'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.'

'Any relation to Zed?'

'His brother.' I replied, before I could stop myself.

'They won't find us.' Troy said, casually. 'We are far enough away from the mainland to go unnoticed. We will just have to lay low for a while.'

'We need a plan, sir, just in case.'

'Of course.' Troy walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. 'I'm ever so sorry, Sky, but I'm going to have to cut our evening short.'

'That's okay.' I replied, truthfully.

'But I would like us to meet tomorrow morning to start your training.' He smiled, helping me to my feet. 'I will send Amber for you.' He kissed me gently on the cheek and I left the room. Deep in my gut, I couldn't help but feel a little bit hopeful.

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

I hardly slept, despite the fact that I had been given a mattress and a blanket to stop me from sleeping on the floor. I wondered why they had given me food and why they had given me a bed to sleep on. They obviously wanted me alive for some reason.

I was drifting in and out of sleep when I heard voices outside my door. I carefully pressed my ear to it, desperate to find out any information that would stop me from going insane.

'His brother has started a search.'

'They won't know to look here.'

'I know, but the boss still wants a plan. He's calling a meeting this morning with his best savants.'

'They're no different to the rest of us.'

'I know, but he's already chosen who we wants at his side when the army's ready. You know how he is.'

'You got the kid's breakfast? Boss did say to make sure he was given his three meals today.'

'Why is he even feeding the kid?'

'I don't know, obviously got an agenda.'

The lock turned and I jumped backwards from the door. My breakfast was slid into the room on the tray. Another two bottles of water and scrambled egg on toast. I wolfed down the food, thankful that for whatever reason, the 'boss' wanted me alive. For now.

xx-xx-xx

Sky.

My sleep was restless and I couldn't help wondering when was the last time I had slept well. I got up early and snuck into the showers before anyone else, desperate not to have to put up with the embarassment of other women watching me shower again. I pulled on the signature leather trousers and black t-shirt, careful not to catch my tattoo. It seemed to be healing, but it was still sensitive to touch. I was sat in my room, when the announcement for breakfast went off. Robert seemed to be having some time off, so I carefully shut the door behind me and followed the crowds of men, women and teenagers who were heading to the cafeteria.

Breakfast was scrambled eggs on toast, which was definitely nicer than the porridge from the day before. Jenni smiled at me from across the room, and I smiled back before finishing my bottle of water.

'You.'

I looked up in surprise, to see a blonde lady with a pixie cut glaring at me. 'Can I help you?'

'You're the one that had dinner with the boss last night.'

I wasn't sure if this was common knowledge, so I kept my mouth shut.

'It was definitely her I saw waltzing down in a fancy dress like a movie star.' A brunette piped up from beside her.

'What makes you so special?' The blonde hissed.

'Nothing.' I replied, feeling smaller than my pathetic 5ft.

'Why should the rest of us be stuck eating this crap, when you get a fancy dress and a nice three-course meal?' The brunette roared, her hands reaching for my neck.

'That's enough!' Robert shouted.

He restrained the woman and Amber pulled me to my feet. 'You okay, Sky?'

'Yes.' I choked out. I let out the breath that I had been holding.

Robert handcuffed the two women, who were looking at me angrily. 'Let this be a lesson to the rest of you!' He led them off and Amber pulled me quickly away after her.

'This is why you're supposed to blend in.' Amber hissed, leading me up the grey corridor.

'I didn't-'

'Enough.' She led me into Troy's office and then disappeared, closing the door behind her. I didn't want to be in his office. I just wanted to curl up somewhere by myself and cry. I was playing my part to protect Zed and some jealous women could have killed me anyway.

'Are you okay?' Troy asked, his voice full of concern. He strided across the room towards me.

'Yes, no thanks to you.' I replied, my voice bitter.

He embraced me, and I couldn't hold back the waterfall any longer. It came pouring out, uncontrollably. Troy ran his hands through my ponytail. 'Shhhh.'

I sniffed and moved away from him, wiping my eyes on the back of my hands. I didn't want him to think that I was weak. I sucked in a breath as Troy's hands rested on my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. 'It's not safe for you out there. I'm going to move you into my living quarters.'

'No-'

'It's for your safety.' He interrupted. 'I have a guest room, you'd be more comfortable there.'

I wasn't sure I was going to be comfortable anywhere. I would have preferred to be in that cell with Zed.

He looked at me as if reading my thoughts, but he changed the subject. 'Now, we have some training to do.' Troy led me through a set of double-doors, into a large room. There was nothing inside apart from two white chairs. The walls looked like glass, except there was nothing on the other side. 'This is my private training room.'

'Except you don't train anyone in here, do you?' I replied, thinking back to what had been said in the cafeteria.

'That is where you are wrong.' He said, closing the door behind us. 'I have trained people here, but only the people who I think are the most powerful.'

'Than why me?'

'What are your powers, Sky?' He asked, although I had a feeling he already knew the answer.

'I can see people's moods.'

'And you have very strong telekinesis, do you not?'

'I guess.' I shrugged, thinking back to when I had been able to form a bridge to speak to Zed when the Kelly's had kidnapped me.

'Exactly, and that is where I think you are most powerful. I think you can use your telekinesis to put thoughts into people's heads, to make them do things.'

'Why would you teach me that? Surely I could just use it on you and escape.'

He laughed. 'Ah, I have not yet revealed my power to you, have I? Try to see my emotion.'

I looked at him with concentration. 'I can't.'

'And now try to speak to me through telekinesis.' I tried, but failed. 'Exactly. I am able to shield myself from any savant ability. I am also able to collect abilities from others, which is how I managed to stop you moving that night at your recital. I got that one from Amber.'

'So you're unstoppable.' The thought scared me. The Benedict family were looking for us, but they would put their lives in danger. Their abilities would be wasted.

'I guess you could say that.' He smiled, reaching for my hand. 'Now come on, Sky, let's find out what you are capable of.'

The training session was exhausting, and I was pleased to be retiring to my 'new room' because it meant I could have a nap. My head was throbbing. I wasn't ready yet, Troy had told me, but he was sure I would be able to use my ability to the full in a few days. My new room wasn't white. It had cream carpets and tasteful blue wallpaper. The bed was a double and was piled high with goose-feather pillows and a turquoise bed runner. There was a knock at the door when I had only just got into bed. I groaned.

'Sky?' Jenni's voice asked as she crept into the room, shutting the door behind her. I sat up in my bed. 'Woah, these room is incredible.'

'But it comes at a price.' I sighed, leaning against the goose-feather pillows.

'I'm sorry, but you look awful.'

'What are friends for?' I asked, sarcastically. 'How did you get in?'

'Troy's guards let me in. I went to your room, but Robert said you had been moved somewhere safer. Now you're living in the boss' headquarters, huh?' She perched herself on the bed next to me. 'Now why isn't my bed this comfortable?!'

'Mmmm.' I leant backwards. 'Tell me you have some drugs. My head is killing me.'

'Training that bad?'

'Yes.' I sighed.

'What exactly does he think you can do?'

'Use my powers to tell people what to do and put thoughts into their heads.' I replied, glumly.

'Wow, that would be pretty powerful.'

'Want to know the worst bit? He's unstoppable, invincible. Powers don't affect him.'

'No!' She gasped, lying down beside me. Her face became serious and tears appeared in her eyes. 'What are we going to do, Sky?'

We must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up my stomach was growling. I sat up in the bed and saw Jenni sleeping beside me. She obviously hadn't been sleeping too well, either. The lights came on and Jenni jumped up, wide awake. I looked at the doorway and saw one of Troy's guards stood there.

'Miss Bright, dinner will be served in an hour.' He looked over at Jenni. 'Your soulfinder has been looking for you, you have both been invited to dinner here tonight.'

I sighed with relief and she squeezed my hand. Finally, a bit of moral support.

xx-xx-xx

Zed

They were all laughing and drinking wine. Sam, the one who had caused this, was filling up everyone's glasses. Sky was sat beside him and she was wearing a beautiful white dress which really brought out the colour of her eyes. Jenni was beside Sam, her hand on his shoulder. She kissed him on the cheek. The dark haired man's arm snaked around Sky's waist and pulled her closer.

I sat up, my body dripping with sweat. The vision was more painful than the last. Jenni had been our friend, but she and her soulfinder and led Sky into the arms of a dangerous man. The dangerous man that had taken her away from me. She didn't even look like Sky anymore. She looked older, more mature, and more courageous. Like she didn't need to be protected. I felt envious. If anything, I should have been there with my arm around Sky's waist. Then I felt angry. How dare he touch her? And then it turned to betrayal. How dare she sit there and act like everything is fine?

My dinner was sat a few feet away from me, but I just couldn't stomach it. A man came into my room and by the time he left, I was unsure of who I was anymore.

xx-xx-xx

Sky.

My closest was full of beautiful dresses, in contrast to the dresser which contained the leather trousers and black t-shirts; my uniform. The dresses were mainly black. Some had some dashes off colour as ribbons on them. I was starting to see a theme with this place. For dinner, I decided on wearing the dress which stood out the most; the white one. It showed off my figure and made my curves look bigger than they were. I took my hair down, letting it fall in its natural curls and slipped on some black ballet pumps. I turned around, looking at my tattoo in the mirror. I'd seen the symbol in the trainning room earlier that day. I ran my hand across my shoulder blade and noticed that it didn't hurt so much and the reddness had gone down. It was healing.

When I walked into the living room, I was greeted by Troy. He was wearing a black shirt and black trousers, like the night before, except this time he wore a silver tie with his outfit.

'How is your head?' He asked, running his fingers across my bang-covered forehead.

'Better.' I replied.

'Good.' He placed his hand over mine. 'You look more beautiful everytime I see you.'

'Good evening, sir. Good evening, Sky.' Sam smiled, walking into the living room. Jenni followed closely behind, wearing a black dress- obviously the only colour of clothing that they had in this place.

'Good evening.' Troy smiled.

'Thank you so much for the invite.' He shook Troy's hand.

'Well I thought it would be nice to get to know Sky's friends.'

I noticed Jenni shudder, making me uncomfortable. Her eyes widened, looking into my soul, and suddenly I felt more relaxed. I was grateful to her for that. I had a part to play. We followed Troy into the dining room and took our seats. With another three-course meal we were spoilt for choice. This time, though, I didn't drink as much wine. Jenni was there with me, sending reassuring smiles and keeping me calm. The men were making jokes to each other, and I didn't even mind when Sam brought up the Hollister photoshoot.

'It was absolutely freezing!' Sam laughed. 'And they were like, you need to put your arms around each other.'

'I must say, I'm quite jealous.' Troy smiled, snaking his arm around my waist. I took a deep breath and tried my best not to tense up. He stayed with his arm around me for the rest of the dinner. It hadn't gone unnoticed that he was quite interested in Jenni's ability, and for the first time I had seen Sam look uncomfortable by this.

Troy and I showed them to the door and I gave Jenni a hug goodbye. 'I'll see you soon.' She whispered, reassuringly. She gave my shoulders a squeeze and they left.

'Well that was nice.' Troy smiled.

'Yes.' I replied. 'I think I might go to bed.'

'I hoped you might stay up with me.' It wasn't a suggestion, it was a command. I followed him into the living room. 'Would you like a drink?'

'Yes please.' I responded, deciding that being an alcoholic was going to be the best way through this ordeal. He poured two glasses of wine and then took a seat next to me on the sofa.

'I met an interesting gentleman today.' Troy said, after taking a sip of his wine. 'He gave me an interesting new ability.'

'Oh?'

'Close your eyes.'

My eyes widened in response.

'Now, now Sky...'

I closed them, afraid of what was going to happen. His hands moved to the top of my head, holding me in place. I took a deep breath and worried about Zed; what was going to happen to him? I felt Troy's lips gently touch my forehead.

'Open your eyes.' He whispered, his face close to me.

'What was that?' I asked, feeling a little dizzy. Maybe I had had too much wine to drink.

'I was just asking you about Zed.' He said, his voice cool.

'Zed?' I replied, confused. Who on earth was Zed? I looked through my memories for an explanation, but I had no idea. I remembered Sally and Simon, I remembered moving to Wrickenridge. I remembered my friends at school and graduating High School... then I had to move away because a family of savants came after me. I met Jenni at college and we left my piano recital early because she had met her soulfinder, my friend Sam. That was how Troy and I had met. He wanted to help me to use my powers for good.

'It's okay, don't worry.' He soothed.

'Troy, I'm confused, I feel like something is missing.'

'Do you?' He closed the gap between our faces, kissing me softly on the lips. 'I've been wanting to do that since meeting you.' He whispered, before kissing me again.

'You have?'

'Yes.' He smiled, his eyes lighting up. 'Are you okay, Sky, you look very tired?'

'I am quite sleepy.' I replied, honestly.

'Then go to bed, beautiful.' He squeezed my hand. 'I will see you in the morning.'

xx-xx-xx

Zed.

I was confused. I kept having visions of the same girl. The same brunette with the big blue bambi eyes. She had kissed someone, and I'd had a dream about her walking with him hand-in-hand. I was woken in the middle of the night by voices outside of my door.

'It's done.'

'So they don't remember each other?'

'No.'

'Good. This means we can move him upstairs. He won't be a problem for us there.'

The locks turned and I sat up on the mattress. The familiar guard looked at me with a friendly smile. 'I've got good news.'

'Oh?'

'You don't need to be in this shithole anymore.' He grinned.

'Where am I going?'

'Floor three. You're needed for training.'

'Training?'

'For the war, my friend. Your time has come.'