There was something there, something whispering in the corner of my mind, tickling at the edges of my thoughts. I reached for it, grasping desperately, yet before I could grab it, the thought disappeared, fading back into my mind. I twisted the ring on my middle finger absentmindedly, wondering why the circle of white gold made my skin prickle so.
Johta didn't mention my finger on her list... Johta! I sat bolt upright, blood draining out of my face. I'm not in the Hospital Wing. I looked around, then relaxed, recognizing the familiar vomit-colored walls of my room. From outside the half-open door I could hear the faint sound of discussion. Straining my ears I listened silently, catching snippets of Devin and Keeda's conversation.
"...stable, should be... soon" Devin said, words broken by footsteps.
"...reviewed... tapes?" Keeda asked, then stopped as someone else approached.
"She's awake." Sohyee put in, and the three entered my room, faces grim.
"We saw." Keeda said simply, eyes dull, her lack of energy surprising.
"What?" I stared at them, confused, stirring uncomfortably under their gazes.
"You talked to them. Two of an extremely influential group in history, as far as everything points to." Sohyee closed her eyes, seeming exhausted. "We've been fighting a legal battle on this. The only reason you haven't been wiped is because if History didn't kill you, then why do we have the right to?"
At her final words, something revolting shifted in my stomach, its stench filling my mind with doubts. "Kill?" I asked, voice so small I could all but see the three leaning forward to hear me.
Devin sighed. "Yeah. Kill. We had someone from the American branch swagger in here and demand your execution. Typical American, thinking they can command everything and everyone." We rolled out eyes, but the mood seemed to fall lower.
"So... what now?" I stared at my feet, then swung myself out of bed, staggering slightly. Keeda slipped her arm into mine, supporting me.
"You go on a few simpler missions. Keep a low profile, be helpful. Don't die." Sohyee's soft, parental words held no hint of a joke. I nodded, beginning my hobble-walk with Keeda down the hall towards my office.
Devin called after me, "And whatever you do, don't get involved in any more major events for the next few centuries."
Of course, what happened next would only count as the most important event in history.
