“I’ll see you around.” He slides out of the chair and exits with a cheery wave.
Self-satisfied idiot. Thuli’s always been sure of himself, and with good reason. He’s fiercely intelligent, ambitious and comes from the kind of wealth that would make even the nicest kid a little snooty.
I remember what it felt like to lie on my back on his bed with all his weight pressing down on me. You’d think someone so lanky would be light and weak, but he wasn’t. I had to fight hard to get him off me. He’s stronger and smarter than me, but I’m a telepath, and if he gives me a reason I will come at him with everything I’ve got.
I shake my head and try to focus on my work. It’s not easy. I keep thinking of the way Portia’s behaviour changed. It was bizarre. It was almost as if – something distracts me, disrupting my train of thought. I sense a presence in the air, and then I feel a familiar prickle at the base of my neck and a thin, cold essence creeping into my skull. My hand stiffens. My telepathic phone is ringing, and the Puppetmaster is on the other end.
For a moment I toy with the notion of ignoring him, but that would be pointless. It’s not as though he’s knocking and waiting to be admitted; he’s already in the periphery of my thoughts.
Hello, Conyza.
His psychic voice hasn’t changed. Because of the anklet he can no longer come to me in disguise, and for some reason I expected his voice to change as well. Your timing is terrible, Johnny. Can I call you Johnny?
You can call me whatever you like, my dear, though John would be more appropriate. Certainly less of a mouthful than Puppetmaster.
I grit my teeth – he’s mocking me. Where have you been? Brainwashing people?
Not quite. There were things that kept me occupied, but I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again. You seem well, Princess. I’m glad.
I wish I could say the same. When do we meet? That is why you’re making contact, right?
Of course. Tomorrow afternoon. Block 8. I’ll give you directions.
I clench my jaw. Rather short notice. I have to work tomorrow.
You’re a smart girl. Find a way around that.
Hey, I’m trying to make an honest living – something you wouldn’t understand.
He’s not insulted, but I sense that he’s growing impatient. Tomorrow. Don’t be late.
I feel him withdraw from my head. I wince; it doesn’t hurt, but it’s like having someone prod my brain. I shake my head, trying to regain my equilibrium. I can’t help thinking of the concern I saw when I slipped past my grandfather’s barrier. Could he be right? Has the Puppetmaster affected me in some way? I push the disturbing thought away and get back to work.
On my way home I stop at Lebz’s house to tell her the news.
“Tomorrow!” she gasps, leaping off her bed to grab my arm. Her nails bite into my wrist. “But that’s so soon! Tell him it’s a bad time.”
“You know the terms of the agreement. He picks the time and place.”
She swallows. “Well, now you definitely have to email Rakwena. We don’t know what will happen at the meeting, but we know the plan involves both of you. He needs to be prepared.”
This time there’s nothing I can say in protest. I nod.
“Promise me you’ll come back.”
“Of course. He’s not going to throw me in a dungeon.”
“That’s not what I mean. Promise me you will come back. Not someone else in your skin.”
We both know that’s a promise I can’t make. The Puppetmaster can’t use his gifts to trick me, but he won’t need to. He could conduct his attack out in the open and I wouldn’t be able to stop him. But Lebz is looking at me with fear in her eyes, and I know what she needs to hear. I make the promise. Let’s hope I’ll have the strength to keep it.
From: [email protected]
I know I’m not supposed to initiate contact, but I have so much to tell you. The world fell apart after you left and it’s not quite back together.
You were right about Ntatemogolo – he was different when he came back from that trip. I searched his house and found a magic box. Inside were a lot of odds and ends – jewellery, a vial, my missing anklet, a copy of his watch, and a tooth that turned out to be mine from childhood. Creepy, right? I assumed the objects belonged to the Puppetmaster and Ntatemogolo found them, but something wasn’t adding up. I put the anklet on right away and haven’t taken it off since.
Anyway, turns out “Ntatemogolo” was really the Puppetmaster. That’s why he behaved so strangely. That’s why he made you overdose on your anti-drifter serum. He gave me a ring that made my thoughts foggy, so it took me a while to catch on. My real grandfather got held up chasing a lead.
By the time I learned the truth the Puppetmaster was long gone. Then Dad and I came home from a wedding to find two Ntatemogolos in the living room. I didn’t know which was which, and I was terrified the Puppetmaster would kill my grandfather, so I made a deal with him. Don’t freak out. I can just see you burning furniture and crackling like an electrical storm. It’s not like he asked for my soul. Just three meetings.
Once I agreed to his terms the Puppetmaster disappeared. Dad, aka Mr Sceptical Scientist, was a mess. We had to sedate him before Ntatemogolo finally told me where he’d been. He found – drum roll, please – a first-generation drifter! That’s a whole different story, though – I’ll tell you more when I know more.
He also told me he didn’t create the serum. He found it in South America and thought it could help suppress your urges, but we think the Puppetmaster made it and arranged for Ntatemogolo to find it and give it to you. All part of his evil plan.
And get this – Ntatemogolo says he thinks he’s met the Puppetmaster before. It seems the psycho has been stalking my family – which would explain how he got hold of my tooth. Speaking of stalking, his foot soldier Emily’s been delivering photos of you. I guess it’s his way of letting me know he has eyes everywhere.
You know what’s really odd? While impersonating Ntatemogolo, the Puppetmaster taught me a lot. He pushed me to improve my telepathy. He pushed you, too. Who knows how long it would have taken for you to return to your cell if you hadn’t overdosed and had to stop taking the serum? It’s almost as if he wants us to be stronger…but that makes no sense, right?
