by A J Jameson
“You never wanted me to find you before,” Axel said.
Little Eye smiled, then realized it wasn’t an attempt at humor. “That’s because it was classified, Axel. Everything here, the people, the information, it all requires a top security clearance. But I can tell you everything, I can show you everything, if you agree to join us. You’ll never have to worry about shelter, food, or money ever again.”
“And my family?”
“They’ll be well-kept for. But you can’t ever see or contact them again.”
Axel sniffed. Sincere. Remorseful. “And Jordan?”
“Not here, but safe. You won’t ever be able to contact him, either.”
Loathing. Honest.
“Imogen?”
Little Eye shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
“She was right in front of me, tied up right in front of me,” Axel stammered.
“I know, I saw the whole thing.” Little Eye stroked Axel’s cheek. “We can talk about it as long as you need, but first you must accept the offer. Otherwise, I’ve put together a safety net for you, in the case of an emergency.”
“The funds you always demanded…”
Little Eye nodded.
Axel removed his MI and handed it to Little Eye. “No, I’m done doing this. I want my house back. And my computer station. I want it to go back to the way it was.”
“Axel…” Little Eye sighed. “They’ll be looking for you. To them, you’re a loose end.”
“Well then use me for bait. You said there are only a few of them left. If they want me that badly, I’ll lead you right to them.”
Little Eye shook her head. “No.” She handed back the MI. “As long as you’re with us, nobody will ever use you again.”
Axel didn’t bother testing her true intentions. He didn’t have to. Little Eye had never once lied to him, and it made him feel sick that he had considered her capable of anything otherwise. “Thank you,” he said, and closed his eyes. This time he didn’t feel a prick before drifting off.
—
Little Eye held Axel’s hand as he drifted off. It was warm, like his heart. The only person in the last twenty years she felt had a radiance in his soul that never verged from its true nature. If it weren’t for him, she’d be retired by now. He gave her something to fight for.
“Should we transport him, ma’am?” one of the technicians asked.
“No. He’ll come around.” She let go of his hand and picked up the MI. “I want this debugged. No more manipulating the software. That’s an executive order.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The technician left to perform the task.
Little Eye sat back in her chair. There was a ton of work to be done in terms of internal security. If C3U could collapse from such little outside pressure, then surely so could her organization. Too focused on internal fallacies to address the external hardships. Yes, plenty of work to be done. But for now, Little Eye remained content watching over her prodigy, the son she never had.
