Forgotten

by Kristin Smith

  The room is the size of an arena. Inside it are wall-to-wall beds. Occupying those beds are people.

  29

  SIENNA

  What the hell?

  I stare at the sight before me, too stunned to move. The light from the borrowed transmitter sweeps over the still bodies of men and women, boys and girls too close to my own age to bring anything but fear.

  My light rests on the face of a boy I recognize, a boy whose olive skin and high cheekbones stand out too much to be ignored.

  Ren. The boy who gave me a bike and told me to hide. The boy who was taken away.

  They brought him here. Why? Who are all these people? What are they doing to them?

  I back slowly away from the curtain. There must be at least three hundred people in there. Hundreds of people who are drugged or brainwashed or something. Do they have families who miss them? Are they delinquents? Drug addicts? Is that where I would have ended up if Zane hadn’t found me?

  And then an even worse thought hits me. Is Zane in there?

  I hurry out of the room, making sure to close the door behind me, and take the stairs to the upper level two at a time. When I reach the second floor, I scan the key card, then burst through the door and eye my surroundings. It sure looks like the level Granger brought us to before, the one where my father’s lab is located. I hurry down the hall, leaving a wet trail as I go. The air cooling units are kicked up in here, and I find myself crossing my arms over my chest to conduct a little bit of heat. I pass door after door, lab after lab, until I see it. Brian Phillips.

  Brian Phillips. Ben Preston. Mitch Hoover.

  How many names will my father have before he’s content with the life he has?

  The door is closed, so I ease it open and find Granger hunched over a computer keypad. He jumps when he sees me. “Sienna, what are you doing here? And why are you dripping wet?” His eyes shift to my leg. “You’re bleeding.”

  “Zane. Where’s Zane?” I say, moving toward him. If he doesn’t want to cooperate, I have no problem making him talk.

  Granger must see the wild look in my eyes because he rises from his stool and lifts his hands in surrender. “I haven’t seen him, Sienna. I swear to you. The last time I saw him he was with you.”

  “Check the system. I need to know if he was brought in.” I hesitate, wondering if I should trust him. “I saw those people.”

  Granger’s eyebrows knit together. “What people?”

  “The ones in the lab down below. There are hundreds of them.”

  Granger shakes his head slowly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  The door of the lab opens. “Granger, I couldn’t sleep. I think I’ve had a major breakthrough—” It’s my father. He stops short when he sees me. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had… company.” He looks at Granger. “Who’s this?”

  My mouth goes dry because it’s as if I’m seeing a ghost. Here is the man I buried, the man whose body I shed countless tears over, the man I longed to have hold me again. And now he stands only feet from me, but we might as well have an ocean between us.

  Granger looks from me to him. “This is… Sienna.”

  My father smiles and holds out his hand, but I can see he’s wary by the way his eyes take in my wet hair and drenched clothes. “Sienna, forgive me for asking, but why are you all wet?”

  For some reason, I don’t feel like lying to him. “Because I swam here.”

  He nods as if that’s the most natural answer in the world. “Have we met before? You look oddly familiar.”

  “You don’t recognize me?” I say. How can he not remember I’m the girl who “volunteered” to have her memories erased? “You don’t remember inserting a chip in the back of my brain?”

  He blinks a few times before he nods slowly. “That’s right. I do remember you.” His eyes swing from Granger to me. “But you disappeared before the procedure was complete.”

  “I didn’t disappear,” I say. “I was rescued. I was brought here against my will.”

  My father’s face goes slack. “I was told you volunteered. If I’d known—”

  “You mean like the hundreds of people in the arena down below? Did they volunteer as well? Or were they dragged here against their will?”

  His eyes flit to the corner of the room, right below the ceiling. I follow his gaze. There’s a security camera there. I wonder how long I have before the Enforcers show.

  He clears his throat. “Why are you here?”

  “I’m looking for a friend of mine. His name is Zane Ryder. I need to know if he was brought in.”

  My father rubs his chin. “No, I’d know if he was here. I’m very familiar with the Ryders, especially his older brother Steele.”

  “You know Steele?”

  “I work for him.”

  My throat constricts. Suddenly, I’m finding it difficult to breathe. If he works for Steele now, maybe he remembers working for Harlow. And if he remembers working for Harlow, maybe he remembers parts of his old life. With us. When I had my computer chip, I still remembered certain things, images that would pop in my mind. Maybe…

  I take a couple of steps toward him. “Do you know who I am?”

  He tilts his head, studying me. “I believe we just discussed this. You’re Sienna.”

  “Yes. But my real name is Sienna Preston.” I grasp the wet hem of my tank top. “Does that sound familiar?”

  “No, it doesn’t. Should it?”

  I close my eyes, struggling to know what to do. Do I tell him the truth and risk scaring him off? I have to try.

  When I open my eyes, I say, “Yes. Because I’m your daughter.”

  My father moves swiftly to a button on the wall. “I’m calling security,” he says through gritted teeth.

  Granger stares at me, as if he’s trying to unravel some mystery. I’m slipping. I’ve already lost my father once, and I can feel myself losing him again.

  “Wait!” I cry out in desperation. “Let me at least try to explain!”

  He stops, his hand hovering over the call button. I take it as my invitation to speak quickly.

  “You have a scar too. Have you not noticed it? They gave you a chip to alter your memories. In Legas, you have a wife and two daughters, Emily and me. Emily’s five and has these adorable blonde curls. You used to make us chocolate oatmeal and dance around the house with Mom.” Tears are streaming down my cheeks now. “We used to go stargazing, don’t you remember? You taught me all the constellations and the stories behind each one. Please,” I sob. “I need you to remember.”

  The pictures on my Lynk. But it’s too late. That Lynk is long gone, and now, I have no proof.

  My dad stares at me as I wipe the tears from my face and try to compose myself, my eyes never leaving his hand that hovers only inches from the button. When he sighs and turns away from me, I know it’s too late.

  “You need help,” he says. He presses the button and an alarm immediately sounds.

  I jump to my feet and run out the door, Granger calling after me.

  “Sienna!”

  When I’m halfway down the hall, Granger catches up to me.

  “Sienna, wait.”

  I stop and face him, my eyes trained on the hallway behind him.

  “I believe you,” Granger says. “I mean, I can see it. The facial resemblance, mostly the nose and mouth, but I see it. And it all makes sense now.”

  “What makes sense?” Footsteps pound down a corridor near us.

  “There’s something you should know.” He shifts uncomfortably. “You aren’t the only one who lied about the bullet train.”

  The alarm whines around us. My voice is even when I speak. “Granger, what are you saying?”

  “I lied about why I was staring at you.” His head shakes in frustration. “I don’t even have a sister. When your father came to visit me at University and recruited my help, he only had one request. Well, two actually. He wanted me to keep tabs on you, your mom, and your sister, but he mad
e me promise I would never tell him about you or mention your names again. He said you were a relative, that your mom was recently widowed, but he’d had a falling out with his extended family years before. Even though he’d changed his name and no one knew he was still alive, he wanted to make sure your family was watched over and protected.”

  I take a step away from him, trying to sort out what he’s telling me.

  “I was in Legas,” he continues, “to check on you. I staked out your house for a couple of days, but you never showed. Then I saw you at the train station. I guess I was a little surprised to see you.”

  “You’ve—you’ve been to my house?”

  He nods. “Only three times. I try to come every few months, but sometimes things get busy here and I can’t leave.”

  “So my father knew he was going to fake his death and change his name, but he asked you to check up on us?”

  “I believe so.”

  My mind spins, trying to make sense of it all. All this time, Granger’s been like an older brother I never had. He’s been watching, maybe even protecting, us.

  But if my father made a deal with Radcliffe to fake his death, change his name, and come work for the AIG, why did Radcliffe try to destroy our family a few weeks ago? After he found me with the stolen computer chip, why was he so intent on ruining me?

  He wanted Trey. I was merely a means to an end.

  The footsteps are closer now, the shouting only around the corner.

  “Listen, Granger, I need you to know something. Something very important.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t do it.” I start to back away from him. “Just remember that. I didn’t do it,” I repeat. Then I turn and run down the hall. I’ve almost made it to the stairwell when I swing around the corner and collide with something solid. A chest.

  I look up into blue eyes the color of the ocean and stumble backward. Trey’s hands steady me.

  His voice is rough when he speaks. “It’s you, isn’t it? The alarm is for you.”

  I try to shove past him, but he grabs my arm. “What are you doing here? Don’t you know that every Enforcer in all of Rubex is looking for you?”

  “And do you realize that there are hundreds of bodies in the basement?” I retort.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Based on the blank look he’s giving me, he clearly has no idea.

  Instead of answering him, I hold my arms out wide. “I’m right here. Why don’t you call the Enforcers and tell them where I am since you’re so good at being a snitch? Perhaps I should wait for them to come and cuff me.”

  Trey’s eyes go hard. “You’re the one who decided to kill George Radcliffe.”

  “I didn’t kill him,” I spit. “A sniper took him out.”

  “While you were standing right beside him? How convenient.”

  My throat constricts, even though I thought I buried the pain down deep. “No, it wasn’t convenient. It was awful. And that little girl will be scarred for life.” I turn away from him and shove my way through the stairwell door.

  “Sienna, wait.” But I ignore him. I can hear him coming down the stairs after me, which only causes me to pick up the pace.

  On the next landing, he grabs my arm and spins me around to face him, but I jerk my arm from his grasp.

  “Don’t touch me,” I snap. “You don’t have that right. Not anymore.”

  He looks like he’s been slapped, but at least his hands drop. “You’re not safe,” he says.

  “Why should you care?”

  “I—I don’t know. Where will you go?”

  “It doesn’t really matter, does it?” My eyes burn with hatred as I stare at him, my lips curling in contempt. “Zane is missing, so it doesn’t really matter.”

  “Missing?”

  “That night at Marmet. I escaped, but he…” I bite my lip. “I don’t know where he is. And it’s your fault.” I strike him hard on the chest. “It’s all your fault.” I pound my fist again on his chest. When he just stands there and takes it, I hit him with the other one. Suddenly, I’m flailing on him, tears running down my face. He grabs my arms and spins me around, pinning my arms to my sides, with my back pressed against his chest.

  “Shh,” he says, low in my ear. “It’s okay.”

  “Let go of me!” I try to fight him, but he tightens his grip.

  “Not until you’ve calmed down,” he says. And that only infuriates me more. The alarm continues to wail all around us.

  I stamp down hard on his foot. He howls in pain, but lets me go. I’m not thinking clearly. My mind is a jumble of hurt, confusion, and emotions, and Trey is the only outlet for my anger.

  I kick him hard in the knee, and he curses.

  “Dammit, Sienna, what’s wrong with you?”

  I move to knee him in the stomach but he grabs my leg and twists, knocking me off-balance. I land hard on my back on the concrete floor. Pain shoots down my spine and lodges in my tailbone.

  Grunting, I roll over and jump to my feet. Trey’s face is a mixture of shock, confusion, and irritation. This is much different from when I fought him in the Compound. My movements are quicker, my kicks stronger, my punches more accurate. I try to punch him in the jaw, but he blocks it. His large hand wraps around my fist, and he squeezes. “Stop acting like a child,” he hisses.

  I rip my hand from his grasp, the tendons in my fingers aching. I just want him to leave me alone. I want to forget he ever existed, that I ever cared for him. So I do the only thing I can think of.

  I kiss him.

  At first, shock makes Trey’s lips freeze, but then it’s as if a light switch turns on. His hands tangle themselves in my hair and he’s kissing me back. Kissing me so hard I’m sure my lips will be bruised by the time we pull apart. When I think he’s had enough, I shove him away. I try to ignore the hurt in his eyes, the confusion I see. Instead, I turn away and sprint down the rest of the stairs.

  “Sienna! Wait!” His tone is desperate.

  I kick open the Authorized Personnel Only door and then I’m on the platform, the cool August breeze raising the hair on my arms. By some small miracle, the drone is gone.

  “Sienna, please!” Trey bursts through the door and stops short. “Where are you going?”

  I back toward the edge. “Good-bye, Trey.”

  I dive into the water, the churning black ocean swallowing me up. And I don’t look back.

  30

  ZANE

  The safe house is a rustic cabin in the mountains a few hours northeast of Legas. When I was a boy, my father would bring me here in the winter to go skiing. The chairlifts had long since shut down, but Father jerry-rigged a device that carried us up to the top of the mountain. I’ll never forget my first run—the exhilaration I felt, the icy cold air on my skin, the clinging smell of spruce trees. The white blanket of snow that covered the ground and the trees made everything so quiet, so peaceful. It was always one of my favorite places.

  Father referred to the safe house as a cabin, but to most people, it would be considered a chalet.

  I park my car in the gravel drive and make my way up the front steps. Mentally, I’m preparing myself for what I’ll tell Sienna’s mother. I need to convince her to come back to Legas, without worrying her about her daughter’s safety.

  As soon as the door opens and Emily sees me, she flings her arms around my legs. I lift her up and ruffle her hair as she squeals in delight. As fond as I am of Sienna, Emily comes in a close second.

  After spinning Emily around a few times until I’m dizzy myself, I set her on her feet, making sure she’s steady before letting go completely. She wobbles a little, and then runs to her mother’s outstretched arms.

  “Well, Zane, I didn’t expect to see you so soon,” Vivian Preston remarks, her eyes searching my face. “I thought you were in Rubex with Sienna.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I was.” I brace myself for her reaction. “I’m here to bring you back to Legas. Sienna and I feel it would be safer for bot
h of you.”

  Vivian’s eyebrows crease in concern. “Is everything alright?”

  “Of course. We’ve received some new intel, and we believe you’ll be safer staying with my family and me in Legas. Besides…” I wink at Emily. “I bet you’ve missed the swimming pool.”

  Her little face breaks out into a huge grin. “Yes, I want to go! Can we, Mommy? Can we?”

  Vivian studies me, probably trying to determine if I’m telling her the truth. I flash a wide grin, and her face softens, her lips parting into a smile. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s pack up our things and we can be on our way.” As Emily goes running from the room, giggling, Vivian turns to me. “Will Sienna be joining us?”

  Swallowing hard, I plaster an encouraging smile on my face. “Unfortunately, not yet. She still has some business to attend to in Rubex. But not to worry,” I reassure her. “She’ll be back soon enough.”

  Vivian wrings her hands together. “I’ll never stop worrying about that girl.” She sighs and leaves the room to begin packing.

  “Neither will I,” I whisper to an empty room.

  ***

  The next morning, I’m lying in bed, my hands behind my head, second-guessing my decision to leave Rubex. I’ve yet to hear from Sienna, so I’ve no idea if she’s safe or if she’s wondering where I am. The not knowing is torture.

  I’ve tried to locate the tracking signal in the necklace, but unless Sienna is at the bottom of the ocean, I’d say she lost her necklace at some point during her swim to the boat. At least, I hope that’s the answer.

  I roll over and grab my comscreen from the nightstand, clicking it on. The news is the only thing that distracts me.

  As soon as the screen flares to life, an important bulletin scrolls along the bottom.

  Seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston is wanted for the murder of Colonel George Radcliffe. A reward of one million pacs will be given to anyone with information leading to her arrest.