Elliot Ramirez

We've been sitting here for at least an hour as Tom views the memories, but it's alright. After a class moves up, they have the rest of the day off, and I'm done with battles for the day.

Finally, he opens his eyes and I can see the shock behind them.

"They...they drove her insane," he says. Still stunned, just like I was the first time I saw what happened. "That's who Blackburn was talking about when he said the census device could break your mind."

I nod. "After the security break, I think Nigel started dropping hints that it was her. Then he did the same thing he tried to do to you, plant a fake memory. I think that's what the really confused bit in there was. I've watched it a bunch of times, and my best guess is that it showed Sky, Cadence, Axle and me being in on the lapse, selling out our secrets."

"So she sacrificed herself to protect you all, then," he realizes.

I blink away the emotion that's starting to threaten to overwhelm me again. "Yeah. Yeah, she did, but I guess somewhere along the way, after they messed her up so bad they couldn't fix it, they realized it wasn't her. That's why they went after you, I think."

We sit in silence for a moment. Then he shifts uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. This must all really suck." He must have been pretty rattled, because Tom has never been anything close to sensitive.

"Yeah, it really does. I liked her a lot."

"I think she liked you, too. In a weird, Skylar Kaynes-ish way."

"I'd like to think so. Not that it matters anymore."

"Is her brother still in CamCo? I've seen him once or twice, but..."

"No. Axle had been breaking down for a while already, but this...this was it. He couldn't fight for the USIF after he found out what they'd done to her. From what I know, he's getting out of here for good as soon as they release him."

There's silence for a few more moments until the notice pops up that it's time for dinner.

"Thank you," he says, as he stands and walks to the door. I nod, lost in my thoughts again. It was good to share Skylar's memories with someone, albeit good in an odd, painful way. Now I'm not the only one who knows the truth. And I suppose it's only fitting that our new prodigy should inherit the memories of our last.

Well...here we are. The end. Thanks to any of you that have stuck with Skylar's story for over a year through my consistent lack of updates. Much love, Won'tforgetcanregret.