Chapter 17

I wake up before sunrise, and for several seconds, I don't remember where I’m at.  Then, I hear the quiet crackle of the wood stove and instantly my memory turns.  

The settlement.  

The hidden valley with all the people who survived the Natural Purge.  Everything that happened between me and Rian floods my memory.

I sit up slowly.  Across the small room, Rian is already awake.  He’s sitting on the edge of the other bed, tightening the laces on his boots.

"You've been awake long?" I whisper, still trying to erase the sleepiness from my voice.

"Not long."

I glance toward the window.  The sky outside is still dark.

"How long till sunrise?"

"Maybe twenty minutes."

I sigh, "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to waking up before the sun."

Rian smiles, "You'll learn."

"I don't want to learn."

"I didn't either."

“You lived like this,” I ask, looking at him.

"Not exactly," he stands.  "My father liked comfort."

I almost laugh, "That's one way to describe it."

A quiet knock sounds at the door.  It opens before either of us could answer.  Marla steps inside carrying two small packs.

"Ready?"

I nod, "Almost."

Marla hands me one of the packs.  "Food. Water. A compass. Nothing electronic."

"Thank you," I say, taking the pack.

Marla looks at Rian, "I assume you have what you need."

Rian nods, "Enough."

"Good. Then we should leave."

We step outside.  Most of the settlement is still asleep.  However, a few people are already awake, tending fires or preparing food, but most of the houses remain dark.  

I look back once.  

I’ve only been here for one night, yet leaving feels strange.  This place has given me something I haven't realized I needed.

Proof…

Proof that I’m not alone.  There are others like me who have been born naturally.  Others who have survived.  

Marla leads us toward the northern trail.  The path climbs almost immediately, and I struggle to keep up at first.  I’m used to moving quickly through cities, not hiking through forests with a pack on my back.

Rian notices, "You okay?"

"Fine."

He smiles, "One word."

"Don't start."

Marla glances back, "You two always like this?"

We exchange looks.  

"Pretty much," Rian says.

Marla smiles, "I can see why your parents were fond of him."

“My parents know Rian,” I stop.

Marla continues walking, "Not well, they only met him a few times as a child."

I hurry after her, "How do you know that… let alone my parents?"

Marla's expression softens, "Your mother."

I slow down once again.  She’s not talking about my adopted mother.  I can tell by the affection in her voice.  "You knew my birth mother?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"We were friends."

I stare at her.  I have never heard anyone speak about my birth mother as though she had actually known her.  Not as a mysterious person from a story or just another name; no, she was a real person.  Though come to think of it, no one has told me her name yet.  In any case, she was someone who had laughed with Marla, spoken to her, and who existed before I was born.

"What was she like?"

Marla smiles faintly, "Smart."

I smile.

"That sounds familiar," Rian says, helping me walk across a rough patch of ground.

"Stubborn too."

Rian looks at me, "Definitely familiar."

I elbow him lightly.

Marla just laughs, "She questioned everything. Even things everyone else accepted."

"Like cloning?"

"Especially cloning."

My curiosity sharpens.

"What did she discover?"

Marla’s quiet for several steps, "I don't know all of it."

My heart sinks.  Why doesn’t she?  Why can’t she answer all of my questions?

"But… you know something, right," I press, hoping to get something out that’s useful.  

"A little."

"Please."

Marla nods, "Your mother was working at the facility with genetic records. She began noticing something strange."

"Wait…what?  She worked there, too?" I look at Rian.  I can tell that he’s just as shocked as I am.

“But… Elara said…” Rian says.  I can see the wheels turning in his head.

“Elara didn’t pay much attention to what was going on, especially if a natural born was involved,” Marla says, glancing at me.  “Your mother was also a scientist.  She was one of the few natural born scientists who were still allowed to work during the Purge.  They were safe, in Director Vale’s own words, ‘so long as there were more naturals in the wild for them to collect.’  When that wasn’t the case, they came after the natural born scientists.”

It’s quiet for a few moments, as she allows me and Rian to process the information before continuing.

“It was around that time when your mother noticed the strange pattern in the genetic records… natural genetic variation.”

I frown.  "I don't understand."

"Neither did I," Marla looks toward the mountains.  "She told me that cloned people were becoming more alike than anyone realized.  Not just in appearance, but that certain genetic patterns were repeating."

"Because they were clones."

"Yes.  However, she believed something was happening over time.  Small changes were accumulating."

I remember what Elara had said about cloning.  Genetic imperfections.  Accumulation.

"So she thought natural birth could prevent it?" I ask.

"I think so."

"You think?"

"She never got to finish explaining," Marla's voice is quieter.

"What happened?"

"She was arrested."

I stop walking, "What?"

Marla stops too, "She was taken before she could tell me everything."

"By the Authority?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever see her again?"

Marla shook her head, "No."

I stare at the ground, realizing how much I really wish I could’ve met my birth mother.  The moment since I learned I was born and not cloned, I’ve imagined meeting her a thousand times without knowing I'd been doing it.  I want to ask her why I'd been abandoned, why I'd been given away, and why my parents hadn't come back for me.  However, now I have something different.  My mother hadn't simply disappeared, she had been looking for answers.  Answers the government apparently didn't want anyone to have, and because of that, according to Elara, she sacrificed her life for mine.

"Do you think she could still be alive?"

Marla looks at me, "I don't know."

The answer hurts, but I appreciate the honesty.

"I wish I knew.  Your mother was trying to understand something bigger than herself," Marla says. "That much I know."

"Was she trying to prove something?"

"Maybe."

I look toward the mountains, "What?"

Marla shakes her head, "I don't know."

We continue walking.  After another hour, Marla finally stops at a ridge.  Below us, the forest stretches for miles.

"From here, you go alone."

I look at her, "Alone?"

"You and Rian," Marla points toward a narrow trail.  "Follow that until you reach a dry creek bed. Stay in the creek until it splits. Take the left branch."

"And then?"

"You'll see a stone marker."

I nod, "The research station is beyond it?"

"Yes."

"How far?"

"Half a day's walk."

Rian studies the trail, "We can manage."

Marla looks at me, "If anything feels wrong, don't continue."

I nod, "Thank you."

Marla smiles, "Your mother would have done the same thing."

I swallow.  I step forward and hug Marla.  For a moment, Marla seems surprised.  Then, she hugs me back.

"Thank you for telling me about her," I whisper.

"I wish I could tell you more."

"So do I," I step away.

Rian offers Marla his hand, "Thank you."

Marla hesitates before taking it.  Her eyes remain cautious, "Don't make me regret helping you."

Rian nods, "I won't."

Marla releases his hand, "Take care of her."

Rian looks at me, "I will."

I give him a sideways glance, "I can take care of myself."

Marla smiles, "I believe you."

She turns toward the settlement, and I watch her disappear down the trail.  For a moment, I feel strangely empty.  

Then, Rian touches my shoulder, "Ready?"

I look at the trail ahead, "No."

He smiles, "Good."

I raise an eyebrow, "Good?"

"It means you're probably being honest."

Despite everything, I laugh as we start walking down the trail.

The journey takes longer than Marla had predicted, and the trail is difficult.  We cross the dry creek bed several times, climb over fallen trees, and spend nearly an hour searching for the stone marker.  By late afternoon, my legs ache.  My shoulders hurt, and my shoes are muddy.  However, when we finally see the research station, relief rushes through me.

"There," Rian says.

I stare.  

The building is half hidden beneath trees.  It’s older than I'd expected, with concrete walls, broken windows, and a rusted metal door.

I hurry forward, "Maybe they're here."

Rian catches my arm, "Wait."

I stop, "What?"

"Look."

The door is open.  My excitement disappears, as we approach it slowly.  Inside, the place is silent… too silent.

"Mom?" my voice echoes.

No answer.

"Dad?"

Nothing.

We move deeper inside.  The first room has been destroyed.  Drawers have been pulled from cabinets, papers cover the floor, a chair is overturned, and a storage case has been smashed open.

My heart sinks, "No."

I rush forward, "Mom?"

Rian follows, "Felicity!"

I ignore him. 

Another room… empty.

A small laboratory.  It’s destroyed.

A sleeping area… empty.

My parents are nowhere.  Then, I see it.  Two objects lying on the floor near the far wall.  

My breath catches.

One is a narrow silver bracelet.  It’s my mom's.  I remember it instantly because my mother has worn it almost every day.  The second object is a dark metal watch… my dad's.

I drop to my knees, "No."

I pick up the bracelet, my hands trembling.  "They were here."

Rian crouches beside me, "It seems that way."

"Were they taken?"

"Maybe."

I look at him sharply, "What do you mean, maybe?"

I suspect that they have been taken, but I don’t want Rian to confirm it or even hint to the fact that it could be possible.  Why can’t he just lie to me just this once?

He points toward the room, "There's no blood."

I freeze.

"There are no signs of a struggle."

I look around.  The destruction suddenly seems different, not random or even violent… but almost… deliberate.

Rian picks up the watch, "These were left behind."

"Why?"

"Because they wanted you to find them."

I shake my head, "That doesn't make sense.  Who wants me to find them?  My parents or…”  I can’t finish the question.  It’s too much for me to handle right now.

"Maybe your parents were warning you."

"About what?"

"I don't know."

I stand, my eyes burning, "I thought they would be here."

Rian looks at me, "I know."

I turn away, "Why do they keep leaving me?"

"They aren't."

"You don't know that."

"No," he stepped closer.  "But I know they haven't stopped trying to protect you."

I want to believe him.  I want to believe my parents have chosen this, that they are alive, and that there is a reason for every missing piece.  Then, I see something beneath an overturned table.  It looks like a small device.

My heart jumps, "A hologram?"

I rush toward it, "It's theirs."

Rian's expression tightens, "Are you sure?"

"It has to be."  However, I’m not sure, but I already start reaching for it.  

I activate the device, and a blue holographic image appears.  I expect my father's face to appear, or even my mother's.  Instead, Director Vale appears.

I stumble backward, but Rian’s completely still.

Director Vale smiles, but it’s not cruel or triumphant.  It’s almost warm, "Hello, Felicity."

My stomach turns.  I still can’t get over the fact that he knows my name, even though we’ve never met.

"I imagine this isn't quite the message you were expecting," he glances around the room.  "I apologize for the condition of the station. My officers were… rather thorough."

My hands curl into fists.  Director Vale continues as though we are discussing an ordinary appointment.  "I understand you've had a rather difficult few days.  And Rian…"

Rian stares at the hologram, his jaw tightens and his face pales.  Why does it seem like his dad is looking directly at him?  

"I'm glad you're with her."

I step closer.  How does he know Rian is with me?

"What did you do to my parents?"  I know he can’t hear me, but something about this message just makes it seem like he’s speaking to us in real time. 

Director Vale smiles gently, "Felicity, I have your parents."

My heart stops.  Can he hear me?

"As well as your friends."

Jax and Elara.

I’m starting to feel dizzy.

He continues, "I thought this might be easier than continuing our rather unpleasant game of pursuit."  His tone remains calm.  "Come to the facility, Felicity."

Rian shakes his head, as he glances at me.

"We can talk," he smiles wider.  "Properly."

"Talk?" I whisper, staring at the hologram.

I know this is a trap, but I’m starting to rethink my plans. 

His expression is almost friendly, as he says, "We've never had the opportunity to speak face-to-face.  I think it's long overdue."

I feel anger burning through me, as I remind myself how he kidnapped my parents.  I can’t give in to his friendly invitation, but I still can’t help but feel like I must go. 

"Don’t worry about your parents,” he says.  “I've brought them somewhere secure.  As far as your friends, well… they're being treated well, too.  If you are concerned and thinking that I have been hunting you down, please don’t misunderstand… this whole time I was only concerned for your safety."

I almost laugh.  The sheer absurdity of his words makes me furious.

Director Vale continues, "If you come willingly, I'll release everyone."

Rian steps forward, "Don't believe him."

Director Vale's expression doesn't change, "I'll give you time to consider it."  He smiles again, "No pressure."

The hologram flickers.

"I'll see you soon, Felicity."

Then, he’s gone.

Silence fills the room.  I stare at the empty space.  

My parents.  Jax.  Elara.  All of them are alive.  At least for now, and there’s only one way to make sure it stays that way.  

I don’t need time to consider… my mind is made up.  I turn toward Rian, "I'm going."

"No.  Are you crazy?" Rian says, his voice rising.

"I have to."

"It's a trap."

"I don't care."

"You should."

"They have my parents."

"That's exactly why this is a trap."

"I can't leave them there."

"I'm not asking you to."

"Then what are you asking?"

"Think about this before you act," Rian says.

"I've been thinking!" my voice echoes through the station.  "And every time I think, someone else gets taken."

Rian steps closer. 

"Your father wants me to walk into that facility, so I’ll give him what he wants."

"He’s not my father… not any more.  Not after this."

I look away, as Rian falls silent.  

I immediately regret saying it, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

He looks down.  Then, back at me.

"I understand."

I hold my mother's bracelet tightly, "However, I'm going… with or without you."

Rian sighs, "There’s nothing I can say or do to stop you."  It’s not a question, but I answer anyway.

I look at him, "No, you can’t."

“Fine, I'll help you."

I blink, "What?"

"If you're determined to go, I'm not letting you walk into that place alone.  Besides, that was the original plan anyways, right?  To save Jax and Elara?"

I swallow, "Thank you."

"But we don't go his way."

"What do you mean?"

Rian picks up the map.  "We use his invitation."

I frown, "How?"

"We let him think we're accepting his terms."

"And then?"

"We make our own plan."

I study him.  "What kind of plan?"

"One that gets your parents, Jax, and Elara out," he says, rubbing his chin as though he were thinking about it deeply.

"And you?"

He shrugs, "Me too, hopefully."

Despite everything, I smile faintly.  "That's probably important."

"Probably."

We spend the next hour going through everything we know.  The facility.  Kane's habits.  Rian's knowledge of government security.  The natural-born settlement, and the possibility of getting help.  By nightfall, we have agreed on one thing… we need supplies, more information, and people who know how to survive outside the grid.  

I curl up beside the wall, my mother's bracelet wrapped around my wrist.  Rian sits nearby.  Neither of us sleep much, but sometime after midnight, I close my eyes.  Tomorrow we will return to the settlement, and after that, we will go back toward the place we'd spent days trying to escape.  Toward Director Vale, the facility, and everyone I love.  For the first time, I’m not running away from the Authority… this time, I’m going straight toward them.