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She giggles. "How observant."
"I'm just pointing out the obvious."
She turns to look at me."You bought it, didn't you?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because I can. Because…I want to own everything you find interesting. Whatever fascinates you."
"Anything?"
I lean in my mask, touching her, watching the goose bumps rise on her skin. "Show me," I whisper.
Once we are in the car, she points. "There."
I look over, and it's the closest area with a view of the lights coming from the mainland. "There?"
"Yes."
I drive the fifteen minutes until we arrive at a tall structure with a beam of light shining like a beacon over the dark water. It's a sensor for the geo-fencing parameter to safeguard the island.
She removes the skirt around her waist, leaving her with just the suit and her pointed boots, and begins to climb the ladder.
"Lillith, what are you doing?"
"You want to see what fascinates me or not?"
I lock the car, take my gun, and scan the area, noticing a healthy presence of Utheans over at the building downtown where we just left.
I glance up and climb after her until we both sit on the edge with our feet hanging over the ledge. "There"–she points–"you see that?"
"I do," I reply, looking at the distance where the mainland is miles away, but it's unmistakable. Even from here, you can see the machines picking up metal debris.
"Getting food and supplies to those who need it. That is what fascinates me. Showing our son the good we have in our hearts, not taking anything for granted. I love that you bought me the paintings, but I could have used that money to feed them."
"I have plenty of money, Lillith. It's more complex. If they see us handing out food or buying supplies like a bunch of Robin Hoods, they will kill us. Then who will raise Niro?"
She lowers her hand, placing it on her lap, but I don't miss the tears that slide down her cheeks. "They're hungry." She sniffs. "They don't have clothes, and some don't even have a place to keep warm."
"I know," I say vaguely. "I'm trying. Alright?"
"You know they want the rematch, and I think they know who you are. They want to kill you, Lillith. You were never supposed to win."
"I don't understand. How?"
"I was supposed to beat you, and then they would have gotten rid of you because you are a woman from the island. They knew."
"I don't understand."
"Your father."
He wanted to make sure no one knew of our agreement. It was perfect. I got what I wanted, and he got what he wanted with the bonus that Lillith would die, and so would his secret. It would have jeopardized his ability to stay on the island. He never contacted her because he watched her every move. Someone told him about her on the mainland. They've been waiting.
It's the only way they could have found out, but who does he have on his side who would want Lillith dead?
"My father?"
