“Put your belt on first." Rick grumbled, to which I tutted but obeyed.
“So?" I prompted.
“Who are the suit monkeys? Are they...”
“No, they're not Sensorians. They work for me. Keeping me safe. I take it you know all about the Sensorian community?" he sighed.
“Don't bother answering that. Just tell me, how long have you been with them?”
“Not long. Just over a month.”
I didn't see the point in lying about that. Rick looked a little surprised and if I read it correctly, a little pleased. But if he was, he didn't say so.
“Are you totally off your medication? You smell clean. I wondered about that when we first met, but now I understand.”
He practically answered his own question but I replied anyway, affirmatively.
“Good. How are you finding it? Are you coping with the return of all your senses?”
Direct as ever. Very similar to Markus and Zack in fact. I liked it.
“Yes. It feels good. I'll be eternally grateful to the people who helped me rediscover myself and gain control over my senses." I said pointedly, hoping to hurt him.
I hadn't forgiven him for abandoning me and my mum. It had the desired effect. Rick looked uncomfortable and guilty. I smelled it too, it wasn't a good scent. I was surprised Rick wasn't disguising his emotions and signals he was emitting more, unless he wasn't able to in front of me. Zack had said it was very difficult to cloak from your direct family, especially if someone was in a highly emotive state. He didn't respond to my jibe directly though.
“Who trained you?" his eyes wary now.
“Zack." I simply said.
He wasn't happy with that, I could tell immediately.
“I see," he said bitterly.
“Clearly, Markus knew exactly what he was doing, as always. He's a clever, clever man. The king of manipulation.”
“What has Markus done to you that makes you so bitter about him." I dared ask.
“He made sure my best friend was sentenced to death. That's what he did. Tom only wanted a different life. One not bound by the stifling rules that our rulers have engineered. Yes, he went off the rails for a bit, but I could have saved him, brought him back to us. But Markus wouldn't give me or him the chance. He got Valentino, our then leader involved. That's when I left the first time and that is when I met your mum...and here you are.”
He looked at me with admiration and love. I swallowed heavily, feeling emotional. I had to push through though, trying to find out more information.
“But you went back to be with the Sensorians after a few years, leaving me and mum. And you were with them for years! You seemed to have settled in the community and were even part of the leadership That's why they thought you were forced to work for this criminal organisation when you disappeared. What happened? Why now?”
I sought out his eyes and tried to make contact, but he was avoiding me, looking out the window instead. He put his head in his hands and said nothing for a while. Finally, he lifted his head and then looked at me, his eyes shining with defiance.
“I was living a lie, Lizzy." he said vehemently.
I could feel his passion burst into my conscious so powerfully, it hurt.
“I just couldn't do it anymore, towing the line but not believing it any more, was soul destroying. I needed to get out to be able to reach my full potential. We have enormous potential as Sensorians but we are curbed by our leaders.”
He stopped to gauge my reaction. I could see where he was coming from but I was apprehensive as to where this thinking was leading.
“Rick," I started still undecided as to what I should be calling him.
“I also find the regimented lifestyle difficult to adjust to, but I believe Markus is right in thinking it has to be like this, to protect our own kind. If people knew about our abilities, we could be abused and forced to work for people and organisations who might not have the best intentions. Don't you agree with that?”
He thought for a moment before answering.
“But how about if it was us that ruled. Can you imagine that? I think that's the reason we exist, not hiding in the background trying to help this Dullard civilisation struggle on. No, we're meant to lead it. We are better equipped to lead than ordinary people. Dullards will follow us if they can see what we can do. The world would become a better place. No need for money grabbing lawyers, getting criminals off just because they can afford the best. We can tell when someone lies, there would be no need. No more injustices. No more lying politicians or corruption. All we need to do is make people aware of what we can do but that may not happen smoothly or without violence or illegal actions. People resist change, even if it is for the better.”
I interrupted him there.
“What do you mean 'it might not happen without violence or illegal actions. It's a slippery slope to start defending violence and crime!”
I couldn't keep the indignation out of my voice, but he ignored it and his eyes steeled.
“It's a revolution Eliza. That's the stage we're at, so it may look like I'm a subversive criminal but it will all be worth it in the end. A more just world for everyone, where there will be peace and prosperity. Do you get it Lizzy? Are you with me? We would be a force to be reckoned with, us together!”
His eyes were pleading.
Shit. I didn't know what to say or feel, so I kept quiet and waited to see what else he had to say. I needed him to think there was a chance I would choose to join him so I tried not to think too much about what he
