.
However, it hadn't worked out that way, my father had escaped as Zack had done exactly what Rick had tentatively predicted and here we were, facing our leaders and having to report back my findings. I was so glad Zaphire was there for me earlier. I needed to let some of my emotions out as I felt I was going to implode, and Zaphire knew exactly what to do to make that happen. Her soft hands felt glorious in my hair and I felt safe within her embrace. I let myself go. I didn't care what anyone else thought about it. It felt good.
Now, I had to focus and put my feelings aside. I didn't mind too much that Zack had pulled Zaphire and me apart, though Zaphy was visibly annoyed, which actually made me feel pretty good. She cared and that felt amazing.
We entered the conference room where Marcus, Frank, Laura and some of the leaders I'd forgotten the name of, stood ready to hear me out. It was tense in there and my senses picked up several vibes that I couldn't all quite place. There was excitement, suspense, worry, eagerness, impatience, all to be predicted, but I also detected something else. It felt like suspicion, distrust, but I couldn't be sure as I didn't recognise it and I wondered why there would be any suspicion there. I didn't have time to ponder about it for too long as Zack urged me to speak and tell them what I knew.
I tried to tell them what had happened and everything Rick had told me in as much detail I could, including his new world view. How he thought we should utilise our gifts to rule the world and make it a fairer place. I tried to highlight the noble intentions Rick had, with hopes they may punish him less severely, but I knew it would be in vain. I couldn't hide the fact he was planning to use violence to overthrow the existing establishment. When I'd finished talking I caught a glimpse of Markus' face, which looked grim. Zack's hand sought mine and he gave me a reassuring squeeze.
Frank was the first to question me.
“Did he mention any places where he might go next, or where they might base themselves?”
I thought hard, but couldn't recall anything of the sort so I shook my head in disappointment.
Then Markus chipped in.
“Did he mention any names of the people who work for him or who he plans to recruit?”
I had to answer negatively again. He'd mentioned no names whatsoever. Markus scratched his head and I could feel his frustration building. I started to feel uneasy. For the first time it dawned on me where the suspicion came from. They didn't quite trust me. They thought I was holding something back. Markus continued his questioning.
“Has he told anyone about our existence?”
My insides churned with this question. I knew my answer would doom my father, but I had to answer it truthfully.
“I believe he has. He talked about people who believed in him and his abilities and were ready to follow him.”
Markus glanced over to Zack ominously.
“Were you able to work out who the other people in the car were, or give us a description of them?" Laura asked.
But again my answer was less than satisfying.
“Well, they weren't Sensorians. But I couldn't really see them as their backs were turned towards us. They were of medium height and one a bit larger than the other. They had brownish hair, cut very short. That's about it.”
“That narrows it down then." said one of the other leaders (was it Michael?) sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“Don't worry, Eliza. You're doing great." Laura said picking up my frustrations.
“I have one more question though. And it's important, so think carefully." Laura continued. I nodded gravely.
“Does he think there is a chance you may eventually turn to him?" she asked her eyes firmly fixed on me.
I had to think carefully how to answer this as I didn't want to implicate myself. If Rick thought there was a chance then I must have given off some sort of signal, infinitesimal maybe but I wasn't sure what the leaders would think of that. I didn't want to fuel their distrust. But I couldn't lie.
“He said the door would always be open to me if I decided to join him." I sighed.
Laura looked at Markus and nodded.
“Okay, thanks for letting us know Eliza. Something completely different but, when did you say he put the device on your leg? Was it straight away when you got in the car or later?" Markus carried on.
“He did it when we were parked up at the industrial site, as soon as he understood I wasn't going to join him." I answered dutifully, though I felt that familiar feeling of annoyance raising its ugly head inside me.
I had told them everything I knew. What were they angling for? I sought Zack's eyes for reassurance, but he was looking questioningly at Laura, raising one of his eyebrows. Suddenly he stepped forward.
“Eliza's told you everything she knows now. She's not cloaking, I can tell. She needs a bit of time to relax and recover so may I respectfully ask to let us go to our room.”
Furtive glances took place between the leaders but Markus finally agreed.
“Yes, of course." he said begrudgingly.
“But we will get together again and discuss some more details tomorrow first thing. You're dismissed.”
“Before we go, there is one more thing that happened whilst I was in the car." I suddenly remembered.
All eyes were on me instantly, including Zack's clearly questioning whether I had gone insane.
“It's nothing to do with Rick, I told you everything I know. This is about me. It's probably nothing but I had the weirdest experience. I grabbed Rick's hand and it felt like something had hit me. Then I saw myself as if through his eyes. Really bizarre and it lasted probably less than a second.”
I stopped talking as the
