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His memory came back on Thursday, and the first thing he did was apologize for what he'd done. I was just glad to have him back, if only for a little while. The I woke up on Friday and walked into the living room to see Vanderdecken chained up and strapped to a chair.
"That's odd." Peter said from the entryway.
"You're here?" Vanderdecken asked him.
"Yeah, just got here. Aleck wanted me." he looked at me curiously, "Didn't tell me why."
"What's going on, Vanderdecken?" I asked.
He smiled sadly, "ask Aleck."
Peter and I looked at each other anxiously and rushed out to the backyard where Aleck was chopping wood.
He looked up at us sadly, "don't ask."
We both just stared.
"Imagine someone who doesn't know who he is, probably thinks he's on an important mission, and is incapable of being killed."
My jaw dropped, and Peter nodded.
"Luckily, he's going to die soon." Peter said.
I just stared at him in disbelief, but Aleck nodded in agreement, "Vanderdecken12 was tied up willingly. He recognizes himself as a threat to thousands."
"Sounds sane to me."
Aleck nodded, "but not for long. You have deducted why you are here?"
"To lie to him. Convince him he shouldn't try to break free."
"Very good." Aleck said approvingly.
"It's logical, and," you could see the pain on his own face, "understandable."