So, BIG apologies on the missed weeks here. Life has been particularly busy, good things, but things that crowd out my extra time.
The good news (or bad news) is that next week will be the FINAL installment of Tell Me a Story.
I went with the overhwhelmingly agreed upon suggestion from the last installment to whip this one up.
Enjoy, and be sure to get your comments in. This is your last chance for a while!!
~~~~~
I took a deep breath. “So all of this has been for you? You did this to get the game for yourself?”
“That’s simplifying it a bit. But, yes.”
“Why?” I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.
“I didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.”
“And what makes your hands the right ones?”
Eli ran his hand across the stubble on his chin, a smile escaping for a second. “Maybe they’re not. But I don’t want to use this game as a weapon–”
“Oh, don’t tell me you are going to use it for good. It never works that way. Haven’t you ever read a comic book?”
“I’ve been a bit busy. And I wasn’t going to say that. I don’t think mind-control is a good idea, even with the best intentions. But, what I do know is this isn’t over. The technology exists. It will get created again. Now that we have a copy, we can work on creating something to stop it.”
“Like an antidote?”
“In a way. Ideally, we’d want to create something that could kill the code before it gets out there in the first place, but yes, we also need a way to stop the effects if it does get released.”
I traced imaginary letters into the side of my water glass. “You keep saying we. Who’s we?”
“A very small group of skilled people I trust.”
“We’re back to those answers.”
Eli frowned. “What answers?”
“The ones where you don’t actually tell me anything.” I leaned back into my chair and squeezed my eyes shut. “What now? What am I supposed to do?”
Eli’s voice was quiet. “What do you want to do?”
I kept my eyes shut, figuring if I left them closed tight enough, tears couldn’t escape. “I don’t know. I’m guessing I can’t go back home.”
I felt Eli’s hand rest gently on my arm. “I’m sorry about that. No, it wouldn’t be a good idea for you to go back. Not for a while.”
“Nothing to go back to, anyhow.”
“Kate?”
I opened my eyes and turned my head to the side, facing Eli. “Yeah?”
“You could stay here. Work for me. For real this time.”
I snorted. “Yeah, right.”
He gave my arm a squeeze. “I’m serious. You’re bright, a quick thinker, and not afraid to speak your mind.”
“And by ‘here’, you mean…?”
“For a few months, this is home base. We’ll figure out where to go next together.” He paused, looking at me as if he were searching for an answer. “Or, I can have you taken wherever it is you want to start over and make sure you get a good start.”
I looked out at the gorgeous beach below our balcony, emerald ocean, and not another building or person in sight. I bit down on my lip, looked Eli in the eye, and took a deep breath.
~~~~
What does Kate do?
Thanks for the support everyone!
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You know what, i think she’s going to decline staying there. She’s lost a friend (who probably wants her dead now) and gone through a heck of a lot in a short amount of time. But, I don’t think she’s opposed to working with Eli either. She just want’s some time to herself to decompress.
Reminds me of The Avengers (movie), where Bruce Banner thought he had been hiding, but S.H.I.E.L.D. had been keeping tabs on him the whole time. Just because Kate goes away, doesn’t mean Eli won’t be watching out for her.
Um, she stays! Yes, she wants/needs some time to think things out, but despite everything Eli has put her through, she feels safe with him. I think he trains her to become a hacker/spy. She’d be good at it. And of course I want her and Eli to stay together forever.
She stays, on the condition that they bring Red into the fold. Unless . . . she’s already there. :Excellent segue for Tell Me a Story 2: Electric Boogaloo:
YAY, you’re back! And WHAT?!?!? Next week is the last?!? Please tell me you’re starting another one???
I think she stays.
So I missed the earlier installments, but this, by itself, without reading the previous ones, is compelling and draws me in.
I don’t know what Kate does next, but I want to find out.
I’m usually not a romantic, but I totally think Kate should stay with Eli. Why not?
I’m going for the happy ending too (HEA, as they say…). Poor Kate has been through so many twists and turns, how lovely for her to realize she is safe and loved and can be involved in some challenging work in that über-scenic setting. I am sure I speak for every single follower here when I say we are going to miss this, Amber. It’s been a blast! We will have to be satisfied with waiting for your next book!
Yep, I think Kate will stay with Eli, too. This is my first visit here – this serial is cool!
Welcome, Jennette!