We arrived at the precinct, and the car went through all the necessary checkpoints before coming to a stop in the parking space closest to the entrance. Officers from the building swarmed the car and surrounded it with their guns drawn.
I snorted and shook my head.
“I’m not taking any more chances with you,” she said, exiting the vehicle along with the uniformed driver.
He opened my door and pulled me out of the car. The detective walked behind me, and I felt her gun pressed into my back. It wasn’t too forceful, but it was hard enough to let me know it was there and ready to inflict harm if I provoked her or the situation.
They escorted me into the building and down the many hallways that led to the interrogation rooms. I was placed in the one furthest away from the exit. She kept her pistol on me while the uniformed officer removed my cuff from one hand to fasten it to the lone table in the room.
The small area was brightly lit from two large fluorescent tubes. They didn’t flicker at all, which surprised me. Any time I found myself anywhere on this planet with the same lights, they would flicker or go out, casting an uneven glow onto the area.
I watched myself in the two-way mirror, knowing there was likely a team of officers behind the glass with all their weapons pointed at me. I snickered in defiance of the situation, hoping I riled up any and all people watching.
“I don’t know why you think this is funny,” she said, walking around to sit in the chair on the opposite side of the table.
“The formality of it makes me laugh,” I replied.
“This is police procedure and a business I take very seriously,” she said, placing her gun on the table. The chamber was pointed at me, and I could see the safety was off. She was ready and intended to use it on me if I made any threatening or sudden movements.
“Ask away, detective,” I mocked.
She folded her arms and moved her tongue around in her mouth. I could see the small bump swirl around her cheeks and upper lip.
I need you both to remain quiet during this exchange. Do you understand me?
Hatred stood in one corner with her arms folded and leaning against the wall. Jealousy crouched down in the opposite corner with his hands clasped together as they rested against his mouth. They nodded together, understanding what I wanted and what was at stake.
“Where are you from?”
“Far from here.”
“No games!” she shouted, banging her fists on the table.
“There’s not a name for it you would understand,” I explained. “Just know it’s a great distance from here.”
“Are you human?” she asked.
“No,” I answered.
“Are you an alien?”
“No.”
“Then what the hell are you?” she groaned.
“A god,” I replied.
She laughed until she noticed my expression. My face didn’t break or provide her with the necessary sign she had noticed before that would suggest I was lying to her. The laughter dwindled to a chuckle.
“Like from some sort of mythology, or do you claim to be the almighty God himself?”
“Not the God, but a god nonetheless.”
“I’ll bite,” she said. “God of what?”
“Jealousy and Hatred,” I answered with pride. I watched their expressions change to smiles in admiration of my pride for them.
“That’s a thing?”
“They are, yes.”
“I’m sorry, this is just too ridiculous,” she snapped, readjusting her position in the chair. “What about the girl who warned us about you? Is she a god too?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“You’re a loon,” she replied. “You are out of your mind. I can’t do this. I thought you weren’t going to lie to me.”
“I’m not,” I said. “I’m answering your questions, aren’t I? This is what you wanted, so that’s what I’m giving you.”
“Is there medication you should be taking? Were you ever in some sort of psychiatric hospital?”
“Nope, neither is true. This is who and what I am. Whether or not you like it, these are the answers you seek. I can’t help it if you can’t accept them.”
“If you’re a god, then why don’t you just break free and take off?” she asked. “If you were truly a god, I would think that would be an easy task for you, but here you are bound to a table.”
“I could, but then where would that get us?” I asked with a smirk. “You attempting to find out about me allows me to find out more about you. I’m getting to learn so many things about you. See, I can use my poker skills in life too.”
“You think you’re cute, don’t you?”
“Cute? No, but I know that I have the upper hand,” I answered. “Just because you feel safe, binding me to this metal table with your gun pointed at me with no safety, doesn’t mean I can’t get the drop on every single one of you. Right now, I can guess there is probably a room full of around a dozen officers in that room with their guns drawn. I can also assume there is the same amount outside that door in the hallway. But yet, if I really wanted to, I could break free through all of you, and there wouldn’t be a thing you could do about it.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because I don’t want to hurt or kill any of you,” I replied. “You are all doing your mortal jobs, and I understand the position I’m in makes you all nervous. You’re doing your duty. I hurt those that wish me unnecessary harm or harm innocent people.”
“Now, you sound like a superhero,” she mocked.
“I’m definitely not that,” I said. “Are we going to continue to banter, or are you going to ask me more questions?”
“Is your name really Dinlas?”
“Yes.”
“What is it you look at or talk to?”
“It’s more like who I’m looking at and talking to.”
“So, now you’re some sort of medium that can see ghosts or spirits or something?”
“No, nothing like that at all,” I assured her. “There are two I see, and they are a part of me. They fuel me and help me with anything I need, even when I don’t want it.”
The detective snatched her gun from the table and cocked the hammer to make sure I knew it was armed. Her gaze was a mixture of exhaustion, fury, and desperation. She appeared to be done with the interrogation because it made her look like a fool to the other officers. I was her prisoner and her responsibility; therefore, my actions are a direct reflection of her and her instincts.
“Enough talk,” she growled. “If you’re a god, then I can shoot you, and you won’t die.”
“That’s true.”
“Let’s find out,” she said with a grin.
“I’m ready when you are, detective,” I replied with a smirk.
“I’ll do it.”
“I know you will.”
“I’m not bluffing.”
“I don’t think you are,” I replied.
Her finger squeezed the trigger gently. I could hear the squeak of the mechanism ready to fire, propelling a bullet toward my face. That made my false capture worth it. Our interactions were amazing, and that altercation was the most interesting thing I had experienced in a long time. She filled me with excitement, and her actions heightened my senses to a level I never thought possible.
“That’s enough!” a voice boomed as the door to the hallway swung open.
The sudden outburst startled the detective, and she squeezed the trigger as a result. I watched the gun fire as the bullet launched toward me.
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