Cade stood at a large building where Dr. Catherine sent him to see Dr. Carline. They gathered the researchers on the 10th floor for the presentation of a project they’d been working on for 6 months. Cade couldn’t reach Mr. Carline who was on a business trip. Dr. Carline was also busy with her research. Her best friend and former colleague, Dr. Catherine, said that she was in New York for a huge project.
“Don’t tell anyone about this. It’s top secret,” Dr. Catherine said.
“No problem, Doc. I’m not into science,” Cade replied.
“That’s a good thing. What can a mere kid do about it?”
“I’m just going there to talk about Stan. Thank you for the information, Doc.”
“See you soon, Cade. Send my regards to your father.”
The top-secret research project intrigued him somehow, but his priority was Stan’s safety.
“You’re not allowed in here,” the guard said.
“But I am Cade Robertson. Dr. Carline is my aunt. This is urgent.”
“Can’t you read? Personnel only.” The guard pointed the signage at the door.
“Can you at least call her?”
“The researchers are in the process of presenting a scientific discovery, kid. You can wait.”
Cade had a little tantrum and kicked the bins in the hallway, as he called Elsie over the phone.
“I can’t get in.”
“Alright. Leave it to me.”
In a few minutes, there was a commotion outside and the staff had to call security. The guard left his post and Cade crashed inside. He looked down from the 2nd floor and listened to the presentation. Dr. Carline was discussing her project in front of other researchers. It’s been a long time since he last saw her. Stan looked a lot like her.
“This holds the fruit of our clinical trials and experiments. After months of research and trials, we have finally grasped a bit of progress,” Dr. Carline said while showing a flash drive. She played a video on the huge white screen.
“We don’t need a time machine to go back in time. Instead, we can relieve our memories and watch them like a video. The past will shed a light on our future.”
She showcased the blue liquid on a tube. “Ladies and gentlemen… this is the blue project.”
‘Play our memories like a video?’ Cade thought. He hurried to the laboratory where the other research papers were piled up.
‘This has something to do with Elsie.’
Cade hid under the table when someone entered the lab.
“What? It’s been weeks since the subject escaped. Clean this mess, will you? Or we all die. We’re not done with her.”
“Aunt Victoria,” Cade called.
Dr. Carline was surprised to see her nephew in the lab who was supposed to be in school.
“Cade? What are you doing here?”
“I-I came here to talk about Stan.”
“What about him?”
“But before that, your research was interesting.”
Dr. Carline put her phone in her pocket.
“Oh. Thank you.”
“I’ve read the documents. Twenty people died because of your experiments. This is wrong.”
“Cade, dear. It will only be wrong if the world knows about it. That’s why this project is top secret.”
“The use of human test subjects in experiments is seen as unethical.”
“Not in the lense of a scientist who wants to use such a grand discovery to help humankind. Besides, our test subjects are those that were neglected by the world. They are not a tremendous loss in this world, and they have nothing to lose.”
His fists trembled.
“Who are you to decide the value of a person?”
“Wait a minute. Why are you so upset about it? All of us can benefit from this project. Watching someone’s memories can solve crimes. We can store important information. Isn’t that marvelous? You have to see the bigger picture, young man.”
“To the extent of killing people. It’s not worth it.”
“The goal is not to kill people. It’s not intentional.”
“But you know there’s a high chance.”
“You’re a smart boy, Cade. You should understand how science and experiments work. There’s no success without risk.”
“Why does it have to be Elsie Lynch?”
Her eyebrows rose. “You know her? Well, this huge group is funding us in exchange for her memories. But we haven’t completed the experiment yet.”
“Because of you, Stan is in a critical condition,” he said as his eyes swelled up.
“What? What do you mean?” Her face turned crimson.
“She was our friend. Stan was protecting her when he got shot. We don’t know where he is now. They took him.”
“No. This is not part of the deal.”
“That is the price of your selfishness.”
“Selfishness?” she scoffed. “Watch your mouth, Cade. You should not speak about selfishness when this is all because of you. This chaos? It’s because you are wretched.”
“Why are you blaming me? I’m here to protect Elsie. If you don’t stop this now, everyone will know.”
“Is that so? Go on. Then your father will go down with me.”
A mark of astonishment flashed across his face. “What does Dad have to do with it?”
“As I said, this is all because of you.”
“I… I don’t understand.”
“It was all a setup, dear. He made up everything to change you. He is the leader of the Doom Association.”
“What are you saying? That mafia group murdered everyone in the Viper Tribe, his best friend.”
“You’re right. He wiped out the clan of his best friend. Don’t you get it?”
Cade stepped backward. His breathing was heavy and slow, as if losing some oxygen.
“Dad can’t do that. H-he was too weak.”
Dr. Carline laughed. “You’ve been fooled, dear. Figures. Appearing weak was his specialty. But my brother has two sides. You haven’t seen the dark side of him, have you? It will make you beg for mercy.”
Cade returned to London with the help of Antoine to find out the truth about his mission. Her aunt made him more confused. He wanted to know the other side of the story—his father’s side. It was hard to believe that his father was behind all of it. It sounded like a myth to him.
As Cade got out of the limousine, he couldn’t help but stare at their mansion.
“It’s been a while. I miss this place,” he said.
Though the mansion brought nostalgia, it also made him feel like a stranger.
“Has this place changed?” he asked.
“Not at all, Young Master,” Antoine replied.
“But it feels odd. Why does everything look flashy?”
“You suggested everything in here, Young Master. From the furniture to the decorations.”
“I did? They’re all extravagant. It’s too much. Is it always been like this?”
Antoine nodded.
“Now that I’m back temporarily, you can change them into something less fancy. After all, few people stay in this house. It’s almost empty. And it’s hard to earn some money these days.”
“Are you working in New York, Young Master?”
“No. I don’t know much about simple chores. That’s why I’m broke. Anyway, where’s Dad?”
“In his office, Young Master.”
Cade knocked at the door.
“Young Master Cade is here, sir,” Antoine announced before opening the door.
Mr. Robertson was reading a book while drinking a glass of alcohol.
“Isn’t it too early to drink, Dad?”
“What is it you want to talk about that you need to fly here? Are you giving up?”
“Are you not happy to see me, Dad? Aren’t you worried about me? Did you even know what happened? I almost died! My friends are in danger too! Do you not have any sympathy for your only son?”
Mr. Robertson removed his glasses and dropped his book. He walked towards him and embraced him. Cade had never felt so warm and safe before. He couldn’t stop himself from weeping.
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Robertson said.
“You don’t care about me until the end. You were not there when Mom died.”
“Stop mentioning her.”
“Why? Do you feel guilty ignoring her just because she was insane?”
Mr. Robertson held his head. It was aching so badly that he got dizzy.
“Are you faking your illness to get away with the topic?”
Mr. Robertson fell to the floor in immense pain.
“Dad? What’s wrong with you?”
In a few seconds, Mr. Robertson looked at him. His pupils flared.
“Why would I feel sympathy toward you? We have a deal. You forced me to send you to Mchalmmond. Now you’re complaining? Aren’t you ungrateful?” His change of tone was odd. Cade felt like he was looking at a different person.
Mr. Robertson went back to his seat. His gaze was sharp, scraping off his skin. It sent shivers down his spine.
“A-Aunt Victoria told me something weird. She said you are the leader of the rival group.”
“She said that? My bad. You caught me.”
“Are you saying it’s true? If you admit to it, it means you murdered Elsie’s family and you are hurting her too for some experiment.”
“You finally cracked the code. I was having fun.”
“It also means you put my life in danger…”
Mr. Robertson clasped his fingers together.
“In simple terms, I’ve been toying with you.”
“H-How could you say that? How could you do that?” Cade fell to his knees.
“This is what you made me do, son. You don’t listen to me, so I’m teaching you a lesson the hard way.”
“What if I was killed?”
“I know you wouldn’t. I ordered them not to kill you. Stop being such a baby.”
“You… you enjoy hurting people with your power. You’re so evil!”
His mouth curved into a grin. “Those words must not come from you, Cade. From someone who has hurt innocent people just to feed his ego.”
“What will you do to Elsie?”
“Since you find out my secret, you can’t save her anymore. I will continue the experiment until I get what I want.”
“She might die.”
“Who cares?”
“I do.”
“What can you do?”
“I can go against you.”
Mr. Robertson crossed his arms.
“Then what? Can you even face them after knowing the truth? I eradicated the largest mafia group in London. What would Elsie feel if she discovers your father killed her family? Your father killed her best friend. What would your friends think of you? Do you want to be called the son of a murderer? Are you prepared for that? Can you even face them?”
His father’s voice echoed in his ears like a chant, tormenting him.
“I did all of those things because of you, son. You are the root of all this. That is my love language.”
“I’m begging you, Dad. Please don’t hurt her.”
“You don’t have to worry about her. Your mission is over. You are out of this.”
Cade crawled to his feet.
“Please, Dad. I will do everything.”
“Everything?”