Chapter 83: Revelations and Crossroads, 83.
Mason: (continued explaining with embarrassment mixed with remorse) The formula CHCl₃ is an anesthetic agent. Emeline will be unconscious for a few hours, but when she wakes up, she is likely to experience temporary confusion and disorientation.
He stammers, and I… I didn't want to hurt her. I needed a way to connect and reach you.
Mason continues: I never imagined I would get involved in a mission, an ultra-secret CIA operation. Suddenly, I found myself here, in a completely different world, with people and places I had never seen before.
The tension in the room was palpable, and now the three of them stood at a crossroads. Mason, still believing in a CIA mission, sought understanding and acceptance. Damián and Aster, aware of the truth, needed to decide how to proceed with this unexpected revelation.
Aster emphasizes with a harsh voice: Tell us what happened when you escaped, moments after we woke up, after the plane crash.
Mason opens his mouth and begins to recall the moment when he crossed what seemed like dimensional veils, explaining that he felt like he was being pulled by a storm of cosmic lights. The boundaries between realities dissolved into a kaleidoscopic spectacle.
Mason spoke with his gaze down, hands clenched: When I woke up, I was immersed in a desolate scene, as if I were inside someone who had given up on life.
Unaware of the name of the body he inhabited and the place being dark, I was no longer the same; something in me had changed. While exploring the surroundings, I found a diary, and to my surprise, I discovered that we shared the same name: Mason Gruber.
The other Mason had committed family crimes.
Damián instinctively asked, "Did you access his memories?"
Frowning, Mason replied, "No, I didn't know that was possible."
Aster continued questioning, "Then how did you find out?"
Mason: "The other Mason kept several diaries in which he recorded his personal dissatisfaction, fears, and acceptance. He attempted, on several occasions, to take his own brother's life. His family is searching for him."
I decided to burn the diaries, preventing them from serving as evidence of his crimes, and then I disappeared. "I committed a few crimes..." Mason pauses briefly in his breath.
Aster narrowed his eyes. "Some crimes?"
Mason takes a deep breath before answering: "Some cybercrimes"
Mason spoke with his gaze down as if facing a tribunal of his own guilt. He confessed, "I managed to steal information from some companies and then resell it."
Mason's confession intrigued Damián. He questioned, "Why did you send roses to Clarice Phillips and Taylor May?"
When we woke up, we were confronted with images of Callum Campbell, Adam Kadman, and Taylor May. These images were my only indication and my only clue. I thought that if I underwent a change, why couldn't you have changed too? I never managed to access Callum Campbell or Adam Kadman, as if something protected them from any intrusion.
Mason, messing with his hair and running his hands through his face, answered objectively, "I wanted to go to another world. I always believed in the flat earth theory."
His voice took on a conspiratorial tone as he continued, "We're still on Earth, aren't we? We're just outside the dome; this planet isn't just ours. I know what you, the military, do in Antarctica with your prohibition treaties. I imagine you're here to steal information."
At that moment, Mason stopped and looked directly at Aster and Damián. His next question was shocking: "Are you Earthlings? Which world are you from? I just wanted to explore other worlds, but if it's not possible, I just want to turn myself in to pay for my crimes."
Aster and Damián exchanged glances, realizing the gravity and complexity of the situation. Mason's revelation about his beliefs.
Aster, with a cold expression, assumes the role of CIA agent and addresses her question to Mason, her piercing eyes searching for answers.
Aster: "We're curious as to why you've decided to turn yourself in now. Be direct."
Damián, for his part, adopts a more direct and incisive stance, reflecting his mercenary nature.
Damián: "We're not known for our patience, Mason Gruber. If you knew we were after you and we showed our interest in contacting you through the paintings, why did it take you so long to come forward? And after that understanding, why on earth did you feel the need to threaten Taylor May and Clarice Phillips? It doesn't make sense."
Aster, keeping a firm stance, adds, "Don't try to fool us. Weren't you the one who threatened Clarice and Taylor?"
Mason, surprising both interrogators, replies with a hint of resentment and confusion:
Mason: "I didn't threaten Taylor or Clarice. My last attempt at contact was when I broke into Taylor's apartment. That happened a few months ago."
Aster and Damián exchange glances, pondering whether Mason is telling the truth or just manipulating the situation. Shadows are cast over the true intentions of everyone involved.
Damián, with a wry smile, raises his voice: "Wasn't it you? Where were you during those months?"
Gasping for breath, tears in his eyes, and his voice shaking, Mason gestures with his hands, not wanting to explain the emotional burden of having had his heart broken. The silence in the room is filled only by the palpable tension that surrounds those present.
Damián intervenes, grabbing Aster's shoulders, realizing that it's time to soften the approach. Aster responds, still incredulous, his eyes reflecting the feeling of having his already-torn life taken away from him by Mason.
Damián, in a calmer tone: "Man, I think we've had enough. Let's try another way. He won't talk if you carry on like this."
Aster, loosening his grip on Damián but keeping his expression hard: "He's destroyed everything, Damián. I can't just let it go."
Aster, taking a deep breath, gives in, at least momentarily, to Damián's suggestion, but his expression suggests that patience is running out. The two of them, now on the same page, await Mason's next revelation.
Aster, with a cold expression, assumes the role of CIA agent and addresses her question to Mason, her piercing eyes searching for answers.
Aster: "We're curious as to why you've decided to turn yourself in now. Be direct."
Damián, for his part, adopts a more direct and incisive stance, reflecting his mercenary nature.
Damián: "We're not known for our patience, Mason. If you knew we were after you and we showed our interest in contacting you through the paintings, why did it take you so long to come forward?
And after that understanding, why on earth did you feel the need to threaten Taylor May and Clarice Phillips? It doesn't make sense."
Aster, keeping a firm stance, adds, "Don't try to fool us. Weren't you the one who threatened Clarice and Taylor?"
Mason, surprising both interrogators, replies with a hint of resentment and confusion:
Mason: "I didn't threaten Taylor or Clarice. My last attempt at contact was when I broke into Taylor's apartment. That happened a few months ago."
Aster and Damián exchange glances, pondering whether Mason is telling the truth or just manipulating the situation. Shadows are cast over the true intentions of everyone involved.
Damián, with a wry smile, raises his voice: "Wasn't it you? Where were you during those months?"
Gasping for breath, tears in his eyes, and his voice shaking, Mason gestures with his hands, not wanting to explain the emotional burden of having had his heart broken. The silence in the room is filled only by the palpable tension that surrounds those present.
Aster, frustrated with Mason's lack of answers, doesn't contain his anger. He quickly approaches Mason, his eyes burning with intensity, and delivers a strong punch, hitting him accurately. The impact echoes in the room, leaving a tense pause before Mason regains his balance.
Aster, with a firm voice and eyes still fixed on Mason, said, "Where the hell were you, and what were you doing? We want the truth, Gruber. No more games."
After Aster's punch, Mason wavers for a moment, but regains composure. His face shows a mix of physical and emotional pain. He wipes blood from his mouth, staring at Aster with resigned eyes, a spark of resentment behind the wounded expression.
Mason, with his voice interrupted by pain and contained emotion, said, "Do you really want to know? I was on the edge, lost in a world that wasn't mine, and the only thing I had… she's gone too."
A shadow of deep sadness crosses Mason's face as he hesitates to share the reason behind his current state. Aster, still harsh, stares at him, realizing the complexity of the emotions emerging.
Damián intervenes, grabbing Aster's shoulders, realizing it's time to soften the approach. Aster responds, still incredulous, his eyes reflecting the feeling of having his already-torn life taken away from him by Mason.
Damián, with a colder and more calculated tone: "Man, I think that's enough. Let's try a different way. He won't talk if we continue like this."
Aster, releasing himself from Damián's grip but maintaining the hardened expression, said, "He ruined everything, Damián. I can't just let this slide."
Aster, taking a deep breath, concedes, at least momentarily, to Damián's suggestion, but his expression suggests that patience is running thin. The two, now in sync, await Mason's next revelation.
Mason, with anger and resentment in his voice, finally gives in and reveals a painful chapter of his life.
Mason, with a tone laden with emotion: "I was at Can-Bey Wilson's mansion. We were in a relationship if you must know. And damn, I'm running from him too. Everything went wrong. I don't care anymore. I don't care if they take me back to my world and arrest me, or if they eliminate me next."
Aster and Damián exchange glances, realizing that Mason is on the brink of despair. Silence fills the room for a moment, until Mason, unable to contain his emotions, breaks into tears, revealing not only the truth of his actions but also the emotional burden he carries.
The three are at a standstill, each dealing with the complexities of the situation in different ways.
However, in different places…
**Int. Campbell Mansion—Night. **
Lady Sarah is in the living room, looking at the clock. Callum Campbell, her son, enters the room.
**Living Room in Campbell Mansion—Night**
Lady Sarah (expressing concern and dissatisfaction): Callum, do you know where Aster is? He left without saying where he was going, and it was getting late.
Callum (crossing his arms): Mom, he took one of the mansion's cars. There are trackers in it; he's at Emeline's house.
Lady Sarah (worried): But why didn't he call or leave a message? I'm concerned, as this wouldn't be beneficial. An omega of a prestigious alpha shouldn't attend friends' houses at night, especially if your alpha is at home.
Callum (with a serious expression): This isn't like him. Something must have happened.
**Int. Kadman Mansion Living Room—Night. **
Lady Elizabeth is restless in the living room as Lord Malcolm and Adam Kadman enter.
**Living Room in Kadman Mansion—Night**
Lady Elizabeth (worried): Malcolm, Damián left hours ago and hasn't returned. I tried calling him, but he's not answering.
Lord Malcolm (frowning): He should have informed us of his plans. This isn't usual.
Adam Kadman (with uneasy thoughts): What if something happened to him? Damián's independence in his actions pushes him to the limit. What if something happens?
Lord Malcolm, sensing disapproval and reproach in his son (trying to reassure): Adam, maybe he got involved in something urgent. Let's wait a little longer before panicking.
Lady Elizabeth (with a look of concern): Waiting is easy for you to say. I don't like this.
**Emeline's House—Night. **
Aster and Damián decide to give Mason some time. They leave the room, leaving Mason alone.
**Ext. The balcony of Emeline's House—Night.**
Aster and Damián are looking at the stars. The atmosphere is heavy, filled with uncertainty. Aster finally breaks the silence.
Aster (with a voice filled with concern): Damián, I don't know how to say this, but we're lost. Not just geographically, but in something bigger. Mason... he doesn't know what he's involved in, and I... I don't understand why, but there's no home to go back to.
Damián (skeptical): Are you serious?
Aster (frustrated): And Mason… he doesn't deserve this, okay? He's a criminal, but he doesn't deserve this or what happened here today.
While Aster and Damián are on the balcony, the doorbell of Emeline's house rings.
Aster and Damián return to the living room, where Mason is sitting, lost in his own thoughts.
**Emeline's House Living Room—Night. **
Aster and Damián decide to give Mason some time. They leave the room, leaving Mason alone.
**Ext. Balcony of Emeline's House—Night. **
Aster and Damián are on the balcony, looking at the stars. The atmosphere is heavy, filled with uncertainty. Aster finally breaks the silence.
Aster (with a voice filled with concern): Damián, I don't know how to say this, but we're lost. Not just geographically, but in something bigger.
Mason… he doesn't know what he's involved in, and I…I don't understand why, but there's no home to go back to.
Damián (skeptical): Are you serious?
Aster (frustrated): And Mason… he doesn't deserve this, okay? He's a criminal, but he doesn't deserve this or what happened here today.
While Aster and Damián are on the balcony, the doorbell of Emeline's house rings.
**Emeline's House Living Room—Night. **
Aster and Damián return to the living room, where Mason is sitting, lost in his own thoughts.
The doorbell rings again. Damián, the first to reach the door, is confronted by the presence of Callum Campbell, whose demeanor denotes seriousness.
Callum (looking at Damián): Where's Aster? I came to get him. I need to talk to him immediately.
Damián (surprised): He's busy right now. What's going on?
Callum (grave): I need to take my Omega home. And shouldn't you be at the Kadman mansion?
Aster, hearing the conversation, approaches the door, realizing the seriousness of the situation. The trio now faces a new dilemma.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone