A/N: YAY! An on time update! Hehe, enjoy my wonderful readers! Also, this chapter is jampacked with some backstory (yippee!!!) and some sad stuff :/

-

02 - 07 - 2089

When Gunner and Enzo return, I am still groggy and out of it. My headache has dulled to the back of my mind, but it still makes it harder to keep my thoughts clear. I imagine the headache as a little angry creature in my mind, constantly shouting and kicking at me.

Gunner stays at the door when they enter, while Enzo stalks over to me and unties my hands from the chair. I'm about to try and hit him when he grabs my arms, forcing them behind my back. His fists are strong, and I am helpless to fight as he pulls me towards the door.

"Where are you taking her?" Cade demands, and I glance back to see him struggling against the ropes tying him to the chair.

"Don't worry. We won't hurt the little lady," Gunner says, shutting the door behind us as Enzo pulls me into the hall. I hear Cade yelling and struggling inside the room, the kernel of fear in my stomach clinking around painfully.

"Walk," Gunner orders, and my eyes snap to meet his cold ones. A smile draws onto his dark and stone-like features, making him appear more intimidating.

"What's going on?" I ask, my voice coming out much quieter than I had anticipated. Enzo pulls me down the hall and into another room, just as scant and filthy as the one Cade and I were in. The only difference is that this room has no chairs.

Enzo shoves me forward, releasing my hands as I stumble to my knees. I catch myself and turn to face him. Gunner isn't behind him, and for a moment I wonder what is going on. Are they going to get rid of me? Or Cade?

"Please don't hurt us," I beg, scooting back a step when Enzo advances. My back hits the wall before I can put any distance in between us and he stops in front of me, kneeling down to look me in the eyes.

"I'm supposed to make sure you're the girl on TV," he says, his gaze studying me. He looks at me like one might look at an unsolved puzzle. The same way Doctor Acosta always looked at me. Like I'm a novelty, something to be deciphered and studied. I don't like it.

"I--I'm not," I stutter, trying to sound brave. Who knows what Gunner might be doing to Cade at this moment. I need to be strong.

"I'm pretty sure you are," Enzo says slowly, his eyes picking me apart. He reaches forward suddenly, his fingers brushing the side of my face. He's surprisingly gentle, but it doesn't stop the shivers that run down my face and neck. I try to jerk away, but only end up hitting my head on the wall.

Enzo tilts his head and lowers his hand. "You are her," he says at last, more to himself than me.

I'm about to deny it again, when he shakes his head and cuts me off. "Don't deny it. I've watched enough of the news to recognize you. But unfortunately for the people looking for you, I'm not going to turn you in."

His words come as an absolute shock. I'm so shocked that I wonder if I heard him right. He's... not going to turn me in?

As if Enzo can read my mind, he shakes his head. "No, I'm not going to give you back to those monsters. They made you out to be some machine but..." he hesitates, appearing conflicted. "But you are nothing like a machine. You're so different than I imagined." He clamps his mouth shut and turns away, only confusing me more. It seems like he wants to say more, but something is holding him back.

Before I can draw up enough courage to ask him a question of my own, Enzo stands and makes his way to the door. He pauses a moment, not turning, then exits. The door closes then, leaving me alone in the dark.

I draw my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them, listening to the voices out in the hallway. I can't quite make out what they are saying, but I can tell that Gunner isn't happy. It sounds like Enzo is arguing with him, but about what I can't imagine.

When their voices quiet down, the door opens, this time to emit Gunner, with Enzo right behind him. Gunner stalks over to me, stopping just a foot away. "She's our chance," he mutters, and I know he's not talking to me even though his gaze is locked on me.

I glance at Enzo in confusion, and he crosses his arms. "This isn't what I imagined it being. We can't just sell a girl."

Gunner turns on Enzo. "She's not a girl," he argues, his tone rising in volume. "Haven't you watched the news? She a thing."

His words echo in my mind, and I'm too petrified to argue. I remain still, frozen, as I watch the two men fight.

"We're not selling her, Gun," Enzo snaps.

Gunner, apparently seeing that Enzo isn't going to go along with what he wants, lowers his voice. "It's not selling," he says. "We're just returning her to where she belongs." Enzo snorts and shakes his head, but stops when Gunner shoots him a look.

"Fine," Enzo says at last. "Give me a minute to talk to her then."

Seemingly satisfied, Gunner agrees and shuffles out, shutting the door behind him. Enzo pulls on a switch near the door, and a dim light flickers on above our heads.

He steps towards me, and I press further into myself, trying to keep my body from shaking. I meet his gaze, even though I'm scared beyond belief. Scared that they'll return me to Doctor Acosta. I have no idea what she would do if she got me back, but I do know I wouldn't like it.
Enzo opens his mouth to speak, but my fear pushes me to speak first. "Please don't take me back." My eyes are wide and dilated as I stare at Enzo.

His eyes widen at my words ever so slightly and he stops moving. "I'm not going to," he says at last.

"But--but you said--"

Enzo snaps out of his stupor and closes the distance between us, kneeling down next to me. "I didn't mean it. But Gunner is intent on getting a profit off you." He pauses, and I suck in a breath. "I need you to give me something. Something to convince him that you don't deserve to go back there. Something that tells him you're not just some machine or thing they made."

My mind whirs, and I nod frantically, trying to think of something, anything, to keep them from making Cade and I go back. "I--I'm human," I say lamely, ducking my head in between my knees when I realize how stupid that is. Of course I'm human.

Instead of being angry, Enzo laughs softly. I look over at him in surprise. His grey eyes sparkle, and I find myself somewhat entranced. The color is so plain, but yet pure. It shines against his tanned skin, glinting with hidden meaning and unspoken thoughts.

I shake my head in confusion and draw my gaze back down. I can feel my heart thudding in my chest, almost painfully. I focus on that instead of the confusion.

"I know that," he says at last, his voice breathy. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

I narrow my eyes, a sudden thought sparking in my mind. "How do I know you're not trying to trick me?"

Enzo raises an eyebrow. "You're very smart," he comments. My neck and face heat up, and I bite my lip, unsure of what to say. No one's ever told me I'm smart. I'm not sure if he means it as an insult or a compliment.

"I'm immune," I say suddenly, remembering the word Doctor Acosta used. "A... miracle."
Enzo nods. "Yeah, can you think of anything they did to you that was bad?"

I purse my lips, trying to think. My mind comes up with all of the different instances where I was punished for insubordination, or purposefully infected. "Um..." I'm not sure where to begin. "They... used to use this thing called a verum depicter." I glance up at him, and he nods for me to continue. "It..." I have to pause when the vivid, graphic memories spring up loose in my mind. "It would get inside my head, and, and mix things up. Make me see things. They would use it when I was in solitary." I am unable to continue anymore, and tighten my grip around my legs, trying to corral the memories that are now loose in my mind.

When I grasp some semblance of sanity once again, I sneak a peek at Enzo to see him watching me, his eyes wide and his expression startled. I'm about to ask what is the matter, when he speaks. His voice is soft, treading on a thin wire.

"Why did they do that to you?"

My hands shake, my knuckles white. "Once it was because I tried to go outside. One time I also tried sneaking out of my room. And... and..." I can't, my mind thinks pathetically. "And other stuff," I finish vaguely. Tears are blurring my vision, and I'm doing all I can to keep them back. I must be strong.

-