4 - What they're asking.

Hello!

Here's the continuation to my last post. Feel free to comment =) I'd love to hear what you think!

Have a Great Day,
Jesse

Continued from 3 - A New Home

Chapter 2

The orange sunlight that filtered through the window created an odd pattern, like a long jagged mountain range, that ran across the entire room. Ellie lay on the desk digesting everything Aaron had said.

There was absolutely no way she would be able to do what they expected of her. But there, on the new desk they had brought into her new five room suite, were the correspondences found after Warren’s ‘unfortunate death.’ Gavin’s second, Tahan, had walked into Ellie’s new home shortly after Aaron’s departure, directing workmen to set up her research table.

Tahan smiled reluctantly at Ellie. She’d always had a soft spot for Tahan. Even though he could be more ruthless than any other person Ellie had ever known, Tahan was the only one who brought prisoners water and food during the rebellions, and that memory endured more than any. She remembered being curled up in the corner of a small cell with four other Talents while the fighting raged outside. Tahan had yelled at the guards to get the stink off themselves, then, as the guards left to clean, he had pulled compact energy bars and slim packs of water from his trench coat. He nodded slightly to Ellie, and handed her two packs of water and two bars. Tahan turned, scowling, then yelled at all the prisoners, Talents, until they were cowering in fear.

Ellie’s mouth ticked an involuntary smile as Tahan sat in the green armchair. He curled the thick stack of envelopes in his hands as he stared down.

The change Ellie saw in Tahan was unsettling. Four years before, right before she’d been sold to Warren, Tahan had been polished and precise, he was confident in his decisions and actions, but today he looked anything but. He was the picture of indecision and uncertainty. His once young face looked drawn and world weary. The lines of his dark skin were more pronounced than before. His intelligent brown eyes were now dull and questioning. Tahan’s hair was no longer kept cropped and orderly, but long and disheveled.

“Ellie,” Tahan said, in his smooth voice.

“Tahan,” Ellie nodded back, sitting on the edge of her old desk.

“Do you understand what we’re asking of you?” he asked plaintively.

“I understand what you would like me to do.”

Tahan glanced up at Ellie, his dark brown eyes were the same shade as his hair. “I’m sensing there’s more to that.”

“Of course there is,” Ellie said pulling her knees to her chest. There was always more to everything.

“Let me hear it,” he said.

“You won’t want to,” Ellie retorted.

Tahan leaned forward. “Ellie, not once in the years that I have known you have I shut you down or out. You are a slave, but you, unlike some other Talents, have a brain. You can think and act for yourself. You will do what you want, and Warren freeing you was proof of that. We need you to do this because you can think like them.” He folded his hands over the envelopes he was holding. “Now, let me hear what’s more.”

Ellie’s lips pursed before she spoke. “I can’t do it.”

“You have to,” Tahan said resigned.

Ellie picked up the gold chain around her neck. “I know.”

“All you need to do is figure out who Gemini is,” Tahan said simply.

Ellie dropped the chain. “You’re wrong you know.” She turned and pulled her bag onto her lap and fished out the letter from Warren. She held it out to Tahan. “All I’m doing is betraying the only person who ever treated me like a human.”

“I know what that says, Ellie,” Tahan said. “You know you can never be free. You’re too strong.”
Ellie closed her eyes and shook her head. She knew what he said was true, but hoped to find a way to be free someday soon. “Tahan, I can’t do what they’re asking.”

“Gemini might be dead for all we know, Ellie.” Tahan stood and set the envelopes on the new desk. “Just read the letters and see if you can get a lock on him.” He turned and started to walk out. At the door, Tahan turned. “If you need anything, just ask. And Ellie,” Tahan was looking at his hands, “I’m glad you’re back, safe.”

to be continued...