Troy stops the video, walks up to me, but he can’t get close enough with the beams. “You really don’t get it, Max. Do you not understand your role in regards to the future of Tarsus? Your parents were formidable opponents to Leader Fallon. You can help us take back Tarsus from Fallon’s rule, liberate the Outer Limits, and allow anyone to go to Icarian, not just those who pass her torture ritual.”
“You’re making this all up,” I protest. “My parents died in an industrial accident. I’ve been in the Outer Limits my whole life. I’m not the Thomas’ daughter.”
Frey presses the button on the end table, allowing the beams to ascend. He pulls me to my feet, and I’m surprised I can now move. With his hand on my back, he gently guides me to the monitor. He switches the images, so the child is the main focus. I know it’s me, I recognize the outfit. It’s the one I was wearing when I was sent to live at the orphanage. But I still don’t want to believe any of it’s true. I stare into the eyes of my younger self, trying my hardest to recall what happened.
I try to pull away, but Troy is blocking my path. He touches Liam’s picture and chooses another video. I don’t know how much more I can take, but I’m pinned to my spot.
“Good evening, Tarsus. Traitors have been located among us. Leader Fallon has made it her priority to rid Tarsus and the Outer Limits of them by making an example of the two most dangerous people we have ever encountered. Liam and Clio Thomas were executed today, according to Leader Fallon, and their bodies have been destroyed. Their daughter has vanished. Many people are speculating that Mera was killed with her parents, others say she has been tucked away somewhere. Nevertheless, peace has finally settled over Tarsus and its territories once again.”
Frey stops the video. “Are you still not convinced you’re their daughter?”
I hesitate in answering, which is a bad move. He sees right through me now. The doubt that has formed in my mind of who I really am. I don’t want to believe what I just heard, but parts of it ring true to me. I look down at my hands, remembering the dream I had about Leader Fallon ensuring I was sent into The Litarian Battles. Did she do this to me? Why? Was killing my parents not enough, that she felt she had to mangle me as well? But why send me to live in the Outer Limits? Why not kill me as well? She would’ve known I could be a possible threat when I got older, so why spare me?
I don’t say a word to any of them on the ride home. Once we’re back at Frey’s house, I tell him I need some time by myself to think things over. My head is pounding and I want to hide under the covers, but because of last night I don’t dare. Instead I take one of the pillows and a blanket, pulling them down onto the floor with me. I curl up in a ball and try to sort out the feelings that are currently running throughout my body. The main one is confusion. Why would my parents want to cause an uprising? So my father only led for a short time, so what? None of this makes sense.
I feel myself starting to drift off to sleep. I try to fight it since I’m not really tired, but I’m failing. My wristband begins to glow green, the room begins to vanish, and it’s at this moment I realize I’m looping. I’m being pulled from my current location to another one, but how and why?
The warm air is replaced by cold, almost to the point where I can see my breath. I can’t tell the size of the room I’m in due to the extreme darkness. I’m puzzled by how I got here. It’s definitely by the same method used to move me from the battle floor to the medical office. I thought the Keepers couldn’t transport anyone who was outside Thrace Tower. But what if they aren’t the ones who brought me here? I get to my feet slowly, waiting for someone to attack, but not sure why. I wrap my arms around myself trying to keep warm. The sudden flash of light above my head causes me to jump. I’m momentarily blinded. My eyes eventually adjust, but the light doesn’t move.
“Maxine Sutton,” a female voice echoes through the chamber. “You’ve been brought here at the request of Leader Fallon.”
I squint my eyes and scan the room looking for where the voice could possibly be coming from. “Why? Who are you?”
“We are the Patrician, the rulers of your world.”
“I thought Leader Fallon was in charge?”
“She is in charge of the city. We are in charge of her.”
I let silence settle between us. My brain quickly thinking of questions to ask. “Why am I here?”
“Leader Fallon will tell you.”
The light above me vanishes as another one turns on across the room, illuminating a tall woman with long red hair. Her dark green pantsuit causes her hair to glow like a fire that has just been started. Individual lights pop on above her as she makes her way towards me. I can’t decide if I should be terrified, angry, or relieved.
“Hello, Max,” she says when she’s only a few feet away.
“How did you bring me here?”
“The Keepers aren’t the only ones who can teleport people. We’ve been able to prevent them from taking anyone outside of Thrace Tower for a little over a year now. It won’t be long until they figure out how to override our protocols and re-establish their connection with the outside. They’ve been trying unsuccessfully for months, but with some changes that have occurred at Thrace Tower, they’re almost close to succeeding.”
“What kind
