Unremembered (Unremembered #1)(46)

I can see through her eyes. Hear her thoughts. Feel her fear. Because it was once my own. Because it still is. And because, not so long ago, I felt the same hesitation. I had the same doubts.

Doubts that suddenly seem absurd.

That suddenly seem . . .

Gone.

I open my eyes and he is there. Right there. Closer than he’s ever been before.

I feel my lips start to tingle and twitch. I press them together but it does no good. They want to move. They want to go somewhere. They pull me forward. Towards him. Towards his.

Like there’s a path that was carved out years ago. A direct route. The only route.

I don’t understand what’s happening. Or why every part of my body seems to be acting without my direction. Without my permission. But my instinct is telling me this is something I don’t have to understand. I don’t even have to try. Because I will probably never succeed.

I’m pulled in even more. Our mouths are almost touching. His hand finds its way to my cheek. And then . . .

‘I think we should finish,’ he whispers.

Cool air rushes over my skin as his fingers slide from my face and he’s suddenly far away again.

I have to blink to bring my surroundings back into focus. Sensation slowly returns to the parts of my body that were momentarily lacking it.

I nod my agreement but don’t say anything out of fear that my voice will fail me. Miserably.

I sit up straighter in my chair as I try to tune my thoughts back into the events of that day. To pick up where I left off. But there’s not much more to remember.

I watch the boy slowly approach the porch, my uncertainty growing with every step he takes. I eye the alarm a second time. Once again, debating between following the rules and giving in to my curiosity.

The curiosity wins.

‘Who are you?’ he asks.

I swallow a lump in my throat and slowly part my lips. ‘My name is Seraphina.’

Then there is nothing.

The memory is over.





27


ISOLATED


My body and mind are exhausted and craving sleep but I don’t want to stop. I’m addicted to the taste of my own memories. The flavour is intoxicating. The thought of finally having answers to my questions exhilarates me. It’s enough to keep me wide awake.

‘I thought you said that when you first met me I was living in a lab,’ I point out.

‘You were,’ he replies. ‘Your house was part of an enormous research compound. Away from civilization. Away from everything. I originally thought the reason Diotech chose to build it so far away was because that was the only place they could find enough space to house all their buildings and staff. But I later discovered it was because they just didn’t want anyone to know what they were really doing.’

He makes a vague gesture in my direction that I can’t quite interpret.

But he must notice my puzzled expression because he quickly adds, ‘Sorry. As you can probably tell I have sort of a love–hate relationship with Diotech.’

‘What does that mean?’

He heaves a heavy sigh. ‘I hate them for what they did to you. But at the same time, if it wasn’t for them there would be no . . . well . . . you. And for that –’ he flashes me that beloved lopsided smile again – ‘I guess I have to thank them.’

I can feel my cheeks flush with heat. Is this what happens when Cody’s face turns red? I quickly avert my gaze.

Zen rubs mercilessly at his eyebrow. ‘It’s just all so twisted and complicated. You see, I practically grew up on the Diotech compound. It was my home too. My mother was one of the head scientists. We moved there when I was only eight.

‘They keep everything on that compound,’ he continues. ‘All of their research, projects, administration, employees, employees’ families. The whole company is there. That way they can keep tabs on everything – and everyone – at all times.’

The resentment in his voice is thick and icy. It turns him into someone else. Not the innocent, carefree boy who climbed the wall that day. I have a feeling that boy has been missing for a long time.

‘People rarely leave,’ he explains. ‘Why would you, when everything you need is right there? Schools, stores, restaurants, entertainment.’ A bitter smile contorts his lips. ‘I suppose it’s not much different from a cult.’

‘A cult?’

‘Yeah. You know, everyone is brainwashed so they’ll believe something that’s not true. They’re lied to. To keep them from fleeing.’ He lets out an acidic chuckle. ‘But I guess they didn’t hide the truth well enough. Because we discovered it. And we did flee.’ He lowers his head and drops his voice. ‘At least, we tried.’

‘And that’s why they sent people after me,’ I state, struggling to make this new information fit with the few things I already know. ‘Those men in the barn. Because we ran away?’

He nods solemnly. ‘They work for Diotech. Part of Alixter’s elite security force.’

‘Alixter?’ I repeat the name. The sound of it is hauntingly familiar. It sends a tremor of fear through me.

Zen watches my reaction carefully. ‘Yes. Jans Alixter. The president of Diotech and the most abominable man in existence. He created the company. Along with Rio. They were the founding partners. Alixter was the business brains of the operation, while Dr Rio handled all the science.’