Note: *~*~*~*~* indicates a memory read.
Thankful acknowledgments to Shallsee, Zarah, Miss Parker, Pointblank
and OA11.
Part One
Working in the research department I wasn't supposed to have
anything to do with the Centre Projects. I spent most of my time in
the Centre Database researching information for theories on Jarod and
whatever else Miss Parker wanted me to find.
However, this girl intrigued me. She was new but yet she'd seemed
to adjust quite easily. Somehow she had grabbed hold on what was
happening and decided to live with it. She worked hard, didn't
complain as often as most, and what a memory she had. It was probably
her memory that brought her to me. Memories are a very good thing when
you work in the Research Department.
Research Specialist Mel™
Research Dept.
The Centre
*****
Daielyn was different. She'd always known that. She had a
photographic memory. She didn't think that was anything to be worried
about. However, it wasn't just her memories she remembered. She
remembered the memories of everyone she met.
However, she'd never thought it was something for which you would
be kidnapped. She didn't like it sometimes anyway. Some people had
very good memories that were sometimes funny. Others had scary
memories that she would have rather not seen.
She was in a room, dark and cold. She wondered where she had gone
wrong that these people had found out about her special gift and taken
her. She hadn't seen many people yet but she'd seen a few. None of
which she could remember seeing before.
Daielyn also couldn't understand why they'd locked her in. She
was thirteen years old. How could they consider her some kind of
threat? She'd never thought of herself as someone who could be used to
make money. However, as she sat there in the room all alone she was
beginning to imagine different ways. Most didn't make since but one,
one did.
They probably planned to take her places to meet important
people, learn their deepest darkest secrets and then tell them so they
could use it for blackmail. She couldn't do that. Memories were
private.
Daielyn had only told one friend of her special gift. Logan. Had
Logan seen her be taken? Had she called her parents? Told the police?
Logan had been the one to tell Daielyn to keep it a secret. She said
it would be safer that way. Daielyn had agreed. However, it was
sometimes hard. Daielyn sometimes wanted to reach out to people. To
tell them it was okay. That she knew they'd nearly drowned when they
were four, or that she knew they had lost a friend in a fire ten years
before. However, she could only tell Logan and gradually become
friends with people even though she probably knew them better than
they knew themselves.
The door opened. A woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes
entered. "Hi there, Daielyn. My name is Shallsee," the woman greeted.
Daielyn looked at Shallsee undecidedly. All her memories seemed
to fill her. Shallsee wasn't a threatening person. She worked in human
resources and had just put off a break to come and speak with Daielyn.
Daielyn knew there was a glass window somewhere and Shallsee had been
watching her.
Shallsee was a person everyone trusted. But then the bad guys
always did work together. However, did they ever really trust each
other? In the movies, it always seemed like it was every person out
for themselves, only pretending to work together until they got what
they wanted.
"I understand. You don't feel like talking right now," Shallsee
said. Daielyn looked away. Shallsee knelt down to Daielyn's height. "I
know it's scary right now, Daielyn. But I promise, it will get better.
You just have to trust me." Shallsee stood up, reached out her hand
and looked expectantly at Daielyn.
Daielyn hesitated. Finally, she took Shallsee's hand and followed
her out of the room. After all this was rare, very rare that Shallsee
was doing this. She usually didn't work with the children. She had
simply been passing through, saw Daielyn looking glum, and decided to
come in.
However, Daielyn wasn't giving up yet. She wasn't speaking to
anyone and for now she wasn't going to explore the memories she'd just
received. She followed Shallsee down the hall. It seemed to echo with
memories of those who had come before her. Was anything ever going to
be alright again?
*****
Cat O'dapple's Office
Psych Department
"Daielyn, this is Cat O'dapple." Shallsee introduced Daielyn to
a woman with dark red hair and blue eyes.
"Hello, Daielyn," Cat greeted.
Daielyn looked at Cat. Her memories were different. She was a
somewhat cheerful person. However, her job and secrets were more
troubling. All the things she thought, all the problems she solved or
wished she could solve. Daielyn hung back. She tried to step behind
Shallsee. She most definitely did not like it there. And she couldn't
put off viewing the memories any longer.
Daielyn often could control the viewing of her memories but was
only moderately conscious during the viewing. Later, if the person
would allow it Daielyn could do enhancements and the memory would be
much clearer to both of them.
*~*~*~*~*
What? "Mom, why are you packing my clothes?" She picks up another
shirt and nightgown before closing the drawer. She places them in a
paper bag. She walks into the bathroom and returns with my toothbrush.
"Honey, we are going to a special place today. We'll be spending the
night there." I nod trying to understand. "You're going to have to
take some tests and if you do really, really, good on them, you might
be able to go to to a great school for free. You want that don't you?"
I nod. A great school for free? Yes!
Exciting! Long car drive! Big tan building. Mom reaches out her
hand for me to take. Up a lot of steps. Down the halls. In a hall.
Sitting on chairs. Legs dangling. Kicking legs back and forth. Mom,
why do you look so sad?
Into a room. Test after test! Tiring! Back into the hall. Mom why
do you have tears? Sitting down again. Mom hugs me. She forces a smile
on her face. "Honey, I love you. Now, I need you stay here."
"Why?" Stay? Can't I come with you?
"Don't be afraid. Now, stay here." Mom, come back! Come back!
Please!
A man comes. "Follow me!" But she told me to stay here. Okay,
I'll follow you.
A white room, with a big window. "This is your room from now on,"
he says. Desk, chair, bed. Looking up at man again. Tall!
"I'm just here for tonight?" This could never be my room. Not
forever. What about mom? Where did she go?
"You are living here now. You mean she didn't tell you?"
"No! I'm just here for tonight!" I yell. Who did he think he was?
Mom said I was here for tonight.
"No this your room. And you live here now," the man says more
forcefully.
"No I'm not...I'm just here for tonight!" She said it was just
for tonight. But where did she go? Why didn't she take me with her?
"You live here! And that's final!" he yells. "I can't believe she
didn't tell you."
The rest of the words didn't matter. Didn't tell me...didn't tell
me. New home? No family? Here? Living here? You are living here now...
here now...here now. Sitting, on bed. Paper sack beside me. Cold...not
cold, empty! Alone! Alone here. Living here now. Blurry vision. No! I
am not going to cry. At least not with him here. Alone! Small! Living
here...living here. Mommy why did you leave me? Living here....You are
living here now. Cold...Empty...ALONE.
*~*~*~*~*
And it was sad. How could a loving family suddenly turn on their
child like that? Leaving Shallsee at this place. Just leaving her! And
she couldn't have been more than three years old. Daielyn wondered if
Shallsee would let her do memory enhancements later. Perhaps then she
could understand what had happened better. However, Shallsee could
have purposely forgotten because it was much too painful to think
about.
Daielyn was slightly drawn to Cat and taken back as well. She had
a warm, and for the most part inviting personality but she had several
dark dreams in her most recent memories, that were not inviting.
A messenger entered and handed a paper to Shallsee. She looked at
it. "I have to go. I will see you later Daielyn...Cat." Shallsee
exited.
Shallsee headed down the hall and got in the elevator. She went
to the Research Department. "Hello!" Mel greeted as she entered. Mel
had dark brown hair and eyes. She was wearing black slacks, loafers,
and a black tee-shirt.
"Hi Mel, I need some research," Shallsee said.
"On what?" Mel asked. She was sitting behind a desk looking
through several file folders.
Shallsee closed the office door. Mel stood up. Shallsee mouthed
the words then, exited before Mel could ask any questions.
*****
Daielyn was returned to her cell by sweepers. She was very bored
sitting in the room alone. She looked out the small slit window.
Personnel passed by. Some with other children. She debated a few
seconds. One child passed with a helpful memory. She had curly blonde
hair and green eyes. She looked at Daielyn when she passed. Daielyn
accessed a memory.
*~*~*~*~*
A hand reaches out and opens the panel in the cell. It pulls out
a hand full of wires. It examines a green wire and a red one. Looking
down and taking a knife from pocket. Cutting the plastic away from the
green and the red wires to expose the metal. I will get out of here!
Tying the two together. Reaching for another panel. Stuck! Using the
knife to pry it away. Good! A keypad! full of white buttons labeled
with several numbers and letters. Pulling a blue wire away from the
keypad. Come on! Hurry! Connecting it to the green and red wires.
Pushing a red button on the back of the keypad labeled bypass. The
door opens.
Standing. Leaving cautiously. No one out there. Free! Free!
Heading down the hall to an elevator. Keypad? to the door. No! No!
What's the code? Oh no! What now? No door, don't open. Dr. Neo! A
sweeper!
"Adeline, what are you doing? How did you get out?" Dr. Neo
please don't be mad. Oh sweeper, you look awfully scary.
No! I can't do this. My room! Running! Blur of objects and
people...safe. In my room, safe.
*~*~*~*~*
Daielyn walked over to the computer panel and opened it. She saw
the same set up as Adeline had. She didn't have a knife. She looked
around the room. She walked over to her bed and began uncoiling a
spring. When it reached the wires she used the spring to cut them. She
began the same process she'd seen in the memory. It worked! The door
opened.
Daielyn walked out into the hall. She walked towards the elevator
seeing if she felt anyone inside. Then, she placed her hand on the
keypad. She thought hard.
*~*~*~*~*
Down the hall. "I'll talk to you later, Chamille." I have so much
to do.
Chamille smiling. She has such a nice smile. "See you, Shalls."
To the elevator. Keypad. I wish we didn't have so many codes to
everything! Access code 52387. Into the elevator. Going up!
*~*~*~*~*
Daielyn typed in the access code. The elevator opened. She got
in. She wasn't sure which level to press. Finally, she hit a random
button. The door opened at SL-13 and Mel got on. Mel was too busy
dealing with research to wonder why a girl was in an elevator all by
herself. Daielyn looked at her, catching a fleeting memory. She
covered a laugh with an amused smile.
Mel noticed the girl's amused smile. "What are you finding so
amusing?" Mel asked.
Daielyn giggled. "Twice!" she laughed. The elevator doors opened
and Mel got out. She looked puzzled, but headed down the hall without
asking any questions.
Daielyn continued. She got off on a different level. She wandered
the halls. Most people seemed too busy to notice her. A memory began
to surface as she passed an office. Daielyn found a hall that wasn't
full of people and sat down.
*~*~*~*~*
Walking through the halls. Pretty day! I love marble. So clean!
Skipping! Whoa! Bouncy! Uh oh! A sweeper! Tall sweeper! Black suit!
Angry face! "Move it!"
Sorry! Gasp! Gun! I didn't mean it. No gun! Not in my face. No!
Stop that! I'm sorry. People walking by. Gun gone. Sweeper gone. Good!
Skipping...
*~*~*~*~*
"Daielyn! Are you alright?"
Daielyn opened her eyes slowly. She saw Shallsee. She is really
worried about me, Daielyn thought. Should I tell her? I am okay but
talking is giving in. No memory, reads are giving in. Talking is okay.
"I'm fine. It was just a memory read. Happens all the time." She took
a deep breath. It felt good to talk to someone.
"What are you doing up here?" Shallsee asked. "How did you get
out and past all the security?"
"I-I used your memories of all the codes and Adeline's to open
my room door," Daielyn answered. "I'm so sorry about what happened.
Being left here." Daielyn had been adopted when she was four. She
somehow felt a connection to Shallsee. Was it because neither of them
knew why their parents had given them up?
"There she is! Get her!" came a yell from down the hall. Daielyn
looked at the man. Black hair, dark brown eyes, black mustache. She
couldn't read his memories.
Sweepers seized her. Shallsee looked at the man disapprovingly.
"Manchester! What are you doing?"
"I am now in charge of the Memory Readers project and she
escaped. Security personnel finally caught it." Manchester replied.
Sweepers brought Daielyn forward. "Return her to her cell and stand
guard outside." The sweepers ushered Daielyn away.
"What! Who put you in charge of it?" Shallsee demanded.
"Raines," Manchester answered. He gave Shallsee an evil grin and
turned to walk away.
"I'll be keeping an eye on you," Shallsee warned. Manchester
didn't even turn back around. He walked triumphantly into the
elevator.
*****
Cat O'dapple's Office
Psych Department
Three Weeks Later
"He frightens me I guess. He always seems so angry. Nothing I do
ever makes him happy," Daielyn sighed. "And he has sweepers guarding
me all the time. I guess what scares me the most about him is that I
can't read him." And now she had given in. She was opening up to the
people around her. Why? She didn't trust all of them. They weren't
letting her go. Somehow she was getting used to it. Manchester had a
scary and intimidating look.
Cat looked up from her clipboard. "Explain."
"It's just that. I'm used to knowing whether I can trust someone.
I'm used to knowing everything about them. And with Manchester it's
like...it's like he has no memories or he can block my reads. I'm not
sure. I'm barely allowed to go anywhere. And I don't know how I'm
being of any use." And why couldn't she read Manchester? She didn't
know whether he was angry or happy or sad. She always had a general
feel for how people felt but with Manchester she didn't.
"Does he have you do simulations?" Cat asked.
"I think so. He brings people in and has me read them. I tell him
what they remember. He nods and send them away. He asks for details
and then he sends me back to my room." Daielyn got up from the chair.
"You're a very here and now kind of person."
"What do you mean?" Cat asked.
"I mean past doesn't matter as much to you as it does for most
people. You deal with what's happening now like it's all that
matters," Daielyn explained.
"Isn't it?" Cat questioned.
"For you, I think it is," Daielyn answered. "So, are we done?"
Cat nodded. Daielyn exited. She looked around. The two sweepers
who seemed to follow her everywhere weren't around. Was this some
kind of test? To see if she would do what she was supposed to without
them. Well, if that was the case then she could. She would go back to
her room and wait. Perhaps, then she wouldn't have sweepers following
her anymore.
*****
Shallsee's Office
Human Resources Department
Manchester burst into Shallsee's office and thrust a paper at
her. "You ordered this, didn't you?!" he yelled.
"I didn't order anything," Shallsee replied, calmly. "I may have
made a suggestion."
"Well, your suggestions might as well be orders. Now, she can
roam around free," Manchester exclaimed.
"She's not a wild animal. I do think keeping her guarded 24/7 was
a bit much," Shallsee answered. "She's still under surveillance, just
no longer locked in."
"Who knows what she might do!" Manchester yelled.
Shallsee stood up. "You're afraid of her," Shallsee accused.
"Nonsense!"
"Yes, that's why you had yourself implanted with a scrambler. So
she couldn't read your memories."
"Memories are private. And she mustn't know too much about me,"
Manchester headed for the door. "I'll get you for this one, Shallsee.
You just wait and SEE!"
"I will, Manchester," Shallsee replied. Obviously unfazed by the
threat. "I always SEE."
Manchester made a dissatisfied growl as he exited.
*****
Daielyn stepped onto the elevator. She was almost to her level
when the elevator stopped. Mel saw Daielyn and gave her a puzzled
smile. Finally, she turned to Daielyn. "I don't know how, but you know
a lot about me."
"I'm a memory reader and you have some very interesting memories.
Oh by the way you forgot to turn in your research notes to Edison. You
left them on your desk," Daielyn answered.
"Thank you," Mel said. "I don't usually forget but this has been
a long and busy day."
"You should get an assistant. Help take some of the load off,"
Daielyn replied. The elevator doors opened. Mel nodded.
"I'll think about that," Mel started out the door. "What's your
name?"
"Daielyn."
"Daielyn," Mel repeated. She smiled. "Pretty name." Daielyn
smiled back.
Forget doing what I'm supposed to, Daielyn decided. I want to
help. "Hey Mel! Wait up!"
*****
Mel's Office
Research Department
"Thanks for all the help today, Daielyn," Mel said. "I will ask
about you being my assistant. See you tomorrow I hope."
"I hope," said Daielyn. She handed Mel the last pile folders and
they exited the office. It was only now that she was beginning to
think about what she'd done. Manchester was probably hopping mad at
her disappearance. She told Mel she really had to go and hurried down
to her cell. She entered cautiously. No one was there. Daielyn laid
down and went to sleep. She would worry about it in the morning.
Daielyn woke with a start the next morning. There were still no
sweepers around. She got up. She got dressed. She checked the halls.
No people were around. Manchester wasn't looking for her. What was
going on? She had finally gotten used to being watched and followed
and now suddenly she had this freedom. This was lasting much too long
to be a test. No, this was real.
Finally, Daielyn walked back into her room. She noticed a piece
of paper tacked to the wall. It was a schedule. Nicely printed on
white paper and tacked to a board on her wall. It read:
Your new schedule is as follows:
Sunday: Your choice
Monday: 9am-5pm Sim Day
Tuesday: 9am-5pm Sim Day
Wednesday: 8am-Noon Sim Day, Noon-5pm Research Day
Thursday: Research Day
Friday: Research Day, Session with Cat
Saturday: Your Choice
Daielyn looked at the schedule. It was a start. A good start.
Daielyn felt a memory surface as someone walked up behind her.
*~*~*~*~*
Pretty! Oh such pretty butterflies! Holding jar up towards the
sun. "You are all well today and now you can fly away!" Opening jar.
Holding it up again. "Go on butterflies!" Oh, they look so pretty
flying. "Be free." Have the freedom I don't have.
"Shallsee! Shallsee!"
Turning. Have to go in already? *sigh* Running back up the bank.
This dress sure is muddy. And so are my shoes. Oops! Hope they don't
mind.
*~*~*~*~*
Daielyn turned. She looked at Shallsee. "Thank you," Daielyn
said. Shallsee smiled.
"Manchester will probably be very angry, but I'm sure Mel will
appreciate the help," Shallsee replied.
Daielyn nodded. "Thanks again. Well, it's Wednesday. Manchester
in the morning," Daielyn sighed. "Better get going."
"Have a good day," said Shallsee.
*****
Sim-Lab 4
Daielyn hurried into the room. Manchester looked as angry as
ever. "Hi," she greeted.
"Well, aren't we cheerful this morning?" Manchester snapped.
"Sorry. How are you?" Daielyn asked.
"I am in perfect health," Manchester replied.
"If only you were also in perfect temperament," Daielyn grumbled.
"What was that?" Manchester asked.
"Nothing," Daielyn answered. "I have a question."
"Now, what?" Manchester demanded.
"Why can't I read your memories?"
Manchester sighed. "Because I am implanted with a device that
blocks all penetrating brain functions. In other words, it's a
scrambler. Now, we've wasted plenty of time. Let's get to work."
He nodded to a sweeper who stood by the door. He opened it and
several people entered. "Begin the readings!"
They stopped a few minutes before noon. "I now want you to start
telling me the memories of the people you just encounter. You'll be
meeting a lot of people. I especially want the memories of Shallsee
and these two girls." Manchester held up pictures of two girls. One
looked 18 the other looked younger. They looked like twins. Both had
straight reddish blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. The younger one's
hair was shoulder length while the other girl's hair seem to go all
the way down her back.
Daielyn stepped forward. She took the two pictures. "Who are
they?"
"That's not important, but I want their memories," Manchester
ordered.
Daielyn continued her examination of the pictures. She looked at
the picture of the older girl. The pictures gave her an odd feeling.
She'd never read them but she felt their memories in places she's
been. The older girl wasn't smiling but she wasn't frowning. She
looked solemn. "She feels like she's lost something important.
"Manchester, tell me more about these two."
"I told you it's not important. You may keep the pictures,"
Manchester turned away. "You may leave."
Daielyn exited. She wanted to study these pictures further. She
left the sim-lab and hurried to the Research Department. Mel wasn't
there when she first entered. Daielyn quickly scanned the pictures
into the computer. She initiated a search. Their names were Zarah and
Alia. Daielyn printed out the files. Then, she shut down the computer.
She placed the files in a file folder and laid it carelessly on a
chair. Mel entered.
Mel looked askance at Daielyn's somewhat secretive expression.
"Hi, how are you?" Daielyn asked, trying her best to sound casual.
"Pretty good," Mel answered. "Just finished delivering some
research papers. You?"
"Oh fine," Daielyn answered. Her eyes fell upon a pile of
folders. "These need delivering. I'll do it!"
"Alright," Mel replied.
Daielyn gathered up the folders. She waited for Mel to turn to
her computer, then grabbed the folder from the chair. "Be right back!"
Daielyn announced.
"Okay," said Mel. As soon as Daielyn was out the door, Mel had
the computer run a keystrokes check. She saw the scanning, search and
printing of the files. She'd have to talk to Daielyn.
After Daielyn delivered all the files she took the last one back
to her room. She sat down on her bed and opened the files. "What are
you doing?"
Daielyn looked up. She gasped. "Manchester!"
"I knew you'd do this," Manchester snatched the file.
"I needed more information. I wasn't going to do a read on just
anyone. I needed to know," Daielyn answered. She saw a fire in
Manchester's eyes. He seemed so scary. He lunged forward. His anger
taking over.
"Daielyn!" Mel walked in the door. "I've been looking for you."
Daielyn leapt up. Manchester backed off. Manchester headed out the
door. "Manchester." Mel nodded and he exited but he took the folder.
"Daielyn, if you want information, you come to me. Don't just break
into my computer." Daielyn nodded. They headed back to the research
department.
"So, how did you know?" Daielyn asked.
"I did a keystrokes check. I didn't know about Manchester until I
got down to your room," Mel replied. "What is going on?"
"I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out," Daielyn answered.
Part Two
Daielyn was a fantastic research partner, although her mind often
drifted. She did her best to keep her mind on work, but I could always
tell when her mind began to drift into the memories she had received.
I was also beginning to notice the burdens of Centre life were
getting to her. She was becoming withdrawn. I started spending more
time with her and started taking her to the Centre Exchange to meet
people. However, with all the time she spent with Manchester I wasn't
sure if it was helping.
Research Specialist Mel™
Research Dept.
The Centre
*****
The Centre Exchange
Mel glanced at the parking lot.
"Wow, that's a pretty car!" Daielyn remarked.
"Oh that's Missy's Ferrari. Pointblank must be here," Mel
replied.
"Huh?" Daielyn asked.
"Don't ask!" Mel laughed. She held the door open as she and
Daielyn walked in.
The Centre Exchange was buzzing with activity as it was every
Thursday morning when the paper was delivered. It was a dimly lit room
except on Fridays when they lit up the dance floor. Because of the bad
lighting, a lot of people could be in the room but hiding in the
shadows. Mel suspected Pointblank was hiding somewhere nearby.
Mel had just finished reading the paper when Miss Parker stood
up.
"Good Morning Operatives!" she said. "Any news of Jarod?"
A number of operatives started talking to her, but none of them
had seen Jarod. "Who is Jarod?" Daielyn asked.
"He is a Pretender who escaped from the Centre," Mel replied. She
picked up a glass of water and took a sip.
Daielyn giggled. "I still can't believe you did that! And twice!"
Daielyn laughed.
"It was an accident. And I didn't know it was Armani," Mel
replied.
"Hazy and Pierre seem to think you did it on purpose," Daielyn
said. Mel laughed.
"G'day luvs!" Brigitte entered. She held a red sucker. "I shall
be off chasing Jarod all day." She stalked out the door.
"Gracing you all with the honor of my presence!" Templer
announced. "Where is my queen?" Templer was chief accountant and
royalty.
"Official Announcement for TCT!!!" Pointblank said. "I am still
accepting your contributions for the upcoming edition of The Centre
Times. I shall see all on Monday." Pointblank began rushing away to
the press office. Out the door she went. Miss Parker ran to the door
just in time to see Pointblank zoom away.
"Come back with my Ferrari!" she yelled. She picked up a piece of
paper Pointblank had dropped. It read: I drive it like it is. Grrrr!"
Missy growled. "When you bring it back it better have gas in it! And
you will bring it back! Right?....RIGHT?"
Pointblank was long gone.
Several laughed quietly from the shadows. Miss Parker walked back
inside and plopped down at Mel and Daielyn's table. "Ohayo grozimatos,
Miss Parker," Mel greeted. It meant 'good morning' in Japanese.
"Moshi Moshi, Mel. How goes the research?" Miss Parker replied.
"Greetings all. Random is here," Random announced. She was
flooded by hellos.
Daielyn seemed to enjoy herself watching all the action that was
always taking place at the CE. Mel and Daielyn stayed about an hour
then headed over to the Research Dept.
"Okay, I've been sorting through these. They are ready to be
delivered," Daielyn announced. "Oh wait, what's this?"
"Research for Shallsee," Mel answered, reaching for the folder.
"You aren't suppose to know about this," Daielyn replied. "And
why is it labeled Human Resources with what's inside?"
"Daielyn, forget about it. But now that you've seen it, deliver
it," Mel answered. Daielyn hesitated but nodded and exited the office.
Daielyn hurried out and down the hall. She found herself quite
tempted to look in the file. She was just about to knock on Shallsee's
office door when another memory surfaced.
*~*~*~*~*
Hot! Too hot! Fire! Running to door. Pulling! Open door! Why
won't you open? Looking up! Chain locking door? Reaching! Too short!
Jumping! Running back. Oh no the fire's spreading.
Man in chair. "We've got to go! There's a fire!"
He glances in my direction. "There's no fire, go play." Looking
at book and reading again
Checking fire again. Still spreading! cough Smoke! Running back
to chair. "There's a fire. Come see!" Listen to me...please.
"There is no fire. You can't always believe what you SEE!"
he picks up a notepad and begins writing.
Running to door. Pulling. Won't open far enough to squeeze
through. Why won't he help me? There IS a fire. We've got to get out.
"Come on! Open the door, there's a fire!" Pulling at man's hand.
"There's NOT a fire. Now, go play!" Reading book again.
Checking fire. Really spreading! Lot's of smoke! cough Running
back to living room. "Please open the door! There's a fire!!!" Come
on, you must hear me I am yelling at you. Get up, open the door.
"There is no fire. Now stop bothering me and go play." No! Don't
start reading again. Help me! Smoke in here now too.
Walking to door. Reaching. I need to reach that chain! I need to
be taller. Looking around. Chair! Running over to chair. Pushing it to
the door. Come on a little closer. Okay, climbing up on chair, undoing
chain. Man behind me. Oh sure, now you get up.
Pushing chair away from door. Turning knob. Opening door.
Breathing fresh air...safe!
*~*~*~*~*
"Daielyn, is there something I can help you with?" Shallsee
asked. Daielyn looked around. The door to Shallsee's office was open.
She couldn't remember knocking but maybe Shallsee had seen her coming.
Shallsee's office was circular decorated in butterflies and
pastels. It had lavender carpet and the seat cushions in the
chairs were pastel green with purple, blue and yellow butterflies
on them. Teh desk blotter and pen holder were also butterflies.
Crystals hung from wires strung up high in the offices. It was a
calming office. It had purple tinted one way glass walls so
Shallsee could SEE around her.
"Research," Daielyn replied, handing Shallsee the folder.
Shallsee's eyes lit up as she began flipping through the folder.
"You didn't look through this, did you?"
"No," Daielyn answered. "Not really." She noticed Shallsee's
penetrating look.
"Well, tell Mel thanks. I really owe her," Shallsee replied.
"I'll probably drop by the Research Department later today."
"I will," Daielyn answered. "Bye." Daielyn slipped out of
Shallsee's office and headed down the hall. She was in view of Mel's
office when she happened to see Corrine slip out of there.
Daielyn walked in, and was surprised to find Mel was not in her
office. Daielyn sat down. She checked to see if there were any more
research files to deliver. Mel entered. "Back already? That was
quick."
"I just saw someone coming out of your office," Daielyn said.
"Really, who?" Mel asked. She picked up a folder and flipped
through it.
"Her," Daielyn pointed to a picture in Mel's folder. It was a
picture of a woman with brown eyes, brunette, medium height and a
stern face.
Mel gasped. "You saw Corrine walking out of my office?" Mel
asked.
"What's wrong?" Daielyn asked.
"I was doing some research for Cardinal and VG and I found out it
was Corrine who separated them at birth. Here's my report on them."
Mel handed Daielyn two pieces of paper. The first read:
OFFICIAL CENTRE RESEARCH REPORT: VG and Cardinal Separation
Date: 97-12-14 21:40:43 EST
From: Research Specialist Mel™
To: Cardinal and VG
I have analyzed the information sent. I have come to the
conclusion that the birth was recorded as two single births. One
to Cardinal's parents the other to VG's. I have also found that
they were recorded to have been on separate days, since it took
place so near midnight. Cardinal you were born first, at 11:57pm
on August 15, 1975, and VG you were second at 11:59pm of the same
day.
I have analyzed the DNA tests which proves Cardinal your
parents are the true parents. The birth to your parents was
recorded first.
Now, as to why you were separated: You were delivered by a
woman known only as Corrine. She did and still does work for the
Centre, namely Mr. Raines. However, dissatisfied with her job she
went into illegal adoptions for more money. I was unable to prove
or disprove whether Mr. Raines knew about it. (A short
conversation I had with Cardinal's parents revealed this) The
hospital has no record of a woman matching Corrine's description
working for the hospital at the time. There is the name of a
different doctor on your birth certificates but he did not match
the description given to me by your parents.
Complications during birth, (a c-section) gave Corrine the
opportunity to take VG and deliver Cardinal and claim there had
been only one child. She delivered VG to a couple in another room
(where she also received a check) and Cardinal to your real
parents.
Unfortunately, as with many illegal adoptions the family's
background was NOT checked out, which is how VG ended up with
such a bad family. Several old bank statements prove around the
time of VG's birth, Corrine received $10,000.
A word of caution, do NOT publicize that you know too much
about how you were separated but mainly by whom. Corrine still
works for the Centre and works for Mr.Raines. I get the feeling
that if you reveal too much then you needn't make plans for the
future, they will be made for you.
I do hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Research Specialist Mel™
Research Dept.
The Centre
"They asked for further information so I'm going to send them
this," Mel added. She wrote an extra sentence in pencil and handed
Daielyn the second paper. The second paper read:
OFFICIAL RESEARCH REPORT: Cardinal and VG Separation
Date: 97-12-17 09:35:48 EST
From: Research Specialist Mel™
To: Cardinal and VG
Here are the extra details you asked for.
Corrine: A woman with the same job as Sydney. Brown eyes/
Brunette. Medium height. Stern face and manner. Not at all
compassionate. Gets the "job" done. She is always scaring the
children and bothering the Fire Starters.
It is rumored that she had an assistant by the name of
Welsh. However, I can find no records of him anywhere.
Why you two? It was mostly for the money but also because
your mother's c-section presented an opportunity. She could ask
everyone to step out of the room and your mother would be under
anesthetics. It was a way of keeping her hands clean.
Third: Why didn't they try to keep you apart? It was too
easy to find each other...Actually, I believe the plan was to
take VG at birth and take Cardinal later. This was very important
because you were twins. They knew that would make it easy to find
each other. I found blueprints in some of Corrine's old things
with what looked like a plan for kidnapping. Obviously, it
failed. Corrine was at the Centre at the time of the kidnapping
attempt so I can only assume it was the task of Welsh to kidnap
Cardinal. Either he couldn't do it and disappeared or when he
failed they killed him.
Too easy to find each other!!! 22 years since you were last
together and it was too easy to find each other?!?!?!
Well, what makes you think you're out of the water? Do you
two really think that if Corrine found out you were together
she'd say, "Oh it's been 22 years who cares?" Especially since
she works for Raines and received $10,000. Catherine Parker died
27 years ago and they are still trying to cover that up. The
Centre doesn't like loose ends. And right now you two are loose
ends. I don't mean to sound harsh but most often loose ends are
CUT.
It's possible Corrine already knows about you two. My
assistant (Daielyn) thinks she saw Corrine lurking around my
office. And I intercepted several memos headed to her office.
They told locations. I went to the location on a memo once. It
was YOUR location at the time. So if you ever get the feeling you
are being watched...you probably are.
Now, I hope this has answered all your questions. It's
becoming dangerous to research this further.
Signed,
Research Specialist Mel™
Research Dept.
The Centre
"Oh this is bad," Daielyn answered. "Why do you think she was in
your office?"
"I don't know. She might have been looking for around trying to
find out how much information we had on her so far. If she found this
file..." Mel's voice trailed off. "Daielyn, stay here and lock the
door. I'll be right back. Five minutes tops!" Mel hurried out the door
and down the hall. Daielyn looked suspiciously at everyone in the hall
then went back inside.
Daielyn paced the office a second. What should she do? She sat
down at the computer. She moved some of the folders off of it.
Personnel files were in the Centre Database. Was her own? She
initiated a search for a Daielyn Engle. NO MATCHES FOUND flashed on
the screen. She tried just entering Daielyn. FILE SEALED. Mel always
told her to enter a security override code when she found a sealed
file.
Daielyn entered the code. *******
DATABASE OPENING...OPENING FILE #57467.43...FILE OPEN
Daielyn hesitated. She didn't look at the screen. She just hit
print. She waited the few moments then looked at the paper.
NAME: DAIELYN SANDRA CANTRELL
ENTRANCE DATE: 12-1-97
BIRTH DATE: 7-27-84
GENDER: FEMALE
HEIGHT: 5 FT 3IN
WEIGHT: 112LB
HAIR COLOR: BLACK
EYE COLOR: BLUE
PLACE OF BIRTH: PALMER, IOWA
PREVIOUS RESIDENCE: BRADFORD, MI
PREVIOUS GUARDIANS: JAMES AND FELICIA ENGLE
DATE OF ADOPTION: 11-04-88
PARENTS NAMES: LOUIS AND NOLEY CANTRELL
SIBLING: CHRISTIAN HAROLD CANTRELL
BIRTH DATE: 2-19-80
SIBLING: MORGAN LEANNE CANTRELL
BIRTH DATE: 6-12-87
Daielyn stared at the paper in puzzlement. Cantrell? Her last
name was Cantrell? How did they know who her real parents were? How
long had they been planning on taking her? Tracking her life? She had
siblings? An older brother and a younger sister, Christian and Morgan.
Her family the Engles had never explained the circumstances of her
adoption or that she'd had any siblings.
Daielyn shut down the computer and sat down at the desk. She
couldn't read the rest of the paper. She was startled by a knock on
the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"Daielyn, it's Mel, open up," came a muffled voice through the
door. Daielyn got up and unlocked the door. Mel walked in. She noticed
the sad look on Daielyn's face.
"O-genki desu ka?" Mel questioned.
Daielyn forced a smile on her face and nodded at the Japanese Mel
had taken up learning. "Fine. I'm fine. How did things go?"
"I don't know yet. I had to leave a few messages," Mel answered.
"Corrine isn't anywhere around so everything is alright for now."
"Good," Daielyn replied.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Mel inquired.
"I'm just a little tired. I haven't slept well these past few
nights."
"If you don't sleep, what do you do at night?" Mel asked, sitting
down beside her friend.
"I view memories. I write most of them down. Others I keep stored
in my head," Daielyn answered.
"I guess you have a few of mine up there," Mel laughed. Daielyn
nodded. "I have something to show you." Mel got up and exited the room
followed by Daielyn. They walked down the hall and got in an elevator,
and got off several levels later. Down another hall and stopping in
front of a automatic door. Mel typed in an access code. They entered.
"Daielyn, this is your new room."
Daielyn walked in. It was an entire living quarters consisting of
four rooms. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and a sitting area. "All this
is mine?" Daielyn asked. Mel nodded.
"Maybe you'll sleep better in here," Mel added.
"Can I start moving in now?" Daielyn asked.
Mel nodded again. "Sure. I wish I could help but I've got to get
back to research. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay!" Daielyn exclaimed. Before Daielyn finished placing her
things in the room, she took a look at the paper with her history on
it.. She frowned. There was a lot she hadn't been told.
******
Cat O'dapple's Office
Phsych Department
"Hi Daielyn," said Cat.
"Hi," Daielyn replied. She wondered if all new arrivals had
sessions with Cat. "Do you ever talk to Manchester?"
"No, he speaks with a different counselor," Cat replied. "A Dr.
Kara, I believe, why?"
"I just wondered what he talks about," Daielyn answered.
"Even if I did know I couldn't tell you. It's confidential
information," Cat reminded her.
Daielyn was halfway through the session when she began a memory
read of Cat.
*~*~*~*~*
And put a slip of a paper here. Okay Loki is spying on me. Good!
"Lauren look at this. A map." Holding up old piece of paper. "It's
supposed to lead to a treasure."
"Oh Cat! That's silly. Leave it and come on." Following Lauren
out of room. Stepping back and peeking around the corner. Good! Good!
Loki sneaks forward and picks up the map. Making sure no one can
see him. Takes map and runs away.
Smiling! Yes, he fell for it. Now, we'll see who's the master
prankster!
*~*~*~*~*
"Daielyn, something's troubling you, and it's not just
Manchester; it's something else. Something, no, someone important to
you," Cat decided.
Daielyn returned from the memory. "I don't know what your talking
about," she said. "I'm just a little sleepy. I never should have come
today. I'm sorry." Daielyn got up and ran from the room. She didn't
stop running until she reached her living quarters.
No, not this time. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to back-
off or give in. I'm not going to let them control me. Not after what
they've done.
"What's wrong Daielyn? Aren't you enjoying your new freedom?"
"Manchester!" Daielyn exclaimed, as the man stepped from the
shadows. "What are you doing here?"
"Requesting a session for tomorrow," Manchester replied.
"No, I don't work on Saturday," Daielyn answered.
"I know what you found out," Manchester said.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Daielyn asked.
Manchester walked forward. "Nothing...yet." He handed her a slip
of paper and headed for the door. "See you tomorrow." Daielyn looked
at the paper and gasped. She walked over and opened a drawer. She
reached in and was surprised to find the drawer empty.
"Oh no!" Daielyn exclaimed. Why hadn't she read it when she'd had
the chance? She rubbed her head. Not now!
*~*~*~*~*
"What do you think he's doing?" Lauren asks.
"Loki has gone outside with a shovel every day for the last two
weeks. Every free moment he's out there."
Smiling. Oh Loki, you are going to be so mad when you finally
figure it out. I better not giggle but this is so much fun.
*~*~*~*~*
Sim-Lab 4
Daielyn entered the room. "Okay, Manchester. I'm here. Explain
this." Daielyn held up the slip of paper he'd given her.
Manchester walked forward. "After our session," he said. This
time he rolled forward a computer. It had two cords coming out of it
that connected to two sensors.
"What is that?" Daielyn asked, backing away.
"We are going to do a memory download," Manchester explained.
Seeing Daielyn's skeptical look he continued. "You see these sensors
will connect to your temples. All the memories you have had over the
past few days will be able to be viewed on this machine."
"Are you sure it's safe?" Daielyn asked.
"We're about to find out," Manchester replied.
"I'm not going to let you experiment on me!" Daielyn exclaimed.
"Really? Well unfortunately it's not your choice," Manchester
replied. He nodded.
Two sweepers came up behind Daielyn forcing her to sit in a chair
next to the memory download machine. She was strapped to the chair.
"Manchester, please, couldn't I just write down the memories?"
"I'm sorry Daielyn but I don't trust you," Manchester answered
calmly. He placed the sensors on Daielyn's temples. "Now, this should
move smoothly. Just don't fight it." He turned on the machine.
Daielyn began to get a strange feeling. Something about this
wasn't right. And it wasn't just the invasion of privacy. Using the
machine, she could feel some of Manchester's feelings. Had he used
this machine? Well, that didn't matter. She had to fight it. She began
trying to forget some of the memories. She was getting a headache that
hurt worse with each memory block technique she used. Finally, the
machine began to fizzle. Daielyn went unconscious.
Manchester looked angrily the sweepers. "What happened?" he
growled.
"She shorted out the machine," one sweeper replied. Manchester
slammed his fist on the cart.
"Get her out of here!" Manchester ordered.
The sweepers began unstrapping Daielyn from the chair. They
lifted her up. "Shall we take her to the infirmary?"
"No, put her in her room," Manchester ordered. Seeing the
sweepers' worried looks he added, "She'll be fine. And take the least
conspicuous way." The sweepers nodded.
******
The Centre Exchange
Mel sat sipping a root beer. Daielyn'd said she had something to
do but would meet her there. However, Daielyn was now almost two hours
late. It was almost one in the afternoon.
Brigitte walked in. She saw the number of people sitting around
talking and eating. "G'day luvs," she said. "Lunch is OVER. Back to
work you lollygaggers!" Brigitte stalked away.
The majority of the people paid no attenion to Brigitte's order
and continued on with their business. However, realizing how long she
had been sitting there, Mel got up and went to Daielyn's quarters.
There was no answer when she knocked. Finally, she opened the door.
Daielyn was laying in the middle of the floor. "Daielyn! Daielyn!"
Mel called trying to wake her up. Daielyn didn't move.
Mel quickly called for a medical team and got Daielyn down to the
infirmary.
******
The Infirmary
Mel sat in the waiting room. She had a habit of biting her nails
whenever she was nervous or worried. She had tried many techniques to
stop so they could grow. The only thing that worked was putting nail
polish on them and picking the polish off instead of biting her nails.
However, once the polish was all gone, it was back to biting her
nails.
Shallsee entered. "Hi Mel. Any word yet?"
"No," Mel answered. "I don't know what could have happened."
"Was she with Manchester?" Shallsee asked.
"I don't know," Mel answered." She said there was something she
needed to do this morning but she didn't tell me what."
"Well, I really wish she had," said Dr. Bennett. Mel stood up.
"Is she alright?" Mel questioned.
"She's awake and resting. There was some minor cellular damage.
However, she claims she doesn't remember what caused it or anything
that happened this morning or late last night," he continued. "We'll
keep her under observation these next few days, but I think she's
going to be fine."
Mel let out a sigh of relief. Shallsee and the doctor began a
discussion of possible causes and Mel went in to see Daielyn. Mel saw
the girl's face light up as she entered. "Hi," Mel greeted, unsure
what else to say.
"Hi," said Daielyn. She had been lying in the bed but she sat up.
"How do you feel?" Mel asked.
"Tired, confused. I'm okay," Daielyn answered.
"Are you sure you don't remember? Was it Manchester?" Mel
inquired.
"I guess it could have been but I don't know. I don't like him
because he always gives me an uneasy feeling, but I can't say anything
against him unless I know," Daielyn answered. She didn't mention the
several dark but vague images in the back of her mind.
"I guess I better let you rest. I'll drop by later," Mel said.
Daielyn nodded.
Mel met Shallsee in the waiting room. She'd just finished
speaking with Dr. Bennett. "So, what does he think caused it?" Mel
questioned.
"He thinks it could have been an intense memory read but I don't
think so," Shallsee answered.
"Why not?" Mel asked.
"If it was a memory read she would be remembering something not
forgetting it. No, it has to be something else. I think I should have
a talk with Manchester," Shallsee decided.
"I'll see you later Shalls," Mel said.
The two of them left before a messenger arrived. He gave Daielyn
a slip of paper. It wasn't signed but Daielyn knew who it was from. It
was three words. Our deal stands. Daielyn crumpled the paper.
******
Manchester's Office
"Manchester, we need to talk," Shallsee said. Manchester had left
the door open so she stood in the doorway looking in.
"Let's talk," Manchester answered. "What do you want?"
"I want information," Shallsee answered. "I want to know where
you were this morning."
Manchester turned around in his desk chair scratched his head.
"How early?"
"Between seven and one," Shallsee said, stepping into the office.
She looked at the items on Manchester's desk. There was mug with
pencils in it, a planning calendar and several DSA's.
"Well, I didn't get up until eight and I ate breakfast, read a
few magazines, and had a leisurely morning. At about noon I went for a
drive and did several errands," Manchester replied, cooly. "Anything
else?"
"Did you see Daielyn at all this morning?" Shallsee inquired.
"No," Manchester responded. "Now, is that all?"
"Are these the DSA's from your sessions with Daielyn?" Shallsee
questioned.
Manchester nodded. "I suppose you want to borrow them."
"I would like to review them," Shallsee replied.
Manchester sighed and stood up. He walked over to his bookcase
and picked up a case. He added the seven from his desk and handed the
case to Shallsee. "Now, is that all?"
"Yes, for now. I'll try and have these back to you as soon as
possible. Of course that's only if everything you told me checks out,"
Shallsee answered. She headed for the door. "Hasta!"
"Good-bye Shallsee." Manchester's tone seemed to leave a
lingering uneasiness. He seemed too relaxed. He hadn't even shown up
to see how Daielyn was doing when she was in the infirmary.
******
Daielyn had been feeling kind of bored laying in the infirmary
all day. She was happy when Cat came to visit. "Hi," Cat greeted.
"Hi," said Daielyn. She propped herself up on her pillows. She
stared at Cat and smiled at the last part of the memory she'd been
viewing.
*~*~*~*~*
Loki enters. He is covered in dirt and carrying a bag. Oh I
wonder if he knows it was me. Well, he's been searching three weeks I
might as well give him a hint. "Hey Loki, did you find your little
treasure?" I know no one is supposed to know about it but a prankster
must accept ownership of her prank.
"It was you!" Loki exclaims. "You planned it the whole time. And
you knew. You said there was a treasure and all there was were these!"
He holds up a gold coin. He unwraps the foil to show a piece of
chocolate.
"What's the matter, Loki? Don't you like chocolate?" Oh I got
him. I finally got him. Yes! Uh-oh! coming towards me. Is he mad?
"Come on, it was a prank."
Loki flashes a smile. "And it was a very good one!" he laughs.
The children that have gathered laugh, too. He pats me on the back and
hands me a chocolate gold coin. Me, just four, pranking Loki who
is already eleven. Oh, it feels so good to laugh.
*~*~*~*~*
"So you pranked Loki? I haven't met him yet," Daielyn laughed.
"He could help you remember what happened," Cat offered.
"No," Daielyn answered. "I want to remember on my own. Besides,
some things are best forgotten."
*****
Research Specialist Mel's Office
Research Department
"Daielyn, the doctor told you to take it easy. You aren't doing
that," Mel laughed. She took a pile of folders from Daielyn's arms.
Daielyn frowned. "But I want to help."
"It's not even eight in the morning yet. You don't have to be
working until nine. Why don't you get some extra sleep?"
"I haven't been sleeping since Saturday. I would lay in the
infirmary hour after hour but I wouldn't sleep." Daielyn took a seat.
"I found my self pretty tired at times but I kept getting an eerie
feeling every time I closed my eyes."
"The Centre is full of eerie feelings," Mel said.
"I know but this one is different. It's not just eerie it's dark,
mystical, secret, cryptic." Daielyn ran her hand up and down her arm
trying to rub away her goosebumps.
"It scares you, doesn't it?" Mel questioned. Daielyn nodded
hesitantly. "I have a lot of work to get done today but why don't I
stay the night in your room. I'll sleep on the couch. Would that make
you feel better?" Daielyn smiled and nodded. "Until then, get some
rest."
Daielyn sighed and exited. She decided to got for a walk. She
wandered the halls a while and finally found herself at the Centre
Exchange. It wasn't very busy and she felt too shy to step out of the
shadows. She wandered back to her room. She had a lingering headache.
The doctor had told her it would go away but it was still around.
Daielyn stopped in front of her bedroom mirror. She had on a pair
of black slacks, a pale pink tee-shirt, white socks and white shoes.
She pulled her long black hair back into a bun.
Daielyn walked into her sitting area. She was quite happy to
find a laptop. She turned it on and re-searched on herself. Her file
was sealed. She tried three override codes and none of them worked.
Either her file had been deleted or was under Tower security.
Daielyn knew of another other way to get the information. She
started to concentrate. She tried to remember the paper. Had she
looked at the part she hadn't read? What had been on it? What had it
said?
Daielyn tried for hours. No matter how much she tried there was
always a part she couldn't remember. She knew she'd read it.
Manchester had read it. However, he would never tell her. It was how
he was going to control her. Why did everyone have to be controlled
with the past? What they didn't know about their pasts and what they
couldn't remember.
People could remember being two. She'd been four when she was
adopted. Why couldn't she remember it? Had her parents put her up for
adoption? What about her brother, Christian? Where was he? What about
her adoptive parents? How had they gotten her? Somehow the Centre
knew her entire history. Had they planned it? Why hadn't they taken
her until four weeks ago if they had known the last nine years?
*~*~*~*~*
Walking down a long hallway. "I want to go home!"
"Quiet, Lynie. You'll go home soon." Manny smiles, then stands
up.
"How soon?" I can wait a little longer. "Where's Mommy? Will I
see her soon too?"
"Very soon. Lynie. First, we have to take you to see some very
nice people. And we want you to tell us what you see when you meet
them. Okay?" Manny asks.
"Okay." Taking Manchester's hand. He has such a nice smile. Big
glass doors.
"Now, remember what we said. Remember what you see when you meet
each man. Afterwards we'll get you some candy and then..."
"I get to go home with my family."
"And you want that, don't you?"
"Yes Manny! Yes, yes. Let's go!" Inside. Room full of people.
First man, tall, old. White hair. White mustache. Brown eyes.
Cold eyes. Harsh eyes. He's angry. He made death. I want to go.
Please, I want to leave.
Manny! Manny take me out of here! I don't want to do this. Blurry
vision, wet face. Up. Manny's face. Out of the room. "Lynie, what's
wrong?"
"I want my mommy. I want to go!"
"What did you see?" No Manny. No questions. Take me back to my
parents. "Daielyn! What did you see?" Why did you stop calling me
Lynie? Why do you look so angry? You are suppose to be nice.
"Put me down! Put me down now!" Down. Straightening blue dress.
Wait who is that coming? Manny, don't look at him look at me!
"What's wrong? Why isn't she in there?" Oh I wish I could see
your face.
"She's frightened. I'm trying to get her to tell me what she saw.
It should only take a minute. We'll come back inside then." No Manny
don't say that. I don't want to go back inside that room. Good, let
that other man leave.
Manny, kneeling down to my height? Good! "Lynie, I need you to
tell me what you saw when you talked to the man in there."
"No, I don't-" Crying again.
"Lynie, what did you see? What scared you?" Manny please don't
make me answer. Let go of my arm. "What did you see?" Why do you sound
so angry? I'm sorry! Crying...I'm sorry.
"I saw death!" Now, Manny please. Let go. Good. Now, please take
me home.
*~*~*~*~*
Daielyn opened her eyes. Mel was looking her in the face.
"Daielyn are you okay?"
Daielyn nodded. "What time is it?"
"Almost seven, why?"
"I'll be right back but there is something I need to do." Daielyn
stood up, straightened the bun in her hair and exited. Mel sat there
puzzled a second. Then she shrugged and sat on the couch.
******
"Manchester, we need to talk!"
"Daielyn, so nice to see you. Why is it that nobody ever walks
through that door and the first thing they say is 'hi'? No, it's
always 'Manchester we need to talk'. Well, talk away." Manchester put
down his book and looked at Daielyn expectantly.
"Why didn't you tell me I'd been here before?" Daielyn asked.
"Well, I had no idea," Manchester replied.
"You were there. You were with me. You were my caretaker. I
remember. I called you Manny and you called me Lynie," Daielyn
continued. "I was very small. It must have been at least eight years
ago."
"So, you found out. What is your point?" Manchester asked.
"Did the Centre take me away from my real family? Did my adoptive
parents work for the Centre?" Daielyn asked.
"I don't know. I was handed a three year-old given instructions
and that's it. I was told nothing about your family history. And I
still don't know," Manchester answered.
"You are lying. You may have tried to make me forget, sealed or
erased my files and taken that paper I had in my room but I still
remember. And right now, you may be the only person that can tell me
what happened to my family!" Daielyn yelled fiercely.
Manchester clenched his fists and stood up. "Get out!" he yelled.
"Not until you tell me!" Daielyn shouted.
Manchester took the book off his desk and flung it at Daielyn who
ducked out of the way. "Get out!" he growled. He threw another book in
Daielyn's direction. It hit her shoulder. She winced but refused to
leave. Manchester came forward. He grabbed Daielyn by the wrists.
"Don't you understand, Joey? I can't!"
Joey? Who was he talking to? What about Joey? Daielyn trying to
pull away. Why did the name suddenly seem familiar? Daielyn finally
pulled away and ran from the office. She went back to her room.
Everything began to blur. It didn't make sense anymore. Why couldn't
it be easy?
"Daielyn, what is going on?" Mel asked as Daielyn came back into
the living quarters.
"I'm not sure. I think I'll sleep on it." Daielyn yawned. "Could
you do some research on me?"
"I guess, what do you need to know?" Mel questioned.
"I was here at the Centre nine or ten years ago. I want to know
how I got out again."
"I'll give it a try," Mel answered.
Daielyn smiled. She went into the bedroom. She laid down on the
bed.
*~*~*~*~*
Underwater. Looking up. Coming up for air! Down again. Hand in
water. The Centre, Darkness...long hallway, little girl. Navy blue
corduroy dress, white turtle neck. Little boy. Brown hair, blue eyes.
Swim trunks. Pond! Little boy jumping into pond. Hand in water. "Help
me! Daddy, help me!" Underwater. Searching! Up and down. No! No! Where
are you?
Woman! Dark brown hair, green eyes. Swimsuit. "Manny, help me,"
she calls. I will! I will! Into water. Hand sticking up through the
water. Reaching. "Help us!" Into the pond. "Help him. Save him!"
Down the hall. Looking at little girl. Daielyn! Turns into little
boy. Back at the pond. Looking up. Black car driving away. A Centre
car. License plate reads: U WERE 2 LATE. You did this! You did this!
You killed them! Car disappears in distance.
*~*~*~*~*
Daielyn awoke. That had been a dream. Manchester's dream? How had
she gotten to it? Was it the dark and cryptic images that she had in
her? They were from Manchester. During the memory download she had
been able to access Manchester's memories. However, Manchester's
memories caused Daielyn to access one of her own.
*~*~*~*~*
"Lynie it's okay. Come on, take my hand." Where are you taking me
Manny? Home? You said we'd go home yesterday and the day before that.
How long have I been here? I want Mommy.
Into a room. Other kids! Toys! "Manny! I want to play!"
"You will Lynie. Look over there." What am I looking for Manny?
Little boy. Blue eyes like mine. Brown hair. Wet hair. Orange swimming
shorts. Wet!
"Lynie, this is Joey." Manny, thank you. Joey?
"Hi Joey." Will I get to play with Joey? Can I? Is that a nod
Manny? Yes I can play! So Joey, what will we play?
"Have a good day Joey. And show Lynie around." Oh Manny just let
us play.
"I will Daddy! I will!"
*~*~*~*~*
"It's him! The boy from the dream it's him!" Daielyn yelled. Mel
ran into the room and turned on the light. She looked at Daielyn,
noticing a bruise on her shoulder.
"Daielyn, what are you talking about?" Mel demanded. "And where
did you get that bruise?"
"When I went to see Manchester today. And he called me Joey!"
Daielyn explained quickly. "Joey is a little boy with brown hair and
blue eyes but he's probably not little anymore. He must be my age. But
Manchester he called me Joey. And Joey was in his dream."
"Daielyn, what are you saying?" Mel asked.
"Joey is Manchester's son!" Mel was silent. "Manchester has a
son!" Daielyn exclaimed.
"I heard you Daielyn," Mel responded. "Manchester gave you that
bruise, didn't he?" Daielyn nodded. "Are you okay?"
She was fine, but that wasn't the important thing. Neither was
the new information she'd found. Now, the important thing was what she
was going to do with it.
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