Linh's POV

"I didn't know my brother was gay," I boldy face the councilors. Oralie is holding my hand. I just pray and pray and pray for her not to say the three words I am dreading. "I didn't. I really didn't," I want to convince myself. Convince myself so it will be easier to convince them. "I'm only knowing this because you are telling me,"

Yet she says the three words. "She is lying,"

For once, Bronte is the one looking sympathetic. "I'm sorry, but we will have to erase Tam and Keefe from your memories,"

The washer holds my temples. I imagine my brother one last time, knowing I won't be seeing him again. I don't let the tears fall. I won't.

... "Why am I here again?"

Sophie's POV

They erased Tam and Keefe from everyone. Linh, Dex, Biana, and Fitz. Now I'm next.

"Hello, Sophie," Oralie greets, but the warmth I'm used to from her is nowhere to be seen. I confindently stride to the chair.

"Get this over with," I grit my teeth. The washer gingerly puts his fingers on my temples, as if I'm a rabid animal or something.

...

...

... It didn't work.

"It worked," He says. I internally smile, knowing that I tucked in my memories pretty well, giving him only parts of Tam and Keefe, memories such as me seeing them at Foxfire, talking to them at lunch. Things that most people wouldn't remember, anyway. Insignificant memories. I let him take them away.

"Why am I here? Did the Neverseen strike again?" I ask, an innocent look on my face. Oralie returns her warmth, her smiling motherly figure. I'm disgusted, but I don't show it.

They say lies I don't even bother to listen to.

"Havenfield," I say as I step into the beam of light.

Fitz's POV

"Sophie, what did you need us for?" I look at the five of us, and something feels wrong. Really wrong, like something was erased from existance, but I can't put my finger on it.

"Okay, this might sound really shocking, but I need you to believe me," She says, and takes a deep breath. She is nervous. "Linh, you have a brother named Tam,"

Linh frowns. "No I don't,"

"Yes, you do. And you guys know Lord Cassius, right?"

We shake our heads a no. Sophie blows out her breath through her mouth, puffing out her cheeks in the process.

"Well, he has a son, and his name is Keefe, and he used to be our friend,"

I shake my head. "No, Sophie. Are you okay? There's only been five of us ever since you came. Me, Linh, Biana, Dex, and you,"

"See, that's not right! We had two other friends, Tam and Keefe. The council erased them from our memories!"

We all just stare at her, shellshocked.

"There is no way that they would do that," Dex quietly says, and I nod my head in agreement. Sophie sighs, clearly frustrated.

"Okay, I'll transm-"

"Why did the council erase them?" Biana quietly asks.

I scoff. "Biana, Sophie is just messing with us! There is no 'Tam' or 'Keefe'!" Though their names on my tongue seem oddly familiar.

"Why did the council erase them?" Biana ignores me. I shoot up my arms in frustration.

"They liked each other," Sophie looks hopefully into Biana's eyes.

"Wait- you said they were boys?" Dex stares at Sophie, gobsmacked. Sophie nods.

"Being gay is illegal in the Forbidden Cities as you all know. That's why they erased them,"

Linh laughs. Momentarily we had forgotten that she was there. Linh laughs like there has been nothing funnier. "Ah, Sophie! You are so funny!" She giggles.

"Wait a second; you think this is a joke?" Sophie frowns. "Linh, you just can't remem-"

"Sophie, your act is getting a little old," Linh shakes her head and walks out. I join her, and so does Dex.

Sophie is on the verge of tears.

Biana's POV

"Sophie, show me the memories," I quietly demand. She lets out a shaky breath, and holds my temples.

...

...

"And we just forgot about them?" I gape. Sophie shakes her head.

"No. They erased our memories,"

"Then how do you remember them?"

"Because I hid the memories,"

I think I look at her strangely, because she tells me that it's a telepath thing.

"Where are they?"

"In a forbidden city. I gave them a crystal,"

I hug her and thank her for sharing them with me.

"Remember, you can't tell a single soul," She reminds me.

I think I'm going to have to break that promise.

Thank you so much for reading my story so far! I have over 300 views and about 60 visitors! I'd like to give a shoutout to these following people...

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