Ultraviolet

Chapter Five: Ignorance

Prince Hotel

Washington, D.C.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

With her package safely tucked under her arm, Isi hurried down the hall to her room. Everyone was in the conference room, working on their projects: Isi had told Mrs. Grayson that she would prefer to be alone and had come up to her room, deciding to take the opportunity to investigate the weapon.

The package wasn't large: about the size of a big shoebox, like the ones her boots came in. Maybe two feet by one foot. Whatever V had sent her, hopefully it was easily concealed.

Isi was so busy contemplating that she didn't notice the people just coming out of the room next to hers.

"Isi?" came Marta's voice. A moment later, she was there, leaning down to hug Isi. "I can't believe it! I've only seen you bits and pieces since yesterday."

"Yeah!" Isi said. Her voice came out a little squeaky, but Marta didn't appear to notice. She glanced at her friend's companion: Saffron, who had stood back to give them room. "Uh, sorry. I just... I need to be alone."

"I know," said Marta. "I felt the same all day today. This is the first time I'm coming to be with everyone." She gave Isi one more quick hug. "If you want to talk, though, come and see me. God knows there's too much stuff in my head." With one more wave, she headed for the elevator.

Saffron lingered.

"She was unconscious," said Saffron while Isi fumbled for her key card. "Sometimes I think that might have been a blessing."

Isi froze. "I've been trying to forget yesterday so far."

"Don't."

At that, Isi turned to look at her friend. Saffron was frowning and playing with the end of a lock of white-blonde hair. "Wh—"

"I mean," said Saffron, "because Emma and you and Tucker all seem to remember, but I can't, and it's driving me mental because I know I should. I think it'd be better to know remembering is off the table entirely."

"Remembering isn't all it's cracked up to be," Isi said. "And sometimes I wish we all were unconscious."

"Still," said Saffron. "Emma doesn't seem to want to talk. But she was never really the type to give away her feelings."

"No," Isi agreed, a small smile twisting her mouth. So Saffron didn't even remember. And Marta hadn't even seen. And Tucker was fine with it... she hadn't lost all her friends. And eventually, maybe Emma could be persuaded to forget. There had to be a spell out there...

The smile dropped off her face. She was really thinking about wiping her best friend's memory? "Listen," she said to Saffron, "You go ahead downstairs. It's just... been a long day. Sit next to me at the Kennedy Center tomorrow?"

"'Course," Saffron said. She waved and dropped the piece of hair she was fiddling with. "Don't lose your head too much, okay? I mean... I know you want to be alone, and that's okay, but... sometimes you should talk to people."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Saffron nodded and headed for the elevators where Marta was waiting, hopping from foot to foot. Isi heard her say, "You took forever..."