I couldn’t figure out what was happening at first. The lights of the runway went out, setting off more screams—but a strange whirring noise coming from the top of the aquarium cut through the clamour.
My eyes flashed across to Jenny. I wanted desperately to see surprise in her face, but there was none.
I stood up and scanned the panicked crowed.
‘Brianna, sit down,’ my father ordered. ‘You need to focus. This is important.’
‘Where are my friends?’
He gave me a disappointed look.
‘Tell me you didn’t hurt them.’
My father held my gaze tightly with his own. ‘Not yet.’
Suddenly a giant spotlight clicked on overhead, illuminating one of the tanks … but the light wasn’t focused on the sharks. It was on Ryder … bound and suspended from the ceiling, hanging above the water.
While the spectators all around me had jumped to their feet to make a run for the exits, my legs collapsed underneath me. I sank back into my chair. More people screamed as they realised the doors had all been locked. My father wanted an audience. He wanted the world to see this. Part of me couldn’t believe the risk he was taking. It could only mean he now felt powerful enough that he simply didn’t care anymore what the rest of the world thought.
‘You can’t,’ I whispered. ‘You won’t.’
‘Loyalty, Brianna.’ My father’s eyes, normally steely, glinted with something very hot. ‘Loyalty.’
‘No,’ I whispered, once again rising to my feet. ‘You can’t do this. I won’t let you.’
He stood to face me. ‘Did you really think you could get away with blatantly disrespecting me?’ He made a tsk tsk sound. ‘You of all people should know I would never allow that to happen. But I will give you everything I promised. You can be a hero … after.’
That snapped me out of my stupor. ‘After? After what? After I learn my lesson? After I take my punishment?’ I glanced up again to Ryder, her limp form spinning in the air. ‘She’s real, Dad! She’s a person! You are murdering a person to make a point!’ I couldn’t tell if I were asking a question or trying to explain to him how crazy this all was.
‘It was you who did this, Brianna. You.’
Another spotlight clicked on.
‘Good evening, everyone.’ My eyes searched for the voice. Ricky. He stood atop the aquarium on a platform suspended above the water. He didn’t look like himself. The party boy was gone, replaced with someone sedate, maybe even fearful. ‘Tonight the party is coming to an end,’ he said, strain evident in his voice. ‘The party always has to come to an end … but who’s going to pick up the cheque?’
Silence fell over the auditorium.
‘Who will pay to save the life of Dark Ryder? The one who has saved you all so many times.’ A murmur ran through the crowd. Ricky stooped to pick up a bucket. ‘Take your time,’ he said, walking over to the edge of the platform. ‘I’ll give you a moment to think about it.’ He dumped the contents into the tank. A dark cloud billowed in the water. Chum.
Suddenly Jenny rose to her feet. ‘Uh uh uh!’ Ricky’s voice echoed. A security team moved to surround Jenny—a team which now included Doppelganger Ryder. Looking at her and seeing Ryder’s face, it was almost more than I could bear. Her eyes were blank. My father must have chipped her, despite what he had said about the technology being a step backwards, and now she, whoever she was, or had been, was just his tool. We were all just things to him.
‘Does she know?’ I asked my father. ‘Does Jenny know what you have planned?’
‘I’ve been wondering that myself,’ he answered. ‘She was told that she would save Ryder in this demonstration, but, of course, it won’t play out that way. I didn’t feel I could tell her the entire truth. She has always been more conflicted than you. But then again, she has more to gain, and more to lose, doesn’t she?’ My father pulled something out of his pocket. The device that controlled my sister. ‘Now, sit down.’
I dropped back into the chair.
‘Her motivations are so complex,’ my father said, feigning thoughtfulness. ‘She’s always known you were my favourite. The one who was more like me. Part of her, I think, has revelled in having my love, to use your term. What do you think? Did she know all that I had planned? Did she choose not to warn you?’
I didn’t have time to answer before Ricky’s voice floated around us again.
‘No takers?’ he asked. ‘I’m stunned.’ The crowd had gone deathly silent.
Ricky looked down at something he was holding in his hand. Then a noise, a mechanical whir cut through air. Ryder’s limp body dropped a foot before stopping with a jerk. The crowd let out a collective gasp.
‘Stop this,’ I said, looking back to my father. ‘Whatever you hope to achieve, I can promise you—’
‘You are in no position to make promises, Brianna.’ My eyes flashed back up to Ricky.
I had to get up there. I pivoted towards the aisle, but my father’s voice stopped me. ‘I will not hesitate to press this button, Brianna. The consequences for your sister could be devastating … irreversible.’
‘Well,’ Ricky’s voice boomed. ‘I have to say, I never had much faith in this city, but this … this is very disappointing.’ He looked down to his hand again. ‘But I don’t make empty threats.’ I jumped up then fell to my knees as I watched Ryder’s body plunge into the water.