***At some distance***
" What? Is that Rozelle? Did I hear that right? "
Robert turned around at Quill and asked him, amused and surprised at the same time.
His brother had his hands and legs tied up as he lay on his back.
Robert went around him in circles as they talked.
It had been like that for days. That was how Robert forced-fed Quill to keep him alive.
He was absolutely resilient.
Robert had no choice but to act that way since his brother would not believe otherwise.
In front of them was the body of Layla. Even though it had been days at a stretch, there was no decomposition or decay in it. But Quill was unable to see that in his madness.
" How dare you do this to me Robert. I am your own flesh and blood. Was it not enough that you killed Layla for your stupid ego? You stoop so low as to disrespect the dead? Why would you not give her a proper burial? What do you want from me? You took her away from me forever. At least let me bid her a proper goodbye. "
Quill had sobbed like a little baby but his brother had only laughed at his foolish tears adding to his disgust towards him. He thought him to be nothing more than a psychopath.
" You will see it when the time comes. This is not the body of a human. It was taken over by a Gala. Layla, never existed. It was a parasite residing in this body brother. You know I have better knowledge of these things brother. Why don't you trust me? "
Robert had begged.
" Trust you? Oh yeah! I had. I had trusted you so much that I spent all my life looking out for you. I was bothered when Layla became closer to you. I was unbothered all through. I thought you could see beyond people. If what you say is true, what do I make of those several sessions she spent with you? How were you fooled when you have so much faith in your ability? You are just mad because she kept a secret from you. You are just mad at her for using your blood samples for her experiment. I know you. I know what you think. I swear I will never see your face ever again in my life. Just let me bid my Layla a fair goodbye . Please. Show me you have some humanity. "
Quill was on his knees. He had refused food and drink when Robert had refused to listen to him.
He was adamant in his stance.
" The Gala will return. Sooner or later. It will need its host body. If we destroy this one it will latch onto a new prey but if this body is intact, it will have no other option but to get back in this. You will see with your own eyes. Her lies will come alive. I will make you watch it. You have no other option but to stay alive until then. "
They were going about with that routine when Robert got those pagers from Rozelle.
He wasn't taking anybody's texts or calls. Rozelle was different but he wasn't in the mood to respond.
But he had been worried about her so he finally felt some relief knowing that she was alive.
Robert and Quill rarely changed location unless it was necessary. They were on one of the highest peaks where footfall was minimal.
The only sound was that of the occasional army patrol vans shouting weather warnings through their mouth pieces.
Robert suddenly heard Rozelle through one of those mouthpieces and he was very surprised indeed.
Then he heard the hostages and the commotion that followed.
" What is that girl up to? "
He wondered as she smiled at Quill.
It seemed like Quill heard it too but he did not react.
" Shall we go take a look at what she is cooking? Nah! I don't care about those aliens while my own brother is being such an a*shole.I will skip the drama and wait for your beloved girlfriend to return. "
Quill didn't look impressed at his sarcasm.
All of a sudden they heard the sound of the blades of a chopper nearby.
Robert raised an eyebrow.
" Are you scared Robert? Do you think it's the police? What do you think they will charge you with? Abduction or murder? " Quill asked, obviously thinking that someone must have reported Layla as missing. But that was not nearly the case.
" My crazy sister sends her greetings. " That was how George announced his arrival.
Robert hugged him with a smile but his smile changed rapidly. He reenacted the hug once more but his face remained as grave as before. He repeated it several times much to George's surprise.
" Do you sense anything? Is anything wrong? "
George asked, to which Robert replied.
" No. Nothing. And that's the problem. I think I sense nothing on you and that... that's pretty abnormal... "
He watched George's cheerfulness vanish as well.
" Anyways... Did the Watchers send you? I told them I was on leave... and what was that announcement? What is she plotting? It sounds interesting. "
George looked surprised with his remark.
" You heard her announcement? The hostage situation you mean right? I thought she had tuned it to Chemorian frequency... It wasn't meant for human ears... Damn girl! Technically handicapped. I think she f* up again. She acts very cool but can't get one thing done without me. If the headquarters know about this blunder.... sh*t.... we will need to cover so much... Who knows how many people heard her crazy giggles. They must be all going crazy... along with the police. "
George was rubbing the back of his ears as Robert spied his brother slowly trying to sneak out while they were having that conversation.
" It's useless trying to do that, brother. You are stuck with me till I prove my innocence. You called me a lot of names. I swear I don't want to see your face ever again as well. But I want you to regret every insult you hurled at me. I won't let you go before that. "