Chapter Seven:

Identity Crisis

Lance

"There's not much we can do now," Dana said as she sat across from me. "It'd take a damn tank to get outta this place. Or a Conduit. But since my husband, Cole, and my stupid half-sister are currently against us, I don't see how we're getting any help from 'em."

I sighed and tapped my fingers against the ground. "Well, we still have Vi and Kayce…"

"Yeah, and they're just gonna miraculously get their powers, right?" Dana snorted. "I don't see how. Cole's and Alec's powers were activated by the Blast. Joan's were dormant, but there, and when the Blast happened they were not only awakened, but amplified."

"She doesn't talk much about it…" I muttered. "Not exactly the best time for her, I understand. I leave it be."

For about the tenth time that day, I watched my wife walk past our cell. She looked exactly the same; save for no emotions showing on her face. It didn't matter if she was happy or sad, Joan always had an emotion on her face, despite how much she tried to hide it. In her eyes, when she looked at any of us, there was no recognition, no pity, no superiority. Just nothing. As usual, she had her nodachi slung across her back. And what she was wearing… I was sure that, if Joan acted as she once had, she'd kill whoever suggested she wear that. She was wearing black, but it was leather, and I knew Joan hated leather with a passion, ever since her original leather jacket nearly cost her Kayce's life as she was in the womb. Leather pants, boots, and jacket, but there was a black tank-top underneath. On the back of the jacket, at the base of her neck, was a white star. I admit, I kinda took the chance to watch her as she walked away…

"I have to say; I've never hated her as much as I do now," Dana muttered, then looked at me and slapped me upside the head. "Are you checking her out right now?"

I rubbed the back of my head. "Hey, cut me some slack! I never get to see her like that!"

"What, like a zombie?" Dana snapped.

I frowned. "Okay, I get your point. But it's been an entire week since she's been like that, and Kayce won't tell us a damn thing!"

"It's because she's upset, Lance," Helen said. This was the first time she'd spoken in a few days. "Traumatized from seeing her mother being tortured. What child would want to talk about that?"

We were all silent as my mother's words sunk in. What the hell did they do to my wife? And how was I gonna get her back?

"We've gotta figure something out," I said. "We need to get outta here, and bring Alec, Cole and Joan with us."

"That may not be possible," Joanna murmured.

"I don't care!" I frowned. "They're family. They've never given up on me, and I sure as hell won't give up on them!"

Joan

"Thirteen," Senator Kyle Grey greeted.

I nodded. "Senator."

He smiled. "Hanging around the cells again?"

"That's the only place I can get away from those idiots you call your subordinates," I replied. "I don't need surveillance, Senator."

"I just wanted to check-up on you," he said with a shrug. "See how you were feeling."

"Fine," I lied casually. "Just fine." As fine as you can get when you wake up with no memory… It somehow feels like Déjà vu.

The Senator grinned. "Have you captured the Conduits I sent you out to get?"

"Some of them didn't make it…" My mind wandered to the Conduits who'd resisted, and who I was forced to cut down with the giant blade on my back. "But I got the majority of them."

"And not a speck of blood on you." The Senator looked me over; something I felt uncomfortable with. "You're turning into my finest, Thirteen. Don't disappoint me, and you'll stay alive."

"Life is not something I am worried about, Senator," I told him. "I have nothing important to fill it with."

Without him dismissing me, I left his office and headed for the mess hall. Before I reached it, I saw Two leaning against the wall across from the cells. I joined him by watching the prisoners for a while.

"Good orientation?" he asked.

I nodded. "Fine."

"That's all you ever say."

"It's all I have to say." I looked at him. "Can I ask why we have prisoners here? If they were Conduits, they'd be in the special cells."

"They're Human. Or, at least, most of them are." Two pointed to the only man in the cell. "That guy's Human, but he was harbouring Conduits. Everyone in there, all the adults, anyway, are Human. Those two kids sleeping in the corner? Conduits."

"How do we know?" I asked.

Two arched an eyebrow at me. "We scouted them before you came to us. Their powers are dormant, but a trigger can activate them." He started out the door. "Coming to the mess?"

"I'm going to wait here a bit longer. Study them," I told him. "Don't wait up."

Two nodded and left. I sat down on a bench across from the cell and stared inside. All the prisoners were asleep, probably from exhaustion. I tapped a finger against my chin, my gaze moving to the children. Kids… Grown-ups I can understand, but kids…?

Tentatively, I opened the door to the cell with the key I'd been issued and snuck in. I crouched when I reached the kids. One looked a lot like Eleven, with his tan skin and whatnot. The other one, about the same age, looked a lot like me.

Coincidence, I thought automatically. I stared at her for a while yet, but when she stirred in her sleep I left the cell, locking the door behind me.

"Mommy…" I heard the girl whisper in her sleep. "Mommy…"

I shook my head and left the cells, wondering where that kid's mom could be. I crossed my arms and paced in the hallway, my mind catching onto something and then releasing it suddenly. I couldn't remember anything before waking up on that table, feeling like I just went through Hell. Again, Déjà vu.

I went to the mess finally and sat alone, eating some spaghetti. I didn't know why, but I was particularly fond of spaghetti. After I finished, I went to the drink machine and saw that they only served coffee.

Twelve, a man with a voice that sounded like he'd been shouting repeatedly and his throat hurt from it, stepped in front of me and got a coffee.

"You don't like coffee?" he asked as he took a sip.

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

He looked at his coffee and offered it to me. "Try it."

I took it and had a quick sip, then handed it back to him. "I don't like it," I stated quickly.

He arched an eyebrow. "Well, they've got coffee or hot chocolate."

I suddenly lurched at the machine and pressed a button for hot chocolate. When I had the cup in my hands, Twelve chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked him.

"As soon as I said 'hot chocolate', you threw yourself at the machine." He grinned. "What brought on that reaction?"

I shrugged and took a sip of the chocolaty drink. "I dunno. Maybe… It could be something I remember. Before this, I mean," I told him, gesturing around the base.

Twelve rubbed his temples. "I think I kinda get it." He took a sip from his coffee and looked me dead in the eye. "What do you remember?"

"Nothing," I answered honestly. "Every time I try, my head feels like it's going to explode."

He nodded. "Well, I hope it gets better."

Twelve walked away. Well-wishing from that guy? Something's going on, I thought. Maybe… Is it possible that he remembers something?

Lance

Something shook me awake. Groggily, I peeled my eyes open and looked. Alec and Cole were there, shaking me and everyone else awake. I scrambled to my feet and raised my fists. What do they want? They're not taking anyone outta here!

Cole smiled at me. "Lance, try not to look so hostile," he whispered. "We're good."

My brow furrowed. "You guys…"

Alec smiled too. "How's my favourite brother-in-law?"

"You mean that you're not brainwashed anymore?" I exclaimed.

Cole put a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. "Thanks to Joan, though she doesn't know it. We've been brainwashed for a while now, so our minds aren't damaged now that we're out of it. Joan probably has a few more days before we can safely help her, but we can help everyone else."

I nodded in understanding. "How?"

"It doesn't matter how warped her brain is; Joan hates coffee, and loves hot chocolate." Alec smiled. "At least, that's what Cole told me. After he was in the mess with her, he hit his head against the wall repeatedly. Strangely, he got his memory back, then he hit me over the head with a goddamn frying pan." Alec glared at Cole. "Thanks a lot, buddy."

"Anytime." We waited patiently as Alec hugged Violet and Dana, apologizing to them for his bad behaviour. Joanna, my mother, Cole and I waited patiently.

Kayce, however, walked right up to Cole and tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Where's my mommy?" she asked.

Cole smiled and patted her on the head. "In due time, we're gonna save your mommy. You just have to wait a while longer, since we want to escape with everyone. That means you guys have to stay in the cell for a while longer. Can you do it?"

Kayce didn't hesitate, nodding furiously.

I took Alec and Cole to the side when they announced that they had to go, before someone discovered them in the cells.

"I have to tell you guys something," I said to them. "My dad's been under a fake name for a few years now, but he's the guy you're working—or pretending to work—for. Kyle Grey, and he's the Senator of Texas. I just wanted to tell you that if the situation arises and you can't arrest him alive…"

"You don't like this guy, do you?" Alec asked.

I nodded. "Joan isn't the only one with daddy issues, I guess."

Alec bit his lip. "I'll do what I can. No promises, bro."