Training. I would see it as a good thing it wasn't for a malicious cause. Or, well, whatever cause Leane has in mind. She used me, syphoned the information out of me, and now we're here. People have electricity shooting out out of their palms. Some are quiet, concentrating on their enhanced senses. The lights have been turned off multiple times, people forced to find their way in the darkness. People can now fight better, stun others, and use all of their senses better.

I've gone through the motions, but nothing is new to me. I mean, obviously. I've had a Chip longer than all of them. Now, I just stand off to the side of the large concrete room. Watching. I watch a girl's face light up as her fingertips do also. I watch two guys wrestle, taking turns gaining the upper hand. Rachel and Aubrey take no notice of me, trying out their new abilities with smiles on their faces.

Everyone seems so happy, so worked up and ready for anything that life throws their way. The energy in the room is contagious, yet it can't give me enough to restore the energy I have lost. It's just too much. I've relearned my past, all my memories ramming into my head with such force that it rattled me to my very core. And, now that I remember my friends and family, I miss them all so much. They all think I'm dead. I wouldn't blame Cody or Teresa if they were angry with me for running out like that, not even bothering to plan with them and let them help me.

Come to think of it, what happened to The Others? And- Kaylee! I remember her now! Wasn't she part of The Others along with Harper? Harper, who, in the end, gave her life to save my own. My head begins to spin once again and I sigh, resting my hand against my forehead. At least I get to see the place Ash must have spent so much time in. Did she even know what she was getting herself into?

The girl in question nudges me with her shoulder, concern written in her emerald eyes. "Hey, you okay?"

I shrug. "No, but I just need to process everything that's happened. But, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Why is Kaylee here?"

"Because she wanted to be."

"What about The Others?"

Ash shrugs. "I have no idea. she just decided to join us. Maybe it was because her friend was gone, or she wanted to join- whatever is going on here."

"You know about Harper?"

"Just that Leane, whom you probably know of by now, decided to try and take people from her opponent's side to torture information out of them."

I grimaced, then my eyes flicked to the girl with orange hair. She seemed in her element, forming balls of energy within her palms and flinging them at her training opponent. I wonder if she knew something about this, or if she was ever loyal to The Others in the first place.

I jump as my cousin places a hand and my shoulder and sigh, running a hand down my face.  

"Jumpy, are we? Why don't you come train with me? I have to admit that these Chips are pretty cool."

Sighing, I shake my head. "I'm good, thanks."

"You're scared that something's brewing, aren't you?" She whispers, making sure only I can hear her.

My eyes widen, then I nod. "No, I know."

"I've figure, for a while. And, I want to congratulate you!"

Confusion takes hold of me once more. "For what?"

My cousin laughs softly, turning to the group of teenagers sparring with their new abilities. "That you got rid of Chips. Some of us, the ones who have been here a while, know. I'm proud of you for actually, well, getting out there and doing what Leane couldn't. I didn't realize what a whackjob she was until it was too late to get out. Until I started to question what I was even fighting for. Then, here we are, waiting for whatever is going to happen to play out."

I nod, turning to look at her. Her eyes are downcast, studying the concrete floor. Fingers fidget, and when she finally looks at me, I can sense her fear, which is out of character for her. Even her hair is out of character, down from it's usual braid and swinging down her back.

"Ash..." I trail off. What we've been talking about is dangerous enough. Here, anyone can hear us, anyone can tell Leane on us. Besides, Leane and I don't seem to be on good terms. Oh, and she's also crazy. I also don't want to wait until dark to tell Ash. So, I decide on a slightly more risky option. "Instead of going to lunch," I whisper, "follow me."

Puzzled, she nods. Then, she grabs my arm and drags me to a more secluded corner of the room. Then, she lets go and steps back until she's a good few yards away from me.

"Come on, Hurricane. Let's see if you can brew up a storm to beat me."

I smirk. Little does she know, I have more experience with these Chips than she does. Even after the lecture they gave, explaining all the features I already knew about; even after the day of training we've had, I still know more. I still have way more experience.

So, as she tries to spark a fire, barely able to get the hang of it much like everyone else, I strike. Granted, I've never fought anyone with my abilities- well, I have. However, I never used my electric ability, nor did my opponent have a Chip. Nonetheless, I'm easily able to summon the electricity to my finger tips. I stretch out my hand, almost if I'm trying to reach out to my cousin but she's too far way. Then, I allow the sparks to travel the distance. In a flash, Ash is on the ground, groaning in pain as she clutches at her stomach.

I hold a hand to my mouth, momentarily shocked and horrified. I never wanted to hurt her. But, as quickly as she was down, she's up again. I guess I forgot that she has way more fighting experience and training than I do. She's nimble, light on her feet, and great with hand-to-hand combat. Which, thinking about it, could he a great advantage if she were to help me take down Leane. I might know a bit more about Chips, but Ash knows a whole lot about fighting people.

Next, it's me who's on the ground with Ash pinning me down. She laughs, holding my arm behind my head and practically sitting on me.

"Never let your guard down, Hurricane."

"The new Chips aren't working for you, are they?"

"Shut up," she laughs. "Come on, try to get me off of you. Don't tell me all of that combat training has gone in one ear and out of the other."

I sigh, then remember a technique, which I use to my advantage. Soon, I'm on top of her and she's under me, smiling in approval. I smirk, once again letting my guard down. Soon enough,  I'm back where I started, groaning and cursing under my breath. Just then, one of the instructors blows a whistle, yelling for everyone to head to lunch. Hurriedly, I toss Ash off of me, smirking as I stand up and wipe myself off.

As Ash follows me towards the open door, shoving our way through the mob, Aubrey and Rachel catch up to us. They both smile at me, through Rachel's doesn't seem as genuine.

 "Hey, Ashley, right?" Rachel speaks up, referring to my cousin, who simply nods.

"Ash-ley, this is Aubrey and Rachel. Guys, this is my-"

"Cousin," Ashley finished honestly. "I know Summer doesn't remember me, but I hope to jog her memory. It's nice to meet you guys."

They all shake hands, and we're finally out in the cold, crowded hallway. I need to escape to the room with Ash. Then again, Aubrey is my friend, and I need to come clean to her. However, no matter how much Rachel is liked by Aubrey, I don't know her that well and she hasn't earned my trust. However, something in my gaze makes Aubrey shoo off Rachel. And, wordlessly, I grab both of their arms and push us through the crowd, praying that we won't be seen.

Finally, we reach the nature room. My cousin gasps, taking it all in and smiling at the sun shining down on us. Not having time to stand around, I continue dragging her farther and farther into the room, admiring the faux greenery before coming to a halt next to the extremely narrow stream. Ash giddily removes her shoes and dips her feet into the water, smiling as she does. Aubrey and I follow suit, I in the middle of them and Aubrey at my left.

"So..." Aubrey trails off, unsure. "What's going on?"

I sigh. "I- remember. Everything."

She gasps, then smiles, then pulls me into a smothering hug. When she pulls away from me, she gushes, "That's amazing, Summer!"

"Actually, my name is Autumn. And, everything is a lie."

"What?" She gasps, eyes going wide.

Then, I explain to her what I did, getting rid of Chips. I also throw in what I know of Leane, and that I know something bad is going to happen. I also let both of them know about being the first person to have the new Chip, which causes both of them to gasp.

It takes Aubrey a moment to process all of this new information. Her mouth continues to open and close. Finally, she's able to make a sound and communicate. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."

I shrug. "It was for the best. Now, I can help stop whatever Leane is planning."

She smiles. "Well, I want in. You're my friend, you were basically my first friend, and I'll help you no matter what it takes."

I smile back. "Thanks, Aubrey."

"And, of course, I'll help as well."

I lightly laugh at my cousin before staring down at the water. It flows swiftly by, feeling warm and soothing against my skin. Glancing up, I see clouds gathering around the sun, and it seems to get darker by the second. It's probably going to rain. I wish I could experience the weather like I used to. You know, above ground. Not tucked under it, hidden away from a world that thinks I'm long gone.

"I need to contact my friends." I had mentioned them to Aubrey, so she knows who I'm talking about. I'm not, however, sure if I should mention anything about Hailee. So, I keep my mouth shut about her, instead focusing on my burning desire. "They need to know that I'm okay. This way, they can also help us."

Ash sighs. "I'm not sure. I mean, it's risky communicating with anyone from in here. We don't even have a way to contact anyone away from this facility."

Without thinking, I respond, "I know someone that does."

"Then, contact them. I'm sure they'll be overjoyed to know that you're alive," Aubrey pipes up, more excited about this than I am. I mean, I am excited, but a little apprehensive. I'm not sure how they'll react, or how we'll get through this. I feel nervous, but at the same time ecstatic. The feeling bubbling inside me is difficult to explain. I want to rush to Hailee and demand she give me something I can use to reach out to my friends. To my boyfriend. 

I jump as Ash places a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be fine. You get whatever you need to contact your friends, and we'll do it when the time is right."

"When will the time be right?" I whisper, dreading the answer. My feet splash in the water as I kick them back and forth, trying not to get any telltale water on my pants, which I pulled up to my knees.

"Probably soon. A day or two. I mean, we need to be ready. We're training with Chips, and who knows when the real plan will come into play," Aubrey says.

I nod, and even Ash bobs her head.

"How about- tonight?"

Ash nods again, and so does Aubrey.

"Tonight."