Wild Fiction

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‘It’s a strange thing. I felt drawn, unwillingly back here. All of a sudden, my senses were filled with the smell of roses in the English summer, the memory of long days and never ending evenings. The longing for England became overwhelming. I had to do it. That’s the only way I can describe it.’ Conrad took a long sip from his pint.
‘I think he’s manipulating you. I don’t think any of us are operating of our own free will,’ Rebecca said pulling a face.
‘Listen Rebecca,’ James said dropping his voice. ‘This is what he does. This is how he operates. Throughout this story, this adventure, or whatever it turns out to be, you’ll find yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally do. You may end up meeting somebody and falling in love with him only to have him die in front of you. Usually we have very little free will.’
Rebecca was taken aback. She had not believed that death was possible. James had told her on that first day but she had thought he was bluffing. His comment was a hard winding blow to her chest.
‘He doesn’t have to kill people,’ Rebecca replied.
‘What if it’s in self defence?’ Conrad said.
There was silence. Conrad gently swirled the drink in his glass around. The head of the beer formed a ring at the top of the glass threatening to spill out. He smiled. ‘Are you afraid of dying?’ he asked her.
‘I don’t know,’ she replied.
‘Don’t be afraid. I’ve seen some of the characters that he’s created. The most beautiful never die and you’re more beautiful than any of the others that I’ve seen. You can relax, he won’t have you killed.’ The laid back lilt in Conrad’s voice placated her.
8
‘Where’s all this going? What are we doing in this story? What’s the purpose of all of this?’ Rebecca felt an urge to clear the board and get everything out in the open. She felt very confused and without direction.
James and Conrad picked up their drinks and each took a long sip and stared down into their glasses. Finally James spoke.

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