Duke's eyes narrowed, unsure where this was heading, but his curiosity was piqued. "How do you know so much about the so-called system, Nadia?"
Nadia hesitated before responding, her eyes darting around the room. "Because I was part of the team that created it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you're different, Duke. You have a chance to make a difference."
'What does that make her? A scientist? Little wonder how she did so well in taking care of my wounds.' Duke wondered.
"Was?" he tried to indulge her more so she could talk.
Nadia's gaze dropped "Our research wasn't yielding the results they wanted. Every new finding was a failed examination of humans and those with the Tierany system. I was removed from the team when our research wasn't yielding the profitable results they wanted."
That wasn't what he wanted to be briefed on. Her failed efforts weren't his problem. But he didn't tell her that. Instead, he said, "That's truly sad to hear, but I don't understand what this has to do with me. And who are 'they'?"
"The corporation that funded our research," Nadia replied, a bitter expression washing her features as she spoke. "They're under the government. At first, I thought the sole purpose of the pill was to give people the life they were promised once they joined the Tierany system. But after being pushed out, I realized they aimed to give themselves power and control over humanity."
Duke was not surprised, not in the least. But hearing it from a scientist left him shocked, nonetheless. "So they knew who you were and still let you deliver a briefcase?"
"That's the part you don't understand. Every one of us selected to deliver the briefcase was once a researcher for them. They thought it best to let fewer people know about the pill and their mission. And when we refused to act on it, because of how we were stripped of our status, they took our relatives."
"That makes sense," Duke exhaled as he reeled in the information. "So, I'm the first person the pill worked on."
Nadia nodded gravely. "That's correct. You're now prey in the eyes of desperate men and beings. But I can help you, Duke. I have knowledge about the system and can provide you with crucial information on who to target. However, first, I need to rescue my sister from their clutches."
Duke shook his head firmly. "I can't help you with that."
"If I had told your parents that when they asked for my help and were in a similar position help years ago-"
"And yet, they died," Duke cut her off, Angrily.
Nadia's eyes turned somber, as though she understood Duke's pain. "I know you're not in a position to trust me, Duke. But I assure you, my intentions are pure. However, I notice you're not healing as expected. You're still injured, and that's puzzling."
She paused, her hands on her chin, deep in thought. "The pill should have accelerated your natural healing process, but something's interfering."
Duke's eyes flickered up. 'So she noticed that back then?' He mused internally.
"What do you mean?" Duke asked, playing dumb.
Nadia's eyes narrowed. "I mean, something's blocking the pill's effects. Something that's preventing you from healing properly."
Duke suddenly felt uncomfortable. He wasn't about to trust another stranger, a scientist that worked for the government nonetheless. He needed to keep his secret hidden, for now. But he also needed Nadia's help at this point.
Duke's decided to press further. "Why didn't you reach out to me all this while if you truly knew about my existence before now, Nadia?" he asked.
"You know, you can talk to me without calling me by my name. That's so professional." She mused, trying to make light of the situation. But Duke's expression remained unyielding. He gazed at her with his signature resting bitch face. Nadia had no other option but to revert back, and answer his question.
"I had my hands full with the government, alright? I sent someone to take care of you, but he turned out to be a douchebag."
Nadia's words hung in the air, and Duke's eyes narrowed as he processed what she had just revealed. She had sent the man who had abused him, mentally, physically, and emotionally, through his late adolescence and early teenage years.
As if sensing Duke's growing agitation, Nadia quickly added, "I didn't know he would hurt you. The government abandoned you to your fate, and since I couldn't save your parents, I tried saving you. But he was an ally of the government. He told me different stories, contradicting what he actually did. I know the government must have been aware, hence why they cornered me with so many jobs to work on. But still, I made time and effort to check on you. Although that happened a little too late. I'm genuinely sorry I couldn't be there for you, Duke."
Duke's silence was uncharacteristic, his mind racing with ways to kill Nadia slowly. He knew everything she had just told him was a twisted cover-up, far from the actual truth. If she had really put effort into securing his safety, the abuse wouldn't have happened. If she had really protected his parents, they would have made it back to him, alive.
Duke resolved to not do so. At least, till he got better.
"Uhm… can you walk?" Nadia raised a question, trying to steer the tension a tad. "I want to show you around the safe house and make you feel a bit more comfortable."
Duke hesitated, testing his legs and arm. They still felt shaky, but he nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
Nadia offered her arm, and Duke accepted it, appreciative of the support. As they strolled through the rooms, Nadia highlighted various amenities and explained the robust security measures in place.
Meanwhile, Duke's mind wandered to his eventual escape plan, scheming how he would make a break for it once he recovered. His thoughts also drifted to Nadia's fate, contemplating how he would eliminate her once he no longer needed her assistance.
"And this is the kitchen," Nadia motioned to another section of the house, opening a door to reveal a fully stocked kitchen. "You are welcome to help yourself to anything you need."
Duke nodded, surveying the surroundings with a calculating gaze. His eyes lingered on the knives, and he felt an intense, primal urge to snatch one and end Nadia's life right there.
But he restrained himself, suppressing the dark impulse. Instead, he allowed Nadia to lead him on a tour of the safe house, which proved to be surprisingly cozy, despite the dire circumstances.
As they turned a corner, Nadia stopped in front of a door with a sign that read "Broadcast Room".
"You do radio shit, too?" Duke asked as he stared at the door.
"No. This is where we deal with… unwanted visitors," she explained, suddenly sounding serious.
Duke's curiosity piqued, and he nodded for her to continue.
Nadia opened the door, and Duke's eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. A man was tied to a chair, his face bloody and bruised. Another man, tall and menacing, stood over him, his face twisted in a mix of anger and frustration whilst sweating profusely. He turned on hearing the door open behind him.
You are here," he acknowledged, his voice strained. "Maybe you can take it from here."
But Nadia ignored his suggestion, instead introduced him to someone else. "Ryker, this is Duke."
Ryker's eyes snapped towards Duke, not seeming to have noticed his presence.
"We've met before," Ryker replied.
The air seemed to grow colder as Ryker's gaze bore into Duke, his eyes filled with a sinister intent.