The Forgotten

A Lot More Truth Than Dare

When Mr. Bristill, Mrs. Bristill, Cardinal, and I get home, everyone is fussing over Cardinal.

Oh you poor dear!

We must bathe you at once.

The things he must have done to you!

All the while Cardinal just sits in a chair, staring at the wall. I wonder if she knows who helped York. I don't intend to ask. I don't want to upset her. I'll have to find out from another source. Preferably York.

"Raven?" Cardinal asks. I look at her. She is watching me carefully.

"Yes..." I say tentatively.

"Who is Eris?" I freeze. Well, I was already just standing there, but I tensed up.

"What?" I ask, hoping, praying I misheard.

She repeats, "Who is Eris?"

"Why?" I counter. I glance at Mr. and Mrs. Bristill. They seem equally is not more nervous than I.

Cardinal explains, "York and the people with him-I couldn't see them because I was blindfolded-were going to kill me. Then someone rushed in, a guy. He said that I shouldn't be killed because it would turn her against them. One person said Raven. Then the guy laughed and said that they didn't need to worry about Raven, but Eris.

"Who is Eris and how do you know her?"

I laugh uneasily.

"No one. I don't know anyone by that name," I lie.

"Yes, dear," Mrs. Bristill says encouragingly, "we've never met an Eris."

Cardinal looks skeptical.

"They said they had 'taken care' of Raven. What did they do to you?" She addresses me. "What did they do to you?" This question I answer easily.

"They tried to kidnap me," I admit, "York and Janessa. It was the same day you were kidnapped." She doesn't seem to buy that that's what the kidnappers were discussing.

"Look," I say. "I have some homework I need to finish. Can we have this discussion later?" I'm lying, of course. I finished my homework last night after school. There was nothing else to do, so why not?

Cardinal doesn't seem enthralled by the idea. She doesn't object though. Thus, I escape upstairs.

Over the past week, I've come to think of Raven's room as my own. It's still far to girly and frilly for my tastes, but it's become a safe place, a haven for me.

I'm barely on the bed when Cardinal pushes open the door.

"What are you doing up here?" I demand, trying not to sound defensive. I don't really have any reason to be, but I am. "You're supposed to be being treated." She scoffs.

"I told them I needed to use the bathroom."

"Oh wow, so original." She rolls her eyes.

"It doesn't matter," she says, sounding slightly irritated. "You have to tell me everything."

"No, I don't," I reply. She gives me a sad look.

"After what happened to me, I deserve to know why," she says. Her voice has cracked. "Please just let me know why!" I sigh.

"Only if Mr. and Mrs. Bristill say it's okay," I submit. Cardinal frowns.

"Don't you mean Mother and Father?" I fake a smile.

"Like I said, go ask them." Cardinal rushes off, presumably to get permission. I just wait for her return. I am extremely curious as to whether or not the Bristills will actually let me tell Cardinal the truth. Personally, I think she deserves the information, I doubt her parents will agree.

When Cardinal does get back, she's furious.

"Tell me," she orders. "Now!"

"I'll take that to mean they didn't agree." Cardinal huffs.

"They won't even listen to me!" She flops onto the bed. "You will though, Rave. I know we've had our problems, but after what I've been through..."

"Fine," I say. "I'll tell you, but you won't like it and odds are you won't believe it."

She had begun to look hopeful, but now she looks suspicious.

She asks, "Are you going to lie to me?" I consider saying yes, but that would be wrong. Not that I normally mind doing the wrong thing, but it feels worse when directing it at a child.

"No," I decide, "I won't lie, although you'll probably think so." She watches expectantly.

"I'm not Raven," I state. She doesn't seem to comprehend what I just told her.

"Well, of course you're Raven," she says. "Why on earth..."

"My name is Eris-6-11," I continue. "Your parents adopted my twin sister, the one you call Raven and I call slut, but not me. Raven died last week. They got me so as not to tip off the conspirators. I think someone is going about killing rich kids.. More specifically, ex-Forgotten."

She stares at me, mouth gaping.

"But...but...how?" she asks, dumbstruck.

"Your parents adopted me."

"No, I mean how do we stop it," she says. "If someone's trying to kill us all then we need to find them, fast." I smile in admiration.

Then I frown. "Wait, you said they didn't kill you because they feared my retaliation, right?" She nods. "So...why..."

Now she looks curious.

"If it's ex-Forgotten, like you, almost, then they might be trying to win you over. Or, they might think you're already one of them."

"No," I contradict. "They tried to kidnap me. Maybe they thought I was Raven, but they definitely know I'm not in the loop." Cardinal considers.

"Maybe..." she trails off.

"What?" I press. "If you thought of anything..." She interrupts.

"Were you close to anyone during your time...there?" I don't even have to think about it.

"Some guy who named himself after Robin Hood and Jane Eyre-Janessa Cromwell," I answer.

"Well then," she says tentatively, "maybe they still care about you."

I reply, "Care is not really existent in the Forgotten Compound."

"Maybe for you," Cardinal states, "but it might not be that way for everyone."

She sighs. "Thank you, for your honesty."

She gets off the bed and leaves the room. I stay where I am, wondering if she's right...wondering if maybe that boy wasn't just talking about a free future, but a future with me.

I laugh out loud.

That's a silly idea. If he cared about me, he would have found me. If he left, he would have come back for me, if he cared.

So, if he did escape, his feelings for me are quite clear...and nonexistent.