Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own any of the characters, plots or stories of the amazing Scott Westerfield and am not associated with him or his publisher(s)
We rush out of the cave to a devastating scene. The fire is already spreading towards us and my first reaction is to scream. I stay strong for Shay.
Dad disappears and comes back with four hoverboards in tow. He thrusts a crash bracelet into each of our hands. Luckily we are above a twisting, misleading trail of iron to the Smoke.
I can't breathe. My home is nothing more than rubble.
"H-how could this have hap-" Shay breaks off and I follows her gaze... "Tally! Wh-who's that?"
"Dr Cable!" Dad speaks through gritted teeth and I fix my eyes upon a cruel, thin, pointed face I heard so much about in my youth. She's worse than anything could have prepared me for. I feel sick.
She is talking and...is she laughing with Tally?! Without warning, Tally pulls out something from her pocket, a stun gun
I am hit first and as my body crumples I turn my eyes to my family. First Shay, then Mum, then Dad fall as well and I try to cry out to them but as I blink, I open my eyes screaming in a sterilised white room.
"It's OK baby, I'm here." A smooth, thick-lipped and not-quite-human face came into view.
"Who are you?"
"It's me, silly! Shay-la!"
"What have they done to your face?!" I sit bolt upright, surveying the room. I spot a door and walk off before she answers. I know what she was going to say and hearing it out lout would only make it more official, as if it could still be a dream if I don't let myself listen.
"Oh hey Dave." I gasp in horror. Mum and Dad are Pretty again.
I dart for the next door and find it locked. I have given up hope and as I slide to the floor a thought creeps into my mind and threatens to take over.
"Get me a mirror." My voice sounds hollow.
"What's wrong dearie?" Mum asks me, her plastic forehead has lost the wrinkles she used to have when she was confused.
"GET ME A MIRROR!" I start to cry and as I look around, I see a single metal tile in a sea of whitewashed walls. I crawl over and drag my eyes level with the tile.
Fainting hurts.
The thought, the one thought that ripped away my consciousness was 'I am Pretty'
