Shards

chapter 21

Chapter 21:

“Huh?”

“He's a little blond kid. He was from the Compound too. He went under the name of Naithen, when I was Nelly... right?”

I waited for validation.

Ian nodded. “Yeah. I didn't know you remembered this much.”

“Yeah, well...”

The truth was, the amount I still didn't know, constantly threatened to swallow me up. Why had I been Nelly? Who the hell was she? How was it that I had became her? Just the idea hurt my head. What was the Procedure? The initiation room? The Compound? How had my mother died? It was all too much... almost.

“Oh yeah.” Audrey snapped her fingers. “That scrawny genius kid. He was really a rarity. Kids as weak as him are usually killed off at the beginning. Honestly, I don't blame the Compound for keeping him around. He's almost too smart for his own good.”

I smiled, remembering my fondness for the boy. “I don't remember how... But I know that he helped me get back my memories, the first time. Maybe he can do it again.”

Ian's eyes lit up. “That's genius! Jaylee, that's perfect!”

“Did I tell you what he did?”

He bit his lip. “No... you couldn't quite remember, it might have had something to do with the exertion. But we can find him! Especially with the police on our side. That kid will bring you back... All the parts of you.”

The hope flooded my chest, and I sprang to my feet.

“But first, we need to get this thing off!” I knocked my fist against the white plaster.

“I wouldn't get my hopes up,” Audrey said. “I think you're still a few weeks short.”

“Whatever,” I dismissed her, refusing to let go of my good mood. “We can at least ask them.”

Walking with the crutches was really starting to get on my nerves, but I didn't let it stop me from making my way to the door. It appeared that my friends were preparing to follow me, but I held up a hand.

“Can I do this by myself? They get all defensive and questioning when we're all together. I think they find us threatening.” I flashed them my most winning grin.

Audrey and Julian flopped, grudgingly, back into their spots, but Ian continued to follow me out into the hall. I examined his face, trying to see what he was thinking, probably the exact same thing I was. Two people was okay, as long as we didn't drag along the whole gang.

We headed down the hall, towards the bullpen, when I noticed it. Ian had already passed, looking into the large room in front of us. I grabbed his shoulder, pulling him to a stop, then to the wall. Knowing that he'd follow my lead, I craned my head around the door, peering into the dim room. It appeared to be the office of someone quite technologically inclined. Countless monitors flickered, lighting up the gloom. James sat, his head in his hands. That's not what worried me. Leon, Dosle, and Erica stood in a tight circle, staring at one of the screens. Their backs blocked it from view but Ian's hand-squeezing my shoulder-made me realize how unnerving the whole scene was.

“What's going on?” Dosle's voice was angry. “What are you guys going on about?”

“Rys was running a search.” Erica's voice was flat and emotionless. “I don't know how we missed it before, but Jane—or whoever's—face popped up in facial rec.”

I shot Ian a panicked look.

“Well...” The boss waited, expectantly. “Which name was it?”