My new Chip can adapt to my needs. I'm not sure if the other's can, but mine proved it once before when it helped me regain my memories. Again, it's helped me. This time, it's unlocked a new ability that even Leane doesn't know about: I can become invisible. I was excited when I first found out, and it helped me sneak out of the facility.

Now, I brace myself against the slight chill of the wind, tugging the hood of my borrowed jacket further up my head. I keep it ducked, trying not to draw attention to myself. No one can notice me, no one can know I'm alive yet. Well, save the people I'm planning on surprising. I know It's risky, but I can't help it. Not only can I remember how to escape the facility, but I want to see my friends in person, be able to hug them close. Especially Cody. He's probably angry at me, but I can't help but miss him, miss whatever we had, miss the comfort he offered me. Besides, I wouldn't have been anything, done anything impactful, without him.

Hailee was against this, but lent me a watch to give me directions. The facility is just outside the city, so it's not that far of a walk. I left once everyone was asleep, but made sure Aubrey and Ashley knew what I was doing so they wouldn't freak out or could cover for me should anything happen. Of course, they all wanted to come with me, but I need to do this by myself. My nerves are jumbled enough, and I'm anxious as it is. I have no idea how they're going to react. Will they be angry? Happy? Maybe faint?

I let out a steadying breath. This is better than simply calling them, right? I sigh, glancing around at the familiar buildings and faux greenery. I almost wish the sun was shining down on me, but I know this has to be at night. So, I admire the faint scattering of stars against a moonless night, against the otherwise inky abyss above. My gaze flicks to the school and I heave another sigh. I'm not going to lie; I don't miss that place. I just miss the three other people that went there, that made my life worth living.

Someone might wonder why I'm not invisible. Honestly, I don't want to risk using my new ability in public, and it'll be difficult to explain if someone sees me become visible again. Plus, I want to feel like I'm a part of this place once again, just like before. Except, unlike a few years ago, I'm not a nobody, and I have friends by my side. I even have Teresa now, but I'm not sure I'll have time to visit all of them. I wonder if Teresa is angry at me. I wonder if anything of them are.

I find that I've unknowingly walked closer to the school. I know things are still falling apart, but at least the old Chips are gone. How has society been now? At least society has had a chance to realize that we don't need 'perfection'. Well, I hope. I allow my hood to fall back slightly, revealing my green eyes. They seem brighter than they've ever been, filled with a passion and fire that used to be foreign to me; filled with hope and excitement. I smile slightly, watching my lips curve up, then trail down to my thinned form. But, I also seem more muscular, more ready to take on whatever life will throw at me next. Thanks, training.

I allow the hood to fall off, if only for a minute. The breeze tugs at my hair, which is secured in a ponytail at the nape of my neck. My brown hair is longer than I remembered it. When I was getting ready to come out, I had to look at my reflection, and I was thoroughly shocked. My hair used to fall slightly beneath my shoulders, but now it's almost at my breasts. Time sure flies. My eyes widen, then I glance down at the watch. It's January. I'm sixteen now, and I didn't even realize it. I laugh bitterly to myself, pulling the hood back over my head and backing away from the glass doors of the school. At least I don't have to go there anymore, but I kind of want to.

Because, when I went to school, I was with my friends. And, it gave me a sense of normalcy, even if it all ended up being a lie.

I begin walking faster, walking with a purpose. And, soon enough, I'm passing my house. I want to tell my parents I'm okay. Because, despite everything that's happened, everything either of us has or hasn't done, they're my parents and I love them. Yet, I can't. I can't see them yet, can't let them know.

Now, I'm walking even faster, my heightened senses turning on and making the thump of my shoes against the concrete seem so much louder. Mentally turning it off, I continue walking. At least I've managed to somewhat control my new Chip. It'll come in handy. I keep walking, and walking, until I reach the mansion that my watch says is Cody's. I don't recall if I've been here before; all I remember is Jared's and the ice cream parlor. Shaking my head to dispel any second thoughts, I look at the tall gates standing between me and the large building, the eggshell paint seeming to glow.

Glancing around and using my enhanced senses and night vision, I make sure no one is coming or can see me. Although my invisibility doesn't allow me to pass through material, I become invisible and begin to scale the gate, inky as the night sky minus the stars. The fence going all the way around the building is the same, as are the points on the top.

I scare myself visible as a light flashes on from the large porch area. A woman rushes towards the gate, flashlight and gun in hand. I gulp, stumbling a step back and almost landing on the street. Her bare feet rush through the lush faux grass, the large trees casting shadows on her figure. I realize it must be Ingrid, Cody's mom. I must have triggered some security feature. Yet, why doesn't she have any guards or staff?

I snap out of my thoughts to find a gun pointing in my direction from the other side of the gate. "Who are you and what are you doing in front of my house?"

Can I tell her? She did try to save my life, so I guess I can. I allow my hood to fall and she gasps, bright flashlight nearly blinding me as I reach up a hand to shield my eyes.

"Um, I never got to properly thank you for trying to help me, lending me that gun and all. I mean, it didn't save the day, but, erm, thanks?"

She drops the flashlight and nearly the gun. "Autumn?" My name is no more than a breath, and a flabbergasted one at that.

"Um, hey Ingrid."

She immediately pushes something and swings the gate open. A second later, the gun is safely on the lawn and I'm wrapped in her arms, and it's almost like a motherly embrace. At one time, I feared this lady. Now, I hug her back. She wasn't the enemy. She never was. Her invention was cruelly misused. Her husband was our enemy, the one using Chips for evil. There's so much evil in this world.

Ingrid finally pulls away and the gate swings shut behind her. Her property is truly breathtaking. There are a number of cars in the swirling, wide driveway and everything seems to sparkle, even the many windows and few balconies of the mansion.

"First my husband now you- but I'm glad you're alive. I mean, you took him down once-"

My eyes widen. "What? He's- alive?" Cody's dad is alive. No no no no. He's supposed to be dead. First Leane, now him.

Ingrid grimly nods, then gathers her fallen items and shoves her pistol into her nightgown. "Come in, dear! Do your parents know you're alive? You can stay here-"

"No. I need to be back by dawn. No one knows I'm here. Well, a few people, but not the wrong ones."

She stops in her tracks. "Autumn, whoever kidnapped you-"

"It's- complicated. Listen, Ingrid, you husband isn't our biggest concern. I need to stay where I am to make sure Chips don't happen all over again. But- worse."

"Worse?"

My mind can't stop whirling. Things are worst than I thought. I gulp in a deep breath as Ingrid begins to walk faster. "Can I, see Cody?" My heart flutters. I'm here. I'm really here.

Ingrid smiles a knowing smile. "Everyone thinks you're dead. You ripped all of their hearts into shreds, my son's included. Your friends', everyones'. But, what you did, no one can thank you enough." She shivers slightly against the chill in the air, or maybe the one in her memories. "This is a war of evil, of power. If you hadn't done what you did, who knows what would have happened. It would've been worse."

"It's so much worse," I whisper softly. I want to tell her about my new Chip, but I can't. Ingrid, the fierce woman I once thought of her as, is gone. Now, she's a fragile woman trying to get everything together again, only this time, make things so much better. The problem is; the world is still falling apart.

"Do you still work for the government?" I dare ask.

She nods. "But, don't worry. Without that- that- I can't say that word. But, point is, the government under me is trying hard to make things right. I once cowered under my husband, and I'm so sorry about any trouble I caused you. But, never again. I'll be darned if I let him win this battle."

I smile slightly as she opens the door for me. The air is nice and toasty and I shrug off my jacket. She instructs me to give it to her, which I do. She walks into an adjacent room to hang it up, along with put the sneakers I grabbed for my journey in there. I glance around the spacious area, gaping at the chandelier hanging high above me. It takes the faint orange of streetlights and the light from the porch and creates a dazzling show of rainbow colors.

Ingrid walks back to my side and I follow her into a large kitchen.

"Where are your-"

"Staff? Help? Fired them all. I can run my own house, I don't need more people that can ultimately do more harm than good."

I didn't expect that at all.

She points to a machine next to a large gathering of intricate mugs. They're laced or made of gold. Real gold. "Make yourself hot chocolate, coffee, whatever. I'll go get Cody."

A giddy feeling rises in my stomach, and I realize Ingrid must've set down the flashlight in the coat and shoe room. Then, I turn to the machine and put a golden mug under it, feeling the heavy weight and smooth texture. It's just- gold. That's it, no designs. I smile to myself, pressing the button for hot chocolate, which the machine gladly spits out. Then, I take a cautious sip, not minding the feeling of it slightly scorching my tongue. It takes so rich, creamy, and thick.

I can't believe I'm going to see Cody after all this time. I want to kiss him, hug him-

"He's not here."

My heart drops to my stomach at his mom's panicked expression. The mug nearly slips from my fingertips. 'W-what? Where is he, then?"

"I-I don't know! I got home from work and assumed he was here!"

Panicky, I set down the mug and rush for the door.

"Autumn! Wait!"

"Thanks for the hot chocolate. I'll find him!" Maybe he's at the parlor?

"Be careful!"

I shove on my shoes and jacket, then rush out the door. I feel a burning in my legs and lungs as I run, but I notice my asthma- isn't there. The Chip or something must've cured it, or made it more bearable.Or, it could be the training. Definitely. However, I don't have time to celebrate. Worry consumes me. Did anyone get to him? I'll never forgive himself if anything happens to the people I care about, to the idiotic boy I've come to love.

I practically fly through the door of the ice cream parlor. Well, except it's locked. I mutter a curse under my breath, and run to the last place I can think of; the house Cody and I broke into. It's not far from the parlor and somehow, my legs know where to take me. Before I can even register how long I've been running, I glance at the regular looking house. Screw security. I walk up to the door and prepare to throw it open, but nearly scream as an alarm goes off inside the house. Great job, Autumn.

A hand flies over my mouth and before I can become invisible, the door flies open. Hurriedly, I flip the hood of my jacket over my head, obscuring my eyes. I stare down another muzzle (why does everyone have a gun?). But, past that, I gaze into a familiar pair of hazel eyes. Then, I let my gaze drop to the ground. I'm frozen in place. I want to hug him, but he's kind of pointing a gun at me. Why is Cody here? What's going on?

"Who are you?" He asks in a gruff voice, his blonde hair sticky up in random places. But, hey, it suits him. My heart flutters within my chest and I can't help the smile spreading across my lips despite the fact that he could pull the trigger any moment.

"You have five seconds."

"Five."

I toss off the hood, and his eyes go wide, jaw slack. His hand holding the gun quivers, and it slams onto the ground.

"Autumn?"

Before I can speak a reply, he's gathered me in his arms, holding me like he never wants to let go. I grasp him tightly. We just hold each other for a few moments, and I'm pretty sure both of us are crying. Finally, he pulls away and slams his lips into mine. Both of our salty tears can be tasted, and our lips move in sync. Gosh, it feels good to kiss him again.

We both pull away, panting, and stare into each other's eyes for a moment. Then, his eyes search me, trying to look for any possible injuries. His eyes are moist and so are mine.

"How?"

I smile slightly. "Be more specific. How what? By the way, your mom is freaking out." My palm makes contact with his face slightly and his eyes widen. "That's for scaring me and your mom! I thought you'd been kidnapped or something."

"It's a long story, but this is our new base. We were getting settled and we kinda fell asleep." He rubs his cheek.

"Sorry."

"Do you know how much you've worried all of us? We thought you were dead, then we were looking for you, and-"

Before he can cry again, I pull him against me and he sighs, toying with my ponytail as I smile.

I hear footsteps rushing towards us and pull away, swiping the back of my hand against my eyes. Cody swiftly pulls me inside, grabs the gun, which he puts aside, and shuts the door.

"Sorry. Security stuff. But how the hell are you-?"

"Cody, what's going- Autumn?"

I'm pulled into a new set of arms, and I laugh, wrapping my arms around Eva. She mumbles into my shoulder and her tears begin to wetten the jacket, but I don't care. Backing away from a blubbering Eva, I'm met with the dumbstruck look of Jared.

"You owe me five bucks."

"Me too."

Jared curses and pulls me into a hug. Once we pulls away, I'm pulled into yet another pair of arms. Teresa.

"Next time, we're putting you on house arrest," she lamely jokes, pulling away from me. Everyone's eyes are damp.

"You owe me five bucks, Jared."

"Did you guys bet on me? I think I deserve a cut."

They all laugh, but loosely. Before I can blink, I'm pulled into a group hug, so many arms trying to wrap around me at once. Then, once I'm sure I've had enough hugs to last more for the rest of the year, Eva lamely shouts, "Happy late birthday!"

Everyone else echoes her. Soon enough, I'm dragged to a couch; the same one I fell asleep on once upon a time. Then, everyone's fussing over me and blubbering, and refusing to take their eyes off me as though that'll make me disappear into dust before their very eyes.

Cody silences everyone, and tells me everything that's happened since I've been gone. I never thought anyone would care about my absence, before any of this, and am shocked about Cody's uncle. Then, before I begin my own story, I create a ball of energy on my palm and they all gasp.

"What the-"

"Does almost dying give you superpowers?"

And, a tell them all the story, ending with the fact that I have to leave, I glance at my watch, in about an hour. It's about five o'clock now, the sun rises around seven, but I need ample time to get back and sneak into my bed like I've been sleeping the whole time.

"No!" They all shout in unison.

Cody looks so broken, staring into my eyes as he whispers, "We just got you back! If you go there, we can't protect you."

The ball of electricity returns and I laugh. "I'll be fine. I have to get through it so I can find out as much as I can. I need to stay there so I can prevent whatever is going to happen to the best of my ability. Of course, with the help of you guys, of The Chip Busters."I glance at Teresa. "And you're one too, whether you like it or not."

She laughs lightly. "Of course."

"And you guys can also focus on Cody's dad. We'll get through this, together."

I glance at Cody, glued to my right side. "We, I, can't lose you again."

"You won't," I sigh, leaning into him as he wraps an arm around me. "Think of it as me going undercover. I'll come see you guys here when I can, and call when I can, too."

"Those powers are pretty cool," Eva admits.

"But, there is still the threat of, you know, another chip and a crazy rebel leader," Jared points out.

"I called it," Teresa mutters.

I sigh, glancing at all of my friends, all squished onto the couch save Jared. Eva's on my left, and Teresa beside her, leaning towards me.

"I'll be fine, guys."

"No! You're staying here!" Eva cries.

"Yeah. These two drove me crazy last time you left!" Jared exclaims.

Teresa sighs. "Let her go."

The others glare at her while I shoot her a silent 'thank you.'

"It'll be beneficial. Besides, her staying will cause a lot more harm than good. Leane's crazy."

I sigh, leaning back against the couch. I still have time to stay here, surrounded by my friends. "Do you guys have any hot chocolate?"

______

I've been waiting to write this since I started this book, or at least came up with it's idea. I'm so emotion guys. Alyse_BreAnn was that worth the wait? I wasn't sure I wanted to do this so early, or like, well, this, but I'm pretty proud of this chapter. And, ragingzombie does this answer your question? And MarineDinosaur2 here's the update lol. Thank you guys so so much for inspiring me to keep writing this story and for supporting it! Not just those tagged above, but everyone reading this! And, silent readers, please let your presence be known!

Did that live up to your predictions/ expectations/ hopes/ dreams of when they were reunited?

Kind of want some hot chocolate now. I also love the random times at night when I get inspiration. Lol. This had to be written, Cody and Autumn wouldn't let me wait. Also, if you haven't seen on my profile, go look at my post on the message board thing about the author take over! I'll take questions to answer about Removed( because that's what I'll be talking about)! So, comment them here, pm them to me, post them on my message board, whatever works for you, and make sure to check out the Facebook event to see the answers! I'll also mentioned your name/ username if you want, or it can be anonymous. Let me know which!

And, I know I'm crazy, but if I did write a third book, who would be interested? Should I?

-Sarah