“I was shocked. They wanted her dead! I didn’t understand it, why would they want her dead? It’s not like she even did anything! I couldn’t let her die, not like that. I had her arm, and I was dragging her, forcing her to come with me. A teacher saw me, and he came over and pulled me away from Kyla. I started screaming that there was a bomb. I started screaming at Kyla to run. She got the most puzzled look on her face… I could see the recognition dawn on her at once, knowing the Agency wanted her dead and not understanding why. I was more than a little hysterical. I guess kids around me heard, and they took it seriously. People started running. The teacher let me go, and I grabbed Kyla again. This time I was running with her, but we only had seconds. Lord, we had so little time to get out of there! I held her hand tight as I raced to the exit. I could feel her grip getting weaker as more and more kids started running with us. There were just so many people… And then I felt her hand finally leave mine. I turned to look for her, but I couldn’t see her. It all happened so fast. One moment, I was looking for her. The next, I just heard a terrible sound. My ears were ringing, and I could hear screaming. It was complete chaos. I saw a bright light and then there was darkness…"

I fell back onto the bed, letting my arms rest on my chest. The worst part was over now. Spencer was next to me, her hand shaking in mine

"Is that how you got your scars?" She was laying flush against my side, her breath on my neck. I shook my head.

"The Agency… I was punished. I’m not even sure why. I woke up in a hospital once, and the next time I woke up I was in a dark room. I only saw one person the entire time. Aiden. He’d come in, hand me a plate of food, watch as I ate, and then beat me. These cuts, these burns… They’re all from him. We spent a week in isolation. He’d beat me half to death, cry, then stop." Spencer sat up.