The Overseer grabs an earpiece, placing it in his ear before speaking into the mic. “West end storage unit, number 105. I want to know what’s inside, top-level authority only.”
There’s a mumbled response, but we don’t get excused. Instead, the Overseer walks to the other side of the desk, pushing Madam out of his way and opening a computer, bringing up the live feed of the search.
This is a test. If there isn’t something good in the unit, Bella and I are going to die. I’m sure of it.
“Permission to enter, sir?” The sound comes clearly from the computer, and the Overseer mumbles a “Yes” into the mic. Bella and I hold our breaths as we watch the unit being opened.
Most storage units are long abandoned. Especially for the average citizens, they don’t have enough to need a unit. The elite are the ones who have them, but even they usually keep everything close to home; not in some storage unit that can be easily accessed.
The metal hinges creak as the door is pushed open. Dust falls from the frame and coats the unit. It’s dirty but not abandoned, not like the rest of them. The sound spills through the speaker, and I keep my eyes on the screen, too afraid to look away. What if Cayden set this up to kill us? What if it’s empty? Would he really let us die?
Please, Cayden. Please don’t let me die today. Let there be just enough that we can live.
Never could I ever have imagined what was actually inside. As the soldiers turn on the hanging light, suddenly everything comes into view. The walls are lined with papers, photos—no, posters. The walls are covered in missing posters, photos of girls from The Academy. Some of the girls are already dead, others barely alive. The photos range in age, some young like I was, some older like Bella.
But then I see my poster, my photo hung on the back wall for all to see. My hair is in pigtails. I’m smiling widely, unafraid. Like I haven’t spent my entire life being forced not to show any emotions.
My breathing hitches, and I pray no one noticed the change. I look so happy, so free. The girl in the photo is an entirely different person, someone not afraid to laugh, or cry, or speak. Then it hits me. This was never for The Academy.
This was for me.
I stare at the photos, memorising them. Bella Rose. Bella’s last name is Rose. Kylie Quinton, Shayleen Kitty, and then I see my last name. Monroe. My name is Darlia Monroe. I have a last name, someone gave me a last name. Mum.
“Well, that was pointless.” The Overseer sighs, turning off the screen. “But it was true nonetheless, so we will keep assigning you on these missions. But I will only warn you once, PX-3. If you lie to us, you will be terminated.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Overseer nods, stepping back around the desk and grabbing a folder, handing it to me.
“Congratulations, you now have a name assigned to you. Due to your continued attendance to the same events, we want you to use this if anyone ever asks who you are. Today will be different; there is no event for you to go to, so instead we are sending you to a place he frequents. You are not permitted to read anything, and doing so will mean an immediate punishment.”
“Where are we going, sir?”
“The library.”
Library? What’s a library? I can only assume it’s a place with books, considering he made sure to mention we aren’t permitted to read anything. Not that we can read much, anyway. The books they give us only have the material we need for training.
Bella and I nod to the Overseer before standing and walking out of the room. By the time we return to the assigned bunk room, Lauren’s things are gone and Bella’s clothes are hanging in her place.
The wardrobe is now filled with Bella’s uniforms, and the bedside table now has Bella’s assigned books. There is not a single trace of Lauren anywhere. It’s like she never existed.
I go to lay down for just a second, when something hard hits my head from under my pillow. What? I sit up and reach under the pillow, pulling out something I never thought I would see again.
Lauren’s diary.
Attached is a small note taped to the top of the notebook. I peel it off and look up to Bella, who is staring at me wide-eyed as the page unfolds.
This belongs to you, darling. No one else needs to know the details on these pages. Hide it well, I trust you know where they wouldn’t look. I told you I had a way into The Academy. Monroe suits you.
Yours, Cayden
I’m not sure what happens first, but my jaw drops and my eyes well over with unshed tears. Cayden bought Lauren’s diary for me. I bite back a smile at the end of the note. I almost hear him mocking me through the page, but he’s not here.
But why? Why would he spend so much on something for me?
I am just as much his target as he is mine. Cayden is using me, I am sure of it. Though I am yet to figure out why, considering he’s only given me things and asked for nothing in return.
I open up the diary to the first page, and to my relief, nothing has been removed by The Academy.
