A/N: Hello everyone! I know it's been a SUPER long time. I honestly still love this story and will finish it, but I can't promise regular updates. Sorry! I will do my best to not keep you waiting months, though! Thanks for your patience :)

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05 - 29 - 2089

G I S

Like a freaking piece of machinery at their disposal.

The words ring in my head, echoing until I feel a pounding behind my ears and at the base of my neck. My face reddens. "Is that true?" I force myself to look at Tesrine, unable to meet Cade's gaze. Have I been so naive that I've once again been fooled? Did I trust these people too quickly? 

I feel torn. They saved mine and Cade's life. When he was shot and bleeding to death, they were the ones to fix him up. They harbored us in a safe house for months. But now I find out they haven't told us the whole truth, and that I'm so important to their cause? It sounds too familiar. Like an old lie I've only just started to forget. 

And Cade. They hurt him and forced him to remain here like a captive. Just like my life for years. 

Even if they are on our side, how can we truly trust them? How can I ever trust anyone?

Tesrine's forehead creases and Mr. Tate frowns. "That is so far from the truth I don't even know where to begin," Tesrine says at last. She opens her mouth to continue, when Mr. Tate cuts in.

He casts her a sidelong glance. "Gis, dear, we owe you an apology. You've been lied to almost your entire life, and we can't begin to imagine how confused and frustrated you must feel. This organization, as Tesrine was trying to explain, was built because of you. For you. Our leader is committed to the cause in which each of us pledges. We are all fighting for you and for the good of our country.  There are many things you don't understand."

I offer Mr. Tate a small nod, trying to calm my raging thoughts. "If you're not the leader, then who is?" I manage to ask Tesrine, recalling Mr. Tate's explanation of her job. She certainly has an air of authority about her, so I'm surprised she doesn't lead everyone.

Tesrine half smiles. "Alex leads us. But while he's away, I help keep things up and running."

"We want to meet him, then," Cade says, his tone flat.

Mr. Tate and Tesrine share a look. "Soon," Tesrine promises. "He's away right now on a mission. He's been away for several months, in fact, otherwise he would have come to explain this all to you sooner."

"So you've been keeping all this from us for months because you were too scared to tell us?" Cade scoffs.

I frown and avoid his gaze. I understand his frustration, but he isn't making it any easier to get answers.

"On the contrary," Tesrine responds, her tone conveying patience despite Cade's attitude, "Alex asked us to keep this quiet until he returned. That was the plan until you both decided to shake things up. I made the elective decision to break the news early."

"I don't appreciate the dishonesty," I begin, speaking slowly as I gather my thoughts, "but I'm glad you chose to tell us the truth now." At least, I hope it's the truth. "But I have one-- well actually many-- questions. First, what is this organization and why does it exist? You keep saying it's because of me. What does that mean?"

"I'll let you take this one," Mr. Tate says to Tesrine. He leans back in his chair.

Tesrine plays with a small braid that hangs over her shoulder. "Where to start?" She leans back, staring at the ceiling. "We're called The Black Star. That's our official name, given to us by Alex. He started this group. And he started it because of you. Well, you and GIADA." She stops, considering for a moment. "The Genetic Intervention And Disease Administration, or GIADA," she uses air quotes for emphasis, "was formed shortly after the dissolution in 2045. When it became clear that the virus which attacked all our electronics now was targeting living beings, they knew an epidemic was evident. So they started searching a cure and a way to genetically improve humans to survive the impending disease."

Cade scoffs. "That worked out well."

Tesrine raises an eyebrow at the interruption, but doesn't contradict him. "Suffice to say, their fear and panic began to cloud their judgement. They began to cross lines that should never be crossed. And Alex didn't like that. So he found others with the same opinion as him and formed The Black Star. And here we are."

"You say you're nothing like GIADA, and yet how did you know to help Gis and I when we were found by them after being on the run? Why didn't you help us in the many days before we were caught?" Cade points out. He clearly still has many, many suspicions. And I'm so glad he's here to help me figure this all out. He's always been such a strong, comforting presence. 

Tesrine's voice is cold when she speaks again. "You remember Enzo?" When I nod, she says, "He led us to you. Once he realized who you were, he contacted me." She takes a breath, steadying herself. "He was my brother."

My heart skips a beat. 

I stop breathing.

One.

Two.

Three.

"What?" I squeak out. 

Time slows as Tesrine meets my gaze. Then all at once she's speaking but I can't make out the words.

Hands on my shoulders. Warmth spreading from fingers to me.

Memories flash in my mind. 

A man, younger with brown hair. The color I imagine tree bark to be. Varied, and rough. His eyes are alert, bright.

The first time I met Enzo. Under horrible circumstances, but even then I was intrigued by him. By how he was different than others around him. 

Time slows, just to a crawl, as Enzo shoves aside a soldier who gets in his way. But before he can take the soldier out with a well placed bullet, the soldier kicks him.

Enzo stumbles backwards, landing on his back, his gun flying into the chaos. I can see this all in slow motion as he struggles to rise and I'm reaching for him, his name on my lips. I need to get to him, to help him, to do something.

But Cade pulls me back as the soldier stands over Enzo, his gun raised, and fires. 

Dead. Just like that, two tiny objects caused such irreparable damage and pain. He sacrificed himself for me, giving up his life so I might have mine. 

I lean forward and press a feather light kiss to his temple. "Thank you," I whisper, my throat thick and raw with emotion. 

Tears stream down my face. Cade is holding me as I shake my head. I pull away and forcefully wipe the moisture from my eyes. "Tesrine, I'm so sorry." My voice cracks. "He was amazing. He didn't deserve that end. I should have..." I trail off, unable to continue.

Tesrine's face is stone, but I can see the fire raging and burning in her eyes. She is one spark away from burning. "He knew what he was doing." Her voice is as cold. Removed. "Despite not being as committed to this cause, he wanted to help you, Gis. He really cared about you."

I nod, unable to speak. Images of Enzo dying still flash beneath my eyelids with every blink. Cade sits near, his expression solemn. Mr. Tate stares at the ground. Tesrine remains unmoving.

We remain like this, remembering Enzo, for several minutes. A partly response to his sacrifice, but all we have to give.

Then Tesrine straightens, throws the braids over her shoulder and clears her throat. "My brother's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Nor will it ever be in vain. Which is why I've continued fighting for this cause, and why I want you to understand that we are on your side. GIADA killed Enzo, therefore we must not let them win."

Immediately, I am in agreement. I nod, noting as Cade reluctantly agrees.

"Excellent. Follow me." 

-

I admire Tesrine. She has the ability to put aside her emotions. To bury them deep down and lock them away. With the flick of a wrist, I can picture her tossing the key behind her and never looking back.  She is the steel of a woman I never could be. 

I dwell too much on my thoughts and emotions. I can't control them. No, they control me most of the time. I find myself consumed by them. Anger. Sadness. Fear. They are all so powerful. 

I want to be more like Tesrine. And so I watch her as she gives Cade and I a short tour of The Black Star base. According to Tesrine, this base is one of several that are stationed throughout varies provinces. The Black Star, or TBS as Tesrine shortens it, has been around for thirteen years. Almost as long as I've been alive.

This base is one of the more recent, and therefore the most updated. By the end of the tour, I'm almost able to formulate a mental picture of how the facility is laid out. In a way, the structure fascinates me. I find myself wanting to draw it. My fingers itch to create the straight lines, intersecting to make various Xs and plus signs.

I stretch my fingers before rolling them into fists, squeezing until the sensation passes. What I wouldn't give to be back in the Tates' backyard, soaking up the sunshine and getting charcoal all over my fingertips.

A gentle hand brushes mine, and I glance to my right where Cade walks beside me. He offers me a small smile. I drink in his expression, enjoying having him close once more. In a moment of boldness, I reach for his hand and link our fingers together. 

-

Once the tour is over, Tesrine brings us back to Mr. Tate, who has the vehicle up and running. He stands near the door, watching us approach. 

"What happens now?" Cade asks, eyeing Mr. Tate with a hint of unease. Things were calm during the tour, but I'm sure he's still recalling the harsh way he was treated. 

Tesrine steps to the side, allowing a clear path to Mr. Tate. "We will be in touch. For now, it's best if you stay put with the Tates. Their house is the safest place Gis can be."

"Even safer than here?" I ask. It's hard to imagine the Tates' cottage as being safer than an underground bunker.

"Yes. GIADA hasn't given up looking for Gis, so we need to keep her where they'd least expect. And a small province in the middle of nowhere is exactly the place to do that. This facility, on the other hand, always has a lot of activity because people are coming and going. For everyone's safety, it's best to stay where you are."

I open my mouth to spew more questions, but Tesrine holds up a hand. "Gis, I promise more answers will come. But right now I need you to trust me. For Enzo."

The questions float out of my mind, dried up leaves carried away by a fall breeze. I nod.

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