Flee (Fearless) by Francine Pascal

Author:Francine Pascal [Pascal, Francine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2002-02-13T20:00:00+00:00

Talking Toy

GAIA’S SHOULDERS TENSED. SHE sat rigid as a nail. Of all the bizarre scenarios she’d envisioned for this evening—a screaming fight, a tearful embrace, a passionate kiss—she would never have conceived ofthis.She didn’t know whether to feel revulsion over the fact that Oliver had been sneaky and underhanded enough to try to get Sam on his side or excitement for the exact same reason. Maybe Oliver reallyhadgone to Sam because he wanted to keep his word about giving her time. Maybe his surprise visit to Sam had been about respecting her wishes. About respectingher,period.

But then why did Sam look so shifty and uncertain? If she didn’t know any better, she’d say that he was terrified. His skin was bloodless and pale, and his handsshook like leavesin his lap. But what could he possibly have to fear—here,of all places?

“Sam?” Gaia prompted softly. “Are you—?”

“Let me finish.” He jerked suddenly, as if he’d fallen asleep and suddenly remembered where he was. His hands stopped shaking. He stared intensely into Gaia’s face. The look there was blank. Sam Moon was no longer present. At least not in any real sense. If the eyes were truly the windows of the soul, then Sam had just drawn the shades.He’d slipped back into actor mode.

“Your uncle really loves you, Gaia,” Sam said. “And from what I could tell, it would be great for you to be with family again.”

Gaia’s face shriveled in bewilderment. The words were stilted, tinny—totally unlike Sam. He sounded like he was reading from a poorly written script. He wasn’t just lying; he was reciting something he’dobviously prepared. But why? What purpose did this serve? Maybe he reallyhadgone insane.Or maybe this was a sick way of ending their relationship forever.A way of ensuring that they would never have to see each other again. After all, if she went with Oliver, she’d be leaving the country. Perhaps for a few months. Perhaps forever.

“He’s got all sorts of plans—”

“Sam!” Gaia interrupted hoarsely. Anger began to take hold. “Stop it, all right? Tell me what the hell is going on. Really. Say what’s on your mind. For once.”

He blinked. “I am, Gaia,” he continued, his voice still as neutral and toneless as a talking toy’s. “It’s important that you get the love you’ve missed out on all these years. Your uncle seems to be the man for the job. Don’t you think so, Gaia?”

The love I’ve missed out on. . . the man for the job. . . .

An electric fizz began to hum inside her veins. The anger receded, replaced with a cool alertness. The words of a talking toy. Yes, that’s precisely what they were. The words of a puppet. This was a puppet show. Samwasreading a script. One that had been preparedforhim. The phrases he used, his mannerisms—they were totally alien. Somebody was forcing him to do this—

“Don’t you think so, Gaia?” Sam repeated.

His voice had shifted again.Gone was theneutrality. The tone was almost threatening.Gaia stared at him. Her pulse quickened.

And that’s when she saw the shades part behind his eyes.

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