Mindsiege (Mindspeak #2)(27)
“Careful, R.W.,” Dean Fisher said, then returned his attention to us. “Let them talk.”
“Lexi and I have returned to Wellington on a trial basis. We—”
Cathy stood again. “You’re hardly in a position to tell us what you will or won’t do on any kind of basis.”
Jack straightened, rolling his shoulders back. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mommy Dearest. I’m eighteen. And Lexi will be soon.”
Dean Fisher motioned with his hand for Cathy to settle down. A very strange unspoken message transpired between them.
“So, as I was saying, Lexi and I are at Wellington to learn. We agree to abide by school rules as we always have, but we will not be held prisoner. We will come and go as we please—as we did before you added all the extra security.”
“That was for you,” Dr. Wellington said. “To keep you safe, not to hold you prisoner.”
“Good, then we shouldn’t have a problem,” Jack said. “The extra security is appreciated as long as it’s not used to hold us hostage.”
Cathy squirmed in her seat. “Everything we’ve added… bringing The Program to Wellington, the extra security… that was for the two of you. And Kyle.” She gestured to Kyle, who nodded in acknowledgement.
I cocked my head, eyeing Cathy. Did she not know about the others—Briana, Jonas, Georgia and Fred? What was Cathy’s motive in all this?
“And, like I said, we appreciate it,” Jack said. He was good at the “nice” game.
Cathy relaxed in her seat. She traded glances with Dean Fisher and President Wellington, nodding in some silent agreement.
“So,” Dean Fisher began. “I guess neither of you have missed much school. A lot has happened since Friday night, though. Are you both okay, physically?”
We looked at each other, then nodded.
“One last thing.” Our heads both snapped toward Cathy. “You will attend all Program classes. I’m sorry that Friday night was a shock to you. And I’m sorry, Lexi, that your father was less than honest with you about how you were created… and what you were designed for…”
My spine straightened and I stepped up to the table, ready to blast Cathy DeWeese for even suggesting that my late father was anything less than a perfect dad to me. It wasn’t her place to criticize him. Jack grabbed my hand and held tight. Just let it go. You’ll get an opportunity to say your piece later. We’re playing nice, remember.
“…But if you’re here to learn, you will meet with Seth as soon as possible to get The Program integrated into your schedules.”
Seth nodded, still silent.
“Great. Fine.” Jack pulled on my hand and started to turn.
We were just about to the door when Cathy spoke again. “Oh, and one last condition. For Lexi.” We turned. I gripped Jack’s hand tighter. My other hand clenched into a fist, anticipating what this woman might say. “I’m going to need your help with Sandra.”
Chapter Twelve
“How did you turn out so amazing, when she’s so… so…” Jack raised his brow at me, mid-rant. “…So not amazing.”
“Because she and I don’t share a single ounce of DNA?”
“Smart aleck.”
Though it felt like I’d been away from campus for weeks, I’d only missed one day of classes and four mornings of swim practice. I wanted to go for a swim right then, but Jack convinced me that getting back into our classes was more important.
We walked toward the dorms. So far, no one even looked at us funny. It was as if Friday had never happened. To the other students, it probably hadn’t.
“Remember, Cathy’s syringe and drug were not meant for you last Friday,” Jack reminded me.
“But she didn’t tell me that. She tried to force me to heal Sandra even then. She held that syringe filled with God-knows-what like a murder weapon if I didn’t obey her.”
“I know, but she promised the weapon was meant for Sandra. Sandra is her enemy, not you.”
“Uh-huh. I just happen to look like Sandra.” And I just happen to be the one who can bring Sandra out of this coma that she put herself in.
What do you mean she put herself in the coma? Jack asked. How do you know that?
Seth told me she injected some sort of genetic manipulating substance into her own brain. I snapped my head toward him. “Wait. I didn’t direct that thought at you. I’ve been blocking you.”
We were almost to the girls’ dormitory. Jack grabbed my arm and stopped me. “I don’t understand why you’re so insistent on blocking me completely, but sometimes your thoughts just slip through. I don’t know.”
I averted my eyes, tried to pull away, but Jack tightened his grip. A couple of freshman girls stumbled out of the dorm, giggling as they walked passed us.
“Lexi, look at me.”
“What?” I sighed, finding his eyes. Did I really have to explain how I didn’t want him inside my head?
“What is going on with you?”
Silence built up between us like steam trapped in a teakettle. He continued to stare. “I don’t want to live like this. I live in constant fear of someone inside my head. Listening to my every thought. Manipulating my mind and my actions.” I sucked in a breath. “I have to find a way to shut you and anyone else out.”