Memory Loss

Without thinking, my hand went to my stomach. The soldier looked harmless enough but the gun in his hand and the newly killed body on the ground made me be more cautious.

"Excuse me ladies, can I have a word with you?"

His words echoed in my ears and I didn't remember answering. Bella must've done it for me. I could feel her shaking next to me but a look at her face didn't give it away.

"What words would those be?"

"I'd like some proof to make sure you don't belong in the Rebel party, just to be cautious you understand."

"We don't have any proof with us right now."

"None?"

"We recently had to move into a temporary shelter. All our belongings are there, including the proof you require."

"I don't suppose you are savvy to the new law then."

"What law?"

"All citizens must carry proof of their political loyalty with them at all times, those who don't are liable to be taken as rebels and immediately shipped to a detention camp."

"When was this announced to the public?"

"Last night."

"Well I'm sorry we don't have the proof you need but I can promise you we are-"

"Followers."

Bella stared at me but I had a bad feeling about her saying we were neutrals.

"Followers?"

The soldier didn't look very convinced.

"Yes. My brother and her husband-" I gestured to Bella, "Just joined the army. He's serving right now."

"Where is this shelter you said you were living at?"

"Just a few miles from here."

"I'd like to come with you. A letter from your husband," he said pointedly to Bella, "should be plenty of proof."

I could see Bella stiffen. Jacob would end up getting in the way and getting dragged off himself or getting someone else dragged off with him.

"With all due respect sir, we came here to shop for things to get her baby when it's born and well we haven't done it yet."

"You can always come back."

"But we can't sir, you see our family is back at the shelter and we were lucky we had the time to come here today."

For a bad liar, Bella was doing pretty well stalling the soldier.

"Sir please, I assure you. My sister-in-law and I mean no harm whatsoever to the Followers. We disagree with the rebels just as much as you do and we're willing to do whatever it takes to help and I'm just so sorry we can't help now."

The soldier was silent for a moment and I squeezed her hand.

"You can go. Next time you're in the city, bring proof."

We both nodded and voiced our thanks, then moved to the car.

"Leaving?"

"Now. We'll shop later."

For once, Bella let me drive. Even when the speedometer climbed over 90 miles an hour, she never said a word.

"You okay?"

"Fine."

Somehow, I wasn't convinced.

--Edward's Point of View--

What. The. Hell. I was told we were going off camp to have a "day off". Right now I was livid because I had wanted to go into a nearby town to buy something to send to Bella to cheer her up and instead we were at some high tech military place made of metal and apparently I had to go in. Supposedly Dueker had earned his place here a while ago, right before he decided to act insane and say he wasn't married. I still had no idea what that was all about. It was supposed to be some big deal for all the soldiers to be able to come here and I should be excited. I was still pissed off and if they didn't hurry up and put me in there I was going to go by myself to the van and wait.

"Cullen."

Finally.

I went inside and there was a wrinkled man with a strange smile. He had icy gray eyes and a nice enough smile but something about him made me uneasy. He was wearing a white coat and it looked like it was a doctor's office of some kind. Another soldier was in there with me and I glanced at him.

"What is this a physical?"

"Uh yeah. Make sure you aren't in bad shape or anythin'."

"Uh?"

Suddenly a mask was put over my nose and mouth and held down.

"Just need to do something with your teeth boy. You'll be awake again before you know it."

I could feel myself drifting off but I fought to pry the mask off. I wanted to know what the hell was going on. Eventually my fight died down and my will to stay awake lost. All went black and I was numb.

--Stranger's Point of View--

"Is he finished?"

"He'll be awake in a few hours. Won't remember a thing about this. So what are you using him for?"

"We want more children. The last group didn't turn out like we intended and there's still more that needs to be done."

"Well he won't object."

"They never do when you're through."

"What about his wife? She seems pretty stubborn from what he's told the last soldier we worked on."

"Taken care of."

Mrs. Cullen,

We regret to inform you that in the line of duty, your husband was attacked by an unruly rebel in our detention camp. The camper had managed to obtain a weapon and critically wounded your husband. We did all we could but it wasn't enough. Your husband is now on life support and because of his head wound, he will most likely never regain the ability to live on his own. As he wished, he will stay on life support until you decide it's no longer worth the trouble.

Our deepest apologies,

The Follower Soldiers

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Once again I apologize for the shortness but I promise good things later. As always, tell me what you think and be honest. :) Review review review