Broken Dreams(163)

I love you. I wish you could meet her.

Luke.



Sophie and Claire stood silent for a moment. Sophie had no idea that Henry kept journals, let alone journals that were letters to his mom. Claire saw a tear fall from Sophie’s eye and hit the page.

Sophie began flipping through the books. Written in every single entry was Dear Mum… I love you, Luke. It was a painful reminder of what he needed. He wanted acceptance, and he needed the unconditional love that a mother gives her son.

Sophie wished she had a mother to guide her, too. She grew up in cold and sterile environments, and had no idea of how to behave properly without the use of all the skills she was forced to learn at the complex. His entries hit home for her.

“I had no idea,” Sophie whispered as she wiped her tears away. “He never told me about this. It looks like he has been journaling for years. So many entries. Wait, listen to this one.”



March 7th, 2010



Dear Mum,



I’ve left for the States, and am on the plane as I write this. I have a job to do. It was difficult leaving Sophie. I fear for her safety. I think she is in much danger there. I am hoping another recruit will protect her like I have. She’s the only friend I have. I ask you to watch over her. I’ll be fine. She needs the strength more than I do. Wish me luck. This job will be dangerous.



I love you,

Luke.



Sophie and Claire looked at each other. Claire looked suspicious. “Did he know about the release?” Sophie just looked at her. “Sophie, please tell me he didn’t. Tell me it wasn’t him.” The silence was long and heavy while Sophie contemplated the response that she wanted to give.

“He did know it was going to happen, but he didn’t know when. He had the virus in his refrigerator the entire time he lived in this flat. That was one of the main reasons why he wouldn’t allow Elaina to come here. He was to establish an army, so to speak. Every recruit was to become established within their community. A pillar, of sorts. They were to make friends, acquaintances, and lovers. Then when the release happened, the community would fight alongside him to keep it at bay.” Claire was about to interrupt when Sophie held up her finger. “When Henry met Elaina, he was doing his job.”

“Holy shit. So he was with her so she could help do his job?”

“No! No. Absolutely not. Elaina showed Henry such love, compassion, and devotion. She made him feel things he had never felt before. He spent the first year of their relationship fighting with himself. Henry fears Roger and the power he has, but he loves her so much. Can you not see that?”

“I don’t know anymore.” Claire was very concerned for Elaina.

“I corresponded with him quite regularly. The night before he bought her ring, he told me that he was going rogue if she said yes. But he was still going to make it look like he was doing his job. I secretly hoped they would break up and he would get back into the program. I needed him to protect me again. But he had made a decision that could have gotten himself and others killed.

“He didn’t want to drag Elaina into it. Because of the program, he feared committing to her. But once he decided that he couldn’t picture his future without her by his side, he asked her to marry him. He’s completely smitten. He would do anything to protect her. He would fight to the death for her. He would slit his own throat for her, if need be. Elaina is everything Henry has wanted in his life.”

“Does she know?” Claire softly asked.

“No. She thinks it was happenstance.”

“Wait…”

“He had seen her in his area. He felt she looked strong, physically, and she was strong-willed.” Claire’s jaw hit the floor. “He did whatever it took to establish a connection between the two of them.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” Then it dawned on her. “He slashed her tire. Oh, my god! He stole her cell phone!”

“Listen to me.” Sophie grabbed Claire by the arms. “Henry’s initial intention was to recruit Elaina. But the moment he looked into her eyes, he knew that he didn’t want to do this kind of work anymore.

“The next day, he talked to me. He told me he was seriously considering going rogue. Over the next year, he saw the beauty in things. He saw the beauty in living a true life. It was secured in his mind that the program was unethical and disturbing. When Elaina accepted his proposal, he was done. He was desperate for a proper life, and he felt Elaina could give that to him.

“He misstepped several times. Missed calls, didn’t turn in reports, and he refused to give the injection. Roger made Gunther fly up and try to intimidate him. He stalked him for ages, then he eventually had enough of his threats and Henry physically fought him.”