Pleasure State
Chapter 23
by mistresscalia
Chapter 23
“You can’t seriously do that, Theo. You don’t even know her,” Marc shouted.
Sam walked into her apartment to find Marc and Theo squaring up, ready to fight. The call from Theo sounded frantic, urgent, and she assumed whatever Marc felt angry about was related.
“What choice do we have? It's not like we have other options, is it?” Theo spat.
Sam steeled herself. She didn’t want to get into it, but she needed to know what was happening. For Ben.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Both Marc and Theo whipped their heads to look at her, surprised. They were so focused on their argument that they didn’t notice her coming in.
“Theo thinks he should meet Aisling, alone.”
“No, Marc is saying we should all go when she said only one of us should go.”
Sam looked at Theo, then at Marc, then back to Theo.
“What did she say, Theo, exactly?”
Theo took a long, deep breath and sighed. Titled his neck. It cracked.
“I told you she called me. Well, she can get us to Ben. But just one of us can go, to avoid suspicion.”
“And of course that has to be you,” grumbled Marc.
“Well it kind of has to be, doesn’t it?” Theo retorted, “I need you to work on cracking this.”
Theo fished the drive he’d found out of his pocket and tossed it to Marc, who put his hand out to catch it, only for it to bounce awkwardly and make him scramble to keep a hold of it. Theo laughed at his fumbling. Marc glared back.
“What is this,” he said.
“Found it at the construction site. It’s got passwords on everything but it looks like there’s some info about them coming here on it.”
“Here? The Circuit?” Sam said.
“We’re next, I guess,” Marc added.
“No idea, I couldn’t open the folder. But maybe you can.”
Marc smiled, surprised Theo thought he could do anything like that.
“Would be a first though,” Theo added.
The smile turned into a scowl. “I can, and I will get into this,” said Marc. “I know what I’m doing.”
“What about Ben,” Sam said.
“I’m going to meet Aisling, and I’ll get him to come back here,” said Theo.
His chest puffed out, his expression almost smug. As if he had everything figured out.
“You shouldn’t go, seriously,” barked Marc.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because that woman put the whammy on you and I think you just want another taste.”
Sam stepped in between them, eyes shut, breath held. “Stop, please.”
Theo turned away and plonked himself on the couch. “Whatever.”
Marc stuck his tongue into his cheek and shook his head. “Fine.”
“Theo, can we trust her?”
“Why wouldn’t we? She helped us.”
“So what man,” Marc said, “she could be setting you up.”
“You’re paranoid, she wouldn’t do that.”
“You don’t even know her,” Marc spat.
“Guys,” Sam blurted, “Where’s Trish?”
Theo and Marc stopped talking. They looked at each other, as if to ask the question. Neither knew.
“I called her, no answer,” said Sam.
“Messaged her earlier, same,” said Theo.
“Where the hell is she?” Marc added.
Sam’s heart sank. She knew Trish would have gone to see Ben. Would have made Theo calm down and kept Marc quiet. She was so tough, so strong and brave. Sam wished she could be like that.
“Look, she’ll come back,” said Theo. She’s probably just doing whatever she planned. Let’s just focus on seeing Ben. I’ll go, ok? It’ll be fine.”
“You will absolutely not go,” Marc yelled.
“Then who? Who else is going to march into CaliaCorp headquarters? You need to be at your computer Marc, even if you’re a god damned amateur.”
Sam felt hot. Her skin alive. Energy rippled through her. Adrenaline. A rush. It came from the pit of her stomach in waves. Churning and swirling and making her muscles tense. Her mouth moved, almost independently of her thoughts.
“I’ll go.”
Theo tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. Marc opened his mouth to speak but had no words. Sam always avoided conflict, or anything remotely scary or dangerous. She hid behind Trish during horror movies.
“Sam, I told you, I’ll do it,” Theo said, standing up and walking to her.
“Like hell you will, you’re not going near that woman again,” Marc snapped.
“I said I’m going,” said Sam. “I need to know he’s ok, and give him a chance to come back. Maybe he’s happier now. You know?”
“Maybe he’s been brainwashed completely by now,” Marc said.
“Shut up, asshole,” said Theo. “I should go. Sam’s safer here.”
“She’s not a child, dude,” Marc replied.
“She could be in danger if she goes.”
“So could you, what if that woman isn’t who she says she is?”
“Why would she be anyone else? Why would she be helping us see Ben?”
“I don’t know, but you’re too busy thinking about fucking her to think about how stupid you’re acting.”
“Man, fuck you, I’m-”
“Guys, just please, stop,” cut in Sam. I’m going to see Ben. I’ll keep in touch, ok?”
“What am I going to do then?” grumbled Theo.
Marc raised his hand, as if he were asking a question. “I got something for you, actually.”
He walked to Sam’s computer and opened up the security camera website. Double-checking his phone for the login details, he pulled up the CaliaCorp headquarters feed.
“Every camera in CaliaCorp, yours to watch. You can keep an eye on Sam here, mister alpha male.”
Theo sat down at the computer and started clicking into the cameras.
“Holy crap, how did you get into this?”
“I told you, I know what I’m doing.”
“Then get started on that drive, and I’ll find Ben,” said Theo. He thought; and Aisling too.
“Alright, we’ve got a plan,” said Marc, before walking toward the door.
“Good luck,” Theo called as Marc left.
“Not going to wish me luck too, Theo?” asked Sam.
Theo was engrossed in the screen. He barely noticed her. She tapped him on the shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry I just wanted to find, uh, Ben.” He moved the mouse around quickly, bouncing between cameras.
Sam looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “I’m going to go, then.”
Theo’s hands stopped moving. He shook his head and turned to Sam.
“Sorry. I just… I wanted to find him, so I could keep an eye on you too.”
“Right,” she said.
“Be safe, ok?”
“I will.”
“If you need help, call me. Straight away. I’ll come get you. I’ll protect you.”
“Thanks, Theo,” said Sam, “hope I don’t have to hold you to that.”
She walked away, to the door. Theo looked back at the computer and started scanning through cameras again. Sam left, and the apartment fell silent.