The fire exit slammed shut behind me and my eyes widened.

'I thought you might like to meet some of my new friends.' Sam smiled. 'I know they would like to meet you.'

Then, out of the shadows, came two of the men I had seen before. In my nightmares.

'Thank you for leading us to Sky, Sam.' One of the men said, smoothly. 'And how delightful that you find your soulfinder on the way.' Sam stood in front of Jenni, protectively.

Her eyes were wide and full of tears. 'Please Sam, don't let them hurt Sky.'

I tried to move, but I couldn't.

'There's no point, sweetheart.' The tall man with the dark hair soothed. 'You can't go anywhere.'

Sky, where are you?! Zed's voice was full of concern.

I'm outside. They're here Zed. Please get help.

I'm coming, Sky.

'Now I've heard that you're really quite powerful.' The blonde man said. 'And talented too. Great performance, by the way.'

I wanted to scream. To attack. But I was helpless.

'You would be quite helpful to us.' The man with the dark hair continued. He walked over and stroked my cheek. 'You can see people's emotions. And I've heard all about what you did to the Kelly family. What a brave young thing.'

'SKY!' The fire exit burst open and Zed ran towards me, but he was stopped in his tracks.

I can't move.

Me neither, my voice in my head was tearful.

'Ah, is this your soulfinder? How fantastic.' The blonde haired man snarled.

'Boss, the rest of his family are on their way! We need to get out of here, now!' A lady with dark hair called, running round the corner of the building.

Zed's eyes remained on me and then everything went black.

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

I opened my eyes and looked around, finding myself in a cell. The memories came flooding back to me and I ached as I clawed at the door, desperate to find Sky.

SKY! I tried to call out for her, but I winced. A high-pitched sound filled my ears and I fell to the ground, clutching my head. Someone had disabled my telekinesis.

I fell to the ground, feeling helpless. How was I going to rescue Sky if I couldn't find her? I reached for my phone in my pocket, but it wasn't there. My clothes from the recital were crumpled and dirty. And that was exactly how I felt.

xx-xx-xx

Sky.

I opened my eyes and realised I was lying on a comfy double bed, covered with white sheets. The whole of the room was white in fact, with a white couch and white coffee table in the corner of the room. I looked down and found myself in my princess dress from the night before. With dirt on it, it looked a lot less princessy than it had when I had put it on.

Zed? I tried to call out for him, but I clutched my head in pain. The pain filling my head was like a horrible migrane and my ears ached from the high-pitched sound.

I stood up and walked around the room, desperate to find out where I was. There were no windows, just a white wooden door which was locked. On the couch I found some clean underwear, black leather trousers, a black t-shirt and some black boots, all in my size. Was I supposed to be wearing them? I had no idea.

The door opened, and I moved behind the couch, wishing I had something to defend myself with.

A lady, with hair as bright orange as fire, stood in the doorway with a dangerous smile. She was wearing an outfit similar to the one lying across my couch, except for the three golden stars across her uniform.

She followed my eyes, looking at her golden stars. 'You get those if you do what you're told.' She said, her voice emotionless.

'Where am I?'

'I'm afraid I can't say. But what I will say is that you're late. Come with me. You need a shower and to get dressed, the boss wants to see you.'

The shower was the most uncomfortable experience of my life. There were no curtains. Fire hair simply stood as I washed my body and my hair. She handed me a towel without saying a word.

'Who are you?' I asked, as I eagerly covered my body.

'Amber.' She replied. 'And you're Sky Bright, soon to be Benedict.'

'Zed... where is-'

'He's safe. For now.' She replied, her voice smooth. 'It depends on whether you do exactly what we ask you too.' She handed me the clothes which had been in my room. 'Now put these on.'

I felt like I was Katniss Everdeen, in a city surrounded by enemies. I had no idea where I was. Everywhere looked the same; white falls, shiny white floors and no windows. Doors were marked with 'private' or 'personnel only', and the corridors seemed to go on forever. The people we walked past all wore the same outfits, some with stars and some without. But their faces were completely emotionless.

Amber swiped a card and an electronic door opened for us. She led me inside. This corridor was different to the rest. The floor and walls were grey, with spotlights built into the ceiling. We reached the end of the corridor and found a door being guarded by two men in black, both armed with guns. I gulped as they moved to the side to let us in. The door opened and we seemed to be in an office, as grey as the corridor. There was a long white table down the middle, with some white swivel office chairs. We walked past the table, and found ourselves on a raised platform, where there was a desk and a black swivel chair.

Just like the movies, I thought to myself. The bad guy was in his big fancy chair, facing the wrong way.

'You've seen too many James Bond films.' I found myself saying, before I could stop myself.

There was a laugh, and the chair turned around. The man with the dark hair was sat there, in an all-black suit. 'A sense of humour, I see.' He smiled.

'Sorry, boss, I did tell her to do exactly as I asked.' Amber apologised, concern on her face.

'Thank you, Amber. Could you please wait outside?'

She shifted uncomfortably, before walking down the steps and leaving the room.

'Did you sleep well?' The man asked, in his soothing tone. He looked as if he was maybe in his mid-twenties, with his five o'clock shadow and his piercing green eyes. His hair was dark brown with a reddish tinge and it was slightly shorter on the sides than on the top. If it hadn't been for the situation, I would have almost said he was quite good-looking.

'I would have slept better if I was at home in bed with my fiance.' I replied, bitterly.

'I am sure.' He nodded. 'Now I believe we have not been properly introduced.'

'I know who you are,' I growled, 'you're the murderer who has been killing innocent people.'

He chuckled, sitting back in his chair. 'Innocent people? Oh no, they were people standing in the way of what I want.'

'And what do you want?'

'Your fiance didn't tell you? What a pity. It seems he has hidden a lot from you.' He cracked his knuckles. 'I don't see why savants should have to hide. We are, after all, a superior race. What I want is to run this world, to be able to use our powers freely without being considered freaks. And you are going to help make that happen.'

'Me? But my power is-'

'Better than you think.' He interrupted. 'You have great potential.'

'Why would I help you?' I frowned, folding my arms. 'You've kidnapped me. You won't get away with this.'

'Why would you help me? Hmmm.' He rubbed his bristly chin with his fingers, before turning on a video screen behind him.

'Zed!' I cried, looking at my fiance. He was sat in a white cell on the floor, leant against the wall. His head was in his hands.

'If you follow the plan, he will be out of there. He will recieve food and be made to feel comfortable. And you will see him again.'

I looked at him in the cell, clearly in pain. Was he worried about me? Possibly. If he stayed in there, he would die. 'What do you want me to do?'

Troy, as I found out was his name, sent me to breakfast after our meeting. I found myself surrounded by people dressed the same as me, all eating the same; porridge. No one spoke, everyone just ate. A few people looked over at me and I knew they were recognising that I was new to the center or whatever it was. I drank my glass of water and excused myself to the bathroom.

In the cubicle, I crumpled onto the floor and cried. How had this happened? Two weeks ago I had been planning my wedding, now it looked like it was never going to happen. I was going to be lucky if I ever saw Zed again. There was a knock of my cubicle door.

'Yes?' I croaked.

'Sky?'

I recognised the voice immediately. I opened the door and embraced Jenni. She stepped back, and I realised that wasn't the same Jenni; her hair was shorter, shoulder-length now, and her eyes were thick with eyeliner. 'People can't see us like this.'

'Where are we Jen?'

'I don't know.' She replied in a whisper, and I knew she was telling me the truth. 'I stayed with you in the van the whole way, we're hours away from Vancouver. Sam mentionned a boat, so I'm wondering if we're in another country.'

'He told them where I was.' I frowned, feeling betrayed.

'I know.' She sighed. 'And for that, I will never forgive him.'

'But he's your soulfinder.'

She nodded. 'They've let us stay together as we're more powerful together.'

'Zed's here.'

'I know, but I haven't worked out where.'

'If I do what Troy asks, he says Zed will be safe.'

'Well then I guess that's all you can do.'

Amber appeared in the doorway. She looked at the two of us and frowned. 'Are you two trying to get in trouble?'

'No.' We chorused. Jenni shot me an apologetic look and left the bathroom.

'I've been looking for you.' Amber explained. 'You have an appointment with the stylists.'

Now it really did feel like the Hunger Games. 'What do you mean?'

Half an hour later and I was sat in a white salon chair with foil covering my blonde hair. Troy had told the stylists that I looked too young and innocent for my purpose. I couldn't disagree, people had always thought I was younger than my age. My body had been completely waxed, to the point that my skin was feeling sore and raw, and my eyelashes had been dyed, which made my blue eyes appear bolder than ever. The stylists washed out my dye, revealing a brunette with bangs in the mirror before me. I held back the tears as my hair was carefully dried, leaving my hair in unrecognisable curls down my back.

My nails were being shaped when Troy walked in. The stylists greeted him, before leaving us alone.

'Much better.' He murmured, as he walked around me.

'Are you done with me yet? Surely there's nothing left to do.' I glared at him.

'Now, don't ruin such a pretty face.' He purred, stroking my cheek with his thumb. I flinched. 'There's just one thing left to do.' He held out a tattoo artist's needle.

'No.' I winced.

'Take off your shirt.'

'No.'

'If you aren't going to cooperate...'

Zed's face filled my mind. I felt nauseous. I took off my black t-shirt, leaving me exposed in a black bra. I felt embarrassed and ashamed, as Troy sat behind me, running his fingers along my back. It reminded me of what had happened before with the Kellys, and that worried me. He held my waist with one hand as I felt the needle moving over my shoulder blade. I winced as I felt the scratch.

'Shhh.' He whispered into my neck. I felt the needle be replaced by his lips, brushing against the skin that he had just marked. 'All done. Would you like to see?'

He moved me to an angle where I could see the tattoo on my back. It was a tribal pattern, I had no idea what it meant, and it was black but marked with red spots of my blood. I didn't say anything.

I looked down, but Troy's hand moved my chin up so that I was looking at him. I didn't miss the glance at my breasts. 'Sam didn't do you justice. You really are beautiful.' I held back the tears that were burning my eyes. 'You shall have dinner with me tonight.'

'Do I have to?' My voice was hoarse from hurting inside and out.

'Well I was hoping that Zed might eat today but...'

'Okay.'

'Okay?'

'I'll have dinner with you.'

'Good.' He smiled, getting up. He dabbed my back with a damp cloth. 'Try not to cover it so that it heals.' And with that, he was gone.

Amber came to my room later, a look of annoyance on her face. 'I have a delivery for you.'

She passed me a black dress bag. 'What is it?'

'I don't know. It's from the boss.'

I looked up at her and saw the angry aura surrounding her. 'Amber, are you okay?'

'I've worked for him for almost a year. You've been here a day and he invites you to dinner.'

'Do you think I want this?' My eyes clouded over, but she walked away without continuing the conversation with me.

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

A brunette girl with long, curled hair adjusted her dress and ran her fingers over the tattooed symbol on her back. But what did it mean? She was sat at a dinner table with the one that was causing all of this happen. The one who had taken my Sky. He reached out for her hand and intertwined his fingers around hers.

'Sir, I am so sorry to interrupt, but I have some news.'

She turned around to follow the sound of another voice.

I broke out of my vision and slammed my fist against the wall. Her eyes gave her away. It was Sky. What had they done to her and what was she doing with him? I felt anger burning through me and at the same time I felt hurt.

The door to my cell opened and a tray of food was pushed across the floor before the door locked again. A white tray with white plates. Chicken casserole, a yoghurt and two bottles of water.

xx-xx-xx

Sky.

I unzipped the dress bag and found myself staring at a beautiful black floor-length dress. It was a mermaid cut, with thin, delicate strips and a deep sweetheart neckline. It would show too much. It was something I would have picked out to impress Zed.

There was a knock at my door. I wrapped the towel around myself, careful not to catch my tattoo, and rushed to open the door.

My guard was stood there. 'You have a visitor.'

'I'm allowed visitors now?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Boss said Miss Bright is trusted to have visitors.' He stepped aside and Jenni was stood there, smiling at me, sheepishly.

'Oh, come in.'

Jenni followed me inside. 'Huh, figures.'

'What?'

'Looks exactly the same as mine and Sam's room.'

I felt betrayed that she was sharing a room with the person who had sent Troy to me. 'Really?'

'I bet they all look the same, everything else does.'

'Not Troy's office.'

She raised an eyebrow. 'You're on first name terms with him and you've been to his office?' She walked over to the dress hanging up next to my white wardrobe. 'Wow, this is incredible.' I didn't say anything. I bit back the tears that were forming in my eyes. 'Sky, shh, it's okay.' She hugged me and I winced as she touched my tattoo. 'Oh, I'm sorry. I had mine done today too.' She revealed a matching tattoo.

'He's marking us all. I bet he's spent the whole day doing it.'

'Sorry?'

'Troy.'

'Did he do yours?' Her eyes looked concerned. 'And is this a gift from him?'

I nodded and the tears starting pouring out.

'Hey.' She hugged me, tightly. 'Please, fill me in, from the beginning.'

I told Jenni everything that had happened today, from the meeting with Troy, to the threats, the tattoo incident and the fact that I was being invited to dinner. I was glad that despite the fact that we both looked different now, she was still the same underneath. I just hoped that wasn't going to change either.

'He's a bigger jerk than I thought.' She sighed. 'It sounds like he has a thing for you.'

'I was hoping this was just how he treats everyone.'

'Oh, Sky. What are you going to do?'

'Well I need to keep this up, don't I? Otherwise Zed...'

'This will all sort itself out, it has to. Just please Sky, be careful and don't lose yourself.'

There was a knock at the door. 'I'm afraid visiting times are over Miss Bright, you must get ready for dinner.'

'I'll come and see you tomorrow.' Jenni promised. 'By myself.' She pulled me into a hug. 'Everything is going to be okay, it has to be.'

I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered who it was that was looking back at me. It sure as hell wasn't Sky Bright with her 'Bo Peep' features, as Zed had called them. I almost looked like a vampiress with my bright eyes, bangs framing my face, long brunette hair and the tight-black mermaid dress which didn't leave much to the imagination. I put on the silver sandals from my recital, deciding they would look better than the combat boots I had been wearing all day.

It was weird being escorted to dinner. My assigned guard followed me the whole way, glaring at anyone who happened to look at me on their way past. I was thankful that it wasn't Amber taking me, as her jealousy and been very clear and I wasn't sure that she wouldn't tackle me to the ground if she had the chance. We walked up the same corridor as we had done to get to Troy's office earlier that day, except this time we took a right. We passed the guards into some living quarters. There was a red hallway with black and white tiled floors, which seemed to lead to a bathroom, living room, dining room and a bedroom. The latter made me gulp.

'Boss, I have Miss Bright for you.' My guard called out.

'Thank you, Robert, you may go and enjoy your own dinner.' Troy appeared in the doorway, wearing a tight black shirt and black trousers. 'I knew that dress would be perfect on you.' He walked the whole way around me, pausing to touch my tattoo. 'Shall we?' He gently held my hand and led me into the dining room. There was a small round table lit with candles and decorated with a vase containing a single red rose. To him, it was a date.

'Don't strike you as the romantic type?' He smiled a smile which reached his eyes.

'I guess not.' I replied, quietly.

'Wine?' He poured some out without waiting for my reply. 'It might loosen you up a little. I've been looking forward to this all day and I know Zed was looking forward to his dinner.'

I tensed at the sound of my fiance's name.

'Relax, he has been fed and he's been provided with a mattress to sleep on tonight, thanks to you so far.'

I sipped at the wine and made the decision that perhaps the only way to get through the evening was to get drunk. Silence filled the room. 'So... have you had a good day?'

He seemed taken aback by my question, but he smiled a real smile. 'Yes, quite. It's been very busy, mind you.'

'Why did you assign me my own guard and why have you allowed me to have visitors? Amber seemed quite firm when she told me earlier that I was not to speak to anyone.'

'To answer your first question, I want to keep you safe. I'm concerned for your safety, especially as I have not been giving everyone this special treatment. And I allowed your friend to visit you because I am not a monster. Friends are very important.'

I bit my tongue when he said the word 'monster', as this was something he definitely was. A waiter came into the room and brought us our first course: prawn cocktail. It was better than the food I had been eating in the cafeteria, so I didn't hesitate to eat it quickly. Having dinner with a man other than my fiance was a strange experience. At times, I almost forgot that he was the reason I was here. He was able to be so charming and he seemed genuinely interested in my life story, some of which of course I did not wish to share with him. He in turn told me about himself. He too was English, although he had been living in California for the last eight years. He had been to college and graduated with a degree in Science and he was fascinated by DNA, especially the DNA of savants. When dessert came, we had already finished a bottle of wine and I was quite happy to be enjoying chocolate-covered strawberries.

I carefully nibbled a strawberry, trying to be as lady-like as possible, but when I looked up, I noticed Troy looking at me with hunger in his eyes. I had been with Zed long enough to recognise that hunger. I adjusted my dress, feeling self-conscious, as Troy reached out to grab my hand.

'Sir, I am so sorry to interrupt, but I have some news.'

I turned my head to see where the voice was coming from. It was Sam.

'I hope it's important.' Troy replied.

'It is.' Sam continued, looking at me before looking back at Troy. 'The FBI are now involved for the search for you... and they're looking for some missing persons, including Jenni, Zed Benedict and Sky. Some guy called Victor Benedict is leading the search.'