Secrets in The Ashes

Chapter 14

I look around, my mouth open. Ice coated the walls, spikes of it sticking out in odd places. 

"See what you just did Will? You made it grow." Isabel whispers, glancing around. The wall between my old memories and new starts to dissolve. It comes flooding back. My eyes widen as I realise what I've done. I shake my head, staring at a long icicle.

"No no no no no no..." I repeat. The boy with grey hair walks up to me. I remember his name is Bradie.

"What is it Will?" he asks, gripping my shoulder. I jerk away and stand. 

"No no no! Oh god! What have I done?" I choke, my voice breaking. The two of them look at me, confused. 'I just got my memories back.' I whisper and both of them grin. But Bradie's grin fades quickly. 

"What's wrong then?" he frowns. I remember helping build the Dell. My whole body starts to shake as I realise what I've done.

"They have the last peace. Nothing can stop them." I murmur, eyes darting around the room. 

"Will!" Isabel yells and slams me into the wall, sending waves of pain down my neck. "Talk!" she growls.

"They've done it. They're gonna build it." I exclaim but hurry to explain when Isabel pushes against my throat. "I helped them build the Dell! They're going to build it and now so many kids are going to die and it's all my fault!" I scream. Silence.

"You did what!" Isabel growls. Instead of being scared, I become angry.

"Well, I'm sorry that my memories were wiped and that I was tricked into thinking my closest friends, the one I love, killed my family! Sorry that didn't suit you!" I spit and duck under her hold. Bradie walks in between us and sticks his arms out between us.

"Ladies, ladies! Calm down! Issy, leave him be." Bradie says and pushes her away from me. Issy looks down and shuffles her feet before speaking.

"Sorry. I forgot what happened. But you gotta tell us what you know."

An hour later I am sat at a large, wooden circular table. Mateo, Cleo, Bradie, Issy and a sick looking Lauren sits around, looking at me. I just spilled everything that I did and everything the Shadow Men have planned. Lauren sits there with her eyes closed, breathing slowly. Her hollowed cheeks are bruised as well as the area around one eye. The room is alive with chatter between all of them, excluding Lauren and myself. Suddenly the door opens and a girl walks in, her hair golden in colour. Her skin is bright and glowing and takes her place next to Bradie, who hugs her and seems to update her about the conversation. Issy bangs on the table, making Lauren wince, and everyone else shuts up. Issy opens her mouth to speak, but I get in before she says a word.

"Sorry to interrupt, but who is she?" I ask, pointing a finger at the glowing girl. "I mean, I remember all of you, but not her." I shrug. Mateo sighs and Cleo whacks him on the arm. Lauren doesn't open her eyes but is the only one to speak, her voice croaky.

"Her name's Savannah, we call her Savvy. She's the Light Elemental. A Newbie, came a couple of days ago." Lauren croaks, wincing at the effort. Savvy smiles at me and waves. I smile back the best I can. I don't think it convinces her as she comes down and sits next to me. 

"Alright, let's get on with things. What are we going to do about the plans for the - is it the Dell? - for the Dell plans. Will, you said you saw the system?" Issy says, her voice loud. I nod and she continues, "Can you get into the system?" I shrug.

"I didn't get a great look at it, but if I had time I'm sure I could hack in and delete the plans or whatever." I say as I think about the system. Mateo laughs under his breath before looking at me.

"Who knew you were such a computer nerd, Frosty." he smirks and I glare at him.

"Who knew you were such a jerk." I sneer and he screws his face up in rage. Issy slams her fists down onto the table.

"Shut up! The both of you!" she screams.

"Traitor." Mateo mutters and I nearly jump up and punch his face, but Savvy grabs my hand and keeps me sitting with her iron grasp. Issy glares at Mateo before continuing. 

"Ok, we will send Will in, in hope that the Shadow Men will let him in and let him hack into it and delete their plans. We will be surrounding him and protecting him." Issy says, whilst everyone nods. Except for Mateo. Issy sees this. "Do you not agree, Mateo?"

"Well, I just don't see why you're even trusting this traitor. I mean, don't ya think it's weird how he suddenly remembers everything?" Mateo shrugs, glaring at me. Cleo frowns.

"He's our friend, Mateo. How can you doubt him now? When he's trying to help us?" she asks, grasping his hand in hers. He breaks his stare with me and looks lovingly at Cleo.

"I don't trust him, that's all." he whispers. I sigh and shake my head. Issy throws up her hands.

"We will do what we discussed. Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone walks out of the room, leaving me until last. I walk into the dimly lit hall and see Mateo leaning against of the walls. I try to walk past him but when I step in front of him, he grips my shoulders and throws me against the wall. I feel my head crack and something start to trickle down my neck. I glare at him, but let him talk.

"Listen, you better not be the good for nothing traitor I think you are. Or else I will break your neck." Mateo threatens. I grin and whirl around so I'm pinning Mateo against the wall. He struggles for a bit before giving up.

"I don't like to be threatened. And you need to stop being a jerk. Or else..." I smirk. I let my drop and he rubs his throat. I hold his gaze for a couple more seconds before turning away and walking down the hall.