Me

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We're out. Saying those words, even in my mind, leaves me reeling. We're out, on the highway, heralded by the warm glow of the streetlights. I don't even know where were going. I don't think I care.

We're out.

The engine rumbles, as if it too senses the writhing of my blood. We're free, for now. I glance at the wingmirror. We must stay one step ahead. Still, my stomach gurgles a little as I realise I'm going to have to life my life looking over my shoulder. In our head, Alyssa points out that won't be the case if we have evidence. Evidence Bo assures me he has stashed at his safe house in the city centre.

Eyes brewing with tears, I turn to Emma and Noah who are gazing at their laps in silence. They look up as I round on them.

"Why did you come? You could have been killed, or worse. Why?" Noah perks up.

"Oh, look. It's you again," he says. "Can you give us some warning, the next time you're going to switch personalities?" I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling. Alyssa is smiling too. Or least, I imagine that she is. Tucked away in our cortex, pulsing with adrenaline from the fight. With love, or at least some husky version of it, for Ferenc. A good name, I realise. The name of freedom. Something which they both deserve.

Bo keeps a steady eye perched on the mirrors, easily guiding the car through the throng of city traffic. Sirens blare and yet everything seems so empty. Harsh lights shrouded in the warm glow from windows, where mannequins and TV sets sit eerily still. People flock to the sidewalks, hauling plastic bags and carboard boxes. Others are dragging dogs through the maze of concrete and tarmac. I almost poke my head out of the window to scream at them. To tell them all that I have endured. All that I have seen and remembered.

I say nothing, slumping in the passenger seat. Bo reads my mind.

"We'll be inside soon, in the heat of the city. They won't come after us if we're surrounded by this many people". I growl.

"They'd better not. Because you've dragged Emma and Noah into this too". Bo winces.

"I never meant to get them involved. They insisted on coming with me".

"You should have refused them". Emma cuts in, her voice a soothing fan.

"He tried. Believe me". She straights in the back of the car. Bites her lip.

"So," she continues. "What now? We need to go the police. Government. Anything. No institution like that should be able to exist". My words exactly.

"It's not as easy as that," Bo points out. "Our resources are limited, and I doubt, in a private court hearing, we'll be able to beat them".

"So, let's make it public. Tell the world!" Emma's hands bunch into fists, her serenity vanishing in an instant.

"They'll only kill us," Noah points out, his voice low. Suddenly glum. I hide a grimace. His Mum. His Mother. His little sister whom he may never become his little brother. This is all my fault. I've torn these people from their lives, their families. Selfish.

Freedom always seems so selfish when other people are involved.

I square my shoulders, turning around to face my friends. My new family.

"We will protect you. I promise," I say. Emma smiles softly and Noah nods.

"I know," whispers Emma. "I wasn't worried". Clearly, she has more faith in me than I do.

Skin churning, I slither back to face the windshield. Dr. Light offers me the odd stare as the car skids around a corner. He slows as we enter a plague of redbrick houses, cornered by darkened windows.

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