Deceived

Him

"How many more chances do you expect me to give you?"

"I-I'm sorry boss. Just one more and I promise it won't happen I again."

"You better. When I tell you to get something done, I expect it to be done. I don't give people second chances for this exact reason. But you begged and pleaded me and I had no other choice. Now I am starting to regret my mistakes. Why waste my time on a fool like you?"

"I have a plan sir and I promise you it will work. Please, just give me a few more days."

"Fine. You have two weeks. But that's it, after that, no more chances."

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

Footsteps. I jab my finger on the red stop button and flip my body around so that I am pressed against the other wall, safely out of sight. I hope. The footsteps finally recede into the hallway but I stay hidden a few extra minutes, just to be safe.

When I am sure that everyone is gone, I make my way through the twisting hallways, down the winding staircase, and back into the dining hall. Everyone stares as I walk in.

"What took you so long? Your dinner is getting cold!" my mother exclaims in an unnaturally high voice.

"It took me while to find the bathroom," I reply, patting my pockets to make sure the recording device is safely hidden.

You see, I do not live with my parents. They moved out about a year ago because they said we were just too much for them to handle. But of course that's a huge lie. They couldn't stand to be around me. I was far from the "perfect" son they wanted and they just were not satisfied so they left me. There is, however, one thing that I have never understood. Even after they went their own seperate ways, my parents left me a huge house and loads of money. Where they got the money from, I have no idea. Some people are jealous but being rich is not always a good thing.

My mom decided to invite me to dinner today. I really did not feel like though and apparenlty my dad doesn't want me here either. He has been grouchy and annoying ever since I got here and after what I just heard...

I realize I have been staring at nothing for too long and quickly shove some food in my face because I do not want people staring at me for longer than necessary.

"So how's your job coming along?" my mother asks.

"Fine," I answer, playing with my food. I work as a weapon designer. It is actually a very useful job and sometimes-

"Look Eri-,"

"Zack!" I snap.

My mother rolls her eyes. "Zack. I know you're still upset-,"

I push back my chair and stand up, "I should go."

"Already? But you just got here," she frowns.

"I have work to do," and on that happy note, I leave the room. I hear my mother calling my name and I am just about to turn around, I don't know why, maybe to say a proper goodbye, when I hear my dad telling her to let me go. I stomp out the front and slam the door behind me. Maybe my mother isn't entirely brainwashed. Maybe, somewhere deep down inside, she still cares. But then my dad comes and ruins it all. He will never be the same person he was before the storm and no one can do anything about it. His boss told him to bring her to him and he will stop at nothing to find her. He thinks he can succeed this time. Well, not if I have anything to do with it.