The Forgotten

I See What You Mean

I am able to infiltrate the main building without seeing a single guard. The thought that Will must have done his job is not a comforting one. I can't help but wonder if their lives ended today, just like Jess' ended a week ago from today.

I try not to concentrate on Will and his actions and to instead focus on my task. I need to find the breaker, otherwise we'll all in deep dung.

Seeing a large box on the wall I believe to be the breaker, I start running. Surely the ten minutes are almost over by now. Surely.

I pry open the box—which isn't hard—and find all of the switches are already labeled. What a nice surprise! I don't have to use my brain, which is far more convenient for the time crunch I'm in.

I find the intercom switch right next to the power switch. This gives me an idea. I flip both of them down. The lights go off and a short lived screech fills the air.

Knowing Brace will certainly be after me now, I turn around. Someone grabs me in the dark. I feel their hands wrapped around my neck. I scream as loudly as I can.

I hear Brace's voice, "Not long Eris. Not long before you see your sister again." He presses harder. I bite and kick him, but he doesn't let go. His obstinacy is going to kill me. I'm going to die, right here, right now.

Then I hear a thud. Brace drops me and I hear another. A smooth hand about the size of mine grabs my arm and pulls me through the darkness. I would fight, but I have a good feeling about them. They aren't out to hurt me.

I am suddenly blinded by daylight. I hear a voice.

"Eris, be careful. I'll see you there."

"Where?" I ask, rubbing my eyes in vain. I still can't see. The person doesn't reply.

Now I hear running footsteps.

Lance's voice says, "We're almost done, Eris. We just need to find Will."

"Did you see who got me out of there?" I ask. "It was dark, and Brace was going to kill me, but they killed him. Or at least knocked him out."

"I didn't see anyone," Lance states. "Now come on. You probably just imagined it." I scowl at him, and thanks to the return of my vision, I can see where to aim it.

Lance scowls back.

"Just come on, Eris. We don't have time for fairytales."

"Oh this is no fairytale," I snap. "In a fairytale, Raven would still be alive." Lance doesn't say anything. How can he?

Changing the subject, I say, "I see Will over there." I point to the edge of the perimeter. "He's wrestling with one of the guards." Lance grabs my arm.

"Then let's go."

We rush across the port. Before we get there, the guard collapses to the ground.

When we reach him, Will says, "Done. They won't be bothering us anymore."

"Please tell me you didn't kill them?" I ask as Lance checks the guard's pulse.

Will replies, "Would it make you feel better?" I swat him, unsure whether or not he's messing with me.

Lance gets up without a word and heads back to the ship.

Passing me, Will whispers, "I didn't kill all of them. Some of them had guns and I didn't have a frickin' choice, okay?"

"Not okay," I say and quicken my pace to leave him behind. Sadly, I still like Will. I only don't like him when I'm reminded what he can do. Same for Lance. If they weren't killers, I wouldn't hate them so much. Not that I really hate them.

Most of the refugees are already on the ship. I'm a bit wobbly on the dock. Reluctantly, I let Will steady me.

Once I actually get on the ship, I realize this is going to be a difficult trip. First of all, it's crowded like sardines. Well, maybe a little less than sardines. Second, I think I'm going to be seasick.

Will wraps a hand around my waist. Not romantically, or I would jerk away. He does, however, stroke my hair.

"Will?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Have you lost your mind?" He grins.

"I'm trying to comfort you. You're looking pale."

"Oh." Quickly and quietly I tell Will everything that happened with Brace and my secret stranger.

He replies, "Sounds like you have a guardian angel. Let's just hope they keep doing their job." I nod, not really sure what else to say. What should I say>

Suddenly the ship lurches. I clutch my stomach and Will clutches me. Though it's another thing I'll never admit, it's comforting, having him around.

I search the crowd of blurry faces for Rubin, Shain, and my parents. I don't see them. I see Lance talking to a young woman with dark brown hair and large sunglasses. Her lips are bright red. Is she Miss Jenkins? I saw her once in school, and as I can't see this girl's full face, it's possible.

I decide to ask Will.

"Hey, is that Miss Jenkins talking to Lance?" I inquire. Will shakes his head.

"I don't know who that is, but Lance never really went out with Miss Jenkins. She was working with Brace. They used a fake relationship as a cover for Forgotten meetings." I frown. What all is Lance hiding?

I'm going to find out.

I march over to where Lance and the mystery girl stand. I have a hard time getting there, as the crowd is oblivious to all of the "excuse me's". Ugh. I hate people.

By the time I reach Lance, his friend is gone.

"Who was that?" I ask casually.

"Who's who?" Lance replies.

I guess, "You're not going to tell me who it was."

"Not yet anyways," he states. Then he walks away. I roll my eyes. He is such an annoying prat.

Will walks over.

"Didn't say anything," he states.

"Oh if I were a killer..." I mutter. Will grins.

"But you're not."

"Nobody would ever know..." He laughs.

"Nah, Eris. If he's so bad, he's not worth it." I sigh.

"You're right."

"What's that?" Finally I grin too.

I reply, "Not saying it again."

Will turns to look at the ocean. I do too. I watch the waves roll back towards the shore. They're going back towards a land I once thought was free, even if I wasn't.

"Will," I say.

"Yeah?" I lean my head on his shoulder.

"You were right," I state.

"What about?"

"The ocean," I say, still staring at it and the sunset. "It truly is freedom. Maybe not for everyone, but for us." I can't see his face, but I imagine him smiling. Not a jovial one, but a tranquil one.

"Not yet," he says. "We've still got a ways to go."

"Maybe," I say. "But for now, we're free...thanks to the ocean."