86 Choice (2/2)

Idil pointed the gun down, away from me, and looked into my eyes sharply. I was suddenly feeling... different. Like something had been out-of-place all the time, and someone had just put them back correctly.

”It is up to you.” Cansu said. I was trying to think about the choices and their consequences, so I stayed silent for a while.

If I sided with Idil and Cansu, would The Community betray and attack us after they got what they wanted? On the other hand, if I sided with The Community, it would be near impossible for me to save Idil or Cansu. Or perhaps, even worse... Cansu could risk killing me if I sided with The Community.

Despite not having any weapons pointing towards me, it was feeling like I was constantly being targeted. This was not a free choice at all...

”Don't let their strenght deceive you.” Idil said. ”We've survived a lot of-”

”Silence!” the voice yelled. ”Let HIM decide.” Idil shut his mouth.

Although I didn't get why it was that important, Idil and Cansu apparently had some important information in their hands which The Community wanted so desparately. It could be useful to gain some time.

”I...” I began talking. ”I am not a member of The Community.”

That was it... Why was it so hard to say?

”You heard him.” Cansu said.

”You have something we want.” the voice said.

”We had not stated all of our demands yet.” Cansu said.

”What else can you possibly ask for?” the voice said. ”He is proven to be a most important asset for all the groups participating in this quest.”

”I need to talk to him.” Cansu said. ”Then, we will continue discussing.”

The voice went silent for a while.

”You are given five minutes.” the voice said.

”Walk to the intersection.” Cansu said to me. Idil helped me get up, and I started walking to the nearby intersection. Idil followed.

”Not you.” Cansu told Idil. ”I need to talk with him in private.”

Idil stopped following me. I finally came to the intersection. There was no one around.

”What are we doing here?” I asked her.

”First of all, you need to take care of your weak mind.” she said. ”I am disappointed in your ability to recognise and resist the manipulations, despite your vast experience in this field.”

”I... I know, but I relied on you. What were you doing all the time?” I asked her.

”I was trying to rescue someone you know.” she said.

”About that...” I wanted to talk, but Cansu didn't let me.

”Well...” Cansu said. ”She is a clone. The one you saw a few seconds ago... She is not the real one.”

”Wait, what? How do you know?” I asked her.

”Trust me on that one.” she said. ”Her body is same, but her mind is very different. You would understand better if you had my abilities.”

”So, the real one is...”

”Yeah.” she said. ”She is dead...”

Another silent moment followed those words. I looked down, depressed. What would we do with a clone of her? How would we treat it?

”...almost.” Cansu said. ”The real her is almost dead.”