A traitor is never a stranger.

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Amelia could no longer be seated amidst the gathering. She began to choke as she felt an invisible noose being tightened around her neck. All the eyes in the trial were intently focused on the screen, whereas she couldn't afford to have a glance at it. Anxiety and remorse weighed down in her chest and fretfully she began twisting the ring on her thumb.

If the members of the D.R.E.A.M's board were common people with simple reasoning brains, she would've easily manipulate their way of thinking, tempted them with monetary deals and gotten herself out of the fix.

Unfortunately the D.R.E.A.M was made up of filthy rich psychiatrists from around the globe, whose trust couldn't be easily bought. Further they had a solid evidence against her, which blocked her route of escape from all the sides. Though she didn't dare to look at the screen, the voices from the video forcefully drilled into her ears.

"Isn't Amelia doing fine without you? Why can't you just leave her?" Jake's pleading voice churned Amelia's heart. The sight of the alluring sea-green eyes filled with tears made her want to jump from the tallest building in Manhattan.

"She's the one holding onto us. When we all leave her, she'll be a dead body like you'd be in a few minutes"  threatened a hollow version of her own voice. "Jake, have you heard the saying curiosity killed the cat? If I were the one to write your biography, this would be its title" smirked Nick.

"Do I have any last wishes?" said Jake, trying to extend the time of his execution. He broke his knuckles repeatedly. Amelia's condition was no worse than Jake's in the video. Aaron who sat beside Amy, mocked her with his devilish grin. Amy held back the urge to break his jaw.

She bit the inner wall of her cheeks as the video came to the nerve-wrecking part.

"Killing time, huh?" snapped Nick. Jake gasped. The tip of the knife, scratched its way from Jake's Adams apple, to his collar bone.

"Sorry Jake, I warned you earlier that I did things unexpectedly"

Jake let out a groan, as the tip of Nick's knife pierced his throat. Amy's vision blurred. She touched her cheeks and felt moisture over it.

Tears? Haven't you seen this video numerous times? What is the immediate necessity to cry when you can't afford to show weakness?

But the last time Amelia saw the video was the day before Jake moved into the Hamilton Mansion. She was unstirred by the sight of blood that stained Jake's white shirt and his eyes that was scathed by the fear of death. Was it because she saw the video before they became... close?

Amelia wiped her tears with the sleeve of her blouse before the screen went blank. All the eyes in the room bore holes on her face. She shivered from top to toe. Some felt pity for her unfortunate fate, whereas the others devoured every bit of fear inside her. Discussions and arguments intensified the atmosphere among which none was in her favor. The invisible noose around her neck became tighter and tighter.

Her ears began ringing.

'Leave it to me. I can handle this situation'  whispered a voice inside her head.The ringing became unpleasant and unbearable.

"SHUT UP" growled Amy. To her astonishment the ringing abruptly came to a halt. The board members became quiet and looked at each other's faces in utter confusion. Blood rushed to Amelia's face, making it scarlet red. She cursed herself for blurting out senselessly.

Orion was the only person pleased about her sudden outburst. Enthusiastically, he walked up to the screen with audible footsteps that echoed throughout the room. He clasped his thin, ghost-like hands and turned to the anticipated audience.

"Gentlemen, hope you've understood why Amelia Hamilton immediately needs our assistance. She must be saved from the beast-like creature inside her or else it might be savage next time. I would suggest her being enrolled in the Phase one programme. Those who agree with me please raise your hands"

In response, all the twelve directors solemnly put up their hands in the air. It looked more like a puppet show than a decision making gathering. Orion acted like a puppet controller, who gave flaring looks at those who hesitated to adhere to his decision.

Suddenly the impending doom that Amelia looked forward became very close to her, in a larger package. She saw herself hanging at the edge of a cliff, breathless, without a soul to help.

"Miss Hamilton do you have anything to say for yourself?" said Orion. It was not like he showed interest to listen to the truth from her point, but it was a rule to ask for the patient's opinion before enrolling them in any programme of the D.R.E.A.M. The rule was degraded long back, as the patient's opinion was considered not less than a wall's opinion.

Amy wanted to talk for herself but she felt her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. How hard she tried, she couldn't move it from its original position. After two minutes of awkward silence, Orion moved away.

"Looks like our young Miss Hamilton accepts to be-"

"NO" yelled Amy.

All the board members jerked their heads from Orion to Amelia. They were excited to witness the commencement of a fiery battle. Though Orion was taken aback, he didn't drop the fake smile from his face.

"Pardon me" said Orion, excusing himself.

Amelia became determined as she formed a lie in her head within seconds. It was probably going to be the most blatant lie she had ever said, but something was better than nothing.

"The.. The person in the video.. is not me" she retorted. All the twelve directors burst out laughing. She felt humiliated but she stood firm on her ground.

"Can you prove it, Miss Hamilton?" sniggered Orion, who sensed that Amelia had a plan.

"I prefer to be called as Doctor Hamilton. Definitely I can prove myself. Please play the video once again" waved Amy at the screen, though she didn't have the wits to watch it again.

"So be it" sighed Orion. He snapped his fingers and the video replayed. Amy watched each and every second that time without blinking. And the moment she awaited came.

"Pause" she gestured. Orion nodded and the video paused. With reckless audacity she marched closer to the screen.

"Here" she pointed at Nick's face which was clear in the frame she chose, "Are you people blind? This person doesn't have point one percentage similarity to me. See those dark circles below his eyes and the stiff facial muscles.

As a psychiatrist I myself know people's face change when they resort to their alters but you must also take this guy's strength into account.The man tied to the chair is definitely an able-bodied person. How can a frail woman like me could man handle this person without a single bruise on myself? Am I Hyde or some supernatural creature? How can you blindly put up your hands just because your fellow director asked you to? Men, don't you all have brain for yourself? Think like a psychiatrist and give your unbiased hypothesis, period."

A flicker of hope glimmered inside Amy as she received a considerable response from the crowd. People started to disagree on their earlier decision and murmured among themselves. She glanced sideways at Orion whose got restless. He had been underestimating the pretty woman before him. He uncovered the veil wore by her which mislead people to think of Amelia Hamilton as a intimidated person. Originally she was a cunning strategist who survived by manipulating people's sixth sense.

One of the directors stood from the crowd, whom Amy recognized as Ryan Gallagher, Ellie's father. The person who was supposed to protect Amy like a father stood against her in a crowd. Amy's gut ached on witnessing a betrayal.

"Doctor Hamilton, may I ask you a question?" queried Ryan

"Proceed Doctor Gallagher" sighed Amy

"Do you have any witness, who can tell us where were you, and what were you doing at time of the incident?"

A smile twitched at the corner of Amy's lips. Whenever Amy prepared herself to tell a lie, she not only planned a main lie but also many subordinating ones. She was indeed anticipating such a question.

"Yes I do have one. Will you declare me sane if my alibi is satiable?" retaliated Amy.

Ryan nodded, "Yes we will"

"What the fuck?" sneered Orion. Ryan flinched at Orion's fiery grey eyed stare.

"Isn't that in our rules, De Lorenzo? There is no necessity to enroll a sane person in the D.R.E.A.M. We are supposed to help the afflicted people and not help people after afflicting them. We all know the reputation Amelia Hamilton holds in the society, so before accusing her we need a believable evidence. Don't you all agree with me?" Ryan pointed out to the crowd. Amy realized that he was indeed trying to help her. Most of the directors nodded their heads in approval.

"Stop with your shit Ryan. Before we prove her sane, the alibi also needs to give an attestation. Have you brought your alibi in your purse Doctor Hamilton?" taunted Orion, cocking an eyebrow at Amy.

Unexpectedly the door of the trial hall clicked open. There was a chorus gasp from the crowd.  Except the twelve directors nobody knew the password for the door. They were stoked to find their former director Daniel Clark at the doorway.

If it was someone else Amy would've worshiped them as her savior. But Daniel Clark was loathed, hated and disgusted by Amy so there was no way he was going to find his name in her good books for saving her. Their feelings were mutual. Daniel Clark wouldn't have attended the trial if not for Hayden. As a father he loved his son, so he was ready to do anything to mend their relationship.

"Doctor Clark! What a pleasure! I thought you were at England" shrieked Ryan.

"Yes, I was Ryan. I'm here give my attestation" replied Daniel.

"For what?" frowned Orion

"I heard from Amelia that she has a trial today. I wanted to make sure everything goes alright. Well if you need an alibi, I'm it as Amelia has been busy traveling to and fro England and Brooklyn for the past two months. We've been working together on a extension plan for a hospital at London. If you need proof, I've brought the air tickets"

Amy's mouth hung open. Daniel Clark's lies were more believable unlike hers. She doubted herself whether an alter of her flew to England as Daniel proclaimed. The board members looked up to Orion to arrive at a decision.

He cleared his throat, "The meeting is adjourned. Another trial would be held on future evidences."

It felt like a huge burden was lifted off Amelia's chest. The trial was so tiring that she wanted to collapse. She strode out of the room as the first person. At the doorway, Daniel Clark stopped her by holding her elbow.

"Beware of the people around you because the video is sent by someone among them.A traitor is never a stranger" he warned.

"I was doing fine until I met you. I wish you never existed in my life or in this world" Amy yanked back her arm curtly and walked out of the door.

Amy felt thankful as Ethan drove the car without asking a question. Ethan was busy thinking. He gathered every information about the trial from Daniel Clark. He wondered who would've taken that particular part from the Mansion's surveillance record knowing that it would cause Amy a great deal of troubles.

"Stop by a restaurant Ethan. I'm hungry" said Amy. Her stomach growled as she didn't eat since morning. Ethan turned the wheel into the first restaurant that came to his sight.Ethan opened the door for Amy but she remained still in her seat.

"Amy, aren't you coming?"

"Could you bring it to the car Ethan? I don't think I can walk." said Amy

"Sure. If you want something else call me" Ethan closed the door and strolled into the restaurant.

The words of Daniel Clark repeated in Amelia's head.

A traitor is never a stranger.. A traitor is never a stranger..

The people whom Amelia had trust on were countable. She didn't trust anyone easily. The people who held her trust swore to protect her secret to their last breath. She couldn't doubt anyone just like that. It would make their years of loyalty meaningless.

What about the new ones?

There was only one new person in her life.

"No. It shan't be him." Amelia shook her head rapidly. "He wouldn't do something like that."

"Why are you so sure about that?"

Cold tremors passed down Amy's spine. She turned around to find the origin of the voice, but not a soul was within earshot. Her eyes caught a figure seated at the back seat of the car through the rear view mirror. It was like glancing at her own reflection in the mirror but it wasn't. The figure in the reflection was wearing black clothes and dark make up.

Barbara.

Amy closed her eyes tight and hoped her to vanish.

It is just a hallucination. It would pass.

After convincing herself she tried opening her eyes.

It didn't open.

Amy eyelids were shut tight that she couldn't open them at will. Her heart thumped against her chest in panic.

"Help. Help.." she cried. She was being arrested in her own body. Her cries weren't heard outside as it was too late.

Her eyes opened.

                                                      **************

"Blasphemy! Why am I wearing such indecent clothes?" shrieked Barbara at the sight of Amy's plain clothes. She grabbed the bag from the backseat and rummaged through it.

As Ethan walked to the parking lot with the food parcels in his hand, he saw Amy driving out.

"Amy, stop the car" yelled Ethan but she didn't pay heed to him. Ethan sensed something was wrong. Amy was wearing dark make up which was not there when they went to the trial.

Ethan's eyes widened as the truth dawned on him.

                                                       *****************

Jake arrived at Manhattan by noon. He became restless after knowing that Amy was not safe. He couldn't stay back for a moment so he came by the next flight. While coming he had no idea where to find Amy. As soon as he came to the airport, he received a text from her.

Let's meet up at Central Park.

How did she know I am at Manhattan? Did she already know that I was following her or was she expecting me? She would've definitely succeeded in the trial so is it going to be a date?

Jake smiled at the text for an hour waiting in one of the benches at the Central Park. He was certain about wearing formal clothes to the date. The sun sank behind the buildings, shading the tress in a dark shade of orange. He bought bread from the nearby store and fed the ducks in the lake. He wasn't usually a nature-loving person but he developed a fascination for ducks in the one hour. As he threw the last piece of the bread crumb into the lake, a pair of arms snaked around his neck and embraced him from behind.

Warmth spread all over Jake's body. The watch, the bandage and the familiar lavender scent apparently said that it was Amy. But he gave a moment for the suspicion inside him. Being hugged by girls wasn't new for him but being hugged by Amy was entirely new.

"Hey Jake. Long time no see" said Barbara, pecking Jake's cheek.

By then Jake was familiarized with the seductive tone used by one particular alter of Amy.

"Barbara, good to see you" greeted Jake vaguely. He was disappointed as it wasn't Amy who asked him to meet for a date.

Barbara walked around the bench and sat close to Jake, "Is that all? Didn't you miss me?"

Jake chortled, "Yeah I did miss you. What were you doing all these days?" He treated Barbara as an individual person, not as one of Amy's alters as Barbara hadn't figured it out yet.

"Nothing. Just thinking about you." Barbara leaned on Jake's shoulder. Jake was urged to put his arm around her, but he held it back as he didn't want to take advantage of Amy's condition.

"Jake"

"Hmm.."

"You bought my house right, why don't you come and stay along with me?" pleaded Barbara

Jake's chest became heavy with guilt. He entered the Hamilton mansion because he took advantage of Barbara. His conscience pricked him whenever he thought about that day.

"I think Amelia is not happy about me staying with you in the mansion" lied Jake

"Don't consider that wretch. I'll kick her out if she doesn't allow you" remarked Barbara.

"Really? It would be interesting to watch. I'll move there real soon" assured Jake

"Promise?"

Jake nodded, "Promise"

"Still I don't get why did you propose a deal for renting the mansion. If you wanted to stay with me, you could've done that without paying money. When Amy comes to know that I agreed for your deal, she would blast me. That girl becomes scary when she is mad." said Barbara. There was a slight tremor in her voice.

"I know. I actually made the deal to make her believe." said Jake.

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AN: Whoa. I hope you too are stoked on realizing that Jake is a liar. He lied to Amy that Barbara sold the mansion to him, but he was the one who proposed the deal! I begin to doubt whether he is the traitor.

I've succeeded on making regular updates every weekends. So lets meet next weekend.

Till that I'll leave you with this contradiction.

Votes and comments are highly appreciated.

Happy reading:-)