Page 72 of Stolen Omega

I guess I’ve missed a lot over the years.

I hope he’ll forgive me for that.

I’ve got a lot to make up for.

Leaving the barn takes me a few minutes.

The easy part is over, and I can’t help the sliver of doubt that rings through my head as I hesitate to move on to the hard part. I know Zelena is Zoey. I’ve known from the first moment I heard her voice at Dale’s prom. I wasn’t looking for that. It was fate.

Yet, Dale’s words are starting to sink in now.

I remember exactly how she sounded singing along to her Walkman as she danced down the street all those years ago. Way back when I was eight years old, and she was seven. I was mesmerized.

I didn’t know anyone could sound like sunshine until that moment.

She laughed when I told her that, brushing off the compliment.

She knew she was good, but she didn’t think she was that good.

What if Zelena doesn’t have those memories?

What if Dale’s right, and I’ve fixated on something that isn’t real?

I’m willing to admit it’s possible. I lost myself once before while I was looking for her kidnappers.

I was so far gone that I was ready to end my own life as soon as I’d dealt with those bastards.

Dale snapped me out of that downward spiral, and he’s the reason I heard Zelena sing.

I know that means something.

The three of us were always fated to be together.

Everything happens the way it’s supposed to.

Zelena is Zoey. I know she is.

But, if she doesn’t remember anything and she somehow isn’t my long-lost true mate, I’ll let her go.

I’ll accept responsibility for my crimes, and I’ll make sure Dale doesn’t have to pay for my mistakes.

Taking in a deep breath, I prepare myself mentally for what comes next.

This is the part where I need to be careful. I make my way back out to the van.

Zoey doesn’t remember who she is, and I can’t let her see me until she’s gotten some of her memories back. I also can’t take her on my Cessna without taking her out of the box.

Besides, she’s been in there for long enough now.

I stop at the open back doors of the van, taking the ski-mask out of my back pocket, and putting it over my head quickly. I hesitate for a second before I pull it down over my face.

She’s awake in there. I can sense it. She’s panicking, like Dale told me she was.

This part of the plan doesn’t make me feel good, so I guess maybe I’m not a complete psycho like my father after all. Zoey’s already been through so much, and this is going to scare her.

That’s what I need. No, it’s what she needs.

Words won’t make her remember what she’s already been through.

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