Forgotten

Chapter 9

          IT SEEMS LIKE WE’VE GOTTEN countless visits in the weeks since we adopted Hayley, so it comes as no surprise when yet another rapping knock sounds as I’m finishing up some of the housework.

            Liana looks up from where she’s quilting Hayley’s new blanket. “Could you get that?” she says to me, looking down and continuing her needlework. 

            When I pull the door open, my blood runs cold. Bureaucrat Jacklin is standing there, her face not six inches from mine, smiling coldly. My heart starts beating wildly. Is this the result of Mrs. Sandridge’s letter?

            “Hello, Stella,” Jacklin says, her tone anything but friendly. “Might I come in?”

            She’s alone this time, no guards flanking her, unless you count whatever might be hiding behind the tinted windows of her hovering limousine. She steps in without waiting for my reply, and I mutely lead her over to the table.

            Liana calmly puts away the quilt and comes to sit beside me. “Bureaucrat Jacklin,” she says smoothly. “An unexpected pleasure, though welcome nonetheless.” She reaches out to shake Jacklin’s hand, and Jacklin grudgingly obliges, letting go as soon as possible.

            “What brings you here, Bureaucrat?” Liana asks graciously.

            Jacklin doesn’t bother to try and match Liana’s friendliness. “Did you receive a letter from Helena Sandridge?”

            “We did,” I reply. “She said she’d keep us updated on the situation.”

            “Well, then, I’m afraid she didn’t have a chance to write to you before I came. I’m here on official Federation business. Do you girls remember what we were talking about last time I was here?”

            Liana and I exchange a worried look.

            “Yes,” I say, looking back up at Jacklin. “You were talking about…Hayley’s memories?”

            “The Federation does not like to take risks when it comes to the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly the children,” says Jacklin. “When Mrs. Sandridge contacted me and told me she was worried about Hayley’s condition, I decided to take her out of school for a few hours the next day to run a few brain scans, like I told you I might. I regret that the Darrington hospital was unable to notify you, but these scans are not the normal MRI scans I warned you might take place—they were a very special type of scan. Top secret, classified information. She was asked not to tell you about them, and, as I can see, she did as she was told.”

            My heart sinks. Another lie. It was just as good as a lie—these scans were important, so important, but Hayley didn’t tell me.

            “We analyzed the brain scans, and a whole team of scientists had to study them to decide on an outcome. Hayley’s condition is very rare, and has almost never been seen before in the history of the Federation. The scientists concluded that Hayley’s brain will almost certainly resist the Cleansing microchip. Her memory has shown no signs of weakening—in fact, it has been growing stronger. As such, she cannot be allowed to ever transfer to the other side. She would be a liability issue and a risk we can’t afford.”

            “So what are you going to do?” My voice is barely a whisper.

            “You know the procedure. We’re going to have to Unlock her.”

            “No.” I stand, and the wooden legs of my chair scrape loudly against the floorboards. “No! You can’t!”

            “Stella.” Liana’s voice is warning, dangerous. “Stella, sit down this instant.”