Timeless Creations

7. Reluctance

Chris was in shock. Total. Immobilising. Shock. His lab suddenly destroyed. A lifetime of work and discoveries vaporised into thin air. And then there was his Jase.

Anger overcome Chris as he launched at Marcus with tears streaming down his cheeks. Marcus went wide-eyed by this sudden and unexpected movement as the two men crashed into the glass coffee table.

Chris screamed until his throat was raw as they wrestled. Eventually Marcus pinned Chris to the floor thanks to his superior build and athleticism.

"I had to do it Chris! To show you what I am capable of!" screamed Marcus

"You are a monster Marcus! I shall never work for you now! I have nothing to offer! You destroyed my work!"

There was a slight flash of uncertainty that swept over Marcus's face. But it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

Marcus sighed heavily and motioned to Leela, "Darling. Get the TV monitor for me. Now!"

With a roll of her eyes and a flick of her hair, Leela turned towards an empty screen and used the stand on wheels it was on to roll it towards them.

Marcus took a remote that was inside his "hidden" safe. It was "hidden" because all you had to do to find it was look inside a cupboard in the dining room. Not exactly discreet.

As he took the remote he pressed the power button. A buffering symbol popped up onto the screen. As they waited Marcus started talking.

"Now Chris. You have seen what I'm capable of. You now see that when I threaten to do something I can and will do it. You better comply with me or else..."

Fearing the worst Chris asked nervously. "Or else what?"

As he asked this a live TV feed came up on the screen. Gasping in horror, Chris pleaded for Marcus to spare these people's lives. "No. Not them Marcus. They have done nothing to deserve it!"

"I know that Marcus. It would be all YOUR fault if they die. And a shame it would be."

On the screen there was a live TV feed of his grandparents. His grandparents who had raised him since he was 4. His grandparents who had taken him in when he was orphaned when his parents had been crushed by a semi-truck speeding on a wet highway.

Marcus resumed talking. "Chris. They don't have to die. All you have to do is assist me and instruct me how to make your wonderful bullets. I'll give you until tomorrow morning at 9 to give me an answer. You will stay in my house."

A smile came upon Marcus's face as he saw how distraught Chris was. "Leela!! Take Mr. Woolfe here to his room please."

"Yes Marcus." replied Leela.

With suprising strength Leela helped Chris up and guided him up the stairs to his room. Chris mumbled a thanks.

Walking into his room Chris sat on the bed to help his mind think clearly. He was not in a great situation at all. Visions of the explosion engulfing Jase now flooded his mind. Only this time it was his grandparents' faces that he saw.

Feeling extremely tired Chris took a shower. He scrubbed himself raw and tried to wash any trace of dirt off of his body. Then he changed into pyjamas and fell into a deep dark sleep.

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The next morning sunlight streamed through his window. Birds were chirping. Everything seemed cheerful. And then the memory of the previous night came back. Suddenly the sunlight seemed cruel.

Chris changed quickly and walked down to the kitchen. Leela was whistling and making fried eggs and bacon. She noticed Chris and greeted him. "Morning Sleeping beauty!"

Chris replied with a feeble "Hi"
For some reason his mouth failed him each time he saw Leela. She was that stunning.

Chris woolfed down his breakfast and thanked Leela for the wonderful breakfast. He walked slowly back to his room. He had lay awake most of the night thinking what to do.

It was a moral dilemma. Either save his grandparents' lives and put thousands of others' at risk. Or save thousands from pain and suffering by sacrificing the two most important people in his life.

Why was he in this predicament? Why him?

Finally he had made a decision. His grandparents were way to important to sacrifice. They meant too much to him. He would help Marcus.