I haven't slept well after what had happened, I had too many questions left unanswered. Too many mysteries too uncover, and one too many problems to take care of. Despite all of these setbacks I have no choice but too move forward. I must know who I was. But what will be the costs? People dying at my hands? Me losing everything I have? Well only time can tell, but sacrifices will have to be made. There is no more turning back.

That morning some interesting news reached me, some news which was related to the events of the day before. To the south of the base a forest fire devastated everything. One which is currently being said has been caused by someone, rather than by something.

"Remember your dreams? Find me there." Now it makes sense, they are doing this to get my attention. But I do not think they are willing to handle this peacefully, not after my apparent deffection. Agent 1 still owes me an explanation for that, but not now. I have business to attend to.

I got my equipment, was actually thinking about going there in regular clothes. But I do not know if this person is going to be hostile. I suppose we will find out.

As I grabbed my multitool and my gun. I heard someone knocking on my door, I did not expect any visitors though. So who would want to speak to me while that forest fire was still being investigated. To my surprise it was Pearl, I wonder why.

Though she did not know anything about this possible second meeting, it was clear she knew Marina was hiding something. "You know 16, I am worried about Marina. I couldn't find her when I was looking for her yesterday evening. And when I woke her up this morning she has a book with her, which she hid as soon as she saw me. I think she is still somewhat afraid of this agency."

Pearl does have a point, Marina is an Octarian just like me. But she still has all of her memories, even the ones she wishes to forget. "I would understand if she is afraid, I know what it's like to be different. I just don't want this agency to do the same to her, as they did to me."

Pearl had a questioning look in her eyes. I completely forgot. I didn't tell Pearl and Marina about my time in the holding cells. "I'll explain that later for now we've got another problem at our hands. I will need your help with this. I know it sounds stupid, but I need you to keep everyone away from me. I am going to stray somewhat further than just the place of the fire itself."

Pearl nodded and followed me to the part of the forest that had been burnt down. When we arrived there were multiple other agents there, but luckily no one who kept a close eye on me.

I spoke to some of them to figure out a bit more on what exactly happened. They all mostly said the same thing. It was someone who had caused it over something, and there were no traces to be found. Well not in this place, but I know where to look for answers.

Or rather who I needed to find for those answers.

As some time passed I decided to search the surrounding area. I told Pearl that I would not stray too far, and in the meantime signed her to do what I had asked.

As I went further into the forest I decided to turn off my earpiece, since it could track my position. I have to make sure I am alone this time. While I was wandering in the surrounding area I kept a close eye on everything around me, and made sure I was ready for a possible fight.

But nothing happened, and yet I felt like someone was watching me. Out of nowhere, I heard a twig snap behind me. I immediately snapped around, but no one was there. This was almost like that dream, just less freaky.

Despite that, I still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Once I turned back to walk further, I found who I was looking for. The shadowy person from before was there. 5 feet in front of me, and staying silent.

I did not move, did not say a word and prepared for anything that could happen. Until my patience essentially ran out. "Look I came here because I want to know more about my past, and more about you."

They scoffed before speaking. "Well way to break the ice, but no doubt you figured what's going on here. Now I'll be honest with you, my name is 15. I am you, but different."

He stepped out of the shadows and I could see him clearly for the first time. He has the same hair color, eyes and body type as me. We're almost identical except for him being a boy.

"So 15, huh. Now would you mind explaining what is going on, and what you know about me."

He grinned manically. "Well 16 you did a good job getting here alone. Now I can explain everything, but you will have to come with me. Either willingly, or by force."

And as he said it, he grabbed out a handgun. Shit, I knew I should have grabbed mine before he had a chance. He walked closer to me whilst holding gunpoint. I stepped backwards not wanting to take any risk.

"I'm sorry 16, but I have a job to do." he said, whilst getting ever closer.

I kept looking him straight in his eyes, and kept walking backwards. Until I bumped into a tree, he was an inch in front of me.

"You and me both know you have nowhere to run 16, why not give in already."

He grabbed me by my jacket, and I closed my eyes in fear. But right before he could do anything else, a deafening bang reached all across the forest.

When I opened my eyes 15 had dropped the gun, and was bleeding from his hand. Right before he could reach out I grabbed the gun, and made a run for it.

Trees zoomed by and I was too afraid to look behind me. until I stumbled over something, making me fall on my back.

As I was getting back up I saw 15 run right for me, holding a knife in his left hand. When I was on my feet again he attacked me with the knife. I dodged aside but he didn't stop, luckily I managed to block the second attack with my gloves. I kicked him in his guts, and ran away again.

Fighting wasn't an option, he is stronger than I am. I kept running for a while. I checked behind me to see how far away I was from 15, and didn't see him at all. But when I turned he was there again, getting ready to attack me.

I turned on my earpiece again right before he slashed at me. I dodged, and blocked most of his attempts. But he managed to stab me in my left hip. In pain but not dead yet, I threw him on the ground and disarmed him.

I may have held the knife. But fighting was still not an option, especially as I was weakened.

Whilst making another run, I called backup. Multiple agents were on their way to help, I just had to hold out for a little. It was inevitable that 15 would catch up with me. I ran as fast as I could, just to get more time.

15 reached me either way, I held him off for as long as I could. I tried to hit him, kick him. But nothing seemed to wear him down. I was being to reckless, and stumbled while backing away from him.

He immediately climbed on top of me, and started to strangle. I tried to fight back, I tried too loosen his grip. But with no effect. "Well then this is it, this is where it will end." I thought to myself. Strength weakening, sight fading, losing my grip and myself.

But right before I blacked out completely, he let loose and jumped off. I tried to stand up again, coughing and breathing heavily. Two agents walked past me and a third one got me up.

15 was on his knees and kept a hand on his shoulder. He stood up and threw something on the ground, exploding into a bright flash blinding me and the other agents. When my sight recovered 15 vanished without leaving a trail.

One of the agents that came to help grabbed out some bandages and tied them around my hips. The agent that got me up snapped in his fingers a couple times and asked: "Are you alright?"

I couldn't even answer. My sight faded as I fell to the ground, but I did not losing consciousness. I tried to get up again, but was too weak. These agents lifted me off the ground, and carried me away.

While on the brink of blacking out, I saw someone. They were running over the tree branches above me. I wanted to warn the agents but couldn't, I'm glad they didn't attack or stop the agents. I tried to memorize their appearance, but could only remember two things. They were wearing a red scarf, and had a weapon strapped to their back.

The agents that had saved me had carried me back to the base, I was still at the verge of blacking out. I was brought to the medical care, and my wound got treated there.

A good while later I woke up in my own room, surprising considering that this wound could have been fatal. Though I cannot properly judge it, I am no expert after all. I went at to get answers, all I got were more questions.

So I decided to try linking some more loose leads together, but I can't seem to make any sense of it.

Agent 3 who is related to me somehow, this 15 who knows more about me, the agents 1 and 2 with that song and who is this person that was tailing me on the tree branches.

I've only got 2 leads I can go after. Agent 3's link with me or this person who was tailing me.

Agent 3 has not been seen for quite some time, so it is probably a cold lead. And how am I supposed to find someone when I only know they had a red scarf. They could easily get rid of it making just another cold trail.

The only logical option I have got is speak to agents 1 and 2, ask if they have any more information on Agent 3. No Agent 3's lead has been cold for far too long, I won't find anything new there.

Guess I have no other option but going out and search for the person with the red scarf. The plaza, that's the only place they could have seen me before. That's where I need to go, but not in these clothes or I will get recognized.

I changed out of my mission clothes and put on some clothing I got from the agency. Black shorts, a blue T-shirt, regular sneakers, a cap and sunglasses.

Whilst I was changing I noticed that the wound still hurts, I doubted that the pain would fade anytime soon. I grabbed the multitool Marina made for me along with my gun and earpiece.

I left my room, to go out and find this person. But to my surprise Agent 1 was there, right outside of my room, waiting for me. "16 we need your help, it has to do with Jake." She said whilst signing me to follow her.

On the way to the holding cells she explained some more.

"You already know how Jake got here in the first place, so I'll skip that explanation. The problem we currently have is that Jake doesn't want to speak to anyone else, until he gets the chance to tell you he is sorry. To be honest I doubt that is truly everything he wants, so be careful of what you tell or ask him. We will be there with you, not in the room but close enough to protect you if necessary. And as a small tip, do not let him know you are wounded."

I don't really have a choice here, I suppose it would be better not to go out emidiatly either way. I wonder how Jake thought of me, if he would hold a grudge or if he would understand. I suppose I can only find out in one way.

I took a deep breath before walking in the room where Jake was kept. As I stepped inside one thing immediately stood out to me, he wasn't chained to the chair. I went to sit on the other chair in the room, and waited for him to start speaking.

Though he didn't, and here I thought he wanted to speak to me.

I took off my cap and sunglasses, to make sure he would recognize me. He did, and without hesitation he started speaking. "Ah so I am allowed to speak to you. Now first of all I want to ask you something. Are you what I think you are?"

I sighed, and kept silent for a second. I didn't want to waste my time on this, I want answers.

"Well Jake I am not going to answer that, I would advise co-operating. Now tell me, why were you following me multiple times yesterday?"

Jake got panicky, I know what he feels. I was in his place one day.

"Jake, we can either do this the easy way or the hard way. If you want to do it the easy way answer my questions without any hesitation. If we are going to do this the hard way I'll have to squeeze every last bit of answers I want out of you, and I doubt either of us will enjoy that."

Jake was still in panic, and was clearly still afraid of me. Like this I won't get any answers. I decided to wait it out until he was somewhat calmer, then asked again: "Why were you following me multiple times yesterday?"

Jake sighed and started explaining. "Yesterday when I was with my friends I noticed you were different from about everyone else. I asked them what we should do, and they dared me to go after to you. They dared me to try and make you confess you were different. But the way you reacted made me curious and I decided to follow you, to try and find out for myself."

"So it was just a reckless stunt? Well look where it has got you into."

"But you still didn't answer my question."

Annoyed I replied: "It doesn't matter if I am what you think I am or not. What currently matters is that I to am trying to help you here, this agency can make you disappear without a trace if it wants. Now answer me 2 more questions and I'll have a look what I can do for you."

Jake obediently nodded

"Do you know anyone who usually wears a red scarf?"

He thought for a second before answering. "Not personally. But at the plaza there is always someone wearing a red scarf, they always walk right past me at some point late in the evening."

Well guess this conversation was not for nothing after all.

"Jake tell me do you have any way of contacting your parents? And if so let me know I will have to talk to them if I want to get you out of here."

He nodded, then told me at what address he lives. That will be another thing to do, but not today. It is far to late to drop by and a lot of thing already happened today. I thanked Jake for co-operating then headed towards my own room.

Once I was in my room I connected some small thing. This person with the red scarf walks past him late in the evening, that's going to be my main focus. Visiting his caretakers will just be killing time compared to that.

Even though I have some more answers and new leads, I still can't help but feel like I am lost. I have to keep moving forward, I have no other choice.

But with every choice I make comes a different cost. I'll have to be more careful with my choices from now on out. I don't want anyone to pay the highest cost of all, I'm not worth their lives.