Page 28 of Anarchy Chained: Alpha Thomas
CHAPTER NINE - THOMAS
“Sadie,” I say as we drive out of the forest and back onto the roads. “What’s your last name?”
“What?” She’s nervous. Very nervous. And she’s got a confused look on her face.
“Relax. I’m just making conversation since you’re so quiet. What’s your last name?”
“Scott,” she says. “And sorry. I’m pretty sure I’m not a very good socializer. Are you sure it’s safe to go into town?”
“It’s the edge of town. Barely counts.”
“You don’t think they’re looking for us?”
“They probably are. Maybe even seriously. But they don’t have this vehicle on their radar. It’s not registered to me. And we came out the tunnel, so even if they’re watching the towers, and I doubt they are because no one in their right mind builds a Batcave under a tower, they won’t know what car we’re in. I left the one we came in back in the forest. It’s covered up so they can’t fly a drone over and spot it.”
The confused look is even more pronounced. Like I was just speaking a foreign language. “How long have you been out?” I ask.
“Out?”
“Of the school, Sadie. How long have you been away from them?”
“I have no idea what you’re even talking about, Thomas. I really don’t.”
Hmmm. I reach over her lap, open the glove box, and pull out a map of Cathedral City. “Here. Can you read this?”
She takes the map from my fingertips with an annoyed huff. “I know how to read a map.”
“OK. So tell me where we are.” I point to an upcoming sign, just before the entrance to the freeway. “This is Meadowlark Boulevard and that’s the Ninth Street Freeway. Find it on the map.”
She knows what I’m doing. But she also knows how to read a map. So she takes a few seconds to orient herself and points. “Here. We’re right here.”
“OK. So they at least taught you things.”
“I’m not stupid, either.”
“Sadie,” I say, cocking an eyebrow at her. “Don’t be so damn defensive. I can’t ask you anything because you don’t remember. I’m just trying to form an opinion on things. You don’t know anything but your name. Which I find interesting. Because most amnesiacs lose all memories.”
She frowns. “Do you think I’m lying?”
“Not at all.” I laugh. “If you knew who you were we would definitely not be going out to breakfast right now.”
“Why?” She’s still scowling. “And you never said anything about going out to breakfast.”
“Because they sent you to kill me, Sadie. And I’m pretty sure if you were faking it, you’d have completed that mission last night. And I did say we were going out to eat. I just changed my mind on how to go about getting food. You look like you need a meal now. We can shop after.”
She laughs this time, which is a nice change. “Why the hell would anyone send me to kill you?”
“Because we’re Prodigy, right? You didn’t come to that hospital to check me out and take me home.” I waggle my eyebrows at her. “If you know what I mean. You came to kill me or take me back to them so they could do it themselves.”
She sighs and shakes her head, but she doesn’t deny it. She feels it to be true, even if she’s not a hundred percent sure. “I don’t know,” she finally says. “I know I’m different. I know what illusionist means. I know I can make people hallucinate, so I know I’m not normal.” She pauses for a second. “I know I’m not supposed to talk about that. I know my name.” She looks at me. “I know your name.”
“And deep down you know they sent you to finish me. It’s OK. I’m not taking it personally. It’s my fault you got left behind anyway. I can’t blame you for what they did after I failed to save you.”
She practically snorts. “I don’t know why you think I needed saving.”
“Because it’s Prodigy School, Sadie. They are evil incarnate.” It comes out rougher than I intended. Which makes her look at me, then quickly look away. “Have you come up with any ideas about why you’re blocking your memories?”
“Blocking?” She huffs again.
