Amnesia

Chapter 13- Aidlyn

The Capital City lights below aid the moon in illuminating the night sky. From the edge of the Compound's roof, we are able to see the entire expanse of the Society and as much as I hate it, it is quite beautiful.

It's so serene up here, with the cool breeze, glowing city, and my fingers intertwined with Riley's. The only thing wrong with this scenario is the almost quiet. Almost- as in everything being completely silent. . . except for the buzzing electrical fence at the Compound's edge. The fence that reminds us of why we're here and more importantly, who we'll become: Soldiers.

Sighing deeply, I lean back into Riley's chest. Recovering from my deep exhale, I allow myself a long intake of Riley's lavender scent. Everything about his presence is comforting, whereas comfort is something I need desperately.

"Are you alright?" he whispers in a gentle tone.

"Fine,"  I say shortly.

"You don't seem fine," he squeezes my hand in support.

"It's just. . . it's just, you didn't see his expression right before he died. He looked so. . . so sad. He didn't even fight it- it was like he had simply lost the will to live. And then to see the life in his eyes there one moment, then gone the next," I refer to the boy I watched die at the waterfront loading docks.

"Aidlyn, he was a rebel,"  Riley argues.

I sit up, ripping my hand from his and turn to look at his face. "He was a boy, Riley." My voice is clipped with a venomous edge to it. "A boy that was probably the same age as us. He was so young."

Through strands of brown hair, I see his blue eyes darken with guilt, "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Of course I'm right. Are you kidding me? Everything about our lives is so messed up," I point out.

Before he can reply, a blazing light is directed upon us from behind. Raising one arm to cover my eyes from the beam, I'm able to make out the shape of four guards walking towards us.

We've been caught.

My eyes flash open, taking in the low light of the fire.

The very next thing I notice is the searing pain in my head. The flames of the fire swirl together, my vision spinning and swaying in and out of focus.

What I'm assuming is tiny rocks and pebbles, jab into me as I attempt to sit up. There's a blanket placed carefully across me, which slides off when I move. But even to my best effort, I'm unable to find the strength to sit up.

Where am I? And how did I get here? Also, what is wrong with my body?

"Aidlyn? Are you awake?" Tye's urgent voice comes from beside me. I'm having a really hard time getting a good look at his face.

"Tye?" I rasp. "What happened?"

"You had a seizure," he pauses, "I thought you were going to die," he lets out as if it physically pains him to say it.

"I'm fine. Well I mean, I'm not dead. But my head is pounding and I'm having a hard time breathing, it's like there's a weight on my chest. Oh, and I can't gather enough strength to move."

"You're getting worse," he states guiltily, pointing out what I already knew.

"Tye, you know if I do actually die. . . please don't think it was your fault. If there is anyone to blame, it's the ARC," I do my best to console him, not even flinching at the thought of dying.

"Don't say that. You're not going to die," he challenges.

The thing is, I probably will die soon. From the way I'm feeling right now. . .