Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hanna closed the door behind her friends. She leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, silently holding her face in her hands for a moment. She sniffed and looked at the ceiling, letting out a breath of frosty air. A knock on the door made her jump to her feet. Hanna opened the door to see EDJ. 

“Have you made a decision yet?” EDJ asked, leaning against the side of the door frame with his arms folded. 

Hanna shook her head, completely drained. “No.” 

“Did you enjoy your visit, at least?” EDJ asked. Hanna shrugged half-heartedly. EDJ smirked as he straightened and gestured back toward the control room. “Come along, we have a city to destroy.” Hanna followed him out of the room and down the hallway. Unknown to Hanna, EDJ, and his entourage of guards, DJ and Lui followed behind them. 

“Why am I hesitating?” Hanna asked, mostly to herself. “Earlier, I would have flatly refused... Why is this so difficult?”

“Do realize I am quite sympathetic to your conundrum,” EDJ answered. “It’s not easy reevaluating everything you know and believe.” 

“I don’t expect you to understand,” Hanna commented sullenly. 

“I know, but I do,” EDJ continued while walking. “Did I ever tell you how I ended up on the side of evil?” Hanna shook her head. “Would you like to hear it?” EDJ asked. 

“Sure,” Hanna answered, mostly trying to avoid her decision for as long as possible. 

“I wasn’t always this way,” EDJ started. “I used to be on the side of good. Almost a hero even.” He furrowed his brows. “Back when I discovered my talents, something happened between me and DJ. I’d rather not get into the gritty details of it, but understand it was quite the traumatic series of events. We had a huge falling out and I swore vengeance on him. Then I joined the ranks of evil. A whole lot happened between now and then, of course, but that’s the sum of it. What I said about being a hero is true. A hero can’t save everyone. You’re always going to let someone down. Might as well go all in.” 

Hanna was only halfway listening as they walked. Internally, she was at war with herself. I let it happen again, Hanna thought. I failed them. 

Of course you did, the voice answered. Did you think you could keep me locked up forever? 

I'm not a murderer, Hanna insisted. 

The voice laughed. The abundance of bodies on the floor in the arena says otherwise. What happens when all those little pieces belong to someone you care about, hmm? You're a massacre waiting to happen.

Hanna clenched her fists. I couldn't... I could never… I just wanted it to stop…

Maybe you don’t have what it takes to survive, but I do, the voice jeered. Let me out and I’ll take care of this mess for you. 

You’re only going to make it worse, Hanna thought, shoulders sagging. 

How much worse could I possibly make it? the voice asked. You’ve already severed whatever connections you had left. You are alone. You will always be alone. That’s why you have me. 

“Maybe I was always meant to be evil,” Hanna whispered. 

EDJ glanced at her curiously, noticing her craft something with frost magic between her fingers. They entered the control room and EDJ went back to his seat behind the desk. Hanna sat in the chair opposite him. After a moment, Hanna held up a rose of ice, pure and clear as glass. The rose was intricately detailed and beautiful, seemingly crafted with precision and care. She twisted the icy flower stem between her fingers for a moment, inspecting it. Without warning, she stood up and let go of the rose, letting it shatter on the floor. “What’s in it for me?” Hanna finally asked. She looked at EDJ with blood red eyes. “What’s in it for me if I join you?” Her tone and posture changed. Where Hanna once seemed to make herself appear smaller, now she did the opposite. Her wings stretched out, flapping a couple times before she settled into a relaxed stance, a hand on her hip. 

“Well,” EDJ started. “According to the organization’s rules, you start off at the bottom tier and advance up the ladder. Same as I did.”

“Hmm.” Hanna didn’t seem convinced. “And I suppose I would be under your command? Undergo training and suchlike?” She meandered over to one of the tech stations with confident steps. Noticing an open bag of chocolate candy the tech had at their station, Hanna reached over and took it without asking. 

“Hey! That’s-” the tech stopped mid-sentence, looking between EDJ and Hanna. “I mean… never mind…” 

“Got any lip balm?” Hanna asked the tech. The tech nodded. Hanna snapped her fingers a few times. “Hand it over.” Hanna turned back to EDJ while the tech rummaged through their bag. “Well?” Hanna asked, popping some candy in her mouth and chewing. 

“Yes, but the training would be minimal,” EDJ answered, mentally taking note of the changes. “You already possess much of the required knowledge and skills. Consider it an apprenticeship. A mutually beneficial arrangement.” 

“Ahhh,” Hanna said, snatching the balm from the tech and running it over her lips. “I see.” She tossed the balm back at the tech and sauntered back to the chair in front of EDJ’s desk. “A master and his apprentice,” she said while taking a seat and propping her boots on the desk. “Sith rules?” Hanna asked, throwing more candy in her mouth. 

“Naturally,” EDJ responded with a polite smile, painfully ignoring the boots on his desk.

Hanna’s red eyes glinted as she grinned. “Do I get to kill you to advance?”

EDJ’s smile did not falter, but his eyes narrowed. “Don’t look so eager. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” He reached into a drawer, pulling out a book and placing it in front of her. “For now, you can look over the catalog of the pain points reward program.” 

Hanna pouted, putting her feet down and taking the book. “You have no idea how incredibly disappointing that is after all your promises,” she said, flipping through the book. 

“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it,” EDJ answered with a chuckle. “The catalog has just about anything you could ever want. For fifty points, you got yourself a brand new waffle iron.” 

“Joy.” Hanna rolled her red eyes. “How many points do I earn for assassination?” 

“Why did you immediately jump to murder?” EDJ asked curiously. 

Hanna shrugged nonchalantly, still browsing the catalog. “What? Don’t think I have the capacity for it?” she asked with a smirk, grabbing another piece of chocolate. 

“I know you have the potential for great evil,” EDJ said slowly, placing his elbows on the desk and tenting his fingers as he leaned forward, watching Hanna. “Granted, I wasn’t expecting it to show up in the form of an alter, but I’ll take it.” 

Hanna paused, candy halfway to her mouth. She finished the candy, licking the chocolate off her fingers, and turned to him with a sly smile. “You caught me.” She leaned back, folding her arms and crossing her legs. “So what now?” 

“Do you have a name or do you just go by Evil Hanna?” EDJ asked.  

Hanna snorted. “What does it matter?” 

EDJ stood up and stretched out his hand. “Names matter to me, apprentice,” he answered with a pleasant smile. 

Hanna gave the outstretched hand a wary look before smirking again. She stood up and took his hand, red eyes gleaming. “Call me Shard, master.” 

“A pleasure to meet you, Shard,” EDJ said with an evil grin as they shook hands. 

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

Hanna stared at the key in her hand, guards on either side of her as they stood in front of a locked door. Hanna let out the breath she was holding. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. “Guys?” 

“HANNA!” Hanna looked up in time to see Lui rush forward, wrapping her in a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” Lui exclaimed, holding her tight. 

Hanna did not move. She did not speak. She barely breathed. She simply stood rooted where she was, icy to the touch. Lui gasped and let go, stepping back suddenly. “S-sorry! I’m sorry! I forgot you-...” Lui stopped, tilting his head. He was expecting her to be angry. She wasn’t. She didn’t even look annoyed. She looked empty. “Hanna? Are you ok?” Lui asked. Hanna shook her head and slowly looked up, first at Lui then at DJ. 

“Hi Hanna,” DJ said with a wave and cautious smile. “It’s good to see you. How are you?” 

Hanna’s face looked like she wanted to cry, but her voice was cold and void of feeling. “Why are you here?” Hanna asked.

“Well,” Lui started slowly. “Seems this friend of mine is in a rough spot. I promised I’d be there for her. No matter what. Sooo...” Lui grinned at her. “Here I am!” Hanna looked away. 

“We’re here to help,” DJ said, stepping forward. “Sorry we’re late.” 

“Yeah.” Lui chuckled. “Seems our friend left us stranded in…” Lui turned back to DJ.

“Svalbard,” DJ offered. 

Lui nodded, turning back to Hanna. “Stranded in Svalbard without a ride.” His attempt to make light of the situation did not have the desired impact. 

“Maybe you need a better friend,” Hanna muttered, refusing to look at him. 

“If there’s an opening, you’ll be the first to know,” Lui said quietly with a smile, eyes never leaving her. 

Unbeknownst to the group, EDJ was watching from his seat in the control room, munching on popcorn. A tech glanced at him. “And you’re telling me they’re oblivious to this?” the tech asked, pointing at the screen. 

EDJ nodded. “Very much so,” he said before eating another handful of popcorn.

Back in the room, Hanna turned to DJ. “Why would you want to help me?” she asked. “I’m a potential threat.”

“Because, potential threat or not, you’re still our friend,” DJ answered sincerely. 

“Yeah!” Lui agreed. “Friends stick together!” 

DJ took a more serious tone. “We saw the ultimatum he gave you…”

“Then you know what has to be done,” Hanna answered. 

DJ shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be that way, Hanna. You haven’t made a decision yet, right? We can still find a way to fix this.” 

“There’s no fixing it,” Hanna said, anger and sorrow in her voice. “I killed all those-” she stopped herself and took a breath. “I went after EDJ so he would stop hurting people and I’m the one that ended up doing the most damage. He was right. I wanted to fight him. I can’t keep this evil locked in forever. I really am-...” She looked down and sniffed, working to control and hide the slew of emotions. “I’m evil.” 

“The fact that you’re remorseful about your actions tells me you still have the capacity for good,” DJ said with compassion in his voice. 

“Hanna,” Lui started softly. “You’re not evil. Your immediate reaction when Iul kidnapped us was to rescue your friends, regardless of the cost.”

“Exactly,” DJ chimed in. “How could we not stay friends after everything you did for us?”

Lui nodded. “What you did in that room… that’s not who you are. Iul is to blame here, not you. Please let us help you.” Lui stepped forward, but Hanna stepped back.

“You need to stay away from me,” Hanna warned. “Please... Don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

“You’re really going to do it?” DJ asked in disbelief, initially thinking they were making progress.

Hanna glared at DJ. “I don’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice,” Lui said quietly, reaching for her hand. “Hanna, please. This isn’t-”

“STAY AWAY!” Hanna shouted, sharply turning to Lui with a glare. 

Lui’s hand stopped midair and he stared back at her with wide, hurt eyes. “O-okay.” Lui stepped back. “S-sorry.” He turned away, tears gathering. 

“You need to leave,” Hanna said harshly, looking back at DJ. “Before I hurt anyone else. Before EDJ locks you up again. I don’t think I’ll be able to save you next time. I’m… beyond help now…” 

“I don’t believe that,” DJ said, disappointment evident. “But we’ll leave you alone, if that is what you wish.” DJ stepped up to Lui and attempted to pull the Other along, but Lui would not be moved. 

“No…” Lui whispered, still trying to make sense of the situation. “No, I can’t. I want to stay and help.” The glare from Hanna made him reconsider. 

“She needs to fight this battle herself,” DJ said, gently tugging Lui toward the door. As they passed Hanna, DJ turned to her. “Will we ever see you again?” 

“I don’t know,” Hanna answered. “I think the best thing for you to do would be to stay as far away from me as possible. I can’t be trusted.” 

“Come on, Lui. It’s time for her to fight this,” DJ said, leaving the room. 

“O-okay…” Lui looked Hanna in the eyes, still hurt. “I trust you, Hanna. I trust that you can make things right. I hope you’ll be ok.” He followed DJ out of the room. 

A guard outside the door handed DJ and Lui their weapons back, as EDJ promised. The guard pointed down the hallway. “Follow this hall, the exit’s the third door on the left,” the guard instructed. DJ walked in the direction indicated. As soon as they were out of sight of the guards, DJ ducked into a room and pulled Lui inside. 

“What are you doing?” Lui asked. “The exit’s tha-”

DJ put a finger to his lips and nodded to the side. 

“Oh, got it,” Lui said in a hushed voice. He looked around the room they happened to be in, observing his surroundings. A plate of half-eaten food was on a little table next to a vase of red roses. One rose was on the ground in a pool of water, fully wilted and dead. The two sat and waited. 

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

DJ and Lui looked for another way out of the waiting room they were in. Unfortunately, the ceiling was too high and made of metal for it to be of any use. On top of that, the air ducts were too small for anyone to fit through comfortably. The only way in or out was the door and they both knew what to expect should they decide to use it again. They opted to rest a bit before taking on whatever group of soldiers or guards Iul had at his disposal. DJ was lying across three chairs placed together, arm hung over his face to block out the light. Lui sat on the floor nearby with his legs crossed. Lui tugged his gloves off and rubbed the arm EDJ nearly twisted out of its socket in their fight earlier. “How’s your injury doing?” Lui asked.

“It seems to be fine,” DJ replied. 

Lui looked up at him from the floor. “Do you think Hanna’s ok?”

“I hope so,” DJ answered, arm still over his eyes. 

“Do you think Iul’s going to let her go?” Lui asked. 

DJ sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to actually get any sleep. He sat up and put his feet on the floor. “I don’t know, buddy.” He offered Lui a reassuring smile. “But I’m sure everything’s going to work out.” Something green and black around Lui’s wrist caught DJ’s eye. “What’s that?” DJ asked, pointing. 

“What?” Lui looked down at his hand. “Oh, it was a Christmas present.” 

DJ tilted his head at Lui curiously. Lui had spent Christmas with DJ. Being short on immediate family members and knowing he hadn’t given it to Lui, DJ racked his brain for who else could have gifted it to him. 

“...from Hanna,” Lui clarified, ears briefly turning pink. 

“Oh, cool,” DJ said. “Can I see it?” 

“Sure.” Lui pulled the decoration off and handed it to DJ freely. 

Reaching over to take the object and noticing both Lui’s arms now empty, DJ asked, “What happened to your wristband collection?” 

“I had to start over after I broke my wrist,” Lui answered with a laugh. 

DJ winced. “Ouch, I forgot about that.” He inspected the object Lui handed to him. It was a little thing, a handmade bracelet made of colored string and knotted into a repeating pattern. Black and green. Interesting color choice, DJ thought with a small smile. “Lui…” DJ started, but paused, halfway lost between a thought and a memory. 

“...Yeah?” Lui answered, waiting for the rest of the sentence. He wasn’t sure whether to expect a teasing comment or words of wisdom from his Original. Either one was a possibility with DJ’s facial expression. There were some things even Lui couldn’t read. 

DJ seemed to dismiss his train of thought entirely, handing the bracelet back with a smile. “Don’t lose it,” he warned.  

Lui grinned. “Don’t worry. You know me!” he said cheerily as he reached out to take the object back. 

“Yeah, I do,” DJ said with a half-suppressed chuckle. As Lui took the bracelet, DJ caught the symmetrical, fishbone-shaped scar along the Other’s wrist and forearm. “How’s your wrist anyway?” DJ asked, his smile fading. 

“Okay, I guess,” Lui replied with a shrug, tucking the bracelet into a pocket and rubbing the scarred area again. “Doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. Actually, I can’t really feel any-” Lui’s head snapped up with a worried expression. “B-but don’t worry! I heal fast! I was cleared before I left school. I won’t let it slow me down.” 

DJ blinked at him. “That wasn’t what I-”

The tv screen in the room came to life of its own accord, cutting off the conversation.

“What’s that?” Lui asked, pulling his gloves back on as he stood up. DJ didn’t answer, but stood up and stepped closer to the screen. The image on screen was of Iul and Hanna in a control room, talking. 

“You think I don’t know what it means to be the black sheep?” EDJ asked, slowly circling Hanna’s dejected form. 

“What’s going on?” Lui asked, turning to DJ. 

“I’m not sure,” DJ answered, watching the screen with narrow eyes. “Could be another trick.” 

Lui turned back to the screen. “Wait a minute,” Lui said, cogs turning. “Why is he monologging? He should know better than to monologue.” 

“Because he thinks he’s already won,” DJ answered, grimly watching. “He’s trying to turn her evil.” 

“What?” Lui turned to his Original again. “Don’t be silly, Hanna isn’t evil.” He glanced at the screen again. “She’s not…” his shoulders sank. “No, that’s not… she isn’t…” 

“Did you know she was an Evil Other?” DJ asked. 

Lui didn’t answer right away, still staring at the screen. He shook his head. “I knew she was hiding something, but… No. She didn’t tell me that.” 

DJ and Lui continued watching the screens. EDJ and Hanna moved to another part of the room. 

“Could you do it?” EDJ asked. “Can you end the lives of thousands of innocent people with a single act?”

“That’s not fair,” Lui said. “That can’t be right. He’s bluffing. He has to be! He would never…” Lui turned to DJ, whose grim expression did not change. 

“This is the same EO that tried to flood the earth a few days ago,” DJ said with a frown. “Light or no light, this has gotten out of hand. We need to stop him before any more lives are put on the line.” DJ marched to the door. “We’re getting out of here.” 

***********************************

Three hallways and five rooms later, DJ and Lui wandered through the twists and turns of the mysterious castle. Not having their weapons after losing them in the first room made dealing with the guards a little more difficult. Still, they continued searching for Hanna. Room after room, but they were all empty. DJ and Lui ducked into an open door to avoid a guard patrol. As the patrol passed, DJ was about to leave when the door locked again. “Why does this have to be so difficult?” DJ asked with a huff. 

“Hey, this room looks kinda like a hotel suite,” Lui commented as he explored. “Look, there’s even a stocked mini-fridge and everything!” He helped himself to a cold sports drink and offered one to DJ. 

“I feel like we’ve been wandering around this place for hours,” DJ said, taking the drink. 

“It’s only been fifteen minutes,” Lui said, finishing his drink and throwing the empty bottle in the garbage can. 

“It would help if we knew where they stashed our weapons,” DJ said with a frown, opening the bottle and drinking from it. 

Lui shrugged. “It’d take the fun out of looking for them if we knew where they were.” 

DJ chuckled and shook his head in response. As soon as he finished the drink, he turned back to the door. “Back to busting down doors.” 

“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you,” EDJ’s voice said over a hidden speaker. 

DJ and Lui turned around, ready to fight, but not seeing anyone. “EO! Show yourself, coward!” DJ shouted. 

“I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment,” EDJ answered apathetically. 

“Please tell us where Hanna is,” Lui requested politely. 

“Conveniently, she’s on her way to see you,” EDJ replied. “Walking down the hall to your room as we speak.” 

“Why?” DJ asked suspiciously, preparing for another trick or trap. 

EDJ answered with, “She’s on the verge of making the most important decision of her life. I told her she has all the time in the world, but the truth is I’m on a tight schedule. I’m looking to speed things up a bit. Help an Other out, would you?” 

“Not a chance,” DJ answered with a grin. “If Hanna’s on her way here, we can still turn this around and beat you.” 

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” EDJ answered confidently. “She’s in rough shape. You saw what sort of ordeal she’s been through. She’s questioning everything she knows and trusts. Help her make the right decision here. When you’re done with your visit, you’re free to leave.” 

“Free to leave? What do you mean by that?” Lui asked the ceiling, assuming that to be the source of the disembodied voice. 

“Your weapons will be returned to you,” EDJ replied, voice not quite holding the same victorious tone it held just seconds ago. “I’ll have someone show you to the exit and there are snowmobiles waiting outside the castle. All I ask is that you leave without a fuss.” 

“We’re not finished here, EO,” DJ stated. “You still need to be held accountable for your actions.” 

“Believe it or not, I have bigger fish than you to fry,” EDJ answered with a hint of annoyance. “Leave today. Return tomorrow. You know where I live now, so bring an army. You’ll need it.” 

“We’re not leaving without Hanna,” DJ firmly answered. 

“That’s not your decision to make, hero,” EDJ said spitefully. “It’s Hanna’s.” 

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

The control room was quiet for a long time, minus the occasional tapping of the techs still working at their stations. Or pretending to work, in any case. Eoin, standing in the far corner of the room, tried to get EDJ’s attention by silently waving his arms. When EDJ noticed, the assistant pointed to one of the tech stations and back at the door in an urgent manner. Probably DJ and Lui causing trouble, EDJ thought. Go take care of it yourself. He shot Eoin a death stare and a subtle nod toward Hanna, indicating which was the priority. “I have one final test, if it makes things easier,” EDJ offered, turning his attention back to Hanna. She glanced up at him curiously. “If you would be so inclined…” EDJ motioned to follow him to the work station nearest his desk. EDJ waved the tech away and typed away on the keyboard, flipping switches and pressing buttons on the console. A panel in the station slid away and a glass lockout box with a button inside rose to the surface. EDJ opened the box and stepped aside. 

“What’s this?” Hanna asked, stepping forward and staring at the large, red button. 

“Your final test,” EDJ said with a smile. “At the push of this button, fifty fully armed super rockets will be launched at the city of your choice. The question is: Are you willing to inflict such evil on an unsuspecting city?” 

“What?” Hanna turned to EDJ, confused. “How could you ask that of me?”

“Because I think you can do it,” EDJ answered confidently. He turned to type on the keyboard. “So which city will you choose? How about London? No particular reason, but we need at least one target. Aaaand, there we go. All set.” As EDJ finished typing, the monitors changed to show various street views of the city. 

Hanna turned back to the screens and watched. “So many people…” she whispered, eyes wide. The destruction of an entire city… populations… homes… families… lives… Hanna looked down at the button. “Will it… really destroy the city?” she hesitantly asked. 

“You bet!” EDJ answered cheerily. “All you have to do is press the button. I can change the city, if you’d like.” Hanna shook her head, looking at the screens again. “It’s a big decision, I understand,” EDJ continued casually. “You can stay and think on it as long as you like. I’m here to provide moral support, but the decision is ultimately up to you.” He watched her for a moment. “Can you do it? Can you end the lives of thousands of innocent people with a single act?”

“That’s not what you’re asking,” Hanna whispered. “The real question is, am I truly evil?” 

“Unfortunately, that is one question that I cannot answer for you,” EDJ replied.

Hanna watched the screens quietly. Men, women, children, teachers, students, families, friends, business partners, tourists, law enforcement, beggars, nurses. The street cameras showed numerous walks of life, various religions, most ages, and almost every tone of skin known to mankind. Hanna watched them go about their lives, completely oblivious to the threat. 

Hanna avoided people, that was no secret. Humans individually were tolerable at best, barring a few already established friends. En masse they were either a nuisance or a threat, neither of which Hanna much cared for. Groups were especially prone to like-minded stupidity. Hope for humanity was never particularly high, with there being just as many reasons to hate it as there were to love it. “I’m supposed to protect them,” Hanna whispered. 

EDJ tilted his head. “Interesting. Is humanity worth protecting?” 

Hanna looked down at the red button again. All those lives cut short, Hanna thought. They’ll die. 

Of course they’ll die, the voice in the back of her head spoke up. Today, tomorrow, fifty years from now. What’s it matter when? They’re going to die anyway. 

Hanna frowned, eyes distant. But all their hopes and dreams…

What about MY hopes and dreams?! the voice shouted at her. Not once has anyone taken into consideration what I want. You risk your life every day protecting people who don’t even know you exist. What’s the point?! Even now, their lives are in your hands and they don’t even know it. They deserve a reminder. 

Hanna chewed on her lip again. I can’t.

Sure, you can, the voice answered. Think about all the little bits and pieces of bodies left in that room. Compared to that, this is a breeze! It’s just a button. 

That was self defense, Hanna countered. I didn’t mean to… this is different. This is intentional. These people are innocent.

The voice laughed. There’s no such thing as innocent, it said. Isn’t that what they keep telling us? No one is innocent. 

Hanna’s brows furrowed. No, that’s not right. You’re twisting the truth. These people are important. They matter. 

The world is filled with billions of people, the voice continued apathetically. Wars, natural disasters, and accidents happen all the time. A couple thousand people isn’t going to make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. People are only ever a means to an end. Another resource. This world runs on survival of the fittest. The bigger army wins. The stronger fighter survives. 

That’s not true, Hanna insisted. There are plenty of cases where-

Kill or be killed, the voice interrupted. Those are your only options. Or did you conveniently forget that lesson too?

Hanna’s shoulders fell. I don’t… I can’t… 

You can’t, but I can. Hanna’s hand moved, stopping inches above the button. 

No, Hanna thought. I won’t let you. 

Why? the voice asked. What has humanity ever done for us, huh?

Hanna stood almost frozen, hand trembling as it hovered in place. Nothing, Hanna finally answered. 

Nothing, the voice confirmed. Absolutely right. What humanity’s done to us, to its own, to everyone they deem subhuman… that’s more than enough to justify ridding the world of a few cities. 

Hanna thought of the members of her team back home, the other genetically modified and spliced humans, created to protect the world. She thought of the way her Original treated her and the last words they said to each other. Then she thought of Kandi, Mariah, DJ, and Lui. And yet… Her thoughts lingered on Lui. …and yet…

EDJ intently watched Hanna, patiently waiting for her decision to play out. Eoin came up beside him. 

“Sir!” Eoin whispered as urgently as he could. 

“Shhh,” EDJ hushed. “Don’t interrupt.” 

“Sir,” Eoin insisted, “The priso-”

“I don’t care, go take care of it yourself,” EDJ cut him off and sent the assistant away. Hanna did not seem to notice the exchange in the least, for which EDJ was grateful. Having a thought, EDJ quietly stepped back to his desk and pressed a few buttons and switches. He pulled up the feed of the room DJ and Lui were in. As expected, the room was empty with the door busted again. Scrolling through the model of the castle, EDJ found the two wandering down a hallway. He looked up at the guards in the control room and motioned for some of them to assist in recapturing the escape artists. EDJ flipped switches and entered commands, closing some doors and opening others in an attempt to redirect the two into another containment room. Thankfully, the guards helped “guide” the escapees into one of the guest suites, temporarily locking them in again. 

EDJ turned back to Hanna. She had not moved a muscle. She stood still with her hand hovering over the red button, staring at it in indecision. EDJ cautiously stepped up to her. “Hanna?” She slowly turned, her blank stare going right through him. Right out of a horror movie. EDJ cleared his throat and smiled politely before speaking. “What would you do if I said you could see your friends?” 

The blank stare immediately turned into fury and focus. “You kidnapped my friends again?” Hanna accused. 

EDJ held up his hands innocently. “Of course not. In fact, they came here on their own. Looking for you.” The anger melted into doubt and Hanna looked away. “Must be nice to have friends that care so much,” EDJ continued. “I let them know what you were going through. They also might have seen your little outburst.” 

Hanna’s eyes widened. “T-they… they saw that?” she asked, voice faltering. 

EDJ nodded. “Afraid so.” He went back to the desk and pulled open a drawer, retrieving something. “I would understand if you can’t bear to face them, knowing what they’ve seen. They did come all this way though…” EDJ walked back to Hanna. “Would you care to see them before you make a decision? I can have one of the guards escort you.” Hanna nodded. “Very well. You’ll need this.” EDJ gently took Hanna’s hand and placed a key in her palm. “I’ll have them show you the door, but only you can decide whether or not to walk through it.” He smiled politely as he stepped back and nodded to a guard. “Please enjoy your time with your friends.”