Caught in a trap

HERO

Hidden in the confines of an apartel, a wide range of screens surround a single room. Various images flashing on the individual displays coming from the hidden cameras all over The Mesial and all over the zones appeared before Hero's eyes.

He sat watching Ava and a certain Detective Oliver talking inside one of the apartels in Zone C7.

He found himself completely drawn to their conversation. He had reason to believe, without doubt, that it wasn't a casual chit-chat.

When it comes to Ava, nothing was ever casual.

He had been keeping tabs on them ever since the Detective, Detective Oliver, began poking around. He was dangerously walking on a thin line.

Hero felt a little sympathy for the Detective. He obviously had no idea about the gravity of what could happen if he eventually uncovers the truth.

There would be chaos, that's for sure.

But Hero was confident that he would be able to beat the detective in the unveiling. After all, their five year plan was full proof.

Unless someone decides to betray the other, Hero don't see anything that could go awfully wrong.

He pressed a button attached to a mini pad connected to the armrest of the chair that he was sitting in.

Ava and the Detective's image came into his full view as it got projected on the biggest screen right in front of him. He raised the volume to hear them better.

"I couldn't leave you in a cliffhanger, could I? Shay Zephanie is Marcus' real daughter. Does that answer your question, Rafael?"

Hero couldn't help but grin, seeing the Detective completely perplexed at this revelation.

"You never fail to amaze me, Ava." He stared at Ava's almost stoic expression, watching the poor Detective trying to recover from his initial shock.

Avalyn, Shay Zephanie's double and the same girl who captured his attention twenty years ago, still continually left him mesmerized.

It must be a part of her making, having the people around her constantly on their toes.

If Marcus had not beat them from getting her at the medical building, the two of them would have been reunited by now.

However, it was only a matter of time before they would finally see each other.

"Just wait a little longer, Avalyn, my beautiful breath of life."

--

RAFAEL

When they had said to be careful about what you wished for, I hardly believed that.

But now, I am accepting that inevitable truth.

I was able to get some answers from Ava, finally. However, instead of relief, more questions were added to the pile I already have.

How, how was it possible that Marcus Zephanie was Shay Zephanie's biological father?

Technically, something happened between him and the mother. That was logical. But what I don't understand was, how did they even know each other?

And wait, they knew each other?

If that was the case, why then, why did he kill her?

I think I just created more puzzles for myself and dang, I don't even know where to start putting the pieces to be able to see the bigger picture.

My mind was too preoccupied with all the added questions for me to notice that there was someone in the living room when I had stepped inside the apartel.

I clapped my hands once to turn the lights on.

"Shay." Indeed it was her. She must be cold, she was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants and also some socks.

The ensemble was quite puzzling.

"Everything alright?" Shay Zephanie looked at me with tired eyes while all I could think of was how weird it was to call her the very same name I used to call Ava.

The confusion-fuse inside my head was triggered once again.

"I was waiting for you." She said, sounding rasped like she was having trouble breathing.

Noticeably now, she did look pale.

I sat beside her on the couch and touched her forehead.

She was surprisingly cold.

"Are you sick? Do I need to take you to the medical building?"

A small smile played across her lips as she shook her head.

I was extremely grateful that Ava had dyed her hair. I could now differentiate the two of them, somehow. Though everything else about them was still, unfortunately, identical.

"No one can help me." I was totally confused. Shay Zephanie must have sensed it as she reached for my hands.

Her fingers were cold. This didn't seem normal. I narrowed my eyes to get a better look at her.

"You're definitely not alright." Again, I watched her shake her head.

"No, I'm not. But I will be. This will pass".

"What's going on, Shay?" She looked into my eyes and smiled.

"You know about Ava." I was caught off guard, but I silently wished that my expression had not betrayed anything.

I can't afford to have her know about what I already know.

"What are you talking about? Whose Ava?" Shay Zephanie let out a hoarse laugh, letting my hands go.

"I know everything, Rafael. You were just with her". How was that possible?

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to. All that you needed to know is that you can't trust anybody".

Somehow, I find this to be clichéd.

Mostly, when people say this, it is because they feel threatened, afraid.

I somehow sensed that Shay Zephanie has trust issues. I don't have any idea why but one thing was for sure: I have to play the part of the fool if I want to draw some answers. Or, if not, at least pull something that I could trade for Ava's secret.

I was quite aware that what Ava knew, Shay Zephanie might know as well.

But, Shay Zephanie, the real Shay Zephanie, and I had no connection.

There was no way that I would be able to convince her to spill whatever secrets she was keeping.

"What is this all about, Shay? What's going on?"

"Oh please, Rafael, stop playing games. I don't have much time for that".

I was struck about how both she and Ava had said the exact same words.

Time… Realization hit me then.

"You're sick."

"Yes, but I'm going to get better. And I need your help. No, I demand your help".

I feel entirely helpless myself.

"Why do you demand my help? What can I do that the doctors can't?"

"You are my key to get to Ava. You are my key to get her to do something for me."

This was the part that I need to stop pretending. It was pointless. She was sure that I knew. I think, at this point, I had nothing to lose if admitted a parcel of truth.

"And why do you think I should help you?"

Shay Zephanie looked at me dead in the eye, the ailing girl from earlier was completely gone.

"Because if you don't, you will never find X."