Page 76 of Malliko
I gave him a sad smile. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you were put in a tough situation, and you didn’t run from your responsibility. Maybe your boys are too young to appreciate the sacrifices you made for them, but that awareness will follow once they grow up and mature.”
“Maybe.” My eyes rested on his hands. The last time he was in my apartment he had massaged me with those amazing hands and only a few days ago his fingers had been intertwined with mine.
We sat in silence for a moment and then the overload of emotions inside me bubbled over in a chuckle.
Malliko’s eyes lit up with humor as he asked, “What’s funny?”
“It’s not. None of this is funny, but it’s so absurd. The whole thing about you allegedly being alien. My boys moving to Hong Kong and a world of opportunities opening up for me. I honestly don’t know what to think anymore.” Watching him, I asked in a more serious tone, “Are you going to erase my memory now?”
With a thoughtful expression on his face, Malliko sat for a little while without speaking.
“It’s not working,” I told him. “I still remember everything you told me."
Looking from my lips to my eyes, he replied in a calm voice. “I’m not erasing your memory, Clara.”
“Then what is that mind clouding you talked about?”
“It’s to induce thoughts that can cover up information that I don’t want you to remember. Mind clouding is also to make you think you came up with an idea without realizing it was planted.”
“And how would you make me forget that you’re alien?”
Malliko smiled. “That won’t be difficult. You’re already struggling to believe what I said because it contradicts everything you’ve been taught to believe. Your mind will cling onto the thought that I was talking about a book I read, a dream I had, or a movie I saw. You’ll remember everything I told you, but you’ll connect it to something harmless, which will make it unworthy of storing in your mind.”
“I see. So, it’s basically thought manipulation or a sort of hypnosis.”
“Yes. It’s a gentle and non-violent method to de-escalate conflicts or ease mental pain. Mastering the technique requires that you adhere to certain rules of conduct. It’s not entirely unproblematic, as the Noxins have learned this technique and violate the rules regularly.”
“Are the Noxins bad?” I asked.
“If we simplify things, then yes. But good and bad are always a matter of perspective.”
“True.”
Shots fired outside made me jerk a little, but Malliko was fast to get up and walk to the side of my window. When he sneaked a peek, I warned him, “It’s better if you stay away from the windows.”
“But it sounded like a weapon was fired.”
“Yes. That happens around here. I stay inside and mind my own business.”
“How often does it happen?” Malliko asked me while still looking out the window.
“At least once or twice a month. The police come around but it’s gang related and no one wants to get involved.”
“You can’t stay here.” Malliko came back to stand in front of me. “It’s not safe, Clara.”
He looked insanely tall with me sitting and him standing.
“This is where I live. I gave notice yesterday that I’m leaving, but I have to pay rent until the end of next month, so I can’t afford to rent something else. I know it’s not ideal, but as I said, I stay inside and mind my own busine…”
Malliko stopped me. “I’m not letting you stay here.”
Scrunching up my face, I looked up at him. “Where else would I go?”
“You can stay with me until we figure something out.”
Another round of shots was fired, and it made him pull me up from the sofa. “Pack your things. We’re leaving this place.”
