Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Shut up, Huff. I’m not fucking around. River is—”
“You can keep River. I don’t want her. Haven’t you seen the way she acts, man? Totally crazy. I bet she’s been screaming nonstop for me, right?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“Who knew she’d be so clingy after I banged her. Yanno? But women just can’t get enough of the Huff and my massive cock. Not that you’d understand, little brother,” I say, trying to throw him off his game. He thinks he’s in control. Not anymore. “Look, Kyle, I gotta go. Can’t keep the ladies waiting. Oh, but hey, I found out everything from Morris—all the lies and your plan to have him kill me from the start. And you know what? Don’t care. I don’t care about you, River, or anyone because you’re all just fucked in the head, and I’m a goddamned superhero. I have powers. I can go where I want, when I want, and no one can stop me, bro. So have fun playing your little games. I’m done. Oh, and Morris also spilled the beans to the news. In a few hours, the world’s going to know you took his sister and River as hostages, all to make more Huffs. They’ll also know you guys made up the poisoned-water story.
“So, basically, you’re fucked, Kyle. All those people who had their businesses burned down, all those people who jumped off bridges and killed themselves because they thought they were going to die anyway? How do you think the world is going to feel about the lives you ruined all just to trick me into being your prototype?”
“You have no proof, Huff.”
“Morris gave a public statement, and you’d be surprised how credible he sounds.”
“He’s a madman, and everyone knows it,” Kyle says dismissively.
“Yet you forced him to work for you because you thought he was the only one who could recreate me.”
“He’s still crazier than a barrel of monkeys, not to mention he’s a wanted murderer.”
“You tried to have your own brother killed, Kyle. You have River locked up right now because you still want me dead. I’d say that puts you in the same barrel as Morris, and I’m willing to go public, too.”
“No one will believe you either, Huff, because society sees you as a threat. A freak. In fact, I’m working on getting a bill passed, making you an outlaw—the Anti-Genetically-Modified Persons Act.”
He’s making me illegal. That’s interesting. “I guess that’s supposed to scare me?”
“The bill will make it illegal for anyone but the US government to modify people’s DNA and turn them into weapons. Any persons who are modified are subject to seizure. No rights. No protection under the Constitution. You might as well be from another planet. Basically ET. Turn yourself in, Huff, and I’ll make sure you’re given a painless death.”
Jeez, what a fuck nut. “What happened to you, Kyle? What turned you into such an evil cunt? Wait. Hold on. Let me guess. You’ve twisted your work in your mind and believe no sin is too great because you’re saving people in the long run. You believe you’re the hero in your own story. But really? You’re just like every other evil politician, willing to sell out anyone—even your own family—for power. You’re the villain, Kyle, but not just in my story. You’re the villain in everyone’s story.”
“Goodbye, Huff. Enjoy being a fugitive for the rest of your life—what’s left of it.”
He ends the call, and I’m feeling pretty damned proud of myself. I recorded the entire conversation, and he just basically confessed to everything. Point for Mr. Love!
Will it make a difference? Maybe not for me, but I hope for River. It’ll be difficult for Kyle to keep her now. He’ll want to discredit me in any way possible and prove River is somewhere safe. Will he let Keni go, too? She’s a wanted fugitive like Morris, so I’m not sure.
I sigh, feeling a little messed up over this situation, but I didn’t create it. I didn’t turn Kyle into a coldhearted asshole.
Funny, how did I end with too much heart, and he ended up with none? I think of Joy and how she was always a bright light in my life. When I was down, my sister’s smile picked me up. She always knew just what to say. She was pure-hearted. Since her tragic death, I’ve put her on a pedestal, but not in a bad way. Her memory reminds me of whom I admire and whom I don’t.
I suddenly catch a whiff of her strawberry shampoo in the air. I look around the club. I know she’s not here, and my mind is playing tricks, but I swear I can smell her. I press my hand over my heart. It feels warm and calm all of sudden. Maybe she’s always been right here, watching over me.