[Part 2 of 2]

“Yes, we do. A few retired heroes, I’m sure you have seen their files. Is that all?”

“No, not them. Anyone else?”

“We have you? Anyone else would be in the system. Just check that if you have some concerns.”

“I’ve seen everyone’s files, and no one has an ability that matches what I’m suspecting.”

“Suspicions are dangerous, Kyle. Especially in a workplace. What ability do you suspect someone is using?” She stopped her tapping, straightening out her tie as she focused on the conversation.

“The power to speed up someone’s aging. Well, speed up a normal person’s aging. Not mine.”

“You think a person is stopping you from aging? Why would that be a negative?”

“It’s against my will. Who says I want to stay this young for another decade or however long they keep doing this for?”

Holly sighed, leaning forward on her desk. Her medals flickering against her buttoned up shirt, decorated in some of the highest honors that someone in her position could get. She clasped her hands together before speaking.

“I say you want to stay like this. At least until I retire. I’m the one doing it. I could try to gaslight you into believing this is all in your head, but I respect your dedication to helping the public, so I’ll speak to you as an equal.”

“You’ve been doing this? Why?’

“Because you’re my golden goose. A person like you is a one in a million. You can resist any power and avoid whatever our enemies throw at us. Usually, a person with your talents would be on a hero’s salary, but you joined the police. Your service alone has saved the lives of thousands. I can’t risk aging, sending you to an early grave.”

“You’re taking away my freedom. I deserve to live as I please. What, do you think I’m going to retire when I hit forty? That you will be left without your golden goose?” He hissed that last part. What a crude thing to call him. He was more than some prized animal for her to carry around.

“No, because you won’t hit forty. Think about what I said for a moment while I print something.”

Kyle thought about her words until something stood out. An early grave. What did she mean by that? The crunching sound of paper going through the printer interrupted his thoughts, making it hard for him to think. When she placed the paper before him, he snatched it up, reading over it. It was a medical diagnosis for a brain tumor.

“In a few years, that tumor of yours is going to kill you. I’ve asked a few doctors and most say it’s inoperable. One said he was willing to try the surgery, but the success rate is low. Its developments are slow, but only because my powers have limited its growth.”

Kyle’s eyes flicked over the paper. How didn’t he know about this? It should have come up in his yearly medical tests. The doctor said he was healthy, that he looked as healthy as he did when he was in his twenties. How did she know about this? Then the answer hit him as he read over the bottom of the page. ‘This tumor has been discovered through the medical foresight of Dr. Ann Fania.’

Everyone knew that name. She was famous in the medical world, able to give you a rundown of any future medical issues you may face, allowing people to get an upper hand on their illnesses. She was too expensive for most people to afford, only aiding celebrities or public figures, but he had met her once before, when she had a brief appearance at the station to answer some questions about her house being broken into. Now that he thought about it, it was strange they never actually investigated her home, only taking notes and talking to her before they dropped the matter.

“Y-you tested me when Ann was here, didn’t you?”

“I did. She owed me a favor. Her results were unfortunate, to say the least. I’m sorry you have to find out this way, but I can’t afford to lose you.”

“So, what? You’re going to use me up? Make me fight your battles before I die?”

“You’re being emotional. Calm down and think about this. Yes, I’m using you, but by using you, I’m extending your life. You can have the family you’ve always wanted and spend a long, happy life with them. You’re getting a lot out of this. I’m giving you a chance to live.” Holly glanced at her keyboard, using the silence to continue typing up her report.

Kyle sat there, unable to find any words. He was going to die. Not only that, he was being kept alive by his boss, so she could continue catching criminals. He felt dirty, like he was no more important than the gun she wore on her hip. What could he do? If he complains or leaves, he dies. He was bound to her until either she retires or dies.

“I don’t know what to do.” Kyle placed his hands over his face, unsure why he was crying. Perhaps it was just a rush of emotion that needed to be released after a long day.

She handed him a tissue before returning to her keyboard. The printer went off again, and another document was placed before him. She took out a gold pen and scribbled her name on it, signing off on the document.

“I’ll tell you what you’re doing. You will take two weeks of paid leave. In those two weeks, you can consider everything we have discussed and then you can return to me and give me your true feelings on the matter. If you still hate what I’m doing, you can expose my abilities or leave. If you come to understand why I did this, you can return to work and we will be more open with one another moving forward.”

“But.”

“The leave is mandatory. I’m not asking you to take it, I’m telling you. I’m sure you will come to the right conclusion.”

Kyle took the paper and gave her a nod, holding it to his chest as he walked out of the office. James tried to stop him for a chat, but he brushed past him, keeping his head down as he walked to his car, not stopping for any idle chatter. He had a lot to think about, even if he felt he already knew what decision he would make.

     

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