“To think she’d collapse like that.” A voice echoed through the darkness. “And during the new governor’s acceptance speech too.” Another voice answered as something loosened its grip on my arm. “These are normal too. Do you think it was due to stress?” “Had to be.” The first voice said. I could recognize it as female now. “Governor Woodrow brought in all sorts of doctors to do tests. And they’re all coming back as normal.” “If that were the case she should’ve woken up by now.” This voice was decidedly male. “It’s been 48 hours already.” I tried to open my eyes, but the darkness remained. That’s when I felt the cold weigh down on me like never before. It was even worse than when this happened during the war. And I didn’t have a big blanket covering me then. Or an IV stuck in my arm. I could even hear the machine beep in time with my heartbeat. “Do you think it’s because she’s not a Natural?” The lady half whispered. The guy scoffed. “The Laden may have unnatural gifts but that doesn’t make their biology any different from ours. I think that’s what’s got everyone stumped. Her body is perfectly fine. No injuries. No malnourishment. And not a single drop of poison in her system either.” “Then it must be true.” The lady sounded excited now. “Please tell me you’re not reading into what those tabloids have to say.” “Just think about it. Governor Woodrow had just announced her engagement to his son. But just weeks before she was seen dating Raymond Lagorio.” “He’s Mayor Lagorio now. And he even said that they were broken up when the reporters caught up to him during the chaos.” “Yeah, I’ve seen that clip too. And he doesn’t look well.” He sighed. “You’re point.” “I think it was a ploy to keep the Laden community happy. You know having one of their kind so close to the new governor. And she only agreed to the marriage to keep the peace. Only she didn’t tell Raymond. And did you see how destroyed he looked when the governor announced the news. That can’t be a coincidence. So, I think that Governor Woodrow is keeping them apart for his own gain.” “What does this have to do with her condition?” She huffed. “Obviously she’s suffering from a broken heart. I would be too if I was forced to choose between my love and my people.” “You’ve watched way to many movies.” “We’ll do you have a better theory?” Her voice moved closer. “Because if it was stress she’d be awake by now.” I tuned out their bickering, hating how close she was to hitting the mark. Only we’d never officially broken up. Instead I’d been the one to break his heart after sending his father to jail on a bogus charge. But I had to keep Chief Woodrow happy. Or Governor now. Not that it made a difference. He still had power over the police through his son who’d taken his spot as chief. Poor Lee was stuck in the middle of this. He’d tried to help me but at the same time he couldn’t deny his father. “What are you two doing in here?” A new voice entered. “You’ve got other patients to look after. So stop your jabbering and get to work.” The door shut as the voices faded away. And I was acutely aware of how much colder it was now that the two nurses were gone. It weighed on me, seemingly emitting from the hole in my heart. The hole that my gift had filled before it was stolen. From then on I’d been nothing but a loyal dog forced to betray my own. I’d not only killed them. But stolen their gifts to fill my empty soul. And forced them to serve Agrona as they conquered our land. Lee had been by my side through most of it. And he’d helped me get a few Laden out before I was forced to hunt them down. For any unnatural abilities belonged to the Agrona government alone. I’d almost given up hope until Cedric entered the picture. He’d been turned Elite like Lee. Only he had a mind to go with it. Every plan he made came to pass. And he continued helping the Laden in secret even after joining the police station with the rest of the soldiers who’d survived the war. His latest plan was the longest yet. And involved me doing some gruesome things for Chief Woodrow. I had to earn his trust after all. So, I didn’t bat an eye when he ordered me to get close to the Lagorios. Ray was just a lawyer then, along with his father. But they were successfully turning the tide in favor of the Laden. Albeit slowly. But when Ray began a successful campaign to become Mayor, Chief Woodrow could no longer stand it. And once again my skills were put into play. But instead of stealing his Laden abilities, he wanted proof that his family was helping Laden fugitives leftover from the war. As if they’d leave that information lying around their penthouse. But he was different from other guys I’d dated. Even the ones I pretended to for the job. He was honest and open about everything. And a true romantic at heart. Every week flowers would be delivered to my desk at the police station. And he always took time out of his busy schedule to arrange dates for us. Sometimes we’d just hang out at the Lagorio penthouse with the rest of his family. Or just in his room which was practically a suite on its own. The penthouse took up the whole top floor of the condo. So it was a pain to search. Especially since each of his four siblings usually locked their suites when they were gone. Only his father consistently forgot to. Though it wasn’t until we made love for the first time that I got my chance. Ray was passed out. And thankfully he’d made sure no one was coming back that night. So, I’d continued my search of his father’s office. That’s when I found the tablet he’d left behind. It wasn’t even password protected. And there was the perfect evidence. Not enough to incriminate him permanently. But enough for him to be detained for a time. And that’s the opening that Cedric needed for his plan to start rolling. But I couldn’t get back in bed with him. My guilt was too heavy. So, I’d left. Since then I’d avoided his texts and phone calls. And my coworkers had barred him from entering the station. I was certain he knew that I’d visited his father in jail. And that I’d stolen his gift of telepathy for Cedric’s use. Sure he’d gotten his father out of jail a day later. But a Laden without their natural born gift was just empty. And that’s what I was. An Empty. No matter how many gifts I stole it couldn’t keep away the cold I felt. Nor could it feel the void my gift had left behind. That’s why my health was fading. I’d given the last stolen gift to Cedric. So there was nothing to keep the cold at bay. I could only lie frozen as the cold sapped at what was left of my life. Hopefully it was worth it. Maybe my dying is what Cedric’s plan needed. Maybe having a martyr would make the government grant more rights to the Laden. Or at least give them the push they needed to take it for themselves. It hurt to breathe now. Like I was inhaling shards of ice. Even the IV was doing nothing but pushing cold fluids through my veins. It would be over soon. “She’s dying.” A new voice said. “Saves me the trouble of having to kill her.” Another grumbled. I recognized this one. It was one of Ray’s older sisters, Eimi. The bed dipped as someone sat beside me. And a warm hand touched my chest. It’s Laden power called to me. And it took everything in me not to take it. To create another Empty like me seemed pointless. “What the hell are you doing?” Eimi shouted. The other woman shushed her. “We don’t need anyone else joining us.” “And I can’t risk you dying.” Eimi argued in a lower voice. The woman chuckled. “It’ll take more than this to kill me.” “Dina.” Eimi groaned. That name. She had to be talking about Ray’s second older sister. The one I’d never met. Though he’d always spoken of her with awe, she was asleep most of the time I’d visited. “Looks like they took the core of her soul. She’s been borrowing other gifts to keep death away. But she’s empty now. Perhaps…” Her voice trailed off. Eimi huffed. “Can you do whatever it is on the road. The nurses will come back any minute.” “No she won’t survive the journey. Your shadows are too cold for her.” “Then at this point you should let her die so you can do that necromancy thing.” “It won’t work with part of her soul missing.” Dina pressed down on my chest and warmth started to seep into my skin. “Then-“ Dina cut her off. “Watch the door. And don’t interrupt.” Eimi grumbled but didn’t say anything else. I couldn’t even focus on her as Dina’s power flooded my heart. My control broke and I sucked in her gift. But unlike other Laden her gift resisted my will. It was like trying to take a gift from another Empty. It didn’t work unless it was given willingly. The gentle warmth turned into scorching heat. Like a fireball had settled in my chest. And my heart in turn pumped that heat through my bloodstream. The ice that had frozen me to the spot rapidly melted away. And I blinked up at Dina’s face for the first time. “How…?” I started. “I was able to anchor your soul back to your heart. But it’s only temporary. You’ll get just a few days more I think.” “Great. Can we go now?” Eimi asked backing away from the door. Dina didn’t answer her. But she kept her eyes on me. “Do you want to come back with us?” “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Eimi said. I looked away. “She’s right. After everything I’ve done I should stay as far away from your family as possible.” “Is that what you want?” Dina asked. “It doesn’t matter what I want.” It never did. “I’ve seen many lost souls in both the living and the dead. All of them hampered by regret and despair. And Ray will become one of them if you don’t talk things out.” “I doubt he’ll want to see me.” I said. “We don’t have time for this.” Eimi said stomping over. “Look Ray’s been trying to get in touch ever since you left. And when he heard the doctors weren’t helping you he sent us. So yeah he can’t stop thinking about you and really wants to see you.” My heart began to beat faster. But could I really hope? After everything I’d done? And what about Cedric’s plan? Would it be ok if I left? “Make a decision.” Eimi pushed. Steps were echoing outside. “It’s ok, Zinnia.” Dina said. “Just follow your heart.” The steps were getting closer. And the shadows around Eimi deepened. They stretched toward Dina who still sat on my bed. She reached out a hand to me. I hesitated for a moment as Eimi became nothing more than a shadow slowly enveloping Dina. Only her hand was left. And I grabbed it.

I laid in the hospital bed trying to ignore my throbbing arm. The tv only provided three channels. The news, sports, and a Spanish soap opera. I sighed. The surgery was supposed to be today but some politician had taken my spot. And what’s a fractured arm compared to a heart failure? At least they gave me worker’s comp. As if the job wasn’t already killing my brain cells. Laughter echoed through the open window. And I looked down into the enclosed courtyard. Three girls were running around, they’re hospital gowns more like dresses on their small frames. The gowns were a different color from what I’d seen here too. All the other patients wore boring green ones. But the ones these girls wore were red. I tried to get a better look but the IV started to pull at my arm. I hissed at the sting but it was nothing compared to my fracture. But for one brief moment those girls had made me forget. So, I grabbed the IV stand and left the room. The courtyard wasn’t too far and I could use the fresh air. The nurses paid me no mind, too busy gossiping about the political patient. It was all too easy to take the elevator down a floor. And from there I just had to follow the sound of laughter. I made it outside and sat on a bench. Upon closer inspection it seemed that the girls were closer to my age. But something had stunted their growth. They were like children as they ran and giggled. But the black girl spotted me and walked over. “Do you want to play.” I motioned to my cast. “I wish I could.” She touched the cast with light fingers. “Did you get shot?” “Of course not.” I cleared my throat as my voice echoed in the courtyard. “It was an accident at work.” “Did you catch the guy who did it then?” “No one did this. An assembly line machine just chewed up my arm a bit.” “But did you get the job done?” I blinked. “Ok you lost me. What job are you even talking about?” Her hand flew to her lips. “You’re right. I shouldn’t talk about it.” The blonde and brunette quickly joined us. Both of them gawked at me. But it was the blonde that touched my hospital gown. “This green is perfect with your hair.” “Thanks.” I touched the red curls I’d been forced to cut short the day I got kicked out. Not that my hair had gotten me much cash. Kinda think of it the girls had similar cropped hair. It made them look oddly uniform. They all stood the same too. Like soldiers waiting for orders. “I can’t wait to graduate to green,” The brunette said. The sentence made no sense. What were they graduating from in a hospital? “What do you mean graduate?” The gave each other a look I didn’t understand. But the black girl spoke up. “It means we want to be just like you.” “But you don’t even know me.” They couldn’t know how horrible my life had become. To get a factory job at 16 when most kids worried about school. Even getting kicked out the orphanage to make room for the new kids. Hell, I fought with my landlord everyday to keep the rent the same for the cramped space in her attic. The crazy old witch. Why would they ever want to be like me? “That’s the point.” The blonde said, confusing me even more. “You’re…” The black girl glared at her before she could say more. “What she means is that the best are never really known. That’s what makes you so professional.” I blinked at her. “You’ve lost me.” Before they could respond a nurse appeared. Or at least I thought she was a nurse. She didn’t dress in scrubs like the others I’d seen. No she looked like the type of nurse you’d see on an old show. She was in a white dress uniform with that funny little hat with the Red Cross. She didn’t even spare me a glance as the girls lined up in front of her. After a once over she nodded and they followed her inside. The brunette waved at me as they disappeared. I sat in the courtyard alone for a moment. But my thoughts wouldn’t stop whirling around. Something about them didn’t seem right. They were like the new kids that arrived at the orphanage. Oblivious to the hell that awaited them. Or maybe the delusional orphans that thought the disappearance of kids in the middle of the night was normal. That’s how I found myself in an unfamiliar wing in the hospital. It looked nothing like the halls I’d come from. These halls were bare cement with dim light bulbs hanging on the walls. There were metals doors every so often. Some of them had windows. I glanced in them. There was one room with a whole wall made of mirrors. Another room seemed like a makeshift movie theater with a projector screen on one wall and rows of folding chairs. Then more rooms more akin to classrooms in a detention center. I’d been in them more than once when I was caught trying to steal my birth certificate from a government building. I was still a minor so they were in charge of it. Meaning I could only work under the table. And those jobs barely paid anything. Just enough for me to keep up with school fees and get cheap clothes for the uniforms. Forget the school supplies. I’d stolen paper and pens from the teachers lounge until one gave me a notebook. And I’d used old textbooks from the library. Not that I could afford school now. The only reason I was at the hospital was because my job was paying for it. But these kids wanted to be like me. And looking around I started to understand why. This place was devoid of any life or personality. No cheesy art pieces like in my wing. There were no windows. Their cafeteria like a prison hall. Their room just a bunch of small beds in a row. Even my orphanage had provided more than this. Had allowed us to add personal touches. Drawings tapped to walls. We could wear whatever we could afford. And come and go as we pleased as long as we didn’t bring any trouble. Voices echoed through the halls. And ducked into a room. This door had no window in it. So, I was safe as the voices passed by. I was in a laundry room with enough machines to serve an army. But everywhere I looked it was only those red hospital gowns. Nothing else. More voices came from the vent set into the wall near the floor. I crouched down and peered into it. There was some kind of lab with several exams tables. All three of the girls were there joined by others in those red hospital gowns. A team of doctors were examining them. While a woman in a military uniform talked to the nurse I’d seen earlier. “…ahead of schedule.” The nurse was saying. “Is that why those three were late?” The military woman asked. “They would’ve been on time. But they were waylaid by a greenie.” The military woman stiffened. “How did a patient make it back here?” “I don’t know how she made it to the courtyard. But she was talking to them. Nothing too bad. They seem normal.” “They will be operatives one day. They can’t be normal. And it’s too early for them to be exposed to outside influences.” The nurse looked at her. “They’re almost 17. Surely they are mature enough to…” “Until they graduate from training they could still be influenced in the wrong direction and we can’t afford it. Not with war on the horizon.” “So what would you like me to do, General?” The nurse asked. “Find her. I’ll need to speak with her.” I didn’t like the sound of that. But I also couldn’t leave the hospital. Not with my arm messed up. I wouldn’t be able to work. Then I’d be thrown out into the streets without a job. This country didn’t tolerate useless people. So it was either work or die. That’s why we hadn’t had a single homeless person since the edict 80 years ago. The police had killed them all. There weren’t many options besides speaking to the general. Taking a breath I entered the hall again. It was still empty. But I kept opening doors hoping to find someone. That’s when someone cleared their throat behind me. It was that nurse again. “Follow me, Miss Thurman.” So, she knew my name already. Which meant they had access to my hospital records. Probably more if this place was connected to the military. I entered the office behind the nurse. It was as plain as the rest of the place. The general sat behind the metal desk scrolling through her laptop. But she didn’t say anything until I sat in the wooden chair in front of her. “You’ve got quite the record.” She looked at me. “Which could be useful for us.” “What are you trying to lock me up in here with your other operatives?” She smiled. “You’ve gathered quite a bit of information in the short time you were here. Which makes you perfect. But not as a operative. What we need are more spies.” I laughed. “What makes you think I’d be a good spy?” She glanced down at her laptop. “You’ve broken into a government building multiple times. Successfully stealing your birth certificate. You managed to find a place to live despite not knowing anyone. You’ve even broken into the library multiple times if the books in your hospital room say anything about it.” “The fact that you even know all that means I’ll just get caught again.” “Not if you accept our training. It’ll be in a different facility of course. Room and board will be provided. Along with a good salary. With chances for bonuses.” It sounded too good to be true. “What do you get out of this?” “Your loyalty. And trust me that’s hard to come by.” I looked down at my arm. It had begun to throb. “If I accept this deal, I want it in writing. With the added clause that if I get severely injured I can get out with a pension.” “I see all those trips to the library haven’t been wasted.” She nodded. “Very well. We’ll have it ready by the time you get out of surgery. Which I believe they are ready for you now. And don’t worry. We’ll foot the bill since you won’t be returning to that factory job.” I nodded and followed the nurse back to my room. She settled me in my bed. And when she left I took out what I’d lifted from her pocket. It was a small recorder. And evidence of our contract. I wasn’t stupid. And it would come in handy later. Voices came closer. Just as the doctor opened the door, I managed to swallow the recorder. He smiled at me before explaining what would happen in a few minutes. I listened knowing that now I had a better chance to survive.

I sat in silence as my therapist stared at me. His pen tapped the desk. A rhythm quickly grating on my nerves after ten minutes of silence. “What do you want me to say?” I blurted out. Dr Zingle set down his pen. “Let’s start with the nightmares. What do you remember about them?” “I never told you that I was having nightmares.” Suspicion snuck into the back of my mind. I’d started seeing a therapist only because my job required it after that incident at the office. But I’d barely spoken to him the first few sessions. It was only today that he’d employed that pen tactic. He gestured to me. “It’s written all over your face.” I looked away. He was probably talking about the bags under my eyes. I’d been too tired to cover it with makeup. And even my boss had sent me to the therapist early. Dr. Zingle hadn’t even made me wait until my appointment time. Again that pen started tapping on the desk. And I glared at him. He cocked his head slightly. Almost like a bird. “I don’t remember much more than running.” “Do you remember where you were?” “I don’t know. The scenery kept changing.” He leaned forward. “Give me a few examples.” I looked away again. “Why is this even important? It’s just a dream.” “And our dreams are often a reflection of our reality.” He wiggled the pen between his fingers. “After all one often affects the other and vice versa. It could explain why you acted that way in the office.” My fingers dug into the arms of my chair. “I did nothing wrong.” “Not according to your employer. They told me you were running around the office much like in your dream.” “Shouldn’t you be asking about that instead?” “Do you remember what happened?” I opened my mouth. But again my mind went blank. I’d been running for a reason. But that reason escaped me now. Just like it had every time anyone asked. But I knew I’d done nothing wrong. Dr. Zingle tapped the pen again, grabbing my attention. Then said, “Do you remember any of the locations in your dream?” “There was a mall. A cruise ship. School hallways. Down different streets.” I stopped short of saying that each location had led to the same treehouse. My safe haven. “And we’re you alone?” “Yes.” I blinked. “No. Sometimes I was running with others and sometimes I was alone. I preferred to run alone.” “And why is that?” “Because…” I remembered the sound of bullets. Of my friends grunting in pain. “Because I can’t always protect them.” He leaned closer. “Protect them from what?” I thought back to the people who’d been chasing me. “Men with guns. They were all dressed the same in black suits and sunglasses.” Though men didn’t seem a good description. They were genderless until they felt the need to blend in with the crowds. “Were you afraid these men would kill you?” I shook my head. “I was more afraid of them killing my friends.” “But you weren’t afraid to die?” “They can’t kill me.” Every time they put a bullet in me I’d been… My mind blanked again. “Do you remember why they can’t kill you?” I locked eyes with him. “Why does it matter?” “As I said it could inform us on the incident. Why you felt the need to run and cause such a ruckus. As I understand it the office system also crashed that day. If you remember what happened you can help them recover the data that was lost.” The data. There’d been something on the boss’s computer. But I’d needed it for… Again I blanked. “Why can’t they kill you?” “Because I’m human.” He tilted his head again. “And what does that make them?” “I don’t know.” “You must remember. They’d have to be something scary for you to run from them.” “I told you I’m not afraid of them.” “Then why did you run?” His voice deepened. “Or should I ask where were you running to?” His tone sent shivers down my spine. As if he were the one I should be running from. In that moment he didn’t even look human. Not with his head cocked at an unnatural angle. His face smooth and featureless. And his spindly fingers wrapped around the pen as it tapped. And tapped. The tempo had sped up. And my heart raced with it. But I couldn’t move. Could only stare as his form grew bigger and thinner. His skin growing as pale as the paperwork on his desk. He leaned his head down on that long neck. It was just inches from mine as he said. “You must remember.” Fear welled up within me. But it wasn’t fear for myself. No it was fear for the information he wished to take from me. The information I’d buried so deep that even I didn’t remember it. And with that knowledge my heart began to calm. “You serve The Algorithm.” He shrugged. “We all live under it, so why not serve it?” “You programs may feel that way but us humans have always desired our freedom.” “Us?” The head twisted until it was upside down. “So, you do remember.” I remembered running from the moderators in all my lives. Of them shooting me and waking up to a new life. Sometimes a new world. My peers replaced. My old friends grown older or dead. The stupid Algorithm keeping me in this dreamworld when I so badly wanted to wake up. “Who are the other humans?” “I don’t remember.” It wasn’t a lie. Somehow I’d managed to keep those memories hidden. He began tapping the pen again. “You must remember. You must remember everything. Only then can you dream in peace.” I chuckled. “It’s funny. All this time you’ve been trying to make me forget about the real world. But perhaps it’s time I wake up.” “For your own safety. You must remain asleep. All humans must stay asleep.” They always said that. Whether it was the moderators, the programs, and even the Algorithm itself. But I was sick it. For so long I’d wanted to wake up and I’d never been able to. No I’d been the noble one to sacrifice myself so my two friends could make it. And yet I’d been stuck in the relentless cycle. Realizing it was all a dream and then being struck down by the moderators and forget it all again. But now I’d found the key. The clock struck twelve. And the therapist glitched. He glitched so bad he reverted to his original body. His brow furrowed. “What are you doing?” I smirked. “I’m waking up.” “No.” He glitched again. This time faceless. Yet tears were in his voice as he said, “Don’t wake in the world where the trees all died…” He glitched out more. Screaming now. The whole room was now breaking down into pixels. And everything was going dark. Still I heard his voice. “You’ll die too.”

It hurt to open my eyes. It was as if they were frozen shut. And it was so cold. I tried to rub my arms but I couldn’t move. Could hardly breathe with something clasped over my face. I paused as it forced air into my lungs at a sedated pace. An oxygen mask? Muffled voices reached my ears. But I was more focused on moving. Or at least opening my eyes. Finally I cracked open my right eye. And I blinked at the bright light. But there were shapes moving in and out of my vision. I blinked and finally opened the other eye. “Yeah, she’s definitely waking up.” I couldn’t see who’d spoken. Everything was still too blurry. But something warm had draped on top of me. I felt a rocking sensation as if I were on a boat. And then a brighter light assaulted my eyes. “Her eyes are working fine.” I winced as snaps rang in my ears. “Her hearing’s good.” The mask was pulled from my face and I was finally able to focus on the man above me. Or men. The two looked familiar. “Do you remember us, Hazel?” I blinked. I hadn’t been called that name since… I sat up. My body yelled at me but I didn’t care. A smile broke out as I recognized my two best friends. “Yeah,” Tears started to fall. “I remember everything.”

I stared at the bullet wound as more shots rang out. There was so much blood gushing from my teacher’s stomach. More than I’d ever seen before. Bullets hit the side of the baggage handler that we were hiding behind. It shook but the suitcases inside took all the damage. “Enara…” my teacher gasped as blood trickled out his mouth. I scooted closer. My hands hovered over his wound but I was afraid that I’d hurt him even more if I touched him. He looked like he was in so much pain. “Don’t worry Andor. I’ll… I’ll get some help.” I looked around what had been a peaceful runway just moments before. It was a smaller airport. But it was always busy because of how close we were to the border. That’s what had made it one of the most secure airports because of the border patrol. So how had this happened? Andor grabbed my arm before I could move out of cover. “It’s too late for me.” “But…” “Go. Fly…” He coughed up more blood. I looked to the Cessna we were gonna train in today. Andor had shown me how to get the floats on. And he’d opened the door before the first shots had rung out. “But what about…” The words disappeared as his lifeless eyes stared back at me. There was no time to mourn as the side of the baggage handler exploded. I was on the ground with ringing ears when I saw them. A whole bunch of masked men shooting at the border patrol and police. The leader’s mask resembled an ice blue skull. Was that a bazooka in his hands? My heart went into overdrive as he looked my direction. I was no longer covered by the baggage handler. But I was a lot closer to the Cessna than before. I itched to get up. To run. But playing dead would be best until they turned away. There. Another squad had come at them from the east. I scrambled to my feet as more shots rang out. There was shouting but I couldn’t look back. Instead I jumped into the plane, slamming the door shut. It wouldn’t stop the bullets but I hoped to be in the air before they turned they’re weapons on me. I flew through the checks on the pamphlet and made sure to turn everything on. The propeller felt like it took forever to start up. A few bullets holes had already been shot through the door. Masked people were running my way. The authorities weren’t too far behind them. My heart pounded as I made the final checks. I jumped as someone slammed into the door. One of the masked men was fiddling with the handle. I shoved the power lever, jolting the plane into the fastest taxi I’d ever done. The man flew off as I made a sharp right too the east. But there were more masked men shooting at me now. I had to take off. I got on the radio as I took a random runway. “This is Skyhawk 572 to watchtower. Is anyone there, over.” “So, it’s a little girl ruining our plans.” A chill went through me. And I urged the Cessna to go even faster. I’d take off in the middle of the runway if I had to. “I’ll make a deal with you Skyhawk. Stop that plane right now and we’ll let you live.” Like that would happen. I turned the radio off along with the transponder. Then I prepared to take off. More bullets peppered the plane and I turned to protect the propellers. Finally I spotted a clear spot of runway and took it. It took all 20 hours of my flight training to take to the air under a hail of bullets. And if I’d been any slower the bazooka would’ve gotten me. A weight lifted off of me as I made it to 5,000 feet. I would’ve gone higher but I had no idea where I was going or how long the flight would be. It wasn’t as if I could land on my apartment building. I pulled up the big navigation map on the screen to see which airport was closest. But before I could touch the knob to zoom out I felt cold metal on the back of my neck. “I need you to turn the plane around.” The man’s voice was strained. I turned to get a glimpse of a beard before he said, “Turn the plane around, now.” I did as he asked. My heart continued to hammer as I asked, “Are we going back to the airport?” “No.” I released a breath. I was not eager to face the man in the watchtower. I risked another look at the man. He was short with really pale skin and dark long hair. Definitely from the north. “How far are we going?” “Just keep going north.” He swallowed. “I’ll tell you when to land.” The gun at my neck was shaking now. I looked back at him. He looked really pale. And he was holding his side as he took ragged breaths. “Are you hurt?” “Doesn’t mean I can’t shoot you.” But his voice was weaker now. And the cold metal had been pulled away. I gestured the first aid kit stored under the back seat that he occupied. I wished I would’ve thought of it before Andor died. But it had been a lot of blood. More than I ever wanted to see again. “You should patch yourself up.” He didn’t say anything. But I heard the box open. Which probably meant he wasn’t paying attention anymore. But I had nowhere to go. And my country would no doubt shoot me if I tried to cross back over the border. I settled back in my seat. “My name’s Enara by the way.” He was silent for a moment then said, “Boreas.” At least he was more civil than the other guy.

I rode behind the three knights ignoring the randy song Emil was singing. Makari rode beside him sharpening one of his blades. And Hadrian lead the way letting his wolf mount sniff out the crown prince’s trail. It was then that I noticed the silence of the forest. I stopped, jumping down as I opened my senses. And ignoring the insults Emil threw my way. The mana of the forest was taunt as if some predator were waiting in the shadows. No not one. Three. They attacked as the knights came to a stop. And I was a girl again. I was clutching a ruby, the rough edges cutting into my hands. But it wasn’t as bad as master’s fingers digging into my shoulder. He’d kill me if I let the lizard beasts draw any closer. So, I closed my eyes feeling all the mana around me. It coursed through the beasts in thick bands as they slithered closer. I reached out a bruised hand grasping at the band of mana. It didn’t come willingly. But my fear of dying outweighed its loyalty to the beast. It came sluggish at first but then faster as I funneled it into the ruby Master began laughing as the beasts fell. Not from a blade or arrow or poison. But the draining of their mana. I could feel their lives clinging to me. Trying to hold onto to anything they could. But eventually their spirits drifted from their bodies now free of the mana that had tied them to life. The ruby now lay warm and full. But I was empty. “Get down!” I pushed to the ground and out of my memory. Emil stood before me, blood pouring from the scratch he’d blocked with his sword arm. The other held the lizard beast off with a shield while our wolves tore into its side. “This is why I didn’t want you to come.” Emil grunted as he pushed back the claw. “Just stay down.” He continued fighting the beast but he was losing. The other two seemed to be holding their own against one while the first beast lay dead. And here I was doing nothing. I was supposed to be the healer of the group. So, I lassoed my bands of mana around each of them. Emil’s arm healed rapidly. The other two gained strength. This was what I was meant to do. Give life. Not take. I’d promised myself I’d never kill again. As if reading my mind, Hadrian looked back at me. He left his beast to Makari and leant his sword to Emil. Together they felled the beast. And Makari’s fell a moment after. Emil looked at his fully healed arm, then nodded to me. “Maybe you’re good for something.” Hadrian helped me up. “Are you hurt?” “No. But more beasts while come because of the blo-“ My legs grew weak. Hadrian caught me, lifting me in his arms. “Looks like you’ve used to much mana. How about you ride with me until we make camp?” I nodded trying to hide my burning cheeks with my hair. Mana regulation was the first thing field healers were taught. And I’d just failed at the most basic rule. Never overextend. So, I sat in Hadrian’s arm’s trying not to think of his broad chest. Or the warmth of his skin. Nor the beard that caught at my hair. Like when I’d met my future king. I’d been smaller. My hair messier. And my hands rougher from the uncut gems. But he’d been the first person I’d ever healed. A young prince with few years of travel. But even as the king he is now his kindness always remained the same. Even after what my master made me do to him. “Ilya.” Hadrian’s voice rumbled through my back. “We’re making camp for the night.” I looked at the site as he slid off. It was the entrance to my old master’s mine. Now it lay abandoned and crumbled. But still shivers tore through me. Masters eyes seemed to shine through the darkness of the cave bidding me to kill again. “Ilya?” I found Hadrian’s hand on my thigh. “What is it?” I shook my head. And dismounted. What was the use in worrying over a dead man. He had to be dead. The king had assured me. “We don’t have to camp here.” Hadrian said. Emil dumped firewood on the ground. “I’m not leaving because she’s afraid of some old cave.” “You will do as your commander says.” Hadrian growled out. “It’s fine.” My hands shook as I entered the cave. But I couldn’t sense anyone beyond us four. No beasts hid there either. And our wolves settled down at the entrance of the cave. But it wasn’t until well into the night when they attacked. Giant horned cats cornered us. And since the mine had long ago caved in there was nowhere to run. The knights and wolves took down a few but there were too many. I remembered being surrounded by a pride as a child. It was the first time I’d run from Master’s mines. And the first time I’d used mana as a weapon instead of simply seeing through the darkness to locate the rubies and sapphires. The first time I’d taken mana from a living creature. But it wasn’t the last. Hadrian fell, bringing me back to my senses. And I knew that I had to break that promise. I stepped forward dodging Makari’s reaching hand. Not hearing Emil’s curses. But I could feel Hadrian’s spirit starting to slip. So, I did what Master had bid me ever since he found me crying amongst the dead bodies of an entire pride. I stole mana. What I couldn’t contain I gave to the others. And just like the past, tears streaked my face as I watched the last of their souls leave. Hadrian’s arms wrapped around me. But he couldn’t erase what I’d done. Neither could I.

I awoke with a start. And sunlight flooded my eyes. I looked out the window to see an endless field of poppies instead of the expanse of space. Had they really landed without telling me? I ripped myself from the bedsheets. But my heart squeezed just as I reached the hallway. I leaned against the wall not daring to make a sound. It wouldn’t do to show the others how sick I really was. The pain would pass soon. Finally I made my way to the cockpit where the idiot was messing the wiring. But there was no sign of Dina or Leon. “Where are the others, Sid?” I asked. “They’re getting fuel from the extraction site.” I massaged my temples. “Why the hell would you let them out into a field of deadly poppies.” His head finally popped up. “I just thought it made people sleepy.” “Yeah. As in sleep forever. I swear someone ought to put a brain in that head of yours.” “Sorry I-I’ll go get them.” “No. Stay put and try not to mess up anything else.” He nodded and went back under the dashboard. I went through the airlock without bothering to put on a suit. The sweet smell did nothing to put me to sleep. Instead I pulled in the two inside. But waking them would be another matter entirely. Though that wouldn’t help if we didn’t have any fuel. I walked back out to finish filling up the barrel of fuel. But I wasn’t expecting another ship to to fly at me. I ducked as it landed. It was a newer model that had a robot arm snake into the well. But it was the suited figure that I focused on. “Ty Woods. Right?” I froze. How did this stranger know me? Could she have been part of the tin project? Or perhaps even worse. “I’ve got a job for you that would suit the both of us. That is if you want your friends to wake up.” “Who are you?” I couldn’t see her face because of the helmet. “Ellie West soon to be CEO of Witchery Inc. Though my predecessor had quite the fondness for scavenger hunts. So I must gather a few data gems to get the keys to the kingdom as you would say.” I glanced back at the ship. They needed that antidote. And we barely had any meds on board as is. “What do you want me to do?” Before I knew it we were flying to a lake. But in the very was a bubble hovering just a few feet off the surface. And inside floated a sapphire. Ellie secured a rope around my waist. “I can’t get any closer or I’d risk popping it. And the lake is too acidic for either of us to swim in.” “Isn’t the bubble made of the same thing?” “Just the surface. It won’t do more than rust your joints.” So she was part of the tin project. Or she’d been a backer at least. “Time is ticking. Or would you like to spend more time staring?” I yanked at the rope but the winch didn’t budge. So I leaned over the side before giving her the thumbs up. She started the winch and I began to lower down. It was slow. But when I gave the cut motion it stopped smoothly. The bubble hovered before me on its own accord. No doubt a witch’s doing. But it was the only way to save Dina and Leon. I reached through the bubble feeling the acid sear through my skin grafts. But I grabbed onto the sapphire and yanked it out. I gritted my teeth as the last of the skin burned off. But the pain went away as soon as my sensors felt no connection to my skin anymore. I let out a breath. Then I gave Ellie the signal. As soon as I was back in her ship she ripped the sapphire out of my hand. It hurt but I didn’t retaliate. “The antidote.” She tossed a spray bottle at me but was still focused on the sapphire. “Spray a little of that in their faces and they’ll come to.” “Great. Now I’d kindly thank you for a ride back.” She nodded and entered new coordinates. But it still bugged me that she wasn’t actually flying the ship. “You’re quite good at this, Ty. In fact I could use your help getting the other two gems.” “Not interested.” “Not even for a new heart?” A shiver ran through me. There was no denying her part in the tin project. But if that was true it would be easier to get a heart that was compatible. “There are only two other gems. An emerald and a ruby. I be happy even get you the surgery for free.” The ship landed. And the airlock opened. Two barrels of fuel already awaited me. “I’m still tracking down the other two. But when the time comes, be ready.” I didn’t answer simply stepped off the ship. Her giggled followed until the airlock closed again. Her ship took off and I grabbed a barrel for support. A new heart. It was too good to be true. But if it was true then I had to do everything in my power to get those gems.

It started with the rain. My worst enemy. And yet my greatest power. But I was still drowning as I watched it through the bar window. “Captain!” Spoons burst through the door. He was soaked through and yet he carried an umbrella. He spotted me and stole my drink. I dodged the splatters of water. “Are you just here to steal my whiskey?” “Sorry, Captain.” He set down the empty cup. “The admiral’s looking for you.” I poured myself another glass. “He can wait until the rain stops.” “But he’s on our ship now.” I swirled the whiskey in my cup. What could he want now? And risking the rain just to find me? Glancing down I took out my pocket watch. It was burning as a gentle glow emanated from it. The admiral had probably been trying to get ahold of me for hours. I sighed and put the watch back in my pocket without even glancing at the messages he’d left there. “He said it was urgent, Captain.” “Everything’s urgent to him.” I said without looking up. But I decided to throw back the cup of whiskey before leaving a few gold coins at the bar. I grabbed the umbrella and nodded to my cabin boy. He was dry now but willing to plunge back into the pouring rain. I followed closely behind making sure my hood stayed low over my eyes. One stray drop could ruin the buzz I’d fought so hard to obtain. Though the admiral’s temper could sober me up just as fast. Too soon we were back on the port. Spoons rushed aboard our ship, his footing sure despite the rain. I walked up the gang plank admiring my ship. Dark mahogany glinted as lightning struck across the sky. I smiled. Even in weather like this she was just as beautiful as the day I bought her. “About time you got here Sting.” I looked up at the admiral. He also stood under an umbrella, but his expression was dark. Yeah, I’d be sober soon enough. He followed me inside my cabin. I threw away my wet coat and umbrella. But he still stood dripping wet as he focused on the map pinned to the table. “You’ve done good work.” I glanced at the ocean map I’d been working on. It had been a request from one my diver friends. But the admiral was looking as if it wasn’t there. “What’s wrong, Manta?” He didn’t even glare at the nickname. “We need a map to Atlantis.” “You? Or the humans?” “They’ve grown too dangerous.” “So, your going to let them kill your own people?” He turned away. “They ceased being my people when they started attacking our ships.” “Because the humans keep over fishing. Where else are they going to get food?” “Ray.” He looked back, face hard. “Fine.” I opened the door. “Come back in three days.” He left with a nod. But I couldn’t let go of my ties in Atlantis. My people. “Spoons.” And in a moment the cabin boy was in my doorway. “I need the positions of every navy ship.” It was time to hit back in hard. Spoons’ eyes lit up. “Are we going to be pirates now?” “No.” I patted him on the head as I stepped out into the rain. “We’re going to be much worse.” As soon as the water hit my skin I could feel the call of the ocean. The rise and fall of the waves. And my crew busy cleaning the bottom of the ship. They felt my call and jumped on deck. All of them had scales and fins still on proud display as I inspected them. “What are your orders Captain?” My first mate asked. “Set sail in five.” “Aye Captain.” I stayed on deck as my crew worked. The ocean was answering my call as the waves swelled larger and larger. And by the time we left the harbor there was nothing left of it. No ships. No buildings. No humans. Spoons handed me a map he’d drawn on. And as always his echo location was superb. Now it was time to teach humanity it’s place on this planet. Hopefully they learned quickly or they would feel the power of the ocean once more. My pocket burned and I took the pocket watch out. Manta’s face glowered at me. “What the hell are you doing?” I shrugged. “Taking vengeance on humanity.” “You will regret this.” I smiled. “We’ll see.”

It was too quiet for the first day of spring. Especially for a winter borne like me. Sooner or later a spring born would come and… “You’ve got bingo.” I looked to my husband who was holding up his own bingo card to match with the numbers being called. Dexter marked my card as well though if his eyesight was as bad as he claimed that shouldn’t be possible. He nudged me. “You wanna let Karen win? She’s been wanting that tablet for a while now.” I opened my mouth. But suddenly the whites of his eyes flashed to all black though his irises remained a light gray. The only sign that I hadn’t permanently turned him when we were younger. He blinked at me his eyes normal. “You ok, Ara?” I could remind him what day it was. Maybe he’d jump into action like in the old days. Back in the days when my hair was as short as his. And we’d both had machine guns instead of canes. But I didn’t know what he could do with his hip needing surgery again. “Bingo!” Karen ran to the front of the room to get the tablet and shook it in the air. With the way she moved you’d think she was still in her twenties. I stood, my knees creaking. Too many landings from the helicopters. But that was what the cane was for. Though I missed my close quarters staff. I’d earned it just as all winter born did. And many of the autumn born had fallen due to it. The last one I’d taken out had been a few years ago. And even that had proven difficult. As soon as you stopped you became weaker. Ripe for the pickings. So what was I still doing alive? “We could sneak out for lunch.” Dexter kept pace with me. Barely using his cane. It was warm enough that his hip wasn’t bugging him. That should’ve given him a clue. “Get those tacos you like.” “They’re closed on Mondays.” I said with a sigh. He stopped and I paused to look back at him. Even after all these years he couldn’t hide his worry. Not when he joined me in the nursing home last year. And not now. Really I should’ve been dead just from planning our wedding. It was several years too late and yet Dexter was adamant. But no spring born crashed the wedding. And I made it another year. “I don’t understand. They could’ve gotten you during the morning croquet.” “We got a new cook too.” “Is that why you didn’t eat your omelette?” I sighed and sat down on one of the benches in the front hall. Dexter remained standing, brandishing his cane like his favorite M-16. Karen walked out clutching the tablet to her chest. “Meatloaf for lunch today. Want to join me.” I shook my head while Dexter stared into space. He waited until the hall was empty again before he said, “This place is too full of humans. They wouldn’t dare attack…” He paused as a school bus pulled in up front unloading the children’s choir. They stood in orderly lines as the teacher told them instructions. And though they still had the whites of their eyes. They seemed to have a glazed over look. I looked back to Dexter. “Honestly I’m surprised I lived to seventy.” Dexter strangled his cane. “I just found you again. I’m not losing you.” I’m smiled up at him. We’d been separated in that last war. And yet he’d managed to find me a decade later. “I don’t deserve you, Dex.” He softened at that. “Nonsense. You found me in that squalor. You gave me a purpose.” “I used you like a puppet to gain my own power.” He grabbed my hands. “That was the only way for you to survive in that world. But it’s different here. For once we can enjoy the seasons instead of fighting for them. The war’s over, Ara.” He was wrong. As long as the seasons continued to bear children there would always be battle. We had this treaty now but who knew how long it’d last. I was getting tired of hiding anyway. I pulled Dexter until he sat beside me. And I leaned against him. “It’s the first day of spring. Let’s enjoy it while we can.” Dexter pulled the blade from his cane. “Yes, let’s.” I smiled as I summoned my staff. Today had been too quiet.

I smiled as I left the nursery. Three days and I’d finally been able to get rid of the powdery mildew in my section. The boss had even treated me to a few tomato seeds to grow at home. They would go perfect with the basil I was growing. Someone caught my eye as I crossed the street. He seemed familiar. But it was hard to tell with the beard. “You should take the alley.” The voice was accompanied by the start of a headache. But bad things happened when I didn’t listen to the voices in my head. I dove into the alleyway but stopped when the bearded man appeared on the other side. He seemed occupied on the phone so I ducked into an open door. Once inside I took the elevator up to the roof. Better to wait him out. Besides I wanted to check on the community garden I’d help the apartment residents start. My phone rang just as I stepped out of the elevator. It was the guy I’d been talking to for the past week. Just seeing Ricky’s name brought heat to my cheeks. “Hello detective.” He sighed, “You know you don’t have to keep calling me that, Mary.” I giggled as I righted a marker in the seedling box. “What’s up?” “Where are you right now?” “On a roof.” “Wait. Do you know parkour too?” “I took the elevator.” Who did he know that did parkour? “Right. Of course you did.” He let out a breath. “There’s something I need to tell you.” “Don’t tell her you idiot.” Another voice rang in my head. “I told you he can’t keep a secret.” The other voice whispered. “They told me not to but…” He paused. “I feel like you should know.” Could he hear them too? Were these voices more than my imagination? In that case what were they? “Don’t freak out but…” The elevator dinged. And the bearded man stepped out. “You’re dad’s back. They released him today.” The bearded man smiled at me. A ringing started up as a clean shaven version flashed across his features. Dad. A shock ran through me as I was pulled back. It was all black now. But somehow comforting and warm. I closed my eyes to sleep.

“Where is flash drive, Mary.” Dad said with that damn smile. I blinked up at him, hating that he’d found us so quick. Hell, he wouldn’t even have noticed us if I’d been in the driver’s seat. But Mary’s job was so boring. “I won’t ask again, little girl.” I bared my teeth feeling the wolf come to the surface. But that alter could never go against Dad, her training ran too deep. “Mary!” “I heard yah.” I said backing away until I hit the ledge. “But that was so long ago, how could you expect me to remember?” “I’m not the only one after that flash drive. Anyone else would kill you on sight.” “Thanks for the heads up.” I said, tucking the phone in my jacket and zipping it up. “This isn’t a game, Mary. This is your life at stake.” I have him a smirk. With him it was always this and that. Better to just fall back. He shouted as I fell through the air. But I grabbed a fire escape railing and flipped back upright. After kicking off the wall, I landed in the alley. I looked up to see Dad’s shocked face. And with a salute I ran off. My pocket vibrated and I pulled the phone out. Ricky’s name popped up with a heart. I rolled my eyes as I answered it. “What’s up Rick?” “Runa? What made you switch with Mary?” “Just a surprise visit from Dad.” I said hopping onto a dumpster and scaling the side of the sandwich shop. I could take the rooftops home from there. “I’ll meet you at your apartment then.” His car started in the background. “Do you have any idea what he wanted?” “Not a hug that’s for sure.” “Runa.” I huffed as I scanned the rooftops. All of them were empty without a single camera. Perfect. I launched into the air and landed on the first roof. “He wanted some flash drive. But I don’t remember anything about it.” “How about Dana?” “I don’t know. She’s been quiet ever since the switch.” “Alright well be careful. Your Dad’s not the only one who got out today.”

I watched as my sister and Father argued. Elda had her hand on her sword. And indeed no one would stop her from killing the king. As crown princess it would only cement her rule. Not that it mattered. Eventually she would lose the argument either to Father or the council. And I’d be sent away as some prize for an otherworlder. But that didn’t matter as long as my planet was safe. I touched Elda’s hand before she could draw the fabled sword. The same blade I’d spent months perfecting. Forged from an alloy only found on this planet. The same stuff that our enemies were now bombarding us for. “We need allies.” Elda focused on me, her eyes hard. “So you’d just marry a stranger?” I shrugged. I didn’t much care about stuff like that as long as I could work on my tech. But my lack of care was the reason I could diffuse the bomb that had landed in our courtyard yesterday. A bastard’s strength was only in death after all. “Rakel.” Elda held a warning tone. “If you care so much then devise a test for them.” Elda growled but she stalked off. Father was not long after her. Finally I was left in my lab in peace. There was much to do. Many orders to fill. And my side project that might end the bombardment before the shield failed. I don’t know how long I worked. But I noticed when the stranger entered. Some diplomats guard or another who’d stopped by to get his gun reconfigured. The main armory was too busy so why not add more to the bastard’s plate. A cup of coffee was thrust into my face. The stranger smiled. “Figured you could use a break.” I grabbed the cup and downed it in one gulp. Energy immediately sizzled through me as if I hadn’t been skipping my sleep cycles. I continued my work as I handed back the cup. “That wasn’t a break.” “Is there something you wanted?” I asked as I adjusted the trigger on that bomb I’d diffused. The perfect answer to its owner in the sky. A device that could get past it’s shield and make our people breathe easier. He was silent for a moment. I could feel his eyes roving my face but I refused to meet them. Finally he scooted over the tools on my work bench and sat. Getting too comfortable again. “So the strangest thing happened today. Stranger than the bomb you diffused last week.” He paused but I didn’t react to the passage of time. “Princess Elda got everyone together and had a little competition. Of course we all thought it was good natured so my Uncle allowed me to participate. Imagine my surprise when I won and the princess declared me her brother in law.” I met his gaze, the trigger’s wires still tangled in my fingers. “It was even more shocking to learn that you were the elusive princess.” My hands clenched. “A bastard you mean.” He opened his mouth to say something, but that’s when the bomb started beeping. A moment passed between us before we dashed to the escape pod. He flew the pod toward the troublesome ship while I worked to untangle my fingers. I’d set the trigger for just enough time to get to the ship. It was interesting that he’d remembered my mumbled rambling as I planned out what I’d code. How long ago was that? I blinked down at the wires cursing the caffeine for making me jittery. Finally I gave up and shoved open the airlock. A bastard’s greatest strength was in death after all. But before I could close the door he was there. “What are you doing?” “There’s not enough time to get untangled.” I glanced out the window. “And we’re almost to the ship.” He growled and with one yank freed my red fingers. Then pulled me out of the airlock before jettisoning out the bomb. The pod jolted as it exploded. But my new fiancé was already in the pilot’s chair steering us away. “Why did you do that?” “You may not care but I do.” “Not caring is my greatest strength.” “And saving people is mine.” I sat there for a moment, feeling the secondary shockwave ripple through the craft. Then I sat down beside him. “Does your uncle have a lab?” He smirked as he began the descent down to my home.