CHAPTER 48: DEAD

Eliza refused to be distracted by the scandal happening outside her office. Her focus was on getting through the work day as usual. The few visits she made to other departments, she noticed the stares from her employees, but no one was bold enough to actually confront her. They were mostly just speculating behind her back. She didn’t hold it against them. It was human nature to gossip. As long as it didn’t affect their work, she didn’t care. When word began to spread that their boss was working as usual, and seemed really calm, more of the employees began to speak in support of her. In most people’s eyes, a guilty person wouldn’t be so calm, and working like it was any other day.

She checked in on Alrik a few times during the day, and he always told her he was fine. But he was still moving faster than normal. Eliza called Gaya only after her work hours were done, and it was dark. Most employees had already clocked off work. Only a few remained, working overtime for one reason or another.

"We’re here." Gaya said as she walked into the office with Ren, Ansa, and Bruno.

"We have to find a way to get him home without problems. Reporters are camped outside my office building hoping to speak to me because of the interview my mother did earlier today." Eliza replied.

"That shouldn’t be too hard. We just have to make sure he doesn’t touch anything, right?" Bruno asked and Eliza shook her head.

"I forgot to tell you guys that hot hands aren’t the problem this time." She said with a sigh. "Show them."

She closed the door, so he wouldn’t speed walk out of the office.

"I’ve been working on it since I’ve been locked in here all day. I think I’ve gotten better control of myself." As Alrik spoke, he made a move to stand, but wasn’t careful enough, so he zoomed past Gaya, and almost knocked down Bruno.

"Whoa!"

"Holy shit!"

"What the fuck was that?!"

They all exclaimed at the same time. Alrik took a deep breath, and tried again. This time, he moved a bit slower, but he was still faster than normal humans.

"Okay, we might really have to take you to a lab to be tested genetically or something."

"No! I’m not letting him be turned into a lab rat." Eliza said immediately.

"Of course not. That’s not what I meant. We have enough money and resources to get a private facility. No one else has to know. Who knows what sort of problems this knowledge would cause if released to the public."

"We can talk about all of that at home. For now, let’s get home without causing any problems first." Alrik said.

"I already have the CCTV in the whole company on standby, so no footage of the places we pass through can ever be released. The only thing we have to be worried about is the few employees who usually work late. If we’re careful enough, we can avoid them all." Gaya said.

"I will go ahead and make sure the coast is clear. You all follow behind me till we get to the underground parking lot." Bruno said and moved out first.

They waited till he called and gave them the all clear before they all moved. Alrik was the last to move from the office, but he got to the elevator before them all.

"This is kind of cool, actually. Like the superhero from the comics with lightning speed." He chuckled and Eliza sighed.

"Or maybe this is all a conspiracy to make me grow old in record time. I’m pretty sure my hair is already turning white right now. I definitely came close to a heart attack a few times." She replied to her husband as they all got into the elevator.

"The others are already waiting at home so..." Gaya was speaking when she turned, and mistakenly smacked Eliza’s hand.

Eliza’s phone slipped out of her hand, but before it could fall to the ground, Alrik grabbed it.

They were all still staring at the spot where Eliza’s phone should have fallen, before they realised that Alrik had already grabbed it. He moved so fast that their eyes took several seconds to register the action, meanwhile, in his eyes, everything had happened in slow motion.

Eliza stared at him, and he just smiled. "You better take the phone from me yourself. I don’t trust myself right now, so I’ll have to remain as still as possible."

She did as she said, and turned her phone around in her palm. "It is a cool ability. But why you? And why now?"

"That’s what we have to find out."

They were all relieved when they finally made it into the car, and began to drive home. The others were already waiting when they arrived, and they explained what had happened to Alrik.

"But why do you think this one is lasting longer than usual? The last time, the hand thing only lasted about an hour or two from my estimation, since I wasn’t here for it all. This time, it lasted the whole day, and he’s still moving faster than normal." Mira said.

"We have no idea. And I made a suggestion that we may need to run lab genetics testing. We need to seriously consider opening a private facility for that purpose, so we can get answers."

Alrik lay in bed, and Eliza joined him.

"They’re probably discussing about me downstairs. My ears are itchy."

"Anyone in their right mind would stay up to discuss this. It’s bizarre. Don’t you think so?" She asked and he laughed.

"I guess so. But that’s not what I want to discuss. You were probably too busy to see it, but your family released another video. Your father this time, and Francis beside him. They’re making claims of foul play, and how I stole the company from them. They wouldn’t have dared be bold with that accusation, but it seems all the negative publicity against us after the murder accusation has given them courage. This whole fiasco might end in a lawsuit."

"How do they even intend to back up all of this with evidence in court? Or are they just hoping the negative attention would force us to give in to their demands, and avoid trial?" She asked incredulously.

"Maybe. Who knows what their plan is. Since they started this with the murder accusation, I sure hope they’re willing to see this to the end."

"Were you able to get evidence from the people you assigned to investigate?"

"Not yet. But I’m sure they’ll find something to prove your innocence in the alleged murder case of Linda’s baby. As for the company thing, you already know we have legitimate documents to prove it was all a fair acquisition. So don’t worry too much. I just thought you should know how things escalated, so you wouldn’t be caught off guard at work tomorrow."

"I’m more worried about you. As long as the people who matter know I’m innocent, I’m not so bothered." She said and stroked his hair. "What’s happening to you, Alrik? Do we really need to resort to lab tests? I’m scared you’ll be hurt during experiments, even in a private facility."

"If it ever gets to that extent, I’m sure Gaya wouldn’t let any scientists treat me like a lab rat, nor would you." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Now sleep. We both have busy days tomorrow."

"You’re seriously not considering coming with me to work, are you?"

"Why wouldn’t I come? I need to stay close to you and protect you, at least till all of this negative attention dies down." He replied.

"I’ll be fine at the office. What could possibly happen?"

"Your family could..."

"I don’t give two damns about my family. You’re my concern. What happens if you have another episode when there are people to witness it? Today we were lucky that it happened in my office when we were both alone." She interrupted him, and he sighed.

"Let’s just sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Alrik lay in bed several hours later, with his arms around Eliza as she slept. He had only managed to sleep for two hours, and now he was wide awake. All he could do was think. Eliza was right, and he knew it. It would be better if he stayed back home. But for some reason, he had a feeling that something would go wrong if he wasn’t close to her. He had no idea how to interpret that premonition, especially since other strange things had been happening to him.

He sighed and closed his eyes. He fell asleep almost immediately, but it wasn’t a natural sleep. His body felt heavier than usual, and then he felt light. When he opened his eyes, he screamed but no sound came out. He was lying in bed next to Eliza, but he was also floating away from his body. Like his soul and body was being separated.

"Oh fuck! Am I dead?"