Page 82Strange truths

Seriph was standing in front of the door, in clear view of the cameras. I sincerely doubted she wasn't fully aware of every camera in the whole building, but she stood there anyway. Perhaps to taunt it, or to flaunt her prowess. She was looking at the sky, apparently not giving me any attention as I walked closer. I stayed out of the camera's view until I knew what was going on.

"Welcome Anne. The Camera's are offline this whole weekend, or rather they are replaying some footage form last yesterday after work."

"Your handiwork?"

She finally turned to me. "No, the funny thing is that this is the doing of someone you'll meet very soon. I didn't expect this to be possible already, but your help has been well timed."

"Okay. So are we going in?"

"Yes, would you mind to open this door?"

"Sure."

The door itself was easy. I picked it just like last time, faster even and with barely a click we were at large inside. Seriph led me through the building, going down one floor and, perhaps unsurprisingly, led us towards the light. There was an office there with the same kind of protection as the one Seriph had me sabotage. This time, however, she just keyed in eight digits that felt familiar somehow (but not very important). The door unlocked and was pushed open by us with but a whisper.

The beeps of the keypad had been on the outside of the door, would they have been heard inside?

Seriph whispered in a very, very soft voice. "I'm not sure you'll like this part, but I owe you this."

There was only one man working in the office. Surrounded by paperwork and three screens, all for different computers it seemed. (at least the visible desktop was all different). Two mobile phones were resting not far from his feverishly typing hands. The face of him was worn, tired, focused. And I knew the face.

I had hoped that I wouldn't have to see him again.

Jason.

My father.

He looked up at the two of us entering. "I asked not to be disturbed... Hold on. Amy? What are you doing here?"

"She is here by my request."

He looked at her, blinked and looked again. "I'm not sure I know you?"

"You wouldn't, I was eleven when I ran away from you and your friends. It took me years to build up a fortune from the little I had left, to even get close. To find you."

Jason narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Did so many escape that you forgot? It's ten years ago, Jason. Some of the things you did to me stopped my body from growing up. I doubt you ever perfected that process. I didn't have long to live if Amy hadn't helped me."

That explained her young looking body a little better than I had wished to know. But it also explained her desire to be like me. At last some things were clearing up.

"I see."

He looked to his screens and turned them off. He turned his phones over and removed the batteries, making sure no one could call us or listen in. As he stood up, Seriph allowing it, he disconnected the office phone as well, making this place truly clear of communication devices. Well, except the phone in my pocket, but he didn't know about that.

He took a deep breath. "Now we can talk. Yes, I do remember now. Your escape was quite subtle, we thought you'd died in the explosion."

"That was intentional. Mind to enlighten your daughter what you did to me?"

He smiled. "Gave you life?"

"Don't play games." She turned to me. "They used children with gifts to their advantage. Trying to keep them as children as long as possible. Those that grew up usually lost their powers over time, the mind requiring much more of an adult. So, for a while they tried to stop that process, keeping the body and the mind locked in time."

Jason shrugged. "You're wasting your time here, eh... I can't seem to remember your name."

She smiled evilly. "Seriph."

For a moment there was shock on his face, but he regained his composure almost admirably. Of course hating him made it very hard to admire the effort he put in it. Not only had he done terrible things to me, or at least was going to, but to many others as well. Even using science for things that was apparently more dangerous than it was worth.

He spoke. "The penny drops, I forgot about your exceptional intelligence as well. I'm sure it played some part in your escape. So you are behind that annoying rival company?"

"In a way. Now, to get to business. Jason, I'm here for revenge. Plain and simple. I wanted your daughter to know what you had done to me and had an idea of what you've done to others. Although something tells me she knew this already."

She walked closer. "And I'm going to kill you."

I wanted to speak, to stop her, say something sensible, but I just couldn't. My father reached into a desk, maybe to grab a gun. But his hand returned with nothing. There was a slightly smug expressing on his face. He looked at Seriph without worry or fear. He had no idea what she was capable of. And, to be honest, neither had I.

Of course, our party could not remain uncrashed. Two guards stormed through the door, guns aimed at both of us. A quick look at my father showed some surprise at least. Perhaps he'd summoned them with a hidden button in the drawer, but didn't expect them this fast.

"What's going on here? The phone here was improperly disconnected, so we were sent up here."

Some coffee on his breath betrayed the obvious delay in their response.

"Shoot them, they're trying to kill me!" Jason pointed at us.

Neglecting completely the idiocy of the situation. Seriph looked at cute as ever with the simple dress and her elegant body. I just looked (I hoped) like any 18 year old visiting her father. Even though I hadn't been planning on it. The guards were confused when Seriph screamed in fear and hid behind me. She touched both my sides as she stood there and the pressure she put on her fingers made me realize this was just to confuse the guards.

And it was working.

"But sir, they're only kids. We can't shoot kids..." His voice obviously confused. I tried to look apprehensive as well.

"Just do it!"

"But..."

Both of them lowered their guns for a moment and looked at Jason in puzzlement and confusion. It was already over. For both of them.

They have probably never seen corporate enemies like this before.