For A Star To Fall

Chapter 17: Location, Location, Location

Chapter 17

Dr. Valin had been in the midst of turning to walk towards the black metal cabinets, that had been installed on the walls between the time between the time Mother’s video had taken place, and yesterday, when Father asked his question. Now, he froze, and executed a deliberately slow about-turn before approaching that steel table again. The muscles in his face were relaxed, giving him a deceptively calm expression as he studied Father while he moved forward. But the thing that gave his masked emotions away was the absolutely murderous look in those cool brown eyes.

With a sudden snarl and a crazed glint in his eyes, Dr. Valin threw himself forward and slammed a hand down onto the grey surface of the table, just a hair’s breadth away from Father’s face. The deep clanging sound of the impact of hand on metal vibrated through the table and sounded around the room. Emyle felt herself lean forward slightly, watching the scene play out on the laptop screen with a keen eye and a sharp, dark gaze. “I do not think that you understood me fully earlier. I shall repeat myself, for your sake and the sake of our old friendship. Listen to me now, Aaron. Listen to me carefully. I said: keep quiet.”

The last two words of Dr. Valin’s command were merely deadly, hoarse whisper in Father’s ear, though it was still loud enough for the camera to pick up. Hearing this, Emyle tensed. She knew that Father would never respond well to such disrespect, as he expected to be obeyed and his questions always answered immediately. Indeed, Father was getting that particular look on his face, the one which clearly meant that he was utterly furious. His face twisted into an animalistic expression before smoothening out, like someone had erased the lines on a piece of paper, to reveal the blankness that had always been there. Now, only his grey-green eyes truly showed the amount of pure rage that boiled and undulated beneath his carefully and tightly controlled exterior. 

Jordan spoke suddenly. “It's like he's schizophrenic or something," he muttered. Emyle chose to ignore him and did not reply, too absorbed in what was going to happen next.

Then Father roared, like the lion Emyle thought he was sometimes, a long, unending cry, wordless but still fully communicating his rage and frustration. “I will never keep quiet, until you tell me where my daughter is! Tell me, David! TELL ME!”

Dr. Valin laughed harshly and humourlessly. He raised his right hand, palm open and fingers stretched towards the ceiling, and began to tick off his fingers one by one, as if he was counting silently to himself. Smiling once he had finished counting off all the fingers on his right hand, he said, his tone light and nonchalant, “You know, that was the fifth time you’ve asked me where she is in the past two days. Eleven times for how she is and if she is okay, and seven more times for why I want both of you.”

Father’s face contorted as he suddenly tried to arch upwards, attempting to pull his right arm forward and towards Dr. Valin. Emyle knew that Father would have punched Dr. Valin if he was able to, or maybe even sent a hard right hook into his jaw, but it seemed like Dr. Valin had already taken precautions when Father had been brought to the facility, as Emyle could now clearly see that another leather band, thicker than the ones around his wrists and ankles, was strapped across Father’s waist, rendering him unable to move freely, much less buck upwards like he most likely wanted to. This was unthinkable, Emyle thought, Father did not deserve such disrespect. How dare Dr. Valin tie him up in such a way!

The mere idea of this pained her emotionally, though Emyle still did her best to control her facial expresson—she could not show such weakness and vulnerability in front of Jordan. However, it hurt to see Father so frenzied and uncontrolled. It was because he was worried, she realised, extremely worried. He was concerned for her and her safety. The thought of him as worried as he seemed in the video gave her a sudden rush of something warm inside her chest. It was almost happiness, but not really, like it was not truly so bright. Emyle almost frowned. This was peculiar, but there was no time to dwell on this occurrence now. She had to concentrate on the video.