Artificial Mates - Chapter 130

We sat on a cold concrete bench in a small white cell for at least two hours before we heard shouts on the other side of the heavy metal door. The sound of the lock made me jumped. a dark figure stood in the frame as the door swang open.

“Grant! Olga! Miss Kerry!” said the familiar voice of Dr. Churchhill. The old man pushed the guard in the entrance aside. But the man stopped him.

“You two,” he pointed at Grant and Olga, “come with me.” Grant peeked at me then at the doctor who nodded with a smile.

“It’s better if she stays here. It’s for her own safety,” I held on Grant’s hand as he reluctantly got up.

“What’s going on?” he asked with contained anger.

“You’re not the one asking the questions, here,” glared the guard standing with his fists on his h.i.p.s.

“Don’t worry, just do as they say and everything will be ok,” assured Dr. Churchhill. My hand tightened around Grant’s wrist pulling him towards me. However, it was not an easy task to move him. I didn’t trust the good doctor’s words one bit. He didn’t help when we had to meet Atlas last time in his sinister cave. I surely didn’t believe him now. All his sweet talk was only to fool us. To take Grant away from me.

-It’s ok. I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. I’ll be right back. I’ll crawl back to you if I have to.

He referenced to what I said earlier and it sent my cheek flaming, still, I held his sparkling gaze as he said it. Grant, please be careful, I prayed. He nodded once then peeled away my fingers to join the others. The moment the door closed on me, leaving me alone in that cell, I panicked. My heart slammed in my chest ready to burst. They left me—all of them, screamed that nagging little voice. I am all alone. ALL ALONE!

“Liliane!” I screamed, rushed to the corner trying to take as little space as possible. “Sorry,” said the voice in a gentler tone. “I didn’t mean to scare you—once again,” I recognized that voice.

“Shit! Atlas, I almost got a heart attack. What the f.u.c.k do you want?” I shouted, anger replacing fear. “You’re the reason I’m here—we are here in this mess!” my voice threatened to break.

“Well, you must be thanking me.”

“Why?” I frowned at the ceiling. Even if I couldn’t see the cameras or any devices I was sure they must be here somewhere. He took his sweet time to answer. I hope he chokes on his fat ego and leaves me alone.

“I’ll be brief since they are trying to cut down my privileges,” he said in an amused tone, which was a little odd. I wasn’t sure I knew where this conversation was going.

“They? Who?”

“Your friendly Dr. Churchhill is helping them,” he brushed off my inquiries.

“Wait—” I straightened up. “Who is he helping?” I hear him sigh in exasperation. Frankly, it made me want to punch him in the face—if he had one. How irritating.

“Oh, Liliane, just piece the clues together. They arrested you for sabotage, right? why do you think they did it?” his voice was heavy with sarcasm and I hated it. He made me feel dumb and angry.

“They? You mean you’re not behind all this? It’s not one of your mind games?” I glared at the ceiling.

“Not this time,” he said flatly.

“Then—”

“Ok, it seems you are a bit slow. I’ll help you figure it out. They—Dr. Laurell and his puppets—think Demos is a rogue script—a virus if you want that has infected me. So they are certain that you—are a terrorist. You, Grant and poor Olga,” he explained. Terrorists? That’s insane. And why poor Olga? I shook my head to pull the chaotic thought disperse.

“Dr. Churchhill—sold us?” I whispered.

“He is a wise man. He can make other models, better ones and you’re only a lab assistant with a heavy past,” I ignored his last remark, it was only to poke at me for a reaction. And I won’t fall into his mind games trap. I took deep breaths, remembering Olga’s words. I will not crumble, I promised myself. It helped me stay focus on the problem.

“Where are they taking Grant and Olga?”

“In the interrogation room,” he answered as a matter of fact.

“What about Demos—” my voice quivered. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried again. “Is-is he ok?” there was silence for a moment. It scared me to death that Atlas would let me linger in my wait.

“I am… ok,” Demos’ voice was weak. But I would recognize it amount thousands. I chuckled and blinked tears away. It’s been so long since I last hear him. After the initial joy subsided I frowned.

“You don’t sound ok. What happened?”

“He is ok,” Atlas cut in. “We can’t stay. As I said, you should be thankful. They think he is a virus and trying to delete his file,” the way Atlas kept stepping between me and Demos was rapidly rubbing me in the wrong way.

“They can’t! What can we do? Demos! But—” I desperately searched what to say and was at a lost of words.

“I have to go,” added Atlas in haste. “We’ll be in contact,” I sprung to my feet.

“Wait! How—?” I shouted.

“I’ll try not to scare you next time,” he added then the cell was silence once again. I let out a sigh, sunk back on the bench while trying to figure out what just happened. Wasn’t he supposed to be the supervillain? Why was he risking everything? Why was he helping Demos? Why was he helping me? I shook my head refusing to believe it. It must be another of his games.

“Grant!” I whispered. There was nothing at the end of our connection. Was it the cell interfering with the mate link? “Grant, please be careful!” my eyes roamed to the metal door. If only I had superpowers, I would break this door down and rush to his rescue.