"Please don't tell me that's your Chip."

The flashlight is clicked off and I can't make out either person through the perpetual darkness. Cody sucks in a deep breath beside me. It almost seems surreal, like something from a book. On a gloomy, rainy day, everything comes tumbling down.

"E-Eva," I stutter, my nails digging into my palms. "I- um-"

"Autumn, why didn't you tell me?" She whispers, her voice wobbly.

My knees feel like ice cream; ready to slip down to the floor. "I'm so sorry. I was just scared and- not to be rude, but how did you get here?"

Cody lets out a nervous laugh that sounds more like a squeak. "I, kind of, sort of, saved your friend as well. You're welcome."

I furrow my eyebrows. "Why would someone go after Eva? She isn't, or wasn't, affiliated with any of this."

An image of Cody shrugging passes through my mind, his lips tugging down into a frown. "Maybe since she's your friend and she was with you?"

My heads tilts from side to side as I consider this. Great. Now I've put Eva in danger by just being in contact with me. "I never wanted anyone to get hurt because of my stupid Chip," I choke, my voice thick my unshed tears. One finally slips down my cheek as fear and guilt cut through me like a knife.

"Autumn, no. I never wanted you to get hurt," Cody mutters, sounding broken and frail for the first time. "I never meant to get you in trouble. I never meant to hurt you by telling Jared. I'm so sorry."

I find myself shaking my head. "No, Cody. You and Eva are the first people to speak to me in so long. You made me think that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't a worthless reject. All those years of not being perfect enough for anyone, of being ignored after Ash died. It hurt. So much."

"Autumn, that wasn't your fault," Eva speaks up, her voice seeming to tremble with fear. "A- Ashley's termination was never your fault."

"Termination?" I breathe, the word sounding heavy on my tongue. "No, she died. My parents wouldn't say how, but I assumed they were too upset."

The two other people in the room collectively gasp.

My own breath hitches. "What? Do you guys know something I don't?"

"Autumn, everyone stayed away from you because they were scared," Eva breaks the silence. "That or they despised you."

"Yeah," Cody agrees. "Since Ashley was one of them, they thought you were too."

"One of what?" I hiss, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive manner. "What on Earth are you talking about?"

"The AntiChips," Cody responds with a tone of reverence and fear.

"The anti what now?"

"They're against Chips and the government, Autumn," Eva supplies. "And- I agree with them."

"So do I," Cody sighs. "When I saw you with your Chip out and noticed your obvious disdain of the government, I knew we had a chance to make a difference. I thought that maybe we could accomplish what they haven't without the risk of being associated with them."

My mouth hangs open in shock, mind spinning as it attempts to process all this new information. "No- you're lying. Ash would have told me if she were a part of these- these AntiChips."

I flinch away as a large hand, presumably Cody's, falls on my shoulder. "You know how you were terrified about our operation?"

"And of telling me," Eva adds.

I nod before realizing they can't see me. "Yes."

"That's how Ashley must have felt," Cody whispers. "I'm so sorry you've been in the dark all these years."

"How didn't I know?" I yelp, hugging myself as my body starts to shake. "How did everyone know about my cousin's activities but me?"

"It was a big deal when she was arrested," Eva replies, her voice dropping low as though she's still scared to mention it. "Your parents were probably trying to protect you."

"It was never mentioned again," Cody continues. "People were too terrified of the consequences."

My mouth opens and closes like someone gasping for air, save the sound. Ash was part of a secret organization she never mentioned. This explains what Harper expected me to know. She expected me to know about the organization. Why did she so blatantly mention it in a public restaurant? Most importantly, why would Kaylee be- terminated? What are they hiding?

"Kaylee. Harper!" I burst, slapping my palm to my forehead.

"What about those- those jerks," Eva practically spits, her breathing already sounding raged from just the mention of their names.

"They're part of it. The AntiChips!" I exclaim, excitement coursing through me as my brain pieces the puzzle together. "And Harper suspected Kaylee was going to be terminated that day she was absent from school!"

"Wha-"

I cut off their simultaneous outbursts of surprise. "Harper suspected I knew some of their secrets. She asked me for help, but I had no idea what she was talking about. This is it! It makes so much more sense now!"

Eva flicks on her flashlight and points it at me. Her eyes scream 'disbelief' and her face has visibly paled. She seems older in the reflection of the artificial light, almost like she's rapidly grown wiser beyond her years. As she scrutinizes me, she whispers, "No. This can't be."

Averting my gaze to the tile on the ground, I nod. It's almost like my mind begins to tune out reality, like it's reached its limit and is shutting down. The ground becomes blurred and instead I focus on the lingering scents in the air. A hint of fresh brewed coffee mingles with sweet scents of assorted ice cream flavors. I can almost taste Fruity Rainbow Swirl through what I believe is a tinge of its unique, mouthwatering smell.

"Earth to Autumn!"

I blink, looking up as Cody drops his hand from in front of my visage. "I-I-"

"I know it's a lot to take in at one time, Autumn," Cody smiles sympathetically, wordlessly pulling out a chair and gently pushing me back onto it.

I let out a small gasp of surprise as my bottom meets the wooden chair. Cody crouches in front of me and places his hands on my shoulders. His hazel eyes swim with concern as Eva's petite figure lurks behind him. They both spin out of focus and I let my eyes flutter shut.

"Autumn?"

My eyes snap back open. "Ugh. It went from Eva being the shocked one to me finding out a busload of information."

Eva shrugs, directing the light at the ground instead of at me, causing shadows to appear. "So, what exactly are you guys hoping to accomplish?"

"I'm not all that sure," I simply reply. "Find answers? Make leeway with Chips? I don't just, just something. At lest something."

"I want in. You know, if that's ok."

Cody and I nod in unison and Eva lets out a squeal.

Eva's smile is replaced by a frown. "Wait- is that snotty rich boy, Jared, part of this?"

Cody seems deeply offended for his cousin and I snort as I burst out laughing.

"Yes," Cody mutters, "and he's not snotty! He's my cousin!"

Eva's face scrunches up in disgust. "No. I hate him. Ever since he spilled his lunch all over me last year and didn't even say sorry, I hate him."

I roll my eyes. "He's actually not that bad."

"Then why did you hide from him in the bathroom for-"

"Long story," I laugh.

Cody shoots me a questioning look. "Um, I never heard of this. Jared said you two were good."

I scoff. "I think he was trying to make you think I forgave him and not you."

Cody mutters something under his breath before sighing. "Typical Jar."

"Oh, by the way," Eva grins, wiggling her eyebrows, "I totally ship you two."

My eyes widen as I push Cody's hands off my shoulders. "No. Eva, please, no." As Cody's mouth opens to respond, I cut him off. "Let's just start explaining."