The brisk, morning wind was like needles on my cheeks. The outside of the cinema was just as I remember. The sign on the front of the building was no longer illuminated, but you could still read the words:
Rerun Marathon: The Blind Side: Shrek 2
"He" didn't seem to be here. Maybe this was a trick to see who I'd obey. "Him" or James. "He" won. Maybe I should just go home, I'm so vulnerable in the open. "He" could do anything to me.
"I'm glad you showed up," the familiar voice interrupted me. I looked up from my thoughts to see the silhouette of the old man a couple feet in front of me.
"What do you want?" My voice sounds tough but I'm scared on the inside.
"My name is Greg Anderson. Professor Greg Anderson," the man stated, "When you were four, your mother dropped you in an ally, do you remember that?"
"Yeah, and?" I asked, genuinely curious at this point.
"You're whole life has been a test."
"Excuse me?!"
"There are secret surveillance cameras all over town, which are being monitored at all times. We watch how you deal with life, and collect the data based on your reactions. Your mom had you tested for ADHD and Autism when you were very young, because she noticed you were special. The doctor noticed how astonishing and complex your brain is, and called us at CCCA immediately. We need you to come to our center, for a couple weeks so we can finish our tests, and gather the remaining data," Greg explained. I was shocked. Is he telling the truth?
"Can I talk to James about all this first?"
"You won't have to," the man cleared his throat, "JAMES!!!" James walked out of the cinema and over to Greg.
"What are you doing here, and how do you know him?" I asked.
"Well, uh, Greg offered me a job at the center, and yeah, I accepted," James said quietly.
"What?!" I was shocked all over again, "how long have you known about these tests?"
"Since I met you," James admitted.
"So all of these things you've done, or said was all for some test?!"I was pissed.
"Not all of it," he said calmly.
"Wow, just fucking wow!" I was beyond furious, "well if you don't mind I'm going back to your house, and getting my stuff."
"So you're going to the centers?" Greg asked.
"Not if that scumbag is," I said in disgust. He didn't love me. The tug of war had ended, and I had lost the fight. I started sprinting down the street, and all the way to the apartments. James had followed me.
"Rebs! Please!" James pleaded, coming toward me.
"Don't. Don't come near me!"
YOU ARE READING
One Stray Rebel
Mystery / ThrillerA stray, 18 year old girl struggles to survive, while attempting to avoid a psycho man who has been hunting her down since she was 4.
