Page 105 of Gifted

“No, you’re not. You heard Daniel. It would crush him to know you were in their control again. We have to be smart about this.”

“And I won’t be now? Do you honestly think they’re going to let me move on with my life and forget about me?” I sigh and force myself to calm down. “Look, I’m not running solely on emotion here. Going back is the only play that makes sense. Think about it. If I remembered everything, I’d never go back. I’d run as far and fast as I could. But if I truly don’t remember anything, why would I do anything except go back? All the reasons that led to my decision to go to Madison in the first place are still valid. Wouldn’t he be suspicious if I didn’t want to return?”

Anna shakes her head. “If you remember everything, then you remember what you went through. You remember the horror of that place for both of you!”

I nod and clench my fists. “Yes, which is why I’m going back for Daniel. I’m not leaving him there to suffer on my behalf.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t sanction this. Even if you did go back, it wouldn’t be like before. Daniel isn’t a student anymore. They have him locked away permanently. You’d never even see him.”

“You could help us. There has to be a way you could get me to him.”

Anna massages her temples. “You’re not thinking rationally. You’d be putting all of us in danger.”

“More danger than he’s in now?”

She doesn’t respond at first, and I hold my breath. “Even if I agree, there’s no guarantee they’d take you back. The other students will remember you. There’s risk for Clausen too.”

“He prides himself on his secret agenda and the façade he’s created. If none of those other students know Daniel’s fate, why would I? Clausen won’t pass up a second chance to get at my abilities. He may have been willing to let me go because he wanted Daniel more, but you and I both know he’d rather have both of us.”

She shakes her head, looking frustrated but weakening. “He won’t be able to help you anymore, Rebecca. They’ve completely broken him. So you go back, have your passionate reunion. Then what?”

I gaze out the window and consider my answer carefully. “You and Daniel will just have to trust me for once. I’ve spent the last few months being a pawn in everyone else’s game. Now it’s my turn to play.”

Chapter 20: Mission

Clausen is overjoyed at my return. “I’m very glad you were willing to give us another chance. I was devastated when I heard about the terrible accident.”

I force a smile. “Thank you, Director Clausen. And thank you for taking me back.”

His sympathetic look is too genuine for my comfort. My god, does he actually believe all his shit?

“It’ll be a tough transition for you, but we’ve already briefed your classmates. Your suitemates, especially. They’ll be a good support system for you. You’ll also continue your work with Anna.”

“She’s been amazing so far.”

“She’s one of our best. All your belongings are where you left them, and I know several of your friends are anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

I suck in a breath. “What are their names?”

“Ben, Laura, and Connor are your suitemates, and I believe Sara is also waiting for you. You and she were close.”

“Thank you. I’ll try to remember.”

“Excellent. You’ll be back to normal in no time.”

“Rebecca!” Sara rushes toward me, and for the first time in a while, my smile is real. I have to fight the urge to express how much I missed her. My gaze flickers over the others.

“They told you I don’t remember anything?” I say when Sara pulls away.

“They said you fell. You must be so scared.”

“Yeah, but Anna’s helping me. In a way it’s not so bad. Some people would give anything for the chance to start over.”

“That’s… wow,” Ben says, waving from the couch. “I’m Ben, by the way. That’s Laura and Connor. How far back does your amnesia go?”

“Basically my whole time here is gone.”

“Do the doctors think your memories might come back?” Connor asks.

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