Page 91 of The Lost Zone
Tyler craned his head to look, and Alex whirled around, barely breathing.
Sofie and Reed dashed over, then stooped to examine what the divers had brought up. Josiah looked at Alex, then at Tyler, Esther, Sofie, and Reed… all of them frozen to the spot. It was as if time had slowed down while they all held their collective breaths, waiting.
Sofie glanced at him over her shoulder. “It’s a skull!” she yelled.
Josiah had no idea how everyone else was reacting, because he was transfixed by Alex. His eyes were shining, his face contorted in a mix of utter relief combined with profound sadness – and there was something else. Vindication, maybe? Redemption?
Alex didn’t have long to savour his moment, because Tyler sprang into action. Grabbing Alex’s arm, he dragged himtowards the waiting duck. His goons surrounded them, trying to hustle Alex away before Inquisitus could respond. Tyler’s helicopter was just across the water. Once Alex was in that duck, he’d be lost to them. Ironic, really, if he should find Solange and lose Alex at the exact same moment.
Josiah sprinted across the grass towards the lost zone, his long legs making short work of the distance. Tyler had shoved Alex into the duck and was climbing in himself when Josiah threw himself forward and grabbed his arm.
“He’s legally mine,” Tyler shouted, trying to push him away.
Josiah held his ground. “Maybe, but that’s irrelevant right now, because you’re under arrest. I’m arresting you, George Tyler, on suspicion of the murder of Solange Alajika.”
Chapter Fourteen
APRIL 2089
Alex
Gideon took Alex to a different wing of the house and showed him to a small room. There was a spartan single bed, a small wardrobe, and an equally small en-suite shower room. The walls were the usual Belvedere white, a long mirror covering one of them.
“More cameras?” Alex pointed at the mirror.
“Of course. Just because you know you’re being watched doesn’t mean we won’t monitor you. However, you will have more freedom now. You’re in charge of your own destiny for the rest of your time here, Alex. We’re simply here to facilitate your learning – it’s up to you to tell us what you require. I’ll do my best to accommodate you wherever possible.”
“My big issue is behaving towards Tyler as if I don’t loathe him.” Alex slumped down on the bed with a sigh. “Even while having sex with him, if he’s really going to insist on that. I turn it around and around in my head, but I just don’t think I can do it.”
“With that kind of defeatist attitude, you won’t,” Gideon said firmly. “You know yourself best. Find a part of you that is good at deception and inhabit that space. Think of your secret – the one you will never speak of. Think how good you’ve beenat protecting that, for who knows how long, and what your motivation was.”
“There’s honestly no secret.” Alex rolled his eyes.
“Yes, there is. I’ve done this for a very long time, and I’m very good at it.” Gideon smiled. “Reframe how you think of yourself. You are clearly someone who can keep secrets. Your dislike of your houder is just another secret you must keep in order to achieve your objective. It’s a means to an end.”
“I’ll do my best to view it that way, then,” Alex murmured, without conviction.
“Do more than that. Muster some determination. If you can keep your other secret, then why not this one? How can your other secret possibly be more important than this and yet you keep it.”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.” Alex stood up and opened the wardrobe door to find his clothes already inside. Of course they were; Gideon was nothing if not efficient.
“Really? Tell me about your first sexual experience, then,” Gideon shot at him.
Alex had a sudden image of a medibot propped up against a door. He was excited, terrified, proud… and totally out of his depth. He spun around fast. “Is that what you think I’m hiding? It’s not. It just wasn’t very interesting. A quick blow job… nothing special. Not even someone I knew or liked.”
“Well, some of that is true, I’m sure, but not all of it. Don’t worry. I know you’ll never tell me.” Gideon smiled. “But I expect you to bring the same level of commitment to your work here as you’ve always given to your secret. You are stronger than you think. Now, make yourself at home. There are no timetables from here on in. I want you to come up with your own plan. I suggest you see C tomorrow, because you’ll find it useful, and I’ll check in on you once a day.”
“No timetables?” Alex was taken aback. “So, I’m free to sit around doing nothing until Tyler wants me again?”
“Absolutely.” Gideon shrugged. “However, it’s in your best interests to take advantage of your time here. This is where Mr Tyler failed so miserably. He tried to force you, and that rarely works. You must take responsibility for yourself, Alex. You’re not a helpless victim – you have agency.”
“So, I don’t have to work out? Or spend hours doing household chores?” Alex grinned.
“Not if you don’t want to.” Gideon shrugged. “But B is an excellent teacher, and you are an excellent student. I believe you’d prefer to be learning than sitting around doing nothing. As for working out, you will need to be in good condition to manage whatever your houder throws at you, but it’s up to you. You could go easy on yourself, but if you view being physically fit as a crucial part of your mission to obtain justice for Solange, then you might find it more agreeable. It’s your decision.”
“I don’t really have a choice, though, do I? I’m still Tyler’s indie. Nothing you teach me here will change that.”
Gideon shot him an impatient look. “Being Mr Tyler’s indie is your reality. I can’t change that and neither can you. How you choose to deal with that realityissomething you have control over, though. Up until now, all you’ve done is flail around, responding to what’s done to you. A part of you has, no doubt, enjoyed all the emotional incontinence and sarcasm that you’ve exhibited so many times. It’s made you feel powerful, but that’s an illusion. True power comes from learning to control your emotions and mastering them. Only then will you be ready for the difficult challenge of facing Mr Tyler. Now, I will leave you to your own devices. Think about what I’ve said. Everything is your choice, Alex. You can’t change your situation, but you can change how you respond to it.” He left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
