“You look just like her,” he says, coming closer.
I’m frozen to my spot, too afraid to move. “Who?”
“Your mother.”
Nine
“How do you know my mother?”
“I knew both your parents,” he says, still coming closer.
“That’s not possible. You’re lying.”
I can feel his breath on the back of my neck, even though my hair is covering it. He takes his hand and brushes the hair onto my shoulder. I shudder at the touch, revolted by it. I shove him off and try to escape around him, but he has me blocked.
“What do you remember?”
My brain stops and is void of all thought. I can’t find my words.
He places his hands on my shoulders. “You must not remember, Max. Try and forget everything from your past, it’ll only harm you. Frey may try and coax your memory, but don’t let him inside your head. Your life depends upon it.”
He leaves just as quietly as he entered.
I’m still standing by the window when Frey returns. He’s puzzled by my demeanor, but I tell him I’m just not used to such luxury. He wants me to go with him on a walk through his neighborhood, but I decline, stating I have a headache. He’s upset at first, but quickly recovers telling me to get some rest. He’ll come and get me for lunch. He closes the door while I sit on the bed. I take off my shoes and socks, tucking them under the bed frame, slide under the covers, and close my eyes.
It doesn’t take me long to fall asleep, but I fall right into a nightmare. I relive the battle against the girl from Nius, only this time the metal plank slices me in half and I bleed to death. Avery’s words echo in my head as I float above my body, which the Keepers are leaving on the floor as the next battle begins. I’m suddenly back in the orphanage in my old room with Brink asleep in the next bed. I push back the covers and place my bare feet to the cold floor. I can actually feel the cold penetrate my skin, causing it to prickle. I open the bedroom door, walk the couple of feet towards the stairs, but stop before going down.
Aedox flood the foyer, followed by a tall woman in green with long red hair. The staff move out of their way, almost as if they’re trying to hide from her. She has a sense of power about her, almost defiant. Head Master Edom is dragged in behind her. His body shakes between the hands of his guards. He’s released, but doesn’t move from his spot.
“Has it been done?” the woman asks Edom.
“Yes. She was returned tonight. I’ve been told the alterations were successful.”
She chuckles. “We’ll see about that.” She turns to face him. “Make sure she’s selected. I need her in The Litarian Battles, understand?”
“Yes,” Edom responds.
“You know what will happen to you if she’s not, don’t you?”
Edom cowers before the woman. He’s acting as if he’s being tormented, yet no one is touching him. “She’ll be sent to Tarsus, I promise.”
“And none of the staff will say anything, correct?” the woman says, addressing everyone.
Heads nod in agreement, except one. Out of the corner of my eye, just below me stands Tilda, a quizzical expression on her face.
“Good. You all know what the punishment is for treason, so there shouldn’t be any issue.”
The woman leaves, with Edom following. The Aedox secure the building, questioning the staff to make sure they understand their orders, and then they leave. Tilda hid in the closet under the staircase, slipping in without being noticed, so the Aedox never questioned her. As soon as the foyer is empty, Tilda steps out and hastens her way to the kitchen. I’m about to follow her when I feel myself being roused from sleep. Frey is sitting next to me on the bed, gently rocking me so I’ll wake up.
“You all right?” he asks, perching himself next to me.
“Just a nightmare.” I pull myself up into a sitting position, but staying under the covers.
“Lunch is ready if you’re hungry.”
I say I am, and we exit the bedroom. We have to pass through both the common room and dining room to get to the kitchen. Avery is nowhere to be found, which makes me feel a bit more relaxed. On the counter sits two bowls of an orange colored soup topped with crumbled crackers. Frey pulls out the stool closest to the fridge and gestures for me to have a seat. I’m hesitant, but oblige him. The soup is hot and smooth, much better than anything served in the orphanage. We eat in silence, but I catch Frey watching me every so often.
What is up with him? Why is he watching me? It’s creepy.
I help him clean up the dishes when we’re done. He escorts me from the kitchen and out the back door. The sand is cool against my bare feet. The air is a lot warmer here than in the Outer Limits, which puzzles me. It’s winter in the Outer Limits, and here it feels like spring. How can there be that much of a climate difference between the two areas? We follow a path through the tall grasses, down a small slope, and out onto the beach. I’m nervous about approaching the water, but Frey takes my hand and coaxes me along.
We stand just at the edge, letting the waves wash over our feet. The water has a slight chill to it, but I don’t let it bother me. I grip the sand between my toes over and over again. I’m actually relaxing with each
