When we got back to the warehouse, the Regents took H.G. away. "What's going to happen to her?" It took all I had to not break down as I watched them take her away.
"The less you know, the easier it is to do your job." The rest of the Regents drove off and Pete went inside. I stayed until I couldn't see the black cars anymore.
Later that day, I gave Mrs. Fredrick my resignation. She tried to talk me out of it but my mind was made up. I couldn't let something like this happen again. I put everyone in danger; the world in danger all because of my stupid judgments. I went back home and worked in my father's bookstore. He and my mother were happy to see me. Luckily the subject of my job didn't come up.
A week had past and I was working alone when I had a visitor. "Myka." I jumped as I heard that gravely, stern voice.
"Mrs. Fredrick." I closed the book and gave her my attention. "I forgot about the sneaking up on people. What are you doing here?"
"Someone wants to speak with you." I frowned when all of a sudden I saw Helena appear.
"What the hell is she doing here?!" I moved a few steps back. "She's dangerous!"
"Myka. I'm not technically here. The Regents they've extracted my consciousness and held it in this orb somehow. An artifact I'm sure, but I'm of no danger to you." I watched her skeptically as I ran my hand along her arm. I was surprised when my hand went right through her.
"A hologram projection." Helena nodded and took in a deep breath.
"Look, I never meant to make you want to leave the warehouse. You were right; I did want you to stop me. I just didn't know how to ask you to. I am very sorry for betraying your trust." I didn't say a word. "But Myka, what you said to me, about your happiest place…"
"Helena I…" I covered my face with my hands and groaned. Helena reached out to pull my hands away and then realized she couldn't touch me. A longing filled the room.
"Myka," a sad feeling overwhelmed us both. I longed for her touch. "I don't want you to leave the warehouse. You are an amazing agent and you do an amazing job there. You remind me a lot of myself before I went downhill. And Myka, I do care about you. A lot. That's why I couldn't go through with killing you. And why we always got along so well. I believe I have come to love you also." That got my attention. "When I was bronzed for over 100 years I had forgotten what it was like to be loved and to love someone. I was filled with so much hatred."
"I understand." I gave her a sad smile and she did the same. "I'll go back to the Warehouse if they'll let me."
"Thank you Myka. Hang in there my friend I'm sure I'll see you again, one day." I wanted so much to hug her but I couldn't.
"And I'll be waiting." A single tear ran down my cheek when Mrs. Fredrick turned off the orb. "Is she in pain?"
"No. She has had her memories extracted from her body. Her body has been given new memories and she's living out her life."
"That's not a life." I spoke without realizing it and quickly I bit my lip. "I'm so sorry…" Mrs. Fredrick chuckled.
"It's alright Myka. And yes, you may come back to the warehouse."
"Thank you. I'll be back soon." I gave her one last smile before turning my back and she was gone. I would keep my promise to H.G. about going back to the warehouse and about waiting for her. No matter how long it took.