Page 16 of Amnesty

“That’s all you got?” I said, disappointed.

“Sorry, honey, I left my crystal ball at home today.”

“Funny,” I noted, but I was pretty letdown. I thought maybe Robbie would see something or recognize something no one else did.

“You do look like her in a lot of ways, but it’s been over ten years… People change, especially from teens to adulthood.”

“Yeah,” I answered, forlorn. I knew that, but it wasn’t enough to keep me from hoping.

“You seriously have no idea? No memories at all that would even give a clue?”

“I have a few brief memories… But it’s hard to trust my own mind right now.”

“Eddie seems convinced.” Robbie pointed out. “He’d know better than anyone.”

I glanced up, a little surprised. “How close are you and Eddie?”

“I don’t stalk the guy, but I mean, we’re tight. Been through some shit together and still managed to keep it together. That’s sort of why we do this paintball every year.”

“Eddie isn’t completely convinced I’m Sadie. He didn’t tell you that?” I probed.

“Nope. Haven’t talked to him much since you washed into town.” He cleared his throat. “He’s been pretty busy.”

“What am I missing here?” I pressed, unable to shake the feeling there was something between Eddie and his friend I didn’t know.

Robbie averted his gaze.

“You never came to the hospital during all the months I was there.” My voice turned thoughtful. “He never once mentioned you…”

Robbie remained mum, but the way he shifted told me I was onto something.

“I'll just ask Eddie,” I said, starting in the direction he went off in.

“Wait.” Robbie caught my wrist. I glanced back at him.

“I was the one…” He began, his voice dropping.

“The one?”

“The one who dared Eddie to go to Rumor Island, the reason he and Sadie got in the boat that night. The reason she—maybe you—disappeared.”

Tension stole the crisp feel from the air when I stepped out of the rental tent. Automatically, my eyes sought out Am. The second I found her, my pace quickened.

She and Robbie were standing close as if they were having some kind of intense conversation. Not the kind I would expect them to be having in the center of a paintball field.

Golden strands of her short hair floated back away from her face, waving to me as I moved closer. Robbie’s eyes lifted, saw me coming, causing them to widen. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, blindsided by whatever Am was saying.

That’s why he was single. He talked a good game, but he couldn’t even handle Am for ten minutes while I returned all our gear.

I would have laughed if his stare didn’t appear so dire.

“Eddie,” he called, a little relief in his voice.

Amnesia turned abruptly. Briefly, our stares connected, and then she turned back to Robbie. “I guess that explains why I haven’t seen you until today,” she told him.

“What?” I asked, looking curiously between the two.

“Robbie’s the one who dared you that night.”

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