It's barely five AM. The chief medical examiner in Kings County starts down the highway from the little seafront town she calls home to the city. She rolls up the windows when the predicted rain starts coming down and peers over the steering wheel as her vision impairs. 

The early morning news report plays on low volume, but the information doesn't reach her. Her mind is on the lifeless body of a teenage girl lying in the morgue waiting for examination. Other than the occasional trucker nothing passes by, not this early. 

The drive up to the city is a tedious one hour long haul in a straight line, with the only view to entertain being the endless pine trees bordering on either side. On good days you can hear the ocean in the distance and get a glimpse of the sunrise overhead, but now it's all clouds and the sound of the downpour getting heavier.

The medical examiner sinks into a steady trance of sixty miles per hour, until something catches her eye between the green on her left. A misty dark blue shape emerging and shuffling onto the road, only to collapse on the wet asphalt. 

A quick pound on the brakes brings the car to a shrieking halt. She breathlessly stares at a dark blue raincoat covering what must be a mad man lying in the beam of her headlights. Her hand shakes as she reaches to open the door and make her way to the front of her car. 

It's strange how all the gruesome murder victims and overdosed street kids appearing on her slabs never fazed her, but this moment while reaching to lift the raincoat sends a chill down her spine. As she raises the wet piece of clothing, she considers the possibility that she's about to encounter her first dead body out in the real world, outside the confines of her carefully sterilized workplace. 

And then the possibility that she herself might be a dead body soon when her heart nearly leaps out of her chest. A hand appears from the raincoat and grabs her. The loud scream about to break from her lungs is halted when she sees the face of the young girl now clinging to her arm. 

'H-help me.' It's all the girl can muster before releasing her arm and losing consciousness. The medical examiner takes what feels like her first breath in the last two minutes as she hears a truck pull up behind her.

∾

That morning Riley Clemens is rushing through the hospital parking lot in a haze of both relief and trepidation. At the sight of her mother, Diana, standing in the first floor hallway, reality dawns on her. Up until that moment it had felt like she was still sleeping. 

'Where's Carrie?' Diana reaches for her as she attempts to mask the heartache that has taken hold. 'Riley...' As she looks into her daughters eyes she can't bring herself to utter much more than that right away. 

It's then that Riley sees her sister through the window of the room on her left, sitting upright in the bed with her legs pulled to her chest, staring blankly into the distance. 

As Riley takes a step towards the window, her panic subsides to a point where she feels downright numb. 'What happened to her?' 

'The doctors think she's been drugged, they're running blood tests right now.' Taking her daughters hand, Diana prepares herself to repeat what the doctors told her only minutes earlier. 'Carrie... doesn't remember anything. Not the last two days, not what happened to her. She doesn't know who we are, or who she is.'

The next two months passed like a series of darkened images moving through a slideshow. It's like Riley was watching them from a distance instead of being in them. Carrie quickly declined into her traumatized state, barely speaking most of the time. After the unworldly amount of drugs uncovered by the blood test passed through her system the initial hysteria she experienced subsided and she turned inwards. Despite being unable to recover her memories she now at least acknowledges her family, but not like she did before. 

She won't talk about the two days she was missing before turning up on that highway, whether she still doesn't remember is unclear. But one thing Riley knows for certain, someone broke her sister, and she's going to find out who.

∾

'Why can't you just let us protect you?' Diana's question interrupts Riley's first nearly calm moment of the day as she was staring at the ocean visible from her vantage point in the passenger seat. 

'I thought we were done talking about this.' Riley's irritation is more audible in her voice than she intended.

'If what happened to Carrie really is an attack on our family then we could all be in danger, we can't let anything happen to you.' Diana pleads.

'I can't let my life be ruled by fear, and I can't let it stop me from finding out who did this.'

'I told you we should leave that to the police.'

'The cops aren't doing anything and you know it. Ever since Carrie was found on that highway they've all but closed the case. She's alive, and that's all they want to know. They don't give a damn that her sanity's gone to hell or that she's scarred for life. But I do, and I'm going to get justice for her.'

'While putting your own life in danger in the process!'

'Whoever did this got to Carrie while she was inside the most guarded school in the country, do you really think having me followed by a bodyguard 24/7 is going to make any difference?'

She watches as her mother's nails sink into the padding of the steering wheel. This isn't the first fight they've had this month. In the horror of watching Carrie move into Norwell, a psychiatric hospital, they've since started taking out their frustration on each other. 

Riley's father, Jack, isn't much help. Rather than standing by them through this ordeal he's opted to permanently hide in his office. The only time they saw him in the past month was when he came to sign the check for Norwell. 

Riley's relationship with her mother has never been ideal, they've always been opposites. Carrie was the protégé, the one to take over the family business someday.

'Will you at least stay at the penthouse then?' Diana has calmed down a little and is now progressing into her negotiation tactics. 

'How am I supposed to investigate if I let you lock me up like that?' Riley argues, 'I'm going to stay at Carrie's place on campus, I've already talked to Bryn about it.' 

As they drive into the city Riley realizes her last chance at peace is gone. She's about to start her new life. But really, she's just taking over Carrie's. 

For the past two years she had successfully gotten as far from her family as she could, short of leaving the state. She had finally managed to take her own path, one more honest and real than the golden sham that is her family. But now she's being dragged back in, forced to take responsibility as the new Clemens heiress.

As the car descends into the underground parking lot she looks at her phone. A picture of her and Carrie taken at her twentieth birthday last October, set as her phone's background, is a constant reminder of the bond between them that now seems lost. 

Despite taking different paths in life they've always been close, Carrie was the perfect big sister. Wise, patient, ready to listen to her problems and offer advice. She often suspected Carrie of living vicariously through her, the life of freedom and choice that she secretly longed for, the one Riley managed to have. Until now.

Upstairs in the penthouse Diana grabs the house tablet and turns on all the lights and the television before disappearing into the kitchen for her usual late afternoon martini. Riley leans against the large window on her right and glances at the TV.

'30 years since its founding, Cadari Incorporated has made good on its promise to reach the top of its field, with the constant investment in technology and the modernization of the large cities making our country the most advanced in the world. Cadari Inc.'s success has resulted in a large financial growth for both itself as well as the smaller businesses it funds, sending the economy to a skyrocketing high.' 

The talk show host casually sells the lies. That financial growth is exclusively for the rich businessmen at the top, looking out only for themselves and their profitable companies. In the meantime the average Joes are working under them until their hands bleed just to keep their heads above water.

'This is in part thanks to Jack Clemens, the leading power behind Cadari Incorporated. He joins us today to talk about his success and his plans for the future. Welcome, Mr. Clemens.'

'Thank you for having me, George.'

'Now, can you tell the viewers a little bit about what Cadari Inc. does?'

As her father smugly distorts the truth about his corrupt organization Riley notices her mother has re-entered the living room and is now standing behind the couch with a drink in hand, observing her husband. 

Cadari Inc., the company Jack founded ten years ago, likes to tell the people that its purpose is safety. That all those cameras being installed throughout the city are for protection. Really it's just a way for Jack, in cahoots with an elite group of business men, to control everything. Every door, window and lock can be opened with a button inside the Cadari offices, and every alarm can be turned off.

'Now, Mr. Clemens, I understand your family has suffered quite a bit over the last few months after the kidnapping of your oldest daughter, Carrie Clemens. Can you tell us about the situation?'

'My daughter Carrie, who is a smart and promising young student at Penburg University, has unfortunately fallen victim to a dangerous criminal. She will need time to recuperate during which my younger daughter Riley will be taking her place in working to become the best possible future head of our family and the company.'

'There's been a lot of commotion in the media saying that this attack on your daughter was really a move on your family, your wealth and your status. Do you believe this is true?'

'Right now we're not ruling anything out. But we are taking extra safety precautions for the moment.'

'Are you expecting another attack?'

'It is a possibility, yes. But I can assure you I will not give this criminal another chance to get near my family. Family is always my priority, after all.'

Diana turns around, ready to lock herself in the study and drink until she forgets her problems. 'You know he's lying, right?' 

She sighs as she pauses in the doorway and looks at her daughter. 'Riley, don't start.'

'But he's so full of crap, can't you see it? He doesn't give a damn about us! Not about Carrie, not about me, all he cares about is his company and his money.'

'That's enough, Riley.'

'If he really thinks I'm going to be his puppet like Carrie was, then he's got another thing coming.'

Avoiding the subject as always, Diana flees the room. She knows Riley never wanted this life, but she'd never fight Jack on it. It's not like she'd put her own daughters happiness before the family name.

∾

That night Riley drives to the Penburg campus. Fog pulls over the road and a foreboding thunderstorm can be heard in the distance. It reflects her state of mind perfectly, clouded and rumbling. 

As she attempts to form a plan of action she thinks back to her father's words. A second attempt on their family can't be ruled out, and she's the obvious victim. Is her mother right? Is she just being reckless and putting herself in danger? But even if she is, it won't stop her. She knows herself well enough, she can't let this go, it would haunt her forever. And she can't help but wonder if finding out the truth could help Carrie, help her get her memories back.

The highest buildings reach her line of sight, and the evening sky is instantly lit up by the many lights on campus. She's never seen this place before. Carrie always visited her, because the apartment she had to give up just weeks ago, along with the education of her choice, was in the city. And her father handled everything getting her enrolled here. Now she's only ten hours away from her first class. She realizes she's been postponing the inevitable by waiting as long as she could to head out here. 

As she reaches the front gate she first notices the security. A guard is waiting to identify her, but it only takes him a moment to realize who she is. An uncomfortable feeling she knows all too well is beginning to dawn on her. Being recognized and treated differently for it, like some kind of celebrity. But she's not, she hasn't done anything to be recognized for. She was just born into the wrong family. She's a Clemens, and for a while she managed to forget that. She's now, painfully, reminded.

She passes by one after another impressive, modern piece of architecture, each bathing in bright white lights. This place is exactly as she'd expected. Huge and in-your-face luxurious. Bryn has told her some things about Penburg, which you can sum up to 'it has everything'. She's also beginning to notice all the cameras, at every corner. Carrie could never have been abducted here, there's no way it wouldn't have been spotted. But if she left campus, where did she go? 

After the many offices, school buildings and shops come the dorms. Although they look more like townhouses, really fancy ones, and all identical. Like a creepy little village. 

As she pulls onto the driveway of number 31 she sees Bryn opening the garage door for her. She's welcomed by two arms flying around her neck as she exits her little wine-red Mini Hatchback. 'At last, you've arrived.' Bryn's smooth yet delighted smile forces one out of Riley, the first smile in two months. 'Come in, let's chat. It's been so long.'

Riley drags her luggage inside and drops it at the bottom of the stairs. As she enters the living room and takes in her surroundings Bryn is already pouring her tea. She sets herself down on the couch as Bryn strides across the room to turn on the radio and hand her the cup. Placing herself on the opposite couch, she moves to the edge of her seat to throw an intent stare at Riley. Her cat-like, light blue eyes emanate her perpetually calm and confident demeanor. Her long, flowing, golden blond hair is as mesmerizing as ever as she casually strokes it out of her face.

'So, tell me everything. How are you doing, you know, with everything that's going on?' She's right, it has been long. Back when they were all at Carlton Prep together, when Riley was still very much a part of the sons- and daughters-of-the-elite scene, she, Carrie and Bryn were best friends. And when Carrie and Bryn graduated and relocated here the three of them still saw each other all the time. But when Riley secured a diploma a year later she ran for the hills to the most average, mainstream college the city had to offer. After that she only saw them occasionally. It was never the same. There is a bright side to being pulled back in, she's missed Bryn.

'As well as you can expect, I guess.' Riley begins, 'My mom and I have been biting each others heads off, my father's nowhere in sight. So the usual, really.'

'I'm guessing you're not happy to be back here. You've been trying to get out of this whole world, after all.'

'I still don't have any intention of following in my father's footsteps. Really I'm back because I want to find out what happened to Care.'

'Yeah, your mom mentioned that.'

'She talked to you about it?'

'More like tried to get me to talk you out of it. Do you really think you can figure out who took Care?'

'Better than the police can, yeah. I'm on the inside, I know the people here, and more importantly, I know Carrie.'

'As do I. Riley, you and Carrie have been my best friends since kindergarten. I really want to help.' For a moment she considers trying counter Bryn's offer, it'll be dangerous for her. But she knows Bryn, she's kind-hearted, clever and capable, but most of all stubborn.

'You can start right now. Let's talk about the night Care went missing. What do you remember?'

'Not much, I'm afraid. We were at Galaxy, I'd been drinking. I didn't even realize she was gone until the next morning. I do remember she didn't drink though, not that she ever drank much, but she was driving so she didn't drink at all.'

'Do you remember the last time you saw her that night?'

'Eh, probably the last moment I remember from that night, when we were at our table with the usual crowd. That was around three AM?'

'Did she talk to anyone you didn't know? Did anyone stand out?'

'Just the usual guys hitting on her, nothing that lasted more than a few seconds. Nothing special either. We usually stick with our own group.'

'What time was it when you realized she was gone?'

'Around six AM, when I started sobering up a little. I was ready to head home, but Care was my ride, as well as Sofia's. We started looking for her, but when we couldn't find her we caught a ride home. And when she wasn't there either I knew something was wrong.'

After talking for a while they finally call it a night and Riley heads upstairs to quickly unpack some things. Carrie's room is nearly cleared out, Diana wanted her to have her own things at Norwell. Riley's bed and other furniture were brought over last week. After moving some things around she settles on the bed and takes a moment to breathe and digest. 

Did Carrie leave Galaxy by herself that night? Did she just go outside for some air and someone grabbed her? Or the worse possibility, was she lured away by someone she knows? The press keeps shouting that some dangerous criminal went after Carrie to try and hurt their family, but what if that's not it? What if it's personal? What if the person behind it is someone Carrie knows, someone in this school?

∾

The intruding fog flows over her shaking body as Ivy crawls across the wet pavement. She can hear his footsteps coming up behind her, quaking on the stone as the thunder sounds above them. She feels the life draining from her as she sinks down onto her stomach. 

The next moment he's beside her, kneeling down as he turns her onto her back. 'Please...' He grins at her plea. Darkness and hatred flush into his expression. 'It's just business.' 

His glove covered hand raises from his side to reveal a syringe. She's overcome by fear and desperation as she realizes these could be her final moments. The gentle rainfall masks her tears as she feels the sting in her neck. 

He stands up, hovering over her as he looks down at his victim. As her wide open eyes stare up at the sky he sees her pupils turn a glowing bright green. In under a minute her entire body tightens, freezing into paralysis. Soon after she draws her last breath. 

The rain suddenly begins slamming down, ear shattering as it hits the ground. A step back, then turning around, he paces from the scene. Leaving the girl to slowly turn cold.