Chapter 32 : Cory’s choice
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As Hyde and I enter the office, I can plainly see Cory try to work her wrist out of the cuff. Either she makes too much noise and hasn't heard, she's panicking, or she simply doesn't care if Hyde's finds her attempting to escape.
Hyde's reaction is… much milder than I expected. Almost concerned, actually.
« Cory ! » He says with an admonishing tone a father would take with his child. « Don't do that, my dear ! You'll hurt yourself ! »
I almost blurt out that, if he was really concerned about her well-being, he shouldn't have chained her to a radiator, but I manage to catch myself. I really don't know how the man'll react. I don't know much about comic books Hyde and he certainly doesn't look like the Calvin Zabo from Marvel : Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The silly green costume and hat absolutely doesn't give it away ! He looks like an overgrown Leprechaun…
The illusion of his massive meaty fist backhanding through a wall and splattering my brains all over passes through my mind. As soon as I can, I'll change into my invertebrate form… That won't prevent my organs from spilling all over, but at least, I won't have to fear broken bones. Perhaps, I should use this… It's still in its testing stage, but… Ah ! Who am I kidding ? It's barely something I was playing with because I liked the manga. Can it prove useful here ?
Hyde approaches his daughter and unlocks the cuff. She rubs her wrist while looking at the man with a defiant gaze… And then, she notices me and the defiance is replaced by fear. Fear for me, probably ? It's obvious the man isn't going to hurt his daughter because of whatever cuckoo plan he has. But me ? I'm fair game, and a pretty good way to 'convince' her.
I'm pretty sure he wants to awaken her inhuman heritage. Sorry ! Alter-human heritage. Mutants, inhumans… The people who named those sub-races were real morons, weren't they ? And I don't mean the authors and artists who wrote about the Marvel stories… Or perhaps I do ? It's so confusing sometimes… It wasn't real, never was. Yet, now it is ! Even more than a decade after I was reborn, I can't seem to wrap my mind around it…
« Why did you bring him here ? » Cory asks her father with a venomous tone.
« Your foster brother ? I was only hoping for him to help me change your mind about our earlier discussion. You see… You are my daughter and as such, I respect your choices. It just happens that your choice might cause this young man to experience something… tragic. » Hyde explains gently.
His words, on the other hand, are anything but. He turns towards me with a smile on his face. A smile that is belied by the chilly gaze which doesn't seem to regard me like a living being. To him, I expect I don't matter much… Or at all, really. He won't bat an eyelash at the fact of murdering me. I don't even know how many people he's killed by now… Probably a lot. Unlike my former world, the body count of villains is much higher than even the worst serial killer. Maybe not for all, but some, like this man.
I'm actually surprised how well I'm taking the situation. I don't know if I'm too numb, shocked or if hope to escape the situation is what's keeping me calm… But, I'm not shivering, and I am not panicking.
Scenarios are playing in my mind and I try to think of which of my spells could help us, right now… There's something that's preventing me from acting however and that's Cory. I don't know how she's supposed to get her powers. What if it is this event that gives birth to Quake ? Unfortunately, whatever means Hyde plans on using, it could also have a negative impact on her. Is he planning on using a terragenesis crystal ? Or something more experimental ? He wants to unlock her potential, so at least, I know he's planning to awaken her alter-human side.
In the end, I look at my sister in all but blood and ask her :
« What do you want to do ? »
In her eyes, the dangers of following Hyde's will are probably similar if not the same that the ones I'm thinking about. Ultimately, the choice is hers and hers alone.
I continue calmly :
« If you want, I can probably try and fight this… gorilla so that we make our escape. I'm not sure how I'll fare to be honest… »
Hyde starts to chuckle condescendingly ; I ignore him.
« He's probably the reason why you kept being moved so much before. And he's strong. Maybe not Hulk strong, but at least on par, if not stronger than Cap… »
Cory throws a glance my way while I continue to keep my eye on the lunatic.
« You think so ? » She questions and sighs. For a moment, she stays silent and I don't rush her. I keep trying to figure out a way for both of us to escape, in case she decides to just make a run for it. But Hyde is smart. He's keeping his daughter at arms length and only two steps away from me. Two steps which are much too short for my liking.
Casually, or as casual as I can pretend to be, I reach for my backpack…
« What are you doing, child ? » Hyde asks, a glint of amusement along with what looks like a promise of violence hidden in his gaze.
« Well, sir… I don't know how long we're going to be here and I have homework to do, so… » I explain and I move to show him my backpack.
« Oh ? You're a studious one, aren't you ? » He chuckles again before abruptly stopping to remark : « You're awfully calm… Are your nerves made of steel or can't you grasp your situation because of a mental impairment ? »
« Oh, no ! I get it ! Behind all your honeyed words and your promise to Cory that you'll respect her choice, I'm your leverage for her to do as you wish, right ? Otherwise, I'm guessing you'll tear me limb from limb or something disturbing like that… »
He nods easily before correcting me :
« I was thinking more along the lines of exerting a gradual increase of pressure on your cranium. I am not an animal, you see ? There's no reason why we shouldn't all get to leave out of here alive, intact and with everything we've ever wanted… »
As we talk, I retrieve my notebook, my dip pen and the bottle of my ink I usually keep in case of emergencies… After the kidnapping attempt, I started to think about ways to keep myself safe. While the belt around my waist is handy, floating ink is not something I wish to casually show my enemies. It's much better to remain as inconspicuous as possible in a case like this. At least, I think it is…
« A dip pen ? How curious… » Hyde mutters before falling silent. I ignore him and start writing. The usual restraining spell will not cut it with this monster in front of me. I need something more, something much sturdier, something that can weaken him…
While I am working, it seems Cory arrives at a conclusion.
« Alright… I'll get into your little iron coffin. »