The Evil That Came

Part 10: The Game Begins

Six long years Greg waited. Under Hyva's command, she suggested taking Victoria a few weeks before her 16th Birthday. Over the years, Greg documented the abuse Victoria endured. Heartbroken that he could not interfere. He did all he could to make sure that Victoria was okay.

 He would occasionally hang out with her family, eat dinners, and watch the holoscreens in their modest home in Traverse Park. He even opened up a little about his own poor upbringing. He and her family became close. Meanwhile, he hid a recorder around the house. The tiny flecks of gold dust would record and perform whatever data Greg wanted it to, and every night, he would see the effect of him coming around the house, the way the men in the house would tiptoe around him, actively ignoring Greg and, most importantly, Victoria. 

Greg spent a lot of time with Victoria's family, and Matilda felt ignored. She loved Greg, but he had a way of making her feel like the last option on his to-do list. They dated off and on over the years, and at this time they are "on." Victoria has been a topic as well as Lisa, whose murder has now turned into a cold case. Every few years, Matilda would see a story about the Mysterious Death of Lisa O'Dunn. Making her a topic or argument, rather, between them. 

"Greg," Matilda, lounging on her couch, reached over to Greg, who was sitting nearby. "Can we talk, please? It has been days of this silent treatment you're giving me. I hate it."  

Groaning Greg rubbed his temples. "Yes, hun, we can talk." 

Matilda's eye twitched before she spoke. "Greg, I will never be her. We have been doing this for years. I feel like I am trying to compete with her ghost. This is the last time I will talk about this, Greg. I am important too. I know you see Victoria as a daughter, but I AM IMPORTANT TOO!" The veins in her temples bulged as her voice rose. 

Greg realized this was one of her breakup speeches, took her hand, and gave her a good look. Greg was used to her breakup song and dance, but this felt different. He observed her hand, delicate and beautiful as always; her perfect lips; her rosy pink nose from tears running down her face; and then her eyes, filled with complete sadness. He took a deep breath and apologized. "I am so sorry, Mati, I've been so selfish. You feel like I spend too much time away from you. I hear you, my love. I'm sorry for the past, when I would argue with you and dismiss your feelings. I see you. I know you may feel like I put Lisa on a pedestal. And, truthfully, I do, but not compared to you. You are in a league of your own. Matilda, I understand you." His voice was gentle but steady. "You're right, we haven't been on a date in I don't know how long." 

Greg admittedly, in his head, realized he had been a jerk all these years. Her downcast look felt final, and he didn't want to lose her, especially now, since he's about to uproot her life in a few weeks. This on-and-off crap needs to end.

Matilda's eyes burst with tears. Greg held her for as long as she needed. "Shh, shh, baby. We will be alright." He whispered.

While Greg holds Matilda, the "gold dust" in Traverse Park is silently gathering data for Greg. Victoria will turn 16 soon, and so far, Greg has observed her growing powers as the days have gone on. Her strength and her foresight are increasing day by day. He can see the confusion on her face as he watches her when she seems to have predicted something. And soon, to General Alden, she will be the most valuable asset on Planet Earth. 

 As the "gold dust", Gregs' passive witness to Victoria and Viktor's growing powers settles. The news buzzed with its usual—wars, rumors, rumors of war. But lately, there has been an eerie calm, a lull in the eye of the storm.

A month slipped by since Lea's return home. 

Viktor drove Lea toward the base, whose perimeter was marked by a shimmering force field. The air was tense, and he couldn't bear to let her go. "Lea, babe," he murmured, his voice strained. "I don't want you to go; I hate this."