Chapter 10

Michael's POV:

A few months ago:

"We're glad that you've decided to join us," Dabria said incredulously. "I'll admit that I was surprised when Mr. Johnson, the head of security here at this facility, approached me and told me how enthusiastic you were about joining us. I was slightly suspicious."

"Why is that, Ma'am?" I asked with a charming smile, "If you don't mind me asking."

"Most of our recruits are usually.....indifferent," she said, "However, you seem to be ready to do your job." She turned around and grabbed a belt filled with equipment off of her glass desk and handed it to me. I took it and put it on with pride, or that's what she would perceive it to be.

"Will that be all, Ma'am?" I asked her. She nodded, and I exited the room to go to my assigned area. As I stood in front of one of the isolation rooms, I pulled her picture out of my left shirt pocket and looked at her adorable face. They were bound to pick her up at some point and bring her here, and when they do, I will volunteer to guard her room. She was alone once, and I won't abandon her again, even though I didn't know she existed until a year ago.

Flashback

"Excuse me, but have you seen this girl?" I asked the store clerk, showing her the picture. She squinted her eyes to get a better look and shook her head. "I'm afraid not," she said, "But I'll keep an eye out for her in case she passes through. "Thank you, Ma'am," I said, disappointed before exiting the shop.

I searched everywhere for her all over the state, but I couldn't find her. I couldn't use a computer because I was afraid it would give them a one-way ticket to finding her faster. So I met up with a group of people and offered to infiltrate this facility for them in hopes that I would eventually find her there, and sure enough, I did.

Present-day

I walked over to her room and knocked on the door. I waited until the girls told me it was okay for me to come in before entering the room.

"I'm perfectly fine, human that I don't know!" Jasmine shouted as she struggled to get out of the chair she was tied to.

"No, you aren't," Sophrona protested, "You can't even remember me, your best friend!"

"Still, no luck?" I kindly asked as I leaned up against the wall.

"No," she replied disappointedly, "Were you able to get that thing I asked for?" I nodded and pulled out the syringe with the same colored liquid as she described and handed it to her.

"Thanks," she said gratefully. She walked over to the table and hid it in one of the flower vases. She then looked back at me with determination in her eyes, "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

I nodded and looked over at Hecate, who was sleeping peacefully on her bed, and sorrow washed over me. I was suffering on the inside because I wanted to tell her who I was, but that would not only blow my cover, but I'd lose my job in the process, which would put all of them in danger.

Hecate yawned before stretching, signaling that she had woken up from her catnap. She sat up and rubbed her big sky blue eyes before glancing over in my direction. "Oh, hello, Michael," she said groggily. She climbed out of bed and started walking in mine and Sophrona's direction, completely ignoring Jasmine's protesting. She shuffled past us and into the bathroom. When she was done, she came out and sat on one of the silver chairs.

"Let me go!" Jasmine screeched as she squirmed in her chair, "I promise that I remember you guys!"

"Okay," Sophrona said, "Then what's my name, and who am I related to?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes and said, "Your name is Sophrona, and you're related to Cahal. You arrived here three years ago."

"What do you remember from our childhood?" Sophrona asked.

Jasmine blushed, "I-I had a crush on Cahal during elementary." Sophrona chuckled, "She's got her memory back."

"It looks like my work here is done," I said before glancing down at my watch. "It's time for recreation," I informed the girls. "Get changed and knock on the door when you're ready to go." I exited the room and closed the door behind me. As I stood there, I listened to the three girls gossip.

"You know, there's something about Michael that's familiar to me." It was Hecate. "What do you mean?" Sophrona asked.

"I feel like I know him from somewhere," Hecate said, "Or something like that. It's kind of hard to explain." Well, that's a little comforting, I think. Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I knocked on the door and said, "Ladies, hurry up!"

"Is there a problem?" It was another guard who was approaching me. I opened my mouth to say something, but then the door opened, and the three of them walked out.

"We're ready to go, Michael," Hecate squeaked with a shy smile. I smiled at her and said, "Then let's go." The four of us started walking and made our way to the courtyard. When we got outside, the three girls ran over to two other boys, but not before I told them I'd be back in two hours. And with that, I walked back to the Security Lounge, where all of the guards went to hang out and converse. Once I arrived, I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV.

Sophrona's POV:

I ran over to my brother, grinning like I always do when I see him. When I reached him, my smile went away; however, when I remembered the events that occurred earlier today. "I have something to tell you," I told him, "Where is Zoey?"

"Right here," she answered from behind me. I turned around and grinned, "Perfect, let's go." I marched over to our usual spot and sat down at the picnic table.

"What's going on?" Cahal asked as he leaned against a tree.

"I think we're being brainwashed," I said grimly.