A Hero In The Dark

Chapter 129: Model of Desire

I had the entire morning to spend by myself, getting comfortable in my temporary apartment in England that Bea instructed I stay. Until, that is, she came to collect me to bring me to the cure once the preparations were made.

That's who she introduced herself as. Bea. As in Beatrice. And Beatrice as in Beatrice Barnaby. Also known as Nigel's mother and wife to the deceased Reginald Barnaby. It only reminded me of what Kopano said before I left.

There was a fire in England. At the Barnaby house. Nigel and his mother are said to be missing and the UN Peacekeepers that escorted Nigel were found dead.

Not so missing anymore.

But where is Nigel? He wasn't there to greet Rick, Miki, and I when we arrived. No one but Bea was. Surely he must be close by? Bea wouldn't separate herself off from her own son, would she? And then comes the thought that I can't keep out of my mind.

What is going to happen with Nigel once I make my move against the Foundation? When I have my legacies back and am cured from this toxin and finally make my counterattack to put an end to their organization, will I have what it takes to deal with Nigel's mother?

I try not to think about it and do my best to wave the thought away. I'll do whatever I need to do when the time comes.

Aside from all of that, the place I was left to rest in momentarily before receiving the cure has proven to be far more than fancy.

Although there isn't much in it other than a bed, cabinet, and mounted flat screen television on the wall, it is the little details that matter. The softer than soft rose bedsheets. The bouquet of flowers beautifully placed on the cabinet surface. In an elegant round blue vase. The book waiting patiently to be read in the center of the king-sized bed that immediately drew me in.

I glanced at the cover and was suddenly overwhelmed with an eagerness and joy.

"Mody Duck," I murmured under my breath, surprised to find it here. "Written by the popular author Melvin Herman. I've wanted to read it since my early childhood but never got a chance to."

How? Why? Did she know?

It was as if Bea knew that I loved to read and, even more strangely, what I loved to read. There is no way Bea just randomly selected it, right? There had to be an explanation.

I started reading it right away, eager with anticipation. I don't remember being so excited to read a book since I was living my old life over two years ago. Before everything changed.

It wasn't long until Bea knocked on the door.

After trying to open it telekinetically and finding the door remaining shut, I proceeded to open it manually.

She smiled at me in that same motherly way that she smiled at Miki earlier, and led me outside to where a pale girl with pink hair waited along with another. Much taller in height with dark black long hair pulled into tight braids.

"Emily, this is Magdalena," Bea introduced. "She has a large sample of astatine prepped for your convenience."

Magdalena. Why does that name sound familiar?

"Yes," the pink-haired girl replied. "Though unfortunately the operation is a complicated one. I will need to render you asleep if I am going to have any success. Assuming that is alright with you?"

I looked to Bea who nodded her approval and I responded, "Actually, I would prefer to be conscious while you worked. I can't bring myself to lay idly by while being scientifically operated on by people that I don't know. I can deal with any kind of pain but is there a way to-"