Thursday 24 May 2007

ASBO-Boy - Gwen's conversation with Helix: Part 2

Gwen wiped her eyes as she walked away from the glass chamber. Helix had drifted off to sleep and she’d stayed longer than she normally would just to watch him. She forced her mind to wander away from the feelings, once frosty and hard, that were threatening to defrost. You have to remain detached, she told herself firmly. Soon, Arc-Light would be ready and her plan to break Vue out could go ahead, but part of her wondered whether he too was better off behind bars. The witnesses at the inquest had talked of a fight between Helix and Vue; their chatter over the com had become heated and they’d eventually lost their tempers with each other. Order apparently broke down and the suppression of an unknown group of Other terrorists and the Elementals had descended into an all out battle royale.

At the door she turned and glanced at Helix for one last time. He was rolled up in the foetal position, soundly asleep.

“Hypnotic, isn’t he?”

Gwen gasped at the cold voice behind her. It was Dr Euryale – one of the less savoury denizens of the lower levels. They said he never left the facility, that his life’s work had become the study of Helix’s mind. His skin was so pale she almost believed it, although why he wore round sunglasses indoors was anyone’s guess.

“Yes. He is,” She replied when she’d composed herself. The door slid closed behind her, leaving her alone in the passage with Euryale. The draft licked her legs and made her shiver.

“We are making good progress. I’m happy with what we’ve achieved over the past two years with Helix.” He began as they walked back towards the elevator together. “Is your research into his personalities progressing?”

“Yes. Slowly – he has no control, nor any idea the other personalities exist. Asking him certain questions prompt him to change, but as yet I’ve not been able to link together a specific question and a specific response.”

“Oh? Such questions include…”

“Well, asking him about his dreams always shakes things up.”

“Dreams? Ah, yes… it’s how he detects the Others we haven’t found yet. Did he give you a name today?”

“Only an Other name – Omen. It seems to fit the profile of a Daniel Fisher.”

“I’ll get the police on it.”

Gwen nodded. Not if I get to him first, she thought, looking down at her list of all the Others, their names and addresses. She was privy to one of the most comprehensive recordings of their abilities and whereabouts in Swansea.

“We think we may have found a new member for the Elementals. She’s very promising. She spends a lot of time at the youth clubs and was recently awarded a PROBO for her services to the public.”

“Excellent. What’s her name?”

“Nia, I believe.”

Gwen skimmed through the lists. Nia – yes, a Catalyst of significant power. With her the New Elementals would be stronger than ever. It was a worrying thought.

“I want you to take her psychological profile.” Euryale said. Gwen nodded and the wraith-like man smiled in return.

They’d reached the elevator and the door swished open with its cheery ping and she stepped in, holding the door for him to follow her. He didn’t – he merely stood in the frame of the door and bowed.

“I regret I cannot accompany you, I still have business with Helix. Like you, I too have questions.”

Gwen nodded, a finger of ice running down her spine. What could he possibly want with the boy? She wondered.

“Do you believe him,” Gwen began, “When he says that he’ll escape. Do you believe he can predict the future?”

Dr Euryale seemed to glaze for a moment and sway on the spot before answering, “I believe he has untapped abilities. His mind is confused and broken and he cannot control his thoughts or abilities. I fear the day he ever regains his sanity because I believe there is no cage that we could build that could hold him. For now, we are safe.”

Gwen nodded. On the journey up into the real world Gwen pulled out her bun and leaned against the wall of the elevator and gazed at her reflection. It was in these moments she felt the most real. The rest of the time she was forcing a smile, carrying on the pretence of being a dedicated scientist and not the traitor she was swiftly becoming. Even then she was protecting her scientist persona so she had to be someone so totally different – forged identity papers, Ident card, the list went on. After twenty minutes of relative peace and quiet the elevator door opened and she was in the old Cefn Coed Hospital with its bleached walls and lino floors. There was an excited buzz in the air as she left the reception area, no doubt a ‘remarkable break through’ with one of the patients. Gwen stepped out into the cold and began walking to her car. It was time to put her plans into action.

2 comments:

Quoth the Raven said...

This is a really intriguing story-line, you know. I'm glad we're getting more information on Gwen, too, she's really rather interesting. This scientist freaks me out, however. I look forward to meeting him again.

Jester said...

Ooh- flashback. It's nice to fill in the details of the time before the helicopter crash. Plus to put a name to the creepy Euryale.