Uncover

"I was infected during the winter. A fox bit me. I had run for... what felt like an eternity. Some people would look at me now and say it was worth it for who I am today—" She sighed, "they're the ones I hate the most." Amelia was still locked in a cell, God knows where, but Emon had them connected. "That was three years ago... and look at all I've lost. My parents, my home, my... sanity I guess?"

"What happened to your parents?" Dylan asked cautiously.

Amelia let out a determined sigh. "They were killed. We were in the city one day and someone dropped a bomb nearby. I never got to know who the terrorist was actually after. It was... huge. Terrifying. I should have died like my parents, but my powers kept me alive, even as I was torn apart. My healing power wasn't nearly as fast as it is now. And this was only one year ago."

"Oh. Well, I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Don't even go there. You don't know them. I barely know them now myself. I've moved on and don't want sympathy."

"Sheesh, okay." Dylan stayed silent now, with nothing to say until Emon continued the conversation.

"I guess the bomb had something to do with Morris Oil then," Emon said.

"Yeah. At the time, though, I didn't know the Dark Cast— God that's such a stupid name. Anyway, I didn't know it was connected to Morris Oil. I started researching them and found out their little business had been running for about a year--- no, two years now. You think Joey Morris is successful because he runs Morris Oil? You're wrong. The Cast is what keeps him living so... high up. Morris Oil is his cover."

"How'd you end up as a hostage back in the west?" Dylan asked.

"Well, eventually I got the attention of the Cast. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about who found me and sold me to Morris. All I know is the hate. The destruction and tears that his products have caused. He is unbelievably well covered up, although," Amelia coughed a bit, then continued, "I wasn't the first to go after him. I am the first— as far as I'm concerned, to do it this way though."

"Wait what do you mean?" Dylan was straining to wrap his mind around all this. "What 'way' did others take?"

"Trial. Court. Proofs: you know, the justice system."

Dylan, after some time to think, asked, "So... about your moss partner. You never actually told us what happened to her."

"You sure you want to know?" She sarcastically said, "That's pretty personal information."

"If you're comfortable talking about it."

Amelia huffed. "Her name was Layla. We worked together like you and Emon for a while, but things got hard and she tried to take over my life completely. I was scared, so I killed her."

No one said anything, so Amelia continued. "So, yeah. Not a normal ten-year-old." Her voice lit up a little bit, "Although, what's interesting is that getting rid of her gave me the ability to control my own powers, so I became more confident and capable."

Emon tried to speak but was interrupted by Dylan.

"Wait, wait. So, if Emon wasn't here, I would be able to control my abilities too, right?"

Emon piped up, "What? You're not getting rid of me!"

Dylan defended himself, "Of course not, I'm just curious."

"Don't take it lightly." Amelia said, "I've only heard a little about you two, but I wouldn't be surprised if something similar happened. Instead of fighting your way into control, both of you need to find out how to work together. You're in a war, even if you don't realize it now."