Burned 6.1

The infirmary is quite different from the waiting room. Whenever I step foot in this place I’m immediately whisked away by some doctor or another. I haven’t spent more than a few minutes in this dreary room.

The drab blue walls try to lull me to sleep, but the cement chair keeps me up. I can’t get comfortable no matter how I sit. Kellar has given up. He’s lying on the floor, his chest moving rhythmically. He’s sleeping. Good for him.

It’s 23:50. We’ve been waiting for six hours now; six hours when I could be doing something more productive. Will and I could be working on our project. I’ve decided it’s time to take these classes a bit more seriously. My future was ripped from me so carelessly. Sure Caddarick is giving me a second chance, but he shouldn’t. That’s not how it works. This business is fragile.

But Colton was really bad off. I want to make sure he’s fine.

The doctors immediately recognized the drug as Teryphelum. I don’t know why I couldn’t remember that before. I recognized the symptoms so quickly, but I couldn’t figure out what the drug was. The moment I heard the name from the doctors it sounded right.

The drug manipulates your mind, twists everything you know the wrong way. I knew there was something wrong when Colton first burst into that classroom. Kellar must’ve noticed it too, although he still doesn’t understand. When the doctor’s came out to explain what was happening, nearly four hours ago, Kellar just stared. It looked as if he didn’t understand a single word they were saying.

There’s activity behind the doors leading to the rooms. I straighten, letting a glimmer of hope invade me that it’s Colton. When the door opens I slouch back against the hard surface. It’s only a doctor leaving. His shift is over. Lucky him.

My mind starts to wander again, still keeping a sharp focus on Colton, but allowing other ideas to take up residence. The last words Colton said to me before he passed out still ring in my ears.

“You’re the enemy.” They sparked a memory. A real memory this time, one I can actually see.

I close my eyes to recount the images. I’m standing in the backyard of a tall, but thin house. There are several others on either side, each one touching the other. Row homes. On the other side of this grassy patch is a large wooden fence, keeping us safe from anyone out there. Who we are and from whom we’re being kept safe I don’t know. But I do know that that’s what the fence is for.

Someone taps my shoulder lightly. I turn to face a boy slightly taller than me. He’s eleven, only three years older than me. I know he’s three years older than me. How wonderful it is to actually know something.

The boy’s dark complexion and black hair make his green eyes pop. He’s wearing the same outfit as I am – although I haven’t looked down at my outfit and the memory me refuses to – white loose sweater on top and blue pants. Unlike me, there’s a belt strapped around his waist with varies pieces of technology.

The boy’s name is Ivan.

“Are you sure about this?” Ivan asks.

I nod. No way am I going to miss out on this opportunity. Mother and Father have been training me since I could run. This is the chance to prove myself.

“But I know there are people who don’t want me to do this,” I admit. “I hear them talking.”

Ivan shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t listen to them. They’re just some old farts looking to complain. No one likes change, no matter how small. They’ll get over it.” Suddenly his expression grows serious. “You’re the enemy, Bryn, don’t forget. The people you’re going to face out there are more dangerous than you could imagine.

“Stay close to me. I gave Grams my word that I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. And that’s not a promise I’m going to go back on. If you get separated remember the signal. Someone will get you and—"

“And take me back to the safe house, I know,” I interrupt. “Ivan, I appreciate the concern. I know what I’m doing. Grams wouldn’t send me out if I didn’t.”

The memory cuts out and I’m stuck behind the wall again. I try to push deeper, figure out what happened during this mission, but there’s nothing there. I’m left with Ivan’s face and this mysterious woman we both called Grams. Is she my grandmother? Could Ivan possibly be related to me? There mustn’t be that much of a relation though considering he didn’t look at all like me. Cousins, maybe.

I toss the idea from my head. Ivan and I aren’t related; I would’ve remembered him from before my memories faded. All of my family members are there: parents, cousins, aunts and uncles. No Ivan. I didn’t know he even existed until I read the entry my father wrote.

I lean my head back against the wall and sigh. This is worse than not being able to remember anything. Maybe I should just go the rest of my life without knowing. I don’t want to be sitting here day after day trying to push past a wall that won’t budge. It’s exhausting.

Kellar stirs and opens his eyes. He looks around as if he’s taking in the room for the first time. But then his eyes land on me and he relaxes. “Colton still back there?” He runs his hands over his face and sits up. I can’t help but notice how soft his eyes are.

“Yeah.”

“No news?”

“Nope.”

“You don’t have to wait here you know,” he says as he pushed himself off the ground. “Go get some sleep.”

“I don’t need sleep,” I snap. “You think I can’t deal with something like this? In case you don’t remember, Colton all but attacked me. I need to know what his deal is.”

Kellar laughs. “Whoa, calm down. I didn’t mean anything by that. I just thought you’d be tired that’s all.”

A small “oh” escapes my lips as I hang my head. How could I go off the handle like that? Kellar has always been on my side. That’s a line I would give Colton.”

I bury my head in my hands. I really messed this up. “Hey listen, I gotta get out of here. Text me when Colton gets out. I wanna talk to him.”

When I get up, Kellar grabs my wrist. “Wait. I told you I wanted to talk to you. This isn't the exercise room, but it’ll do.”

Even his simple touch sets my heart racing. I wonder if he knows. “I’m listening.”

“Good. Uh…” He drops my arm and diverts his gaze. He’s nervous; I pick up his tells. Knee bouncing, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know how to say this.”

“Just say it.”

His eyes find mine again. It seems to calm him down. The confident Kellar I know returns. “I wanna take you out. On a date.”