“Your relationship with Miss Stone has to stop,” a voice I know too well interrupts my dream.
I had been lying out on a beach but at her voice the illusion shattered. I am back on the hospital bed with Sergio, but I keep my eyes closed. Not wanting the director to know I’m awake and leave without telling Sergio anything.
“Why?” Sergio asks and his arms wrap tighter around me.
“Because she is the president’s daughter.” I had been wondering when that would pop-up. I’m going to have that hanging over my head like a badge of shame for the rest of my life. “He hates us and who’s to say she doesn’t feel the same.”
“I’ve seen her thoughts. She doesn’t feel anything like that,” Sergio’s voice is gentle. He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “she just wants to be loved.”
“She’s using you,” the director snaps and in my mind I see her with her hands on her hips or her arms crossed over her chest.
“She’s not. I’m sure of that,” his hand is in my hair, playing with it. “Why do you hate her? She’s your niece isn’t she?”
“I hate her because she’s the reason my sister is dead,” her voice is angry and I involuntarily flinch.
If Sergio notices the movement he doesn’t say anything or even make a move. I open my eyes a tiny amount, my vision is obstructed by my eyelashes but I can still see. The director is standing by the bed, her face is covered in angry red blotches. Even though I know she can’t tell I’m awake her fury filled eyes are boring holes into me. My fingers tighten in Sergio’s arms.
“I don’t believe that,” Sergio says rubbing my back.
He must have moved his hand when the director came in, as both hands are now on my back. I refuse to acknowledge her as my aunt. No aunt could have so much contempt for their niece.
“Fine,” the director snaps and through my lashes I see a sneaky smile cover her face. “The young Miss Stone will be your responsibility. I suppose you know about your new assignment.”
“You want Blair to pull the trigger don’t you?” Sergio’s voice goes cold and I freeze.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she says and walks out. At the door she stops and adds, “I’ll let you tell Crystal and Kotey.”
Once she’s gone Sergio sighs, “I know you’re awake. Blair, I meant what I said.”
I nod, “good. I don’t think I could do it. He’s evil and stuff but he’s still my father.”
“I know,” he kisses my head again. “I want to go into your head to check something, can I?”
I nod. It’s odd to think that I can only uncover my past with his help. He’s as curious as I am, maybe more, but he won’t go in my head if I don’t want him to.
He smiles softly and his fingers are tracing the line of my cheek and jaw. “It’ll be easier if you’re asleep.”
I lie down next to him and start to fall asleep.
I open my eyes and see that Sergio has joined me. He looks out of place, a refugee in a rich man’s house. That is where we are after all. My old room.
I wonder why I keep coming back here. It might be because I know every nook and corner of this room, and I feel almost safe here. It is so peaceful and an almost exact copy of the one in real life. What is different is the bookshelf near the window. Instead of books the sun-bleached and battered shelves hold memories. I can’t see how they’re arranged but they are like photo frames, just the photos move.
YOU ARE READING
Project: Hero
Ficção Adolescente"You might be a killer, but I don't think you're a monster." The government has taken over the nation in a totalitarian state. But there are a select few who stand in its way. And that is those with the moon Tattoos. Each possesses a strange power a...
