A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 53: Enough!

"You betrayed me." I still can't believe we're eating dinner here, even if it's just me and him. "Like never I could have expected."

"I told you," I say again, "it wasn't my fault."

"Wasn't it?" Of course he wouldn't believe me.

"All I did was ask for help," I tell him. "I didn't know that would happen."

"So, my old friend has spoken to you before." It's barely a question.

"Since West Virginia."

Setrákus strokes his freaky chin. "Impressive. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage. But to do that, I need to confirm you will not go behind my back again."

I'm surprised he isn't any more upset. I expected to be in a heap of trouble, maybe a scolding, more torture, augmentation, something, but no, he's as calm as a butterfly. It's like he still believes we can be allies. "Can you be a little more specific? I'm tired of your fucking riddles," I spit. "I've told you before; you and your book are trash, not to mention your morals."

"You will come to understand in due time." I roll my eyes. "Are you going to eat, or must I feed you through the tube again?"

"How can you expect me to eat anything after everything you've done?"

"All in due time."

"Spare me the lecture; I don't really care anyway. I just want to know why you still decide to keep me here. I know you said this Legacy would help you, but you know I'm not going to let you take it. Hell, you tried to force me to, and it didn't work, so why bother? Why not kill me?"

"You don't understand, do you, child? I keep you here because I have faith in you."

"Faith? Really?"

"Correct."

I scoff. "You're more insane than you look."

"You believe that now, but one day things will change." He sounds so sure of himself. "I know you," he goes on. "Long before you joined the Loric, you were separated from the pack of your school. You had your own opinions and views; often, you were called stubborn for them, but you always persisted, even if it meant losing the battle. You never broke from your values. In that way, we are alike." I bristle at that but say nothing. "From acting on your own to learn self-discipline, to questioning the morals of adults; your parents, instructors, peers even. You may have never openly expressed these inner intentions, but they were there nonetheless."

"And how would you know how I think?"

"Because, child, I was the same. We grew up in similar environments, you and I. You may be afraid to admit that, but eventually, the truth will—"

"Enough!" I jump, sending my plate of food across the room with a telekinetic swipe where it splatters on the floor. "You'll never understand me or my people! I don't care how many times you try to tell me otherwise; you'll never willingly see us for who we are! Me, Five, Ella, Pittacus... You trick us into thinking you understand, but it's all a lie."

"It is not."

"It's all just ways to manipulate us and get what you want." What did he call it? "'The Great Expansion over Earth?' That's what you really want, and I won't stand for it. I don't care what you do to me! You can keep me on the Anubis my whole life, torture me, augment me with as much weird-ass poison as your twisted heart desires. But I'll always fight. I don't care how hard it is; I'll fight for the survivors of Lorien and for everyone on Earth. I'll never let you succeed."

I thrust a palm at him; it glows blue, but not as brightly as when Pittacus Lore took control. I send a ray of energy rocketing towards his grotesque purple scar. I see no flashbacks of him, nor do I feel any pain; it comes naturally. It's enough to knock him out of his seat and to the floor-to-ceiling window. I use my telekinesis to pin him in place.