A well decorated room, with comfy couches, famous paintings, expensive furniture, and a man standing in the middle wearing clothes made of silk. The man was clean, his hair was properly dressed, no one would ever imagine someone like that living in the low cities. There was a huge contrast between him and the people outside. Life looked easy for him but you could sense from his sharp eyes and his demeanor that he was one to not provoke.

  Enma was standing in front of the door, untied. Armed men were guarding the door outside. She detected multiple cameras covering the walls. The windows weren’t real but they were reflecting the exterior’s view. No place to escape. And the woman didn’t want to anger the man in front of her. Making an enemy of ? the boss ? of the low cities was clearly not a good idea. The man was smoking some high brand cigars.

  ? That’s not something you can find around here. ? said Enma.

  ? That shows how resourceful I am. ? calmly responded ? The boss ?.

  The room was silent again. The young woman was uncomfortable and anxious. It took a few minutes for her to gather the courage to speak again, more firmly.

  ? May I ask what you want from me and where my sister is ? ?

  ? You should sit down. ?

  Enma was hesitant to do so. But looking at the man’s eyes, she complayed.

  ? Do you want a drink ? ? asked the man.

  ? No thank you, I’m thirsty for answers, not drugged alcohol. ? said Enma, quite surprised by her own boldness.

  ? I guess that makes you quite different from your father. ? he said, with an emotionless tone and face.

  ? Do you know where my father is ? ? exclaimed the woman.

  ? I know where everyone is. I know that your father right now is in the wardened cities leaching every bit of money that he can from his third wife. I know in which facility your mother is being detained against her will working on a revolutionary technology. And I also know that your sister has been captured by a little gang from the west and is being sold to the wardened cities for some bread and water. I know where all my men are standing. I know where all the guards of the wardened cities, all the policemen, all the agents, all the politicians are right now and what they’re talking about. I know where you and your sister hid when you arrived in the low cities and I know how you handled your enemies so far. ?

  ? You sure know a lot of things. ? scoffed Enma.

  ? I do, and in fact I also know that the wardened cities would pay me a lot to surrender you. But you know what ? I’m ready to protect you from them, if you help me in return. ?

  Enma was quite tense, she didn’t know what to do with this information. She was more anxious at the fact that this speech made her unimpressed. The woman knew that she had to fear the man, but the adrenaline maybe, was altering her judgment. Enma still knew what a good deal was when she saw one.

  ? What do you need my help for ? ?

  ? You see, the wardened cities have high expectations for your mother and this unity project. This could of course save the future of our kind, but it could also be used as weapons. Upgrading living beings from their mortal status, creating invincible warriors. Making them Eternal. After doing that, no one will need pure air anymore, no one will need food. And obviously they won’t share this technology with everyone. They will discriminate the access to this technology. Discriminate the access to fresh air and good food even more than what they’re doing right now. ?

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  ? So you want to stop them ? ? asked Enma, surprised.

  ? Girl… You can’t stop progress. It will happen, it is only a matter of time. No, I don’t want to stop them. You see, this whole business that I built here. It is important enough to threaten the wardened cities. There is a good balance between them and us. I want to keep that balance. I want what they have. You are our future. The wardened cities have your sister. And they’re gonna use her. My deal is that you help my scientist with your knowledge and in exchange, I will have your sister and mother released. ?

  ? And how will you do that ? ?

  ? I’ve got my ways. ?

  ? And if I refuse ? ?

  ? Then you will become our little mouse lab. ?

  ? You think you can do that without me retaliating ? You know what I can do. If I were you, I wouldn’t try to harm me. ?

  ? Listen young girl, that new power you acquired must be heady. It’s a whole new world that you have access to. But what else do you know except throwing a few punches ? You beat a few guys and you think you own the world ? ?

  ? You have no idea what I’m capable of. ?

  ? I’m more than aware of your capabilities girl, and unlike you, I’m also aware of your weaknesses. Now, do we have a deal or should I have you tied up in a chair and let my minions cut you from head to toe ? ?

  Enma took a deep breath. She was scared for her mother and sister, and she was anxious. This man was clearly unreliable. The deal looked quite tempting but she might miss something important. The woman wanted to cry. Her life was taking an unexpected turn. Life was so much more terrible than what she imagined.

  ? How will you get them out ? ?

  ? That is not important. ?

  ? It is to me. Tell me how or the deal is off. ?

  ? You are in no position to negotiate, girl. ?

  ? And yet I’m still doing it. How will you get them out ? ?

  The man put his cigar down. He grabbed his glass of whatever alcohol was in it and drank it all.

  ? My men will attack the facility and we will transport through air drive your family. ?

  ? They will see you coming ! ? proclaimed Enma.

  ? No they won’t. ?

  ? How do you even know that? ?

  ? Because I have the technology to do so. ?

  ? If such technology existed, it would be known by now. ?

  ? And that is why only a few people know that. Have you never wondered why you and your mother weren’t arrested earlier ??

  ? What do you mean ? ?

  ? When you caused that fire in the house. Do you think no cameras saw your mother carrying you and your sister to her house? Do you really think that your mother would be able to cross districts undetected ? Of course not. It happened because she had the means to do so. She created this technology. ?

  ? That can’t be true ! We would’ve known ! ?

  ? Yes, because obviously the government would want everyone to know about their weaknesses. You don’t know anything about this world. ?

  ? And how do you know all this ? ? asked Enma with an accusatory tone ? who are you ? ?

  ? My name doesn’t mean anything, and you won’t gain anything by knowing it. There are two things about people that need to be known : how resourceful they are ; and how you can use them. ?

  The boss clapped his hands and armed men entered the room.

  ? Take her to her chambers and have someone guard her door. I will have one of you escort her later to the lab. ?

  He poured himself another glass of alcohol and looked at the sky. It was a good day.