章 22: Chapter 21 part 1
Skyleene paced around in the circular room. Her blood was boiling, and her nerves reached the roof. She knew Old Dulles must have had a reason for not telling her on time about Nicholas and for keeping her in Condemned City longer. As much as she adored how much of a father figure he was to her, she could not help but be mad.
"Skyleene, I know I made a mistake. I already said I'm sorry. I have no idea what to do to make you calm down. You look like you want to kill me. If I hadn't already been dead, I would be frightened to death."
"Dulles. Seriously? You keep acting as if nothing is wrong! How can you, when you know the entire situation?"
"How else would I keep my sanity? Somebody has to act like everything is alright to keep a clear thought. Plus, the case will not be that difficult when we get our hands on that book I sent Aper to get."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Skyleene sighed, sitting down on a nearby chair.
"It means that I already knew what the bad guy was planning to do."
Skyleene shot her eyes at the man. She could not believe it. Old Dulles hid things - important things - from her when he knew how important that case was to her.
"What are you saying?" she asked with a low tone, hiding her face in her hands.
"I am saying that everything made sense when I saw the purple dust on that woman's body. The only bad thing you can do with Awo Aro is a dust used in a ritual of colliding the two cities together. It is needed a great power to do the procedure, so you also need to collect souls. These souls combined should give you that power you need to do the ritual. At least, that is what I believe."
"How do you know this?"
"That book I sent Aper to get has all of this information. It was once in my hands, but I made a mistake, and it got taken away. I was in charge of documenting Awo Aro. Everything was going great until it stopped being so great."
"So you decided to give this task to the next person who could fulfill it? Is that what you mean?"
"Well, you were skilled enough to find out about Awo Aro, one way or another. I needed help in my research, and no other academic had the knowledge about this flower, so I had to find someone who did."
"But you didn't find that person, so you decided to fabricate one on your own?" Skyleene shot her head up. She got used once again, but this time in her afterlife.
"Yeah, sort of."
Old Dulles shrugged, moving his attention towards the bottles of chemical substances on the table. He took some flowers and placed them on the mortar.
"You used me... YOU USED ME!" Skyleene snapped. "All this time! All those moments when I came to you for help about something else than Awo Aro, you would always redirect me back to it. You only wanted me to specialize in what benefitted you! And I didn't realize that! I kept working day and night for something that I didn't want! You and your stupid flower! Go to hell!" she screamed in his face before storming out of the lab.
Mushu followed her, shooting a glare at the man who did not even bother to look after the girl who rushed crying out. "Such audacity, and from the person I thought was never going to hurt her," he thought.
Skyleene walked down the stairs and sat on the last one, embracing herself. She cried heavy tears as her chest had a clenching pain throbbing inside. She could not believe that she let another man under her skin without realizing what mistake she was making. And how could have she known that? It was not like Old Dulles had a sign on his forehead that said: <ATTENTION. I AM LIKE YOUR BROTHER>. No. Old Dulles had no red flags, and that infuriated and upset her more than anything.
Mushu came by her legs and caressed her skin with his tail. The girl had her head buried in her knees, so the cat got up on two paws and set his head next to hers. Skyleene felt his touch and felt reassured that he was there.
"I did it again, Mushu. I let myself get played by another specimen that I thought cared for me. And for what? Only to help them reach the top and bring myself in pain. What have I done?" she cried harder.
"Come on, Leene. It's not like that. Look at the woman you became. You are strong, intelligent and courageous. It doesn't surprise me people want to use you, honestly. They see they have something to gain from you, and that is why they use you. Don't view it as a mistake, but as a compliment," the cat said, purring calmly.
Skyleene sniffled and took a breath. He was right. She knew tons of plants and animals, many remedies for lost souls who needed help, and how to read people. Those were skills only a few had.
"You're right. I am great. But how come everyone I love uses me? I thought people who love you keep you safe."
"They do. But they also want you to evolve," a voice thundered from behind. "Loved ones wish you to be strong so they can have a benefit as well. It is a team effort not many understand," Old Dulles said.
Skyleene dried her nose and stood up.
"I am not trying to hurt you more than you already are. I only want to help you," Dulles said, coming closer to her. "I know I haven't been of too much help, but I am trying."
"No. You forced yourself in helping us, and now when I figured it out, you're trying to seem like the good guy. Guess what: you are not."
Skyleene turned to him with red eyes and a running nose but said nothing. She made her point. Seeing him worried was something new, but she could not fall into that trap of fake feelings again. All she wanted was to use Old Dulles as much as he already used her.
"Do you still want to help us?" she asked.
"Of course, I do. I want to prove that I only wanted the best for you and the souls in this city," he said confidently.
"For that, you will have to be honest with me; no more secrets and off timing details. You need to trust me all the way so we can get this done with no delay," Skyleene said in a grave tone. She had to make her point understood.
"Yes. Right. Honesty and trust are essential."
Skyleene took a second to read his expression. He was stoic, concentrated and confident. "Almost as if he was not baking a secret plan behind his back," she thought.
"Listen here, old man. I know you. You seem pleasant and trustworthy, but you're a charlatan, a pirate out for stealing treasure. So let's make this clear: No unknown business and you tell me everything you know. If I find you sneaking or hiding something, I swear to god I'll kill you," she pointed a finger at him. Her tone was serious and menacing, almost frightening.
"Yes. I agree. I want this to work so you can trust me as well. You will trust me, will you not?" Dulles asked, raising an eyebrow.
Skyleene took a moment to think before giving her hand out for a handshake: "Yes. I will."
They shook hands and looked into each other's eyes. There was a professional settlement between the two, meant to repair the fractured father-like figure and daughter.
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