Dead Yet Alive

Everything that mattered had been taken from me. I’ll not let them take you too, Belinda Blue.

Bracing myself for whatever might happen, I answered the call.

I saw the hooded, masked figure. They got up and moved over to Blue, putting her fully in shot.

She was tied to a heavy-looking wooden chair, with white paint peeling off it. Her face was bruised and she had cuts all around her mouth. Her eyes were sad, yet defiant.

“Don’t worry about me, Adem! I’m fine. Here with these MORONS!”

The masked figure came back in view. He spoke in a heavily distorted voice, “So you see, Jesus, we have your Mary Magdalene. Better start praying!”

I fixed him a steely stare. “Do you not watch the news wherever you are? I thought I made it clear I was open to talking with you! Why were you so impatient?” Ironic, coming from me of all people.

“Oh yes, we’ve seen your power-crazed performances. Live and in person – I was in Day and Night when you made your childish rant. I spoke to you! Not that you’d remember…And I was a witness at ‘The Diamond Park Miracle’. Amongst other places. I’ve had a whale of a time in the fake and forgetful New City recently…Look at you, not so full of yourself now, aintcha? Yes, you’ll talk, but in our language, on our terms. Yes yes yes. And you’ll talk and talk and talk –”

“– You’re so sure you’ll win.”

“House always wins. Think about it – even if you wash your hands of Smurfette here, the press will slaughter you once they find out you’ve abandoned her. If you don’t – well, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. I’m looking forward to the fun, it’s long overdue!”

A message came through. From Steph. I felt I needed to read it without drawing attention to it.

“Show me Blue again.” He cackled. “Take it in, suck it up!”

He put me back on to Blue. I mouthed at her "Talk! Talk," staring into her. She nodded, like she had read my mind, and started demanding her freedom.

Quickly, I flicked on to the message. “Can’t get through to you Worried says you’re in convo with source unknown Ran it through press system Came back quickly. He’s Damien Olsen high probability. Won’t send more until your say so we’re here for you x.”

I finished just in time. The hooded masked figure popped himself back on.

The game needed to change: the way things were going, it was all a done deal. I felt bravery rise in me. Prevail.

“Nice you’ve still eyes for her. Not your own eyes, you fake, but at least you can still see her. For now.”

“Who are you? Who is it I’m talking to?”

“How does that concern you?”

“I’ll only talk to Damien Olsen from now on.”

He froze. I continued. “I guess I’ve the right person, then. Hello Damien, I’m Adem. Nice we can be formally introduced. Can we start again?”

“…Cute. Very cute.”

“Yes, she most definitely is. And you should see her sister.”

He laughed. “21st Century comedy is alive and well, I see.”

“And 22nd Century fancy dress is too, I see. I don’t understand you. My intentions were to always talk with you. Always. You can get what you want without doing all of this. Leave Blue out of it. Set her free, let her walk. Let me take her place. She’s done nothing to you.”

A cruel smile broke out on his face. “Sacrifice. How unoriginal. Shall we nail you to a cross on live TV?”

“If that’s what it takes, yeah. Do it. Just leave Blue alone.”

He laughed. “We can consider it, sure. Once you’re here. We can talk in person. Okay. I promise, I’ll have a…more open mind to other creative solutions. Only if they’re better than what I had planned. But,” he went on. “We hate you too much to let you die. And who says you won’t rise from the dead, yet again?”

I laughed back. Being dead was no big deal. Being a dead man on the inside, while being alive on the outside – that was true hell. I knew that.

Without Blue being alive, I’d be that man.

He went on. “Come to us. This is what we had in mind: We want Adem, the symbol, to die. With all that you stand for. You’ll denounce it all, live on TV. The fake plastic Adem will tear down the fake plastic world.”

I started back. “If that’s what it takes, as I said. But it doesn’t have to be that way. People will listen to you if –”

“– You fail to understand that we’re way beyond that point. We have been for years. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t wake up earlier, as maybe your approach might have worked. My child, this day was coming since you were reborn. Like it or not, you were designed to be a puppet, and now we are the ones pulling the strings. Didn’t you say you were a lab rat?”

He turned the holophone back towards Blue, sending her to the floor with a smart kick to the chair. She yelped out. “Adem! Don’t come here! Forget about me! I’m –” She was booted in the side and stifled a cry.

Olsen came back on. “But you have to come, Adem! That’s what the difference is between you and The Sect. And the world you represent: We’ll do what it takes, no matter what.”

“I guess I’m not even getting the trial membership option, then.” I heard Blue laughing, and then coughing.

“What a pair you are. You’re actually nauseatingly sweet. I’m almost tempted to tell you not to take it personally.” He breathed in. “Autotaxi will be at Diamond Park in 30 minutes. Don’t be late. Needless to say, no funny business, your holophone will be monitored from now on so call a cab then switch it off, or we’ll presume the worst.”

He stopped and stared at me. “I’ll have a nice tall glass of Millipede Megaquake ready for you, pal!” He gave me the thumbs up, face expressionless save for those angry eyes staring out from behind the mask.

I heard Blue groan again as he lashed out.

Then, the call went dead.