The Other Morgan (Parallel Series, Book 5)

by Christine Kersey

  There were three Enforcers in the interrogation room—one for each of us. They unshackled us from the chairs, but immediately cuffed our arms behind our backs. Falcon tried mightily to get out of the grasp of the Enforcer who held onto him, but I didn’t fight at all, and I knew I’d given up. Resigned to my fate, I let an Enforcer lead me down the hall and into an elevator.

  Amy, Falcon, and two more Enforcers joined us, and before long we arrived on the fifth floor. The Enforcers began moving Amy and me off of the elevator, but not Falcon. I barely had a chance to glance at him before the elevator doors slid closed.

  Hart had said to put us all in separate rooms, but I wondered if there was a way to have Amy stay with me.

  We stopped in front of a door where an Enforcer waved his card in front of a reader, then opened the door and shoved me in.

  “Wait,” I said.

  He stared at me with annoyance.

  I gestured to Amy. “Can she be in here too?”

  “No.”

  He closed the door before I could say another word—including telling Amy good-bye. I faced the room and saw two beds and two dressers, as well as a bathroom.

  I wonder if DM was in a room like this. Maybe she was in this room. The thought gave me a feeling of kinship with the girl who’d suffered more than I had—and I’d suffered a lot lately.

  I went to the barred window and gazed outside. I couldn’t see much, and figured Hart wouldn’t want me in a room where I could actually see anything interesting. He wanted me to suffer, and it was working.

  I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, waiting to see what would happen next.

  I didn’t have to wait long. Half an hour later, my door opened, and I quickly sat up in preparation for whatever assault might be coming.

  But there was no assault. In fact, it was a girl about my age carrying a tray of food. An Enforcer stood in the doorway—to prevent me from escaping, I assumed. The girl didn’t acknowledge me as she set the tray on top of the dresser.

  Desperate to speak to someone who didn’t hate me, I asked, “What’s your name?”

  Her eyes widened as she concentrated on her task, but she didn’t look my way, and the moment she’d delivered the food, she hurried from the room. The door closed, and the lock clicked into place.

  I hadn’t eaten in hours and I was famished. There were no power bars. I assumed that was because Hart knew I would never eat them, so why waste them on me? I ate the food, then lay on the bed. Trying not to feel sorry for myself, I turned my thoughts to Amy and Falcon and wondered if their rooms looked identical to mine. Are they as scared as I am? Did someone bring them something to eat?

  The afternoon dragged on with no more visitors and eventually night came. I slept fitfully, uncertain about my fate. My dreams turned to nightmares, then I woke up and knew my nightmares were my reality.

  When morning finally came, I dreaded what lay ahead of me. Would Hart have more questions for me? Would Holly have the chance to torture me some more? The unknown was almost worse than facing my fears.

  When the girl brought me breakfast, I stared at her, hoping she would look at me, but she didn’t. After days of this I expected to be ignored, so when she glanced at me with a smile as she delivered my breakfast three days later, I didn’t know what to make of it.

  Is she going to be friendly now? Will I manage to find one person who doesn’t hate me? The thought brought a tiny bit of light to my otherwise depressing existence.

  With nothing to look forward to, I took my time eating my meal, then did some stretches.

  A knock on the door startled me. No one had come to see me since I’d been put in the room, and I was instantly on high alert.

  The knock sounded again.

  Who would knock on the door? Don’t they know I have no way to let them in?

  Fear and uncertainty made me want to hide, but I forced myself to stand in place and face whatever was coming.

  Is it Hart? Or maybe Holly? But why would either of them knock? They have the key. They’re the ones who put me here in the first place.

  When I heard the click of the door unlocking, my heart pounded with anticipation. Then the door flew open and Amy burst into the room.

  “Morgan,” she said with a bright smile.

  “Amy?” I whispered, confused. Then my gaze went to the open door where I saw Falcon stationed with an Enforcer right behind him.

  Why are they here? Are they going to take me to Holly? But Amy wouldn’t do that—unless Hart drugged Falcon again and he’s making her.

  Amy rushed towards me, then threw her arms around me. I froze, not understanding how my sister could be in my room—and looking so happy. After a moment she pulled away and smiled.

  “I’m so glad to see you,” she said. “Are you okay?”

  I met her gaze and slowly nodded.

  Falcon walked over to us, and when he stopped beside me, I scrutinized his face. His eyes looked clear, not drug-hazed.

  “What’s going on?” I finally asked as my gaze went from Falcon’s face to Amy’s. “Why are you here? How are you here?” My eyes narrowed. “Why would Hart let you come in here?”

  Amy looked at Falcon, whose face reddened.

  “My father,” he began, “has been arrested.”

  Chapter Fifty

  “Arrested?” Shocked by this news, I sank onto the bed. Amy sat beside me and Falcon sat across from us on the other bed.

  “Yeah,” he said. “When everyone heard his plan to release the drug-laced power bars to the public, they were pretty upset. They demanded his arrest.”

  “But that’s not all,” Amy said, her eyes dancing with delight.

  I turned to her expectantly.

  “Jessica Walker interviewed Nick, and he said the only reason he’d found out about the power bars was because of you.”

  “Me?” That wasn’t true. Duplicate Morgan was the one who’d discovered the power bars had drugs in them. But that means me. So, yeah, it is true. “Oh.”

  “Yeah,” Falcon said. “So in addition to demanding my father’s arrest, they’re also demanding that the authorities let you go.”

  “Let me go?” I’d been locked in my room for days, and now I was desperately playing catch-up.

  “Yes, Morgan” a male voice said.

  I looked at the doorway and saw Nick standing there with no Enforcers in sight. Still not clear on what was going on, I stood and walked towards him, uncertain how he felt about me. After all, he’d released the proof about the power bars while Amy, Falcon, and I were in the hands of Hart.

  “How are you, Morgan?” he asked with a warm smile.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You must be wondering what’s going on.”

  I nodded. “You could say that.”

  “Let’s talk,” he said as he led me back to my spot beside Amy, then sat next to Falcon. “You know about Russell Hart being arrested?”

  I glanced at Falcon, wondering how he felt about that, then I looked at Nick and nodded. “And I’m going to be let go?”

  “That’s right. Once the public learned about the power bars, it was the tipping point we’d hoped for.” A look of satisfaction came over him. “It changed everything, Morgan.”

  “Everything? What do you mean?”

  “I mean, not only are they demanding your release, but many people are demanding that the F.A.T. centers be closed down.” He paused. “All those videos you did . . . they had a powerful impact on people.”

  “Really?” Amazed to know that the videos I’d made had caused such a dramatic result, I shook my head in wonder. “That’s great.”

  “It’s all thanks to you,” Nick said.

  “Me?” Uncomfortable with getting credit for what DM had done, I wanted to protest.

  “These last few weeks you’ve kept the focus on what is wrong with our system and you made it clear that things need to change.” Nick tilted his head downward while keeping his gaze locked on mine. “You, Morgan. Tha
t was you.”

  Me? Not DM, but me? The idea had never occurred to me, but I realized it was true. Maybe I really have made a difference.

  “There’s a new Enforcement Department Secretary,” Nick said. “His name is Victor Marsh.”

  “Do you know him?”

  “No. He’s not from the Enforcement Department.” Nick smiled. “But that’s probably a good thing. I expect he’ll be a breath of fresh air, which is just what the department needs.” Nick paused. “He’ll be holding a press conference in a couple of hours to announce your pardon.”

  “I’m being pardoned?” That was better than just being let go. “What about Hansen’s death?”

  “They’ve ruled it an accident, so you’re completely clear.”

  As the good news sunk in, elation swept over me and I turned to Amy with a smile. “I’m going home.”

  She nodded.

  Then I remembered Josh Mills being shot, and Scott being captured, and I asked Nick about them.

  “Mills is in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Scott’s been released, and he’ll be fine.”

  Even though I’d been angry with Mills for suggesting that Nick turn Amy over to Holly, as far as I was concerned, he’d redeemed himself when he tried to help us escape, and I was glad to know he’d be okay.

  I thought about the woman who had seemed to enjoy torturing both me and Amy. “What about Holly?”

  “She’s in jail too,” Falcon said, his voice hard. “Exactly where she deserves to be.”

  I nodded, glad to know she wouldn’t be able to hurt me or anyone else, then my hand went to my neck. “I want this out.”

  “As soon as we’re done talking,” Nick said, “I’ll turn you over to the people who can safely take it out.”

  “I’m really going home today?”

  “That’s right, Morgan.”

  I sagged with relief and joy. I’ll be home today. With my family. No more running. No more hiding.

  “Your parents are waiting to take you home. Right after the press conference.” He smiled. “But you can see them as soon as you want.”

  I glanced around the room where I’d spent the last few days. “I don’t want them to come in here. You know, to see where I’ve been.”

  “That’s fine. You can see them after the transmitter is removed. I’ll arrange a private meeting before the press conference.” He paused. “You should know that there are a lot of people outside waiting to see you and they’re going to want to hear from you.”

  “From me?” It kind of shocked me that people would take notice of me, let alone come to Camp Stonewater to see me.

  “Yes, so you should think about what you want to say.”

  “Okay.”

  Nick stood. “Are you ready to get started?”

  Fear had been my constant companion for the last few weeks, and now I was about to be set free. It felt surreal. If Amy, Falcon, and Nick hadn’t been sitting beside me telling me the incredible news, I wasn’t sure I would have believed it.

  “Yes,” I said as I stood. “I am definitely ready to get started.”

  “I’ll see you when you’re done, Raven,” Falcon said, his crystal blue eyes sparkling.

  “Me too,” Amy added.

  I nodded, then followed Nick from the room.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  My neck felt tender as I followed Nick from the room where someone had removed the torture device. But it was a good tenderness, the kind that let me know a problem had been resolved.

  “Your family’s waiting for you in a private room,” he said.

  “What about Falcon?” Now that his father was in jail, I was worried about him. It had sounded like his brother’s opinion about the way society should be run aligned with their father. Would he let Falcon continue living with him?

  “He’s there as well.”

  “Good.”

  A few moments later we stopped outside a closed door.

  “I’ll come for you when it’s time for the press conference to begin,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  He gazed at me. “No, thank you, Morgan. I know you’ve doubted yourself and compared yourself to . . . well, to the Morgan from the other world. But I hope you can see the difference that you’ve made.”

  I was beginning to, but I appreciated his confidence in me. I nodded, then opened the door. Six pairs of eyes turned in my direction, then Mom and Dad jumped up from their seats and hurried to me, their arms open. I flung myself into their embrace.

  “Oh, sweetheart,” Mom said, her voice shaking. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

  “Mom. Dad.” Tears clogged my throat as I reveled in the warmth of their love.

  “I love you so much,” Dad said. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

  “I love you too,” I said, then I pulled away and smiled at them, my eyes wet with tears. “We can go home today.”

  “We know,” Dad said. “We’re so thrilled.”

  “Morgan,” Zac and Brandon said as they wrapped their arms around me.

  I pulled them against me, never so happy to see them as I was at that moment. I met Amy’s gaze, then Falcon’s, and smiled, my heart so full I thought it would burst.

  The seven of us chatted while we waited for Nick to come and get me, which helped to calm my nerves.

  An hour later a knock sounded at the door, then it opened. But it wasn’t Nick. It was a man I’d never seen before.

  “Secretary Marsh,” Dad said, obviously familiar with the man. “Please, come in.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt,” he said, “but I wanted to have a word with your daughter.”

  “Of course.” Dad looked at me. “Morgan, this is Victor Marsh, the new Secretary of the Enforcement Department.”

  “Hi,” I said, uncertain if this man would be anything like Hart. Then I remembered Nick’s endorsement of him, and began to relax.

  “Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?” he asked me.

  “Okay.” With a smile at my family, I left the room and stood in front of Marsh.

  “I’ve heard tremendous things about you, Morgan.”

  I wondered how many of those things were actually about Duplicate Morgan rather than me. But then I realized it didn’t matter. I was here. Not her.

  We chatted for a few minutes, then he said, “I just wanted to stop by and meet you before the press conference.” He smiled. “We’ll start in about fifteen minutes.”

  Nervousness made my heart pound, but I nodded, trying to stay focused on where I would be at the end of the day. Home.

  “Go ahead and wait with your family. Nick will come and get you when it’s time.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Nick came to get me. My family and I followed him as he led us into the lobby where the press conference would be held. When I saw all the people—so many that they spilled out of the lobby and into the large space outside—I was extra glad that my family was with me.

  “Morgan,” several people called out. My gaze went to their faces, and I saw that they were smiling. After all the hatred I’d faced from Hart and Holly, it was refreshing to know that other people—people I’d never even met—were happy to see me.

  Then I saw the signs. Multiple people who stood outside, and even a couple who were in the lobby, held signs that said things like Close the FAT centers and We can take care of ourselves. Even more shocking, the Enforcers who stood around were ignoring the signs. Normally I would have expected them to destroy the signs and take the protesters into custody.

  My gaze went to Secretary Marsh as he approached the microphone, and I began to understand why Nick liked him. Maybe things will be different now. The thought gave me great hope and comfort.

  “You can stand over here,” Nick said. “Marsh will let you know when it’s time for you to talk.”

  “Okay.”

  “Good afternoon,” Marsh said as he stood at the podium. “Thank you for coming here today.”

  I l
ooked at the media gathered near Marsh and saw Jessica Walker standing near the front. I smiled, thankful for the help she’d given me, particularly grateful that she’d shown up in the lobby days before when Hart had been about to drag me away.

  Marsh talked about the changes that had happened over the last few days, including Hart’s arrest—which elicited cheers from the crowd. After announcing he wouldn’t be taking any questions, he began talking about me.

  “As you’re well aware,” he said, “it is only due to one person that we were warned in time about the nefarious plans of Russell Hart. Thank you, Morgan Campbell.” The crowd cheered loudly, which stunned me.

  “Because of Morgan’s sacrifice to bring us that critical information, at this time I have been authorized to offer her a full pardon for any and all offenses, real and imagined, that she has been accused of, effective immediately.”

  At that, the crowd broke into even louder cheers and whistles.

  Overwhelmed by the support of complete strangers, my eyes filled with tears.

  “Morgan,” Marsh said as he looked at me. “Would you like to say a few words?”

  All I really wanted was to go home and leave the nightmarish weeks behind me, but I knew I was expected to say something, and I made my way to the microphone.

  “Hello,” I said, and the crowd cheered again. Their energy was contagious, and I found myself gaining confidence. “First off, thank you Secretary Marsh for the pardon.” A wide grin curved my lips. “I accept.”

  The crowd loved that and cheered some more. When they quieted down, I continued.

  “While I appreciate all the accolades, I’m not the only one who deserves credit. My good friend Nick—” I gestured to him as he stood off to the side. “He deserves as much credit, if not more, than I do.”

  The crowd applauded and Nick nodded to them.

  “But the main thing I want to say to you today,” I said, “is how glad I am to see how many of you think that things need to change.”

  A loud cheer went up at that.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but just the fact that you’re speaking out against the way things are gives me hope.” I met the eyes of several people and strong emotion overcame me. “Thank you so much for supporting me.” I pressed my lips together to hold back the sob that wanted to burst forth. “If it wasn’t for all of you, I’d still be locked in a room by myself, waiting to face torture and pain by the people who were in charge.”