Mirage

Why Me?

The security head's smile remained as he watched the turmoil unfold among Ethan and his friends. Ethan, grappling with the enormity of Maya's betrayal, felt a surge of anger and confusion welling up within him.

He turned to the security head, his voice filled with desperation and fury. "Why me? Why are you and the government so fixated on me and my friends? Why go to the lengths of sending a spy to infiltrate our group?"

The security head's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Ah, Ethan. Always the curious one. It's because you, my dear boy, are the answer to all our problems. You and Maya both."

Ethan's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? How am I the answer to anything?"

The security head took a step closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Your father, Benson Carter, was a thorn in the side of the government. His plans and his influence threatened to dismantle everything we've built. When he died, we thought we had neutralized that threat. But then you came along."

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. He remembered his father's journal, the detailed plans, and the vision for a free Avaria. "But why me? I'm just following in his footsteps, trying to make sense of this war."

The security head chuckled. "Your father's work didn't end with his death. He had contingency plans, contacts, and networks that we've been unable to fully dismantle. We needed to monitor you, ensure that you wouldn't pick up where he left off. That's where Maya came in."

Maya sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking as the security head continued. "We used her to keep tabs on you, to guide you into our traps. But you proved more resourceful than we anticipated. You managed to slip through our fingers time and again."

Ethan felt a wave of nausea. "So, this whole time, you've been watching us, manipulating us. All because of my father?"

The security head nodded. "Your father's plans were the key. We couldn't let you get your hands on them and rally the rebels. That would be disastrous for us. But you were tenacious. You found his journal, uncovered his plans. You became a bigger threat than we ever expected."

Ethan's mind raced as he tried to process the revelation. His father's legacy had made him a target, a pawn in a larger game of power and control. He looked at Maya, her tear-streaked face filled with regret and sorrow.

Maya's voice was barely above a whisper. "I didn't want it to be like this, Ethan. I never wanted to betray you."

Ethan's heart ached with a mix of anger and pity. "What about you, Maya? Why did they target you?"

The security head's eyes glittered with satisfaction. "Maya here has her own connections. Her family was influential among the rebels. We needed leverage, a way to keep them in check. By controlling her, we controlled a part of the resistance."

Maya nodded, her voice trembling. "They threatened my family, Ethan. I had to do what they said, or they would have killed them all."

The security head clapped his hands together. "So, you see, Ethan. You and Maya were both integral to our plans. By keeping you under our control, we maintained the upper hand in this war."

Ethan felt a cold rage building inside him. His father's legacy, the sacrifices of so many, had been twisted and manipulated by the very forces they sought to overthrow. He clenched his fists, his mind racing with thoughts of resistance and defiance.

The security head's smile faded as he straightened up. "Now, your fate lies in the hands of the governors. But make no mistake, Ethan. You are a threat that we cannot afford to ignore. And we will do whatever it takes to neutralize that threat."

As the security head motioned for the guards to take them away, Ethan's mind burned with a newfound resolve. He had to find a way to turn the tide, to honor his father's vision and fight for a free Avaria. The discovery of their true significance only fueled his determination.

As they were led deeper into the bowels of the Presidential Palace, Ethan exchanged a look with Jacob and Diana. They understood the gravity of their situation, but also the importance of their mission. The fight was far from over.

And as they faced the uncertainty of their fate, one thing was clear: they would not go down without a fight.