Chapter 38 — Things That Are Built

Susan turned to leave.

Vivian stopped her by the shoulder and tossed her with her back against the wall.

Susan released herself from the wall. “You really want to do this here?” she asked. “I am ready if you are.”

“Oh, I’m always ready,” Vivian said, Janice moved to stand next to her.

Susan laughed. “Two against one. That’s fair. You two always thought you could restrain me, but I just thought to behave around you because you weren’t really who I was scared of, and quite frankly, I’m fairly certain Mercy wouldn’t want to involve herself in a bit of family squabbling. So, what’s it going to be? A lecture, or a fight?”

“How about both,” Vivian said.

Susan folded her arm. “Then, this would be interesting. However, Dena and Hannah should leave with the lady, for if they stay, or decide to choose a side, I doubt I would be merciful. Except to the lady of course.”

Vivian shook her head. “You don’t see what’s wrong here? I mean, how could you when you think yourself all-powerful.”

Susan released her arm and took two steps forwards. “I think myself all-powerful? Maybe. But this is madness. Power is madness. Do you know how much I restrain myself without you and Janice? I fall in love with fragile humans. I even befriend and sleep with them. Some I kill. I know how these beings are. I dwell among them, and not once have I sought global domination, yet you think I think myself all-powerful?” She shook her head. “No, sister. I think myself mad. Madness that I play by the rules when all I have in me is disaster. Madness that I have to sit through this lecture when none of you know what I’m dealing with. Yes, I am the Black Knight. Yes, I killed these people to mask that I destroyed all their experiments. I mean, they tried, and most of it would have been deadly against us, but it failed, because it didn’t work on me. I seek to die. I am surrounded with so much love that I seek an escape. My love, sister, is death. So, don’t talk to me about power when I don’t have a clear head.”

The place fell still and quiet.

“You know your purpose, sister,” Vivian said. “I wish I could take your curse—I really wish I could, but—”

“But you can’t. I know all about what mother told you. I was specifically made for this. I was designed to be a weapon. Not all swords are meant to be sheathed, sister. Some should be sent forth for the purpose they were forged. Some should be able to cut right through anything, including themselves. But that’s not possible, is it? For no matter what I try, you, Janice, and mother would be there to interfere. I can’t shake you both. I mean, I could try to kill you, but even if I do, I’ll have to wake you, and who knows what you may do to stop me to make sure I don’t hurt myself. I am a walking curse. I am death in the form of a girl. I don’t know fear. I don’t know hate. I have to like, or love what I aim to destroy. And just a little love or interest in a thing is enough for me to destroy it.” She sighed. “These lot who are dead, I’ll wake them up, and I’ll make them forget. It’s my power, and so far I’m alive, and after I’m dead, if that ever happens, they’ll have no recollection of what transpired here today.”

Susan looked around, the dead scientists rose to their feet. Susan returned her gaze to her sisters. “Let’s go home.”

They all vanished.

***

Susan stood outside Jake’s workplace with a black Bugatti Chiron. It was closing hours, and Jake had just gotten out of the office. When he saw her, Susan noted the joy that lit on his face.

As Jake walked up to her, he said, “And I thought I was having a bad day.”

Susan smiled. “Allow me to remedy that.”

“No escorts for me, today?”

Susan made a head gesture. “I told Elvis not to bother. I’m more than enough to protect you.”

Jake grinned wildly and paused before her.

“Ready for a drive in the city?” Susan asked.

Jake nodded. “Can I drive?”

“On the return trip, yes. Not now. You have no idea where I intend to take you. Get in.”

Susan opened her door as did Jake with some of his colleagues watching, and they got in.

Jake’s colleagues were in awe of who the belle was, but there was no time to ask questions. Maybe, the next day when Jake showed up.

The Bugatti came to life with a roar, Susan stepped on the gas, and it sped off.

Susan took to the road with no hopes of keeping any road rules or regulations. She simply was fast behind the wheel, and Jake was a bit tense.

“I don’t intend going to heaven today, Susan,” Jake said.

Susan smiled. “I don’t intend that for you, also.”

And really, she didn’t. She loved this man so much to even consider his death.

“It’s just that this car is a monster, and it was built for speed,” Susan said. “Things that are built for their specified task, don’t you think it’s best if they fulfill what they were made for?”

“I suppose so?” Jake said.

“My thoughts, exactly. Anything less, and it might as well be dead. Or its purpose of being built would be defeated.”

And she hoped Jake understood.

When she looked at him, she noted his smile, and then, she knew he understood.

“I really like you,” Jake said.

Susan grinned. “I like you too.”

Susan knew the reason for her creation. She knew why she felt the way she felt. All she needed was the freedom to run mad and do as she pleased. Maybe, challenge these beings that were supposed to be after her family and teach them an eternal lesson.

This she needed so desperately to quell her raging madness. But nothing helped, except being with Jake which she thought deadly, and dangerous.