Matthew looks so pathetic, like he actually thinks he'll be fine. I'm sorry I even had to give him the stupid cure.
I have to keep him alive, though. All I have to do is remind the courts of what he's done in the past. Then it's off to prison for him and I become the leader of Allegan.
He only gets so much attention because of the Dome. Honestly he's not even that great of a leader.
"Mr. Exlyn, when do you expect the final cure to be ready?" a reporter asks.
"Today, if we work hard enough," I say.
I glance back at Matthew. Caelan whispers something in his ear, then they both stare angrily at me. I notice a few dark looks from other people.
It's going to be hard to win over the country. Maybe I can ask Cae-- No. I won't even think about being allied with Caelan.
"Goodbye everyone," I say. "And Matthew, I wish you a complete recovery."
• • •
I enter my room on the 8th floor and flop down on the bed. Hmm. I need evidence against Matthew... I know there are files-- online and hard copies-- in his room.
Maybe one of those could help? I still have the pass to his room. I enter the elevator and scan the pass.
I walk over to his computer and sit down. It prompts me for the password. Okay, I didn't think about that. But I do have to act quickly-- Matthew won't be coming back, but Caelan, a doctor, or a reporter might.
There are probably security cameras in here too. He shouldn't ask to see them unless anything goes missing, so I can't take any hard copies.
I type in imperium and press enter. Not it. Imperium with a capital I doesn't work either. Or Ashendale.
The thought occurs to me that I'm overcomplicating things. He doesn't expect anyone to be in here...
12345. Enter.
"Logging in... Please wait," the computer says.
Oh, Matthew. You're making this too easy.
I open up his email, and it's already logged in. There's nothing recent. I scroll far down, back to when the war was still going on.
Winter emailed him, and there's no subject. I click on it and skim through it.
Caelan is here. Jace doesn't trust him and neither do I. Why did he really come?
W
Not helpful. I close the window and sigh. Then I realize something. Why was Winter emailing Matthew?
Another realization occurs. Matthew broke out of the Dome, which was his punishment after the war. It's like breaking out of prison.
And I'm going to put him back.
I shut the computer off, stand up, and push the chair in. I walk towards the elevator and scan the pass. The doors open and I go back to my room.
I turn my tablet on and type in Jace Exlyn news. The first article that pops up immediately catches my attention.
Reporter accuses Jace Exlyn of murder
YOU ARE READING
Elude
Science FictionWhat if your whole life is a lie? *** In the Dome, everything has been decided before it happens. But the government wants the citizens to feel like they're in control. They can name their kids, but it's from a chosen list. They can pick what they w...
