Mrs. Rose kept walking without turning her head, then answered,
“Just calm down Moi, just do your job well, then we will give extraordinary thing to you. If your job is successful, you will get an award so that you are enthusiastic about working. And do not ask what the prize is. Must prize be told what it contains?”
I was silent, not knowing what else to say. Suddenly…
“Moi.Hi, Moi. How are you?” Henry’s voice slipped through my mind.
Hmm, when my feelings were chaotic, I had to concentrate to answer Henry.
“Sorry Hen, I will meet Vicko soon. I have to focus my attention on this one great human being.”
“Okay, be careful, Moi. He’s much unexpected. I just heard some noise in Leman’s cell when you were there. Once more, take care of yourself.” Henry’s request echoed in my mind.
“Yes Hen, you are my best friend. I will be under tight guard later in the investigation room, don’t worry.”
Thank God, Henry didn’t talk more to me. My energy was drained this noon, moreover meeting the genius Vicko after this.
At 2.00 p.m I and Mrs. Rose were ready in the observation room. I scanned my fingerprint to open the door, the room where Rado ever we observed. From this room I can see through one side of the glass, that the investigation room was still empty.
The door opened, Dragono and Lord Jonah entered the observation room, where I and Mrs. Rose were.
“I will always monitor you. If Vicko misbehaves, we will be ready to handle it. Later both of you in the investigation room, I and Lord Jonah will monitor you here.” said Dragono.
“I prepared an electronic gun to blow up the animal’s head if he suddenly got angry. Only me can use this gun, because it is scanned with my fingerprints.” said Lord Jonah.
Crakkk, the sound of a gun being cocked by Lord Jonah.
My emotions arose when I saw him cock the gun,
“Lord Jonah, you are the one who stimulates him to be an animal and keep in mind that person who rely on the gun will die from the gun.”
Lord Jonah turned away, his face flat looking at me. I saw his eyes full of hatred at me,
“I prepared my gun to look after you. Why do you not like me?”
I looked up to adjust my height to Lord Jonah. My eyes met with Lord Jonah,
“Did you forget? 16 matches for Vicko, aren’t you the one who urged Vicko to fight. Vicko killed his opponent because of the pressure from you, because that’s the only way that you give him to keep him alive, Lord Jonah.”
“Oh, not really, kid. Vicko enjoyed the fight. He was happy and enjoyed choosing which parts of his enemy’s bones would be broken. He is indeed a fighting art expert. He was also happy with a variety of delicious food menus that wait after the fight to celebrate his victory. Being a winner is enjoyable, kid. Being a loser is rubbish. Even fools know that, no need to go to college like you. So, do you still want to blame me?”
I inhaled, gathering my patience to keep on speaking politely and also holding back my emotional outburst to the ailing leader of the Chimera.
“Lord Jonah, you starved him, so Vicko was encouraged to get food need. And you promised to let go of two more battles. That’s why he always kills to preserve his life, for his freedom too.”
I set the rhythm of my speaking, so that the pitch of my sentence was not higher and was heard emotion.
“And you get a lot of money from the fight, that’s your goal, Lord Jonah. You exploit human death!”
I was stunned, apparently I could not hold my emotions, I yelled at Lord Jonah at the end of my sentence. It was indeed very difficult not to be emotional when dealing with the dictator of money madness, the ruler of the Chimera Island.
“Lord Jonah, have you ever thought if the match was over if one of the opponents could not stand up to the count of 10 like a sports match in general, without having to kill the losing party? Isn’t that the way of sports with no one is killed? And Vicko will break the bones of his opponents? You are the one who made Vicko a murderer, Lord Jonah.”
“Tsk… Tsk… Kid… kid… do you think this is MMA sport? If the sport, hit and fainted stopped by the jury, but here must until die. Remember! Must until die! That’s the art, and this difference made MMA sport is outdated and tedious. Besides, Vicko fought and killed on my authority. Enough don’t talk much! Now it’s time to put the microphone on your body.”
Lord Jonah gave a sign with his hand. The dragono beside me put something in my hair, while Mrs. Rose opened my white suit and put the transmitter on my belt.
“Why does it have to be put up like this, Mrs. Rose?” I whispered to Mrs. Rose
“This is important, Moi. So that Lord Jonah can hear what Vicko is talking about, and can take swift action before Vicko attacks us.” Said Mrs. Rose while putting the transmitter on my belt.
Lord Jonah stood motionless. From the look on his face, it appeared that this middle-aged man did not feel the slightest bit guilty of everything he had done.
His eyes looked at me sharply, defiantly, and deeply into my eyeballs. I could catch a flash of hatred in Lord Jonah’s eyes.
Suddenly Lord Jonah said,
“Kid, how if I plan that Vicko’s seventeenth match is Vicko against you? Or your mother the tutoring teacher? Or… it could be William, Little Bill, your skinny little brother?” Lord Jonah grinned and then pointed at my face.
“Hahaha, I’m sure Vicko would not mind at all if he fights all three of you at once. Ah… surely the match will be so cool. Think about it, kid!” The tip of his lips were pulled down while Lord Jonah’s arm akimbo.
I was stunned, as if my face was slapped, I did not think that Lord Jonah understood the details about my family. My little brother William’s nickname, Little Bill, was only a few people who know. Horror came to me. I did not dare to bet my family for an argument with Lord Jonah.
“I can be a good friend to you and of course I can be the opposite. And anyone lives behind this Chimera building should know the most important thing here, that is, it’s very unwise become my enemy. I make sure its life will be miserable, very, very miserable.” Lord Jonah clenched his right hand, squeezed it firmly, until it read ‘craack!’
“I think your brain is quite smart, kid. Your cum laude was lying, huh? You are so stupid. Your brain is empty! Vicko is not anyone for you. Just think about your work. Think of your mother and little brother waiting for you, and then getting the salary that will go into your bank account. POINT.Just it. Work it for me, according to your work contract. At other times you act like this again, let’s sees what I will do for you.” Lord Jonah’s intonation was full of emphasis in each of his words.
I was speechless. My chest was beating fast. I knew Lord Jonah was serious in his words.
Anger, frustration, disappointment, and also fear mixed in me.
Lord Jonah not only threatened me but also threatened my mother and little brother. My eyes watered. I held it hard to keep it from dripping. My knees felt weak and the soles of my feet felt cold.
Lord Jonah looked satisfied staring at me standing silently and helplessly.
Puk! Puk!
He patted my cheek, slowly but surprised me.
“Be sweet, little kid. Then I won’t bother you. ”
The man turned and told Dragono to pick up Vicko. Then Lord Jonah stood in front of the door, watching me with a cold and vile face.
Mrs. Rose reached me in her embrace, trying to comfort me in a whisper,
“Sorry, Moi. I’ve just been quiet seeing all that happened to you. Not, I don’t want to defend you, but I really didn’t guess this to happen. Everything happened so fast. You are too brave, Moi. I had difficulty breathing just now. Next time don’t do it, Moi. Please… be more careful in talking with Lord Jonah. He is able to eliminate us as easily as removing dust from his clothes. Yes, Moi? Please!”
I wiped the tears running down my cheeks. My mental defense broke down, I cried and my body shook.
Lord Jonah walked up and sat next to me. The LCD monitor screen turned on, after pressing several panels on the table and keyboard, it seen CCTV display showed the situation of the room in front of the cell.
“Look, kid. We are here seriously taking care of you, so that you will not be attacked by Vicko, and can kill you! If he is acting up and I am forced to kill him. I’m also losing because one of my sources of income is lost.” Lord Jonah’s index finger pointed at the monitor.
I wiped my tears and slowly pushed Mrs. Rose, breaking away from her embrace.
I looked at the monitor, it seen Dragono was hitting an iron cell door. He opened a small window in the middle of the iron door. There were two arms outstretched with back position, for a moment the arms were handcuffed by two soldiers, they were Codi and Albert.
Shortly thereafter, the iron door of the cell was opened and appeared a figure of body quickly apprehended. His body appeared small but muscular in the crowd of Dragono, Codi and Albert, he was… Vicko!
Dragono suppressed Vicko’s mouth from behind with a mask similar to a police anti-riot mask.
Codi and Albert put an iron bar wedge between Vicko’s armpits. It was very extra treatment, so that Vicko had limited his movement.
“You see, kid. We don’t want to mess with Vicko. His whole body can become a weapon. Even his head can gore and break the bones of the nose. Don’t think of it like ordinary martial arts abilities. His movement is quick to injure his enemy.”
I nodded. At the moment it can only follow what Lord Jonah think, because I had to focus on Vicko. Mistake of diplomacy with Vicko could be fatal for me.
I took my breath. I had to appear relaxed in front of Vicko later. I pulled my lips several times to smile.
The door of the investigation room opened. Vicko with his eyes closed and mouth suppressed, accompanied by Codi and Albert.
“Vicko come, we are ready to come in, Moi. Prepare your mental, don’t be afraid.” whispered Mrs. Rose
“Yes, Mrs. Rose.” I said, trembling slightly.
Vicko was seated, so I and Mrs. Rose came to him.
We sat facing each other separated by table in front of me. I and Mrs. Rose sat in front of him.
Vicko’s headgear was removed. Vicko’s eyes blinked looking at Mrs. Rose and me. His eyes look was flat, while Codi and Albert were standing behind him, still holding the iron bar and Vicko’s shoulders.
“Good evening Vicko. Let me introduce, this is Moira.” Mrs. Rose opened the conversation.
I nodded while saying,
“Good evening Mr. Vicko, I’m Moira, nice to meet you.”
“Mr. Codi and Mr. Albert, please take off his mouth mask, also all the ties of Mr. Vicko.” I asked.
The faces of the two soldiers became tense.
“Miss, are you crazy? He is dangerous!” said Codi.
“Miss Moi, yesterday you were present during the Vicko match, he was the most dangerous human on this island. Even in the previous battle Vicko bit the eyes of his dying enemy.” Albert insisted. His eyes were narrowing sharply towards me, a sign of his disapproval at my command.
Mrs. Rose who sat beside me, turned her head to me. Her hand also poked my thigh, as a sign of her disapproval of my actions.
“Moi…” she said while staring at me.
Her mouth was hanging open as if he didn’t believe in my desperation, wanting to be alone with Vicko in one room.
“I’m here to work, Mrs. Rose. You know that I need Mr. Vicko’s trust. Like your profession as a psychiatrist, isn’t it based on trust? And how does Mr. Vicko come to believe me, when his mouth is closed like this and his body is bound uncomfortable?” I explained to Mrs. Rose
I stood up, realized I had to take action and said loudly while my face was fixed on the glass of the observation room.
“Lord Jonah, I want to talk privately with Mr. Vicko.”
“You mean?” asked Lord Jonah via the interphone.
“The relationship between client and psychologist is private. We ask for trust only between me and Mr. Vicko in this room.”
Dragono rushed into the investigation room and his hand pointed at my face,
“You can’t, kid! You haven’t been a psychologist. You’re a new psychologist graduated! To hell with your code of ethics! It is my duty to maintain the security of all residents here. Including you!”
“Nevemind, Dragono. Let that chit work. Get out of there, you are also Codi, Albert.” said Lord Jonah via the interphone.
I was sure the Chimera leader wasn’t worried at all if Vicko did something to me. Instead the man would cheer for joy, because he was free from the critic like me.
A firm voice was heard again,
“Just obey the kid’s request, Codi! Albert! Get out of there.” Lord Jonah’s voice rose through the interphone from behind the observation glass.
“Yes, Lord Jonah!” Codi and Albert replied together.
Vicko’s mask was carefully released from his mouth, and then the iron bar wedge was released from his armpits, the two soldiers walked backwards while preparing the pistol with the tip of an electric.
The guns were held by these two soldiers were different from those held by Lord Jonah. This gun was intended to produce electric shocks aimed to paralyze, while the gun carried by Lord Jonah was a gun containing deadly bullets.
Vicko’s eyes looked at me, as if probing, it seen from the motion of his eyeballs though faintly. There was a faint smile on Vicko’s face, his hands placed on the table.
“You are too, Rose!” Lord Jonah’s voice was heard again.
Mrs. Rose tapped my right shoulder once. That woman slowly got up for standing, nodded to Vicko as if leaving over my life on Vicko and stepped out of the room and closed the door.
It was heard Dragono asked, maybe because of his position was close to the microphone, so that his voice was heard throughout the observation room.
“How is Moira killed by Vicko?”
“Never mind, find someone else. We can throw the corpse into the sea, the business is over.” said Lord Jonah.
I realized that Lord Jonah held a grudge against me, while I felt the turmoil of anger in my chest.
“Lord Jonah, this is your microphones. Just cut my salary next month.” I stood up while removing the microphone attached to my hair bun and the transmitter attached to my belt.
“What! The microphones are released…” heard Dragono’s voice in shocked.
“This kid has her own style.” murmured Lord Jonah.
“Lord Jonah, don’t forget to turn off your mike, your voices can be heard from here.” I said while raising the microphone and the transmitter.
Baam!!
Baam!!
Baam!!
I slammed the tool repeatedly on the table. The microphone and transmitter were broken on a heavy iron table, in front of Vicko.
A flash of thought about avarice Lord Jonah, Degardo death, especially the threat against the two closest people in my life, feeling manipulated, it all made my anger soared.
I wondered what would happen if Lord Jonah got angry later. My brutal anger this time exceeded my common sense.
I saw Vicko gasped. His head was slightly backward, though his expression did not change. His eyes looked at me coldly and his palms formed a triangle in front of his face.
I need to take a stand against Vicko. Vicko was an expert, master of psychology and his experience in recruiting soldiers when he was active. Of course, easily read my expressions and body language, moreover his genius, not a careless man.
The environment was quiet for a moment…
A moment later Vicko clapped a little hand,
“Hahaha, little girl. How can you believe me? You know my reputation. I think you saw my last duel with Degardo in the arena. Your crying was heard throughout the stadium yesterday. And today you just cried again.” said Vicko with a flat face.
I ignored Vicko’s last sentence, the possibility that my puffy eyes were still be seen. I took my breath, set my feelings, then developed a smile at Vicko,
“Mr. Vicko, how are you? Now only you and Moi are here, without interruption, without anyone tapping into our conversation. Moi wants to be your friends.” I began the conversation.
Vicko did not answer my greetings. He looked at me intently.
“Ehmm… Mr, Vicko?”
I wanted to say something, but my attention was on Vicko’s eyes staring at me. I realized what Vicko was doing right now was reading my mind through eye movements, facial expressions, and my body language.
Vicko seemed to be observing my honesty through the motion of my eyeballs.
“The relationship between client and psychologist on trust, Mr. Vicko and there is an ethical code. That’s why Moi released the microphone just now.”
“I see you and Jonah don’t agree, huh?” said Vicko right on target. His eyes were cold. His gaze was sharp.
Vicko still read my body language, I thought. I had scientific similarities with Vicko in psychology. I very realized that my knowledge and experience were very different from his, even arguably Vicko deserved to be my lecturer. So I had to be honest in front of him, if my body language or micro expression implied dishonesty can eliminate Vicko’s trust in me, even I can be killed.
“Moi and Lord Jonah have many opposing opinions.” I said carefully choosing my words.
“Hahaha… little girl. Clearly he dislikes you. You are considered his enemy. I’m really curious, what have you done to him? Jonah can hurt you and the impact can be very severe.”
Dup! I choked with Vicko’s words.
“Therefore, Moi is more believed to you, Mr. Vicko. You act always logically. There is a strong reason for your actions. Moi released the microphone so that it does not betray you, although I could be killed by Lord Jonah for this action.”
“Calm down girl, the movement of your lips seems stifled when you talk, don’t be too careful to me in talking. Speak freely. I appreciate your honesty and courage.” Vicko said while still staring at my face.
I was stunned. indeed I was too careful in talking to him, remembering his great reputation.
“Thank you for your trust in Moi, Mr. Vicko. Many things I must learn from you.” I replied with a smile.
“Hmm, unfortunately you don’t like self-defense, girl. Your crotch is narrow, your wrists are small. Looks like you used to suck food when you were child, your jaw doesn’t develop.” I was again stunned by the greatness of his commentary on my physical signs, which reflected my childhood habits and my dislike of martial arts.
“How can Mr. Vicko know… just by glancing at me, sir…” my words choked.
“Hey, little girl. As a military like me, before the war you need to know who your opponents are. Even in the battles that I live, I always analyze my enemies. When they put up their stance, it can be found out what their basic of martial arts. From there I have known their weaknesses. I look at their wrists, body. So the description of the attack would I give them so that be effective and efficient at beating them.”
I felt that Vicko talked a lot to demean me, test my honesty or explore my intelligence? I must optimize this conversation so that I got important information from him.
“Mr. Vicko is incredible.” I praised.
I was confused what would i ask for getting more information from him.
Then Vicko asked,
“Then did anyone in your family join the military, given your courage to face Jonah?”
“My father is a marine. His name is Gepardi. His last position is Captain Marine. Unfortunately, my daddy was missing in action two years ago.”
Vicko nodded his head, his head tilted to the left as if pensive,
“Captain Gepardi? Hmm… I know him, little girl.”
I was so surprised. As if there was lightning striking above my head. My eyes sparkled,
“Mr. Vicko… knows my dad?”
“Right now is not the right time to talk about your father. There are things that I cannot say. It can hurt you. It’s very deep.”
I was stunned, the interaction with Vicko made me dizzy. It turned out my lost father was not a distant person for Vicko.
“Then now because you have to work. You start your work. Do you want to ask me some questions? I’m not used to taking orders from people whose the level is below me, moreover a runny girl like you. But because you dare to take the risk of opposing Jonah, I respect your orders.”
I nodded.
“Moi was asked to record everyone in Chimera. This data is for further research. Moi wants Mr. Vicko to fill out this form, and this test. This is a formality here. As Mr. Vicko knows, we are being watched from behind the glass. So, please cooperate, sir. Do it for Moi, so that Moi won’t be blamed by Lord Jonah.” I demanded, handing my form in the front of him.
Vicko smiled. His Rows of teeth are neat. In the corner of his left lip there was a dry wound, the scars from yesterday’s battle. Vicko glanced at me while looking at the forms and psychological tests I gave.
“As you know, I’ve been challenged 16 times. I don’t know how long I will be lucky to win. Losing in that arena means losing lives. Right now we can sit facing each other chatting, whether tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. You have known that the leader here is abnormal, isn’t it? But he has shown my new identity document, I must win in two more battles, to get my freedom. That is my goal to stay alive.”
“Yes, Mr. Vicko, Moi realizes it. Now Moi wants to ask important question before the test is done, sir.”
“Hmm… what’s your question, girl?”
“Moi’s question is why did you manipulate the test results? To be declared a psychopath?”
Vicko’s eyeballs shifted quickly, I saw his pupils dilate there, Vicko was shocked,
“Hmm… apparently you have traced my initial psychology results, huh… You’re a smart girl.”
“Moi also needs to continue my life, Mr. Vicko. It turns out working here is like signing a death contract. Moi has traced your test history. And Moi found that the first test at the beginning you became a soldier, there were no psychiatric lapses. With your genius and your psychological expertise, you manipulate the next test.”
“You must have a purpose for manipulating this test, after all from your DNA report, there are no chromosomal aberrations that could potentially make you be a psychopath.” I said slowly and carefully.
“I ask you, what is the title of your thesis?” Vicko asked back. His face still flat liked a poker player who didn’t want to know the card he was holding, bad or good.
“Ehmm… Hypnotherapy as a Support for Abnormal Psychology Healing.” I answered while thinking that Vicko was exploring my academic abilities.
“Hmm… from the title of the thesis, I know you are a great graduate, and you are also trying to read my body language. What can you do, girl, I have exceeded it.”
I smiled. Indeed, if a person who can hypnotize needs to learn body language in order to know the hypnotized person goes into its suggestions.
“Yes, Mr. Vicko. Moi knows that. You are Moi’s senior in psychology. Mr. Vicko is like a lecturer for Moi.”
Vicko said while still staring at my eyeballs.
“This is between us, Moi. I concluded that this research was related to the power of the mind. And I am considered one of the objects of research here, but you must know that this research is dangerous to humanity. Biopsychology about the functions of the human brain developed. You and I are ordinary people who can learn and develop the power of the mind.”
I tried to listen and pay close attention to what Vicko said.
Vicko used psychological pressure to me. I was required to always speak what as was, because of it I did not want to lie. He easily read my body language.
“The relation with the military, the ability of the human subconscious, the power of the mind, is very powerful when combined. If the military succeeds in formulating all metaphysical expertise as a weapon, then only those who are superior can survive. The strong is the winner. Homo hominy lupus happened. The dominant and superior generation will kill ordinary people, in subtle or hard ways through the military.”
“The gap is increasing. People who are now considered normal will look stupid whereas people who have gifted will develop and emerge in this era. You accelerate the destruction of this world, girl. You’re really play fire with civilization, little girl! Your research is the key to the destruction of civilization.” the sentence began to rise, showing his dislike.
The room returned to silence. For a moment Vicko’s eyes became so sharp,
“And one more thing, little girl. You keep it a secret that I manipulated psychological tests to become a psychopath.”
“Little girl, realize it. You are in a big conspiracy! Think about why you got here. This research is in the wrong hands. The military leaders who headed this project used it for their own sake. Don’t trust anyone in this place. You have entered too deep in this deadly game!”
“Regarding you manipulating the test, it has been a secret of Moi, Mr. Vicko. so I beg you to trust Moi. And… Conspiracy? What conspiracy is Mr. Vicko, and what death game? Is this also related to Moi’s father, Mr. Vicko?”
Vicko was silent. His hands clenched as if holding anger.
“Please, Mr. Vicko. Can you tell me what happened to Moi’s father? You have to reveal the truth, Mr. Vicko, even though it’s bitter for Moi.”
Suddenly Vicko threw the test file I prepared on the wall.
That time Dragono, Codi and Albert came into the room. By gunpoint they forced Vicko to stand up and back away so that he could be handcuffed.