“You aren’t serious, are you?”
“Why not?” replied Zoey. “I think you owe me big time for everything, especially listening to you go on and on about your delusions.”
Zeitgeist fell silent. Zoey could make out air bubbles gurgling behind that reflective surface of his brain bin.
“Go ahead, then. If you can,” he said at last.
Zoey lowered the weapon. “Yesterday, I might have done it. Last week, more than probably. But today? Right now?” She turned her head, trying in vain to conceal her half grin. “I mean, just look at you. You’re like a toy that’s been played with too much.”
Zoey shook her head. “You’re practically immortal, but what’s the point? When’s the last time you took a walk in a park or spontaneously went out for lunch? Or stayed up late to watch a movie you’ve never heard but desperately wanted to know how it ended? Talking to a friend you hadn’t seen in years, or feeling someone’s lips pressing against yours? Being young and feeling unstoppable?”
“Sentimental drivel.”
“But that’s the whole reason for living. These things make human existence bearable. How can you claim to being able to rule over everyone when you can’t even relate to them anymore?”
“The things you described are but children’s playthings. I put them away a long time ago. My mind must always be focused on what’s important. I cannot entertain such distractions.”
“For what?” asked Zoey. “Because you cling to your abstract totems of power and control. The thing is you aren’t in control, Zeigeist. Look around you. You’re dependent on these drones and even kidnapped slaves to maintain your body. You’re even dependent on whatever it is you put in your body. Without them, you’re powerless.”
“Silence!” It was the first time that Zoey had ever heard him raise his voice.
“I spent every moment of my life, for better or worse, trying to accept the decisions I have made and hoping that tomorrow I’ll make better ones. That is how I became the person I am today, and I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me otherwise.
“In other words,” continued Zoey. “You have no power over me.”
“You have no right to talk to me like this. I could have you killed at the flip of a switch.”
“But you won’t. I’m one of your ‘creations,’ remember? I’m too valuable to kill.” Zoey smiled brightly, her heart thundering in her chest. “And even if you kill me, you’ll never be able to hurt me again.”
“Brave words, but I don’t need to kill you. I can still have you lobotomized. After that, you’ll happily strap Sara down while I do the same to her.”
Before Zoey could reply, a shrill alarm filled the air. Zeitgeist pressed a button on his controller, and a flat screen lowered itself from the ceiling. It displayed images of police officers in heavy gear swarming the once-vacant hallways above.
“So, it wasn’t a bluff,” said Zeitgeist.
“Was it?” Zoey suppressed her own surprise.
“Oh, well. The droids will make short work of them. Once I re-arm them….” Zoey ran and snatched the controller out of his right hand.
“I think this is where we part company,” said Zoey, giving him a half salute. “Let’s not do this again sometime. Hope you enjoy prison.”
Zoey ran out into the hallway, already greeted by the sounds of muffled gunfire. Hopefully, the police could handle the drones with their lethal firepower disabled. She tossed the controller down the hallway.
Had the inspector followed me here? Could my parents have told her where I went? Was there some other connection that the police made and I missed?
She made her way back to where the captives were being held. There was a lone drone still outside the door. It was easy for Zoey to take possession of its primitive mind. She led it inside where the captives were unsettled by the noise they heard.
“What’s going on out there?” demanded McDonnell.
“Everyone relax. That’s the police. They’re here to rescue you, I hope,” said Zoey. She nodded to the drone, and it obediently floated over and started to cut away their chains.
“I have to leave before they get here, and it’d be best if you all just forgot about me,” said Zoey. “Don’t worry about this little guy. I enabled his weapons package, but programmed to protect you until the police get here.” She was feeling a little self-conscious, because she still had the gun in her hand.
Please don’t think I’m some sociopath that’s working with Zeitgeist.
As she left the room, Zoey turned to see two police officers racing toward her. Already? Their helmets obscured their faces, but the slender form of the one in the lead was definitely female. The broader man behind her was carrying a large backpack.
“Zoey…,” was all the policewoman got out before Zoey charged her. Zoey tucked her head in and her shoulders out. The man, despite his size, managed to step out of the way, but Zoey clipped the policewoman setting her off balance.
Zoey didn’t stop to look back. She kept running down the hallway. Eventually, she found the elevator. As she waited for the door to open, there was a horrible screeching sound that filled her head with pain. For what she could tell, the noise was coming from where she had just been. And it was just her who was affected.
All the drones flocking in the opposite directions like a group of spooked bats. As the door finally opened, Zoey slid in and hit the top button. As it rose silently, the noise became dimmer and dimmer, and the pain eventually disappeared.
A little lightheaded, Zoey stumbled out of the elevator and walked up the same quiet hallway she went down what seemed like a year ago. Had the gunfire stopped or is it just soundproof? Was it all over? The secret doorway opened in front of her, leading her into the same dim garage.
Zoey walked around looking for the ramp out of the garage. When she saw the exit was covered by two police officers, she quietly went back the way she came. Zoey climbed up onto a car and proceeded to slide through the opening that she had squeezed through previously.
Dusting herself off, she slowly walked to the nearest bus station.
Click here to read Chapter 11
Written by J M Emmons. The story and all characters are copyrighted by J M Emmons.
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