SAVANTS

The Chapture 35

I just got up right until mid-morning. The sky was pale blue through the dark windows, small wisps of dew stained the surface of the windows.

I cleaned my teeth with the brush and paste the hotel provided and got dressed. It seems strange to wear shorts in the middle of winter, but the hotel environment controlled by a heating device means inside it is always warm.

Belly sounds. I looked at the mini kitchen and there were biscuits, I picked up a chocolate biscuit and a bottle of Coke, and sat down to wait. I was in the middle of a crisis, but strangely everything was calm.

I dare not risk trying to contact Zed again. Halloran might have woken up and I didn't know enough about the shield and pierced through the shield.

I just hope Zed receives my message not to rush. We need a plan to get me out.

There's a knock on the door. It wasn't the behavior I expected from the kidnappers. The door opened, and I saw Gator carrying a tray.

"Let's have breakfast, miss. You sleep well?''

''Not really.''

Ignoring this, Gator placed a tray on the table near the window. ''Breakfast. Eating quickly. The boss wants to see you.''

I'm not sure I can arrange anything. Deciding not to upset her by refusing cooperation for such a small thing, I lifted the lid. No, I can't swallow these eggs.

I sip orange juice and bite down on a piece of toast instead. Gator is not leaving. He stood at the window pretending to shoot at the birds flying over the buildings, giving me a good look at the hair of his ponytail which he tied and wore a leather tie.

He seemed to be in a cheerful mood, not at all agitated for someone who was part of the kidnapping. It was then that I realized that whoever was behind this had to control this entire hotel.

"I'm done, thank you." I'm standing. The fact that I'm going to meet their boss in person is not a good sign. I'm trying to think of a scenario where they don't kill me to protect their identity.

''OK let's go.'' He gripped my upper arm firmly and led me out into the hallway. We turned left, walked through the elevator and into the waiting room.

Through the frosted window, I could see people sitting around the meeting table. Gator knocked once, waited for the green light, then entered with me who was behind him.

Fear makes my hearing sharp. I try to absorb as much information as I can just in case there is a miracle I get.

Three people sat at the table. My eyes were fixed on the eldest, a man with black hair dyed dark brown, holding his BlackBerry. The shirt is black, although the choice in a tie does not match the color of the suit.

He sat in the biggest chair. On both sides sat a younger man and woman. The family resemblance was strong enough for me to guess that they were her children or her close relatives.

"Here we go, Mr. Kelly. I'll wait outside.'' Gator gave me a little push towards the table and walked out.

Mr. Kelly sat looking at me without speaking for a while, his fingers tapping on the table. The others were clearly waiting for him to make what move he wanted.

I only know that the Benedict family has helped in the conviction of the two Kelly families. From the way he sat confidently in the biggest chair, I guess I was looking at the famous Daniel Kelly himself, head of Kelly's business empire, the man whose face appears more often on the business page than Donald Trump and Richard Branson combined.

''Come.'' Kelly gestured for me to come closer.

Reluctantly, I walked around the table.

''Halloran says you're a savant?''

''I don't know.'' I slipped my hand into my pocket to disguise the fact that I was shaking.

''You are savant. I can figure it out. It's a pity that you're really stuck in this situation.'' He gave me a sorry grin, showing me very flat teeth.

The man on his right spoke. ''Dad, are you sure the Benedict family will exchange themselves for him?''

"Yes, they'll try. They would not be able to stop themselves from trying to protect an innocent person like him.''

The younger Kelly poured him a cup of coffee. ''And police? They must be involved by now.''

''They will never be able to track him here. And he'll tell them exactly what I told him".

Mr. Kelly leaned back in his chair. ''It's kinda weird. There were dark spaces in his mind.''

I stepped back vigilantly. He tried to read my mind somehow. Zed says I always give too much to other savants. I made the shield as fast as I could.

He tapped his finger lazily on the table. ''Turquoise color. Childish color, isn't it?''

''Not too strong, '' commented the younger woman, she looked slender like a wild cat, well-groomed but deadly. "I can destroy it for you, Daddy."

''Oh no, I don't want him to be destroyed just yet.''

The Benedict family thought there was only one savant involved, what they failed to anticipate was that Mr. Kelly's family possessed powers like theirs. It suddenly became much more complicated.

"You're wondering what we're gonna do with you, aren't you, Sky?'' Mr. Kelly reached out to me, his face filled with dissatisfaction. He seemed to suffer from deep disappointment and wanted others to suffer with him.

I'd rather touch the snake so I put my hand in my pocket.

''We won't kill you, if that's what you think. You are not our enemy.'' He let his hand fall. "I'm a businessman, not a murderer."

"So what are you going to do to me?'' ask me.

He stood up, pulling his jacket straight. Then approaching me, he walked around, judging me like an art critic on a new show. His presence tickled my nerves like discordant music.

"You're gonna be my best friend, Sky. You're gonna tell the police that neither I nor my family had anything to do with your abduction, that it was Benedict's two boys who took you for their own disgusting and evil purposes.''

"That sounds like a good idea, I like, '' the young man commented. ''I think humiliating them is better than just killing them.''

"I thought you'd do it, Sean. I told you you could trust Dad to think of a suitable payment for your uncle.''

I gaped at them. ''You're crazy! There's nothing you can do or say to make me lie to the police, even if you threaten me! I won't let you kill Zed or .. or his brothers! never will!''

Mr. Kelly found my anger funny. ''Cute little stranger, hehehe! Sizzling and spitting like an angry kitten and equally threatening, adorable "He laughed.

''Of course you will say what I say, Sky. You see, that is my strength. You'll remember what I want you to remember. You know, like a prison guard who's about to release my brothers from prison, thinking they're receiving word from the governor to get them out. There is no point in fighting. Bending down, like a person who fits what I want is my forte."

Oh, my God, he's like Victor. But can he really make me say and do something unusual? but to fabricate the complicated lies that appear before the evidence, surely I wouldn't agree with that? Can I forget myself until I betray Zed? Betraying my soul mate?

I threw that thought deep behind all my obstructions. Mr. Kelly must not know what Zed means to me - he will exploit that weakness mercilessly.

"Rightly surprising, Sky. I can see it even if you wear a shield. So Zed is your soul mate"

Before I was scared, now I'm more scared.

"I can see that you're starting to believe that I can do it.'' Mr. Kelly slipped his BlackBerry into his breast pocket.

''Don't worry, you won't suffer. You'd think you were telling the truth. I have to keep you safe, of course, to make sure you keep singing the same song for about a year until everyone forgets, but we can confirm that, Maria?'' continued.

The younger woman nodded. ''Yeah dad, I thought we could make a place for him in the household at one of the hotels when he dropped out of high school to stay in Vegas. Tragically, the memories of Wrickenridge would be too painful for him to return.''

''But my parents ...''It's worse than a nightmare, I'm starting to get affected.

Mr. Kelly sighed insincerely. ''They will feel like they failed to protect you and I will convince them that they want to give you the space that our doctors think you need to calm down after being traumatized. We know all about them and that you're an adopted son - how fragile your mental state is. I'm sure they'll be too busy with their careers to worry too much as long as you tell them you're happy - and you'll tell them so.''

How does he know so much? "You took my life away from me."

''Better than killing you, and that's the only other option.''

Sean came to join his father. His head was taller, but much fatter, his belly rolled over a thin leather belt that held his loose trousers.

He had a Mexican-like mustache curled on his lips that looked silly on someone who only had a few years older than me, disgusting.

"Dad said he had darkness inside him?''

Mr. Kelly frowned. " Can't you feel it?"

Sean grabbed my hand and pulled it to his nose, sniffing at my palm, his eyes closed as if inhaling a faint perfume. I tried to let go but the grip was very strong.

''Yes, I can feel it now. A beautiful feeling of pain and abandonment.

The moment he touched me, I could feel my panic rising, the calm I made for defense was being ripped apart like torn paper.

''Why not give it to me? I would love to drain her emotions - I could feel she would provide entertainment for hours.''

Daniel Kelly smiled kindly at his son. ''Is his emotional energy that strong?''

He's nodding. "I've never felt anything like this."

"Then you can have him after he fulfills his purpose with the Benedict family. Take care of him well enough to convince his family that he is here of his own free will.''

"I'll take care of it." Sean Kelly kissed my palm and I immediately let go. I wiped it on my shorts trembling. ''Hmm.'' He licked his lips. "You and I will know each other well, my dear."

I hugged my arm to the side and retreated to the window. I wanted to scream on his face but it would only show them how scared I was right now.

Maria Kelly rolled her eyes impatiently. ''My brother can be emotionally draining - gaining greater power when pulling things from someone else's brain. Not even good business. He won't last long if Sean catches him - Dad knows it. The latter only lasted a month before we had to brake it" his voice raised.

"I'm gonna find you a better victim, baby, Daddy's favorite daughter." Daniel Kelly stamped his authority on the situation with a piece of his hand.

''Now enough base, I have to give gifts to our guests. A police search is ongoing and our sources have reported that Benedict's family has moved out of their headquarters. It was time for the authorities to point their way. Come on, Sky, I have something I want you to remember.''Daniel Kelly looked around to find me, but I ran out. There was no way I would obediently give in to his mind manipulation.

''Sean!'' he barked.

Unfortunately I'm faster than that wad of donuts. I got out the door and ran to the elevator, hoping to find the waiting elevator or at least the stairs. I forgot who was outside.

I got as far as the hallway before Gator caught me. He took me down, forced all the air out of my lungs. My head hit the floor but I kept kicking and biting as he pulled me up. He held my arm and shook me.

"Stop, Miss. If you do what the boss says, you won't get hurt like now"

Blood dripped from the wound on the side of my head. My eyesight began to darken.

"Take him back here" ordered Mr. Kelly.

Gator dragged me to the meeting room. "Don't be too mad at her, Mr. Kelly," she asked. "This girl is just scared."

"Instead, I am not angry, he is our precious toy.'' Mr. Kelly checked his flashy Cartier watch.

''When we release it to the authorities covered in blood, they will more easily believe it. Now sit down with him. I'll start now.'' He was so cold, acting as if I was just a boring thing on the agenda of the meeting to be completed.