Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

NINETEEN: COMPROMISE

19: Compromise

As soon as Kishimoto and I are safely back inside General Watanabe’s quarters, he slumps onto the couch with a dazed look on his face.  I can only imagine what’s going through his mind right at this very moment, and I wish I was good with words.  I wish I knew what to say to bring comfort to him, in the same way he reassured me at the prison by holding my hand.  But when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.

“It’s him.”  He finally murmurs after a length of silence.  Although with the way he’s speaking, I’m not sure if I’m meant to hear any of his words.  “I’d know his face and voice anywhere.  He hasn’t changed one bit.”  A pause.  “But at the same time, he’s changed completely.  I don’t know how to describe it.”

Since words aren’t something I can offer him as of the moment, I remain silent and listen instead.

“When Juliette first informed me of her plans to come to Sector 21, I immediately insisted on coming with her because with my ability, I had a better chance of protecting her and Warner.  But I had an ulterior motive.  A self-serving reason.”  As he runs his fingers through his short hair, the muscles in his arm flex.  “Ever since my mother died, I swore to myself that I’d do everything I could to come back and find my father.  All these years, I always believed he was alive.  I pictured him in different ways, though: as a factory worker, or a civilian in hiding, or even as part of a secret rebellion.  But never this.  Not once did I ever think of the possibility of him being the fucking warden of Sector 21.”

             “Maybe he’s good.”  I point out lamely.  “Maybe he’s on our side.”

             “Did you see the way he looked, Violet?  He has the eyes of a madman.  He’s not the same person I used to know.”

             “Maybe he can change.  If he found out you’re still alive and well, if you try and talk to him, maybe he can be reasoned with.”

             “It’s not that simple, Vi.  The Reestablishment has brainwashed him.  I bet he wouldn’t care less if I were dead or alive.”

             “Don’t say that, Kishimoto.  He’s still your father.  I’m sure he still loves you.”

             “You don’t know my father.  And quite frankly, I’m not so sure who he is anymore.”

             “You’re right.”  I take a seat on the couch next to him, careful to leave a respectable distance between us.  “I don’t know him, but he’s our only chance.  Thousands of people are going to die soon if we don’t do anything to stop the execution.  We don’t really have much of a choice.”

             After another gap of silence, he drops his head and lets out a heavy sigh.  “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do what you’re asking me to do.”

             I was afraid he’d say that.  “Then we have no other option but to return to the headquarters tonight.”

             His head snaps up at this.  “Did you hear what was said in my father’s office?  The sector’s security levels have been increased.  They’ll be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.  We can’t go back tonight, Violet.  It’s too risky.  We’ll get caught.”

             “What other option do we have?”  I demand, exasperated.  “We have to warn the others before it’s too late.  We can’t just waste more time idling here on the base.  We need to go back, and it needs to be tonight.  And if you’re not going with me, that’s fine.”

             “Wait, wait.  Hold up right there.”  He counters, palms up.  “I’m not letting you go out there alone.”

             “So you’re coming with me?”  Please say yes.  Please.

             He stares at me, for a beat of silence.  Finally, he sighs again in resignation.  “Of course I’m going with you.  We’re partners, remember?”

             I could hug him right now, but how awkward would that be?

            “On one condition, though.”  He continues pensively.  “We can’t take the tank.”

             “Are you kidding me?  It’ll take half a day for us to get back there on foot!”

             “Maybe so, but at least it’ll be safer.  It’s too risky to take a tank.  At least on foot, I can project on you so we could slip out of the base unseen.  No one would know you’re missing.”

             He does have a point.  “Alright, then.  Fine.  We’ll leave at midnight, so we’d better get some rest right now while we still can.”

             “Copy that, partner.”

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FUN FACT: This is the shortest chapter I've ever written for "Transform Me," and the next chapter's the longest. (smirks deviously) 

Also, I'll be making Chapter 20 private, which means only those who follow me on Wattpad can read it. The other chapters, however, will remain public (unless otherwise stated).  Stay tuned!