I woke up the next morning well rested and comfortable. As I opened my eyes, the room was lighter than normal. At first I didn't mind, until I realized I woke up thirty minutes later.

'Crap!'

I scrambled out of bed and put on my clothes before bursting into the dining room. Inside Zolona and Sage stood looking at the clock.

Zolona crossed her arms. "You're late."

"Yes..." I took sharp breaths from exhaustion, "Sorry, Mistress."

"Well, we all have our off days, don't we?" Zolona asked.

I sat at the table. We were a guest short. "Where's Echo?"

"We'll get him after we're done eating, and the free day can commence," Zolona said.

Sage stabbed her knife into the wooden table. "Do we have to have a free day? It'll be so boring."

"What have you been up to?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Torturing the prisoners. Duh," Sage looked to me, her face emotionless.

"That's all you've done?" I asked.

Sage rolled her eyes and pouted her lip. "When I'm not, I think about Echo's stupid agreement."

I nodded. "I'd do the same in your shoes."

"I can't wait until he becomes one of us, right Zolona?" Sage smiled.

Zolona stirred her spoon in her glass of chocolate milk. "What? Yes, of course."

"Why the long face? You know as well as I do Echo will have to become one of us or die," Sage raised an eyebrow, her voice nasally. If it were from any other twelve year old, the words be seem too awkward. That wasn't Sage's case.

"Bloody hell... you're right Sage. I was so distracted I forgot what was important. He needs to change, or he'll die." Zolona's face wasn't amused.

I sighed. "On another good note, I figured out one of my powers."

"Which one?" Zolona asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sage giggled. "She has more?"

"Healing," I said.

Zolona smiled. "That'll prove useful in the future."

I smiled back at her.

"What's with the smiling? Come on people. I thought I was the only one who liked to smile. Geez, either Echo's optimism's rubbing off on you, or we're all just plain childish," Sage said.

Zolona and I lowered our grins.

Sage was right. We had to stop messing around.

"How will we change him with his friends around?" I asked.

"We need to drive the twins away from each other. Personally, if I had Echo in torture for one day, we'd already have him broken," Sage tapped her foot under the table.

"I agree." Zolona lowered her head.

"Really?" Sage raised an eyebrow, "You don't sound like it."

Zolona moaned. "We need to do this. He, Ember, and his mother all deserve the same fate if they refuse to change. They need to suffer and die a painful death. It's the only way."

"That's the Zolona I know." Sage let her lips form a crooked smile.

"But how will we do that?" I asked.

Sage sighed. "I'm not sure, besides torture. Any bright ideas, Zolona?"

Zolona nodded slowly. "We could cause some conflict today when they're together. We can see if they are planning anything as well."

"Echo? Planning something?" I laughed.

Sage raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think he wanted his sister out of the cage?"

"You have a point." I was no longer amused.

"635202 and I will get Echo. You bring Dusk, Arvin, and Ember to Training Room One. This should be a good day for us." Zolona smiled.

Sage nodded and left the room.

"Echo trusts us, so we'll have to be careful," I suggested.

"But if he doesn't join the way I envisioned, he'll have to die too." Zolona bowed her head.

I bowed my head. "Of course, Zolona."

We entered the hospital ward. Echo sat in bed reading a book. His hand covered the title, and when we walked in, he quickly closed it.

"How's your leg?" I asked.

Echo smiled. "Better, but it's sore. I'll try to take it easy."

"Good luck with that. Your sister doesn't like rest." I sighed.

"Back in Rivermouth, she wanted to hide from The Regime. She told me the only reason she didn't was because she didn't want to let our friends down," Echo said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Ember doesn't seem like the relaxing type."

"Come now, Echo. Don't you want to see your friends?" Zolona asked

The three of us departed.

A sinking feeling entered my stomach like I didn't want to drive the twins apart. There was no way I'd prioritize something like that over my work, right? I'd only known him for about a week. There was no way I was getting attached to him.

'Keep your head up 635202. There's nothing to like about him. He's stubborn, doesn't fight back, weak, nice...'

A stab hit my chest.

He was nicer than any boy I'd met. He was insightful, a jokester, and practically optimistic. When I told him about my memories, he hoped for me to get them back. Zolona said it was impossible. That was a difference in him I'd grown to like. He was a good ally, even if he wasn't the best fighter. He certainly had a reason to not fight. Was he afraid? I'd have to ask him.

We reached Training Room One after Sage, several guards, Ember, Dusk, and Arvin got there. The training room had a piano, a guitar, and several easels and paints. Much to Echo's surprise, Dusk, Ember, and Arvin were in chains.

Echo's eyes widened. "Why are they chained up?"

"Safety precautions," Zolona said.

"They won't do anything. Please remove them," Echo politely demanded.

Zolona sighed. "I'm the one in charge. They're staying on."

"Aunt Zolona, please remove them. I promise they'll not escape," Echo said.

Zolona gave him a firm glance. "You promise?"

"Yes," Echo swore.

Sage raised an eyebrow, a snort following it. "What good is a promise?"

"He promised Melinda he'd protect her, and he turned himself in because of it," Ember said.

"So what?" Sage looked at me and Zolona.

"You better keep them behaved." Zolona clapped her hands.

"Yes, Mistress?" 11838518 stepped closer to Zolona.

"Remove the handcuffs on Dusk, Ember, and Arvin, please," Zolona asked.

Echo smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.

11838518 removed the handcuffs from Dusk, Ember, and Arvin-- not a moment before looking at me again. When would he ever get the point I wasn't into him?

Ember smiled at Echo. "635202 told me you were injured in a hike. Did they hurt you?"

"No, they didn't hurt me. I tripped on Valentine, Zolona's cat, and almost fell down a huge ridge. It's feeling better since I rested yesterday. How are you and Dusk?" Echo said in concern.

Dusk lowered his head. "I don't know what got a hold of me, but I'm not going to let it happen again. For Ember's sake."

"I wouldn't like to hit you with a tray again," Echo smiled.

"What exactly are we going to do?" Arvin asked.

Echo took out the book he was reading earlier. "I wrote a new song," he turned to his sister, "I was hoping you'd sing it with me."

"It's a duet?" Ember asked.

Echo nodded. "I don't have to sing it if you don't want to. You might be more comfortable with Arvin or Dusk."

Arvin waved his hands frantically in front of him. He really didn't want to do it. "I'm afraid I don't sing."

"I wasn't going to ask you. Dusk, I'm begging you to do it," Ember pleaded.

"I'm an actor. Even if I was in a musical once or twice, I'm no singer." Dusk chuckled.

Ember rolled her eyes. "Even if you were a government employee, I bet you'd do better than most."

"Probably around half as good as Echo," Dusk sighed.

"Come on, Dusk. It'll be fun." Echo lightly nudged Dusk's shoulder.

Dusk crossed his arms. "Alright, but just this once. I've got a reputation to keep."

Echo and Ember smiled.

"Is this the same song from yesterday?" I asked Echo, who nodded and sat at the piano.

He opened the notebook and Dusk and Ember got on his left side, ready to sing.

"Now you can see who's better, Aunt Zolona. Is it Raven or Ember?" Echo played the same gentle tune as before

I smiled, and for once I didn't care if I did.

Dusk sang.

My jaw dropped. 'He doesn't sing, huh? Holy shit!'

His voice was refined, the tone round and deep like dark chocolate. I couldn't believe the song was originally meant for Echo and Ember. I couldn't understand why Dusk wouldn't want to sing. Was it possible he didn't know? Crap, I doubted that. He probably wanted to keep that bad boy image of his squeaky clean.

Ember's voice was not nearly as well soundtrack-sounding as Dusk's, and it wasn't as unique as Echo's. Yet, the guards, Sage, and Dusk loved it. Her voice sounded more like talking than singing unless she went to hit low notes, which sounded refined. The best I could ever compare it to was Zolona's old rock tracks.

Echo stopped playing.

Zolona stood by my side, but her mind lingered elsewhere. It was like she remembered something important. She tilted her head and squinted her eyes as Dusk and Ember sang their duet. Something was up.

"What do you think of Ember's voice?" Zolona's words shook.

Confusion etched my face. "It wasn't the best, but people love it. It's like..."

Zolona interrupted. "Magic?"

"How did you...?" My eyes widened.

"Damn... I'll explain what happened later. That really was something, wasn't it? Dusk being able to sing well, and Ember seeming like she did better than you despite her punk tone. Why, I've only seen that..." Zolona paced across the floor.

"What?" I asked.

Zolona lowered her head. "There's no way to know for sure."

"Know what?" I asked.

"It's nothing you should worry about," Zolona said.

Echo, Ember, Dusk, and Arvin laughed by the piano. It must've been nice to have a day together without worrying about interrogations or Echo's schedule. They seemed happy enough.

"So, how's your relationship gone?" Echo asked.

Ember blushed. "I've enjoyed it. After that one tumble, we were able to talk it out."

"You have a medicine?" Echo asked.

Dusk nodded. "It doesn't help when it's taken from you. I don't even understand the illness well."

"How many doses do you have left?" Echo asked.

"Thirty-seven," Dusk said.

"I told him if he ever needed it to be replicated, I'd help him in any way I can," Arvin said.

Echo smiled to his friend. "Thanks Arvin."

"No problem at all. I'd do anything to help out friends, except risk my life or do something immoral," Arvin said.

"Of course," Ember, Echo, and Dusk laughed.

"So, what's next?" Dusk asked.

Echo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know."

"You didn't plan an escape?" Dusk's eyes widened.

"No," Echo said in confusion.

"Why?" Ember asked.

Echo smiled. "I don't think we should leave."

"Have you gone mad?" Arvin shook Echo.

Echo shoved Arvin off him. "Aunt Zolona isn't so bad."

Ember's eyes widened. "Echo, listen to yourself. You just called Zolona, evil Zolona, our aunt. She's not family."

"What if she grew up like you?" Echo asked.

Ember clenched her teeth. "She disgusts me. Aunts wouldn't try to kill their niece and nephew."

"She isn't trying to kill either of us," Echo said.

"You have no proof of that," Ember gave a cold glare.

Dusk put his hand on Ember's shoulder. "She's right, Echo. Zolona's playing you for a fool."

"Then why are we still alive?" Echo asked.

Ember sighed. "Yes, I see what you're saying, but don't understand. The Oracle and Dr. Reed told us one story, but if Zolona's as bad as they said, we should be dead by now."

"Maybe we're about to be." Arvin lowered his head.

Dusk glared at him. "Arvin, don't talk crap. We'll all make it out of this somehow."

"Arvin has a point. She wanted to kill us at first. Why do you think she hasn't yet?" Ember asked

"The prophecy?" Dusk raised an eyebrow.

"But if the oldest twin is supposed to kill her, why aren't you dead?" Ember pointed at Echo.

Echo shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know."

"We need a plan. I can't come up with any backups until we make a decision." Dusk sighed.

"I want to leave this dump," Ember said.

Arvin nodded. "Agreed."

Echo smiled. "Come on guys. It's not like we can be in another realm all the time."

Dusk raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to stay so badly?"

Ember nudged her twin's shoulder. "Echo, this place is dangerous. Just look at your leg."

"I just wanted to hang out with you guys, not turn it into a day to plan an escape," Echo said.

"We're hostages. Scientifically, we're no better than caged lab-rats," Arvin said.

Echo sighed. "I know you want to leave, but if we stay we'll find some things out."

I jumped into their conversation. "Like what?"

"Nothing," Ember said.

"Raven, don't you think if they played The Game we might find some things out? You said you wanted to play again," Echo said.

Ember crossed her arms. "You played a game together? That's immature."

"This game recovers lost memories," Echo said.

"You don't have lost memories. Do you?" Arvin asked.

"Raven does," Echo said gesturing to me.

Dusk clenched his teeth. "It doesn't have a name, Echo. It's 635202."

'Well, ouch. That hurts.'

"And anything without a name shouldn't be around us. They're a weapon, a machine meant to tear people apart. Anyone in Zolona's forces shouldn't talk to us, because they aren't anyone at all," Ember said.

I lowered my head. For some reason, I felt hurt. Echo looked at me.

Echo's expression darkened. "If Raven's out, I guess I'll leave too."

"Echo, she's lived with Zolona her entire life," Arvin said.

"She might have, but I want to stay and help her. She's missing around fifteen years of her memory. You know how bad I felt when Vana lost all her memories. I'm sure Melinda's trying to do what she can to help her. I think Raven doesn't have a name because she can't remember it. That doesn't make her a machine. She's still a person. I won't let you treat her like she's an idiot because she's lost her memories. She doesn't even have any clues about why she lost her memories in the first place," Echo said.

Ember looked deep into Echo's eyes, paused, and spat on the ground. "You've changed."

"He's still being nice... at least to the enemy," Arvin mumbled.

"Raven isn't your enemy," Echo reassured his friends.

"Why standing up to us, Echo? Why didn't you do it before?" Dusk asked.

Echo smiled. "Someone told me I can't just be anxious if I don't think something is right. I need to stand up for myself."

"You were fine before," Ember said.

"When I ran away from my problems?" Echo asked.

"When did you... oh, I remember. That happened a lot, didn't it?" Ember asked.

Echo nodded. "Besides, Raven's one of you guys: a friend."

"We're not friends," I awkwardly smiled, "We're allies."

"Allies? You look like friends to me," Dusk said.

"I'm not good at making friends. The only other person besides Zolona, Sage, and Echo who talks to me is my best ally," I said.

"Sounds a whole lot like best friend." Arvin crossed his arms.

"I don't make friends," I said.

"She was taught to stay detached from people. That way, she can't get hurt," Echo said.

Ember raised an eyebrow. "Why would she do that?"

"Because I was taught to be a brick wall since I forgot my memories," I said.

"Is that the story you're going with now, 635202?" a voice scoffed from behind me.

I turned to find 4758, and let out a sigh. He smiled as he got next to me, his breath smelling like bubble gum

"And you are?" Echo asked.

"4758. 635202 and I trained together since childhood. I'm the best ally she's got. We talk about everything," 4758's brown eyes staring at Dusk's hazel ones.

Dusk stood puzzled. "Have we met before?"

"Not officially. I gave you fifty lashes." 4758 smiled.

I clenched my teeth. "4758, we were in the middle of talking."

"Come on, 635202. You're cold hearted but you're not a liar. Tell them the truth. You're going to assassinate them," 4758 said.

Echo's eyebrows shot up. "You've been asked to assassinate us?"

"No, I haven't..." I crossed my arms.

"Not yet anyway. Do you think Zolona will let you all live here until she gets all the information she wants? Trust me, you'll be dead before month's end. You only deserve it," 4758 said.

"We don't deserve this. They don't deserve this," Echo said.

"Then maybe you need to go back in the cell where you belong," 4758 spoke softly.

Echo looked 4758 straight in the eye. "No."

4758's lip curved, entertained by Echo's response. "No?"

My jaw dropped. 'He's standing his ground for once... but he shouldn't mess with 4758.'

Echo clenched his teeth. "Raven doesn't remember who she is. Zolona only doesn't want her to get hurt again. In order to help everyone I care about, I have to stay out here. I'm not getting back in that cage."

"You think standing up is better?" 4758 chuckled.

Dusk dazed off. "I've seen that smile before..."

"Trust me, you haven't," 4758 argued.

"Dusk, are you alright?" Ember asked, putting her hand on Dusk's shoulder for comfort.

"Leave them alone, 4758. Don't you have something else to do?" I asked.

4758 chuckled. "Wow, and I thought you were a wall. Don't you have someone to stare at so they can laugh at your silver eyes?"

"You take that back," Echo uttered.

4758 laughed. "But it's true. Either she pushes people or is punched at. That's why she doesn't have friends."

"You'll say that about me when you can't fight as well? Are you soft, or are you just afraid to hit a girl?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well..." 4758 attempted to punch me in the face.

I closed my eyes, before I noticed that I wasn't hit. 4758 screamed.

I opened my eyes. Echo let his right arm get between us. Obviously, his arm burned 4758.

"Raven told you to leave," Echo said.

"Nice move, Greer. You're who I thought you were after all," 4758 answered.

'What the hell does that mean?'

Ember gave 4758 a glare, staring deep into his eyes. "You heard my brother."

"Maybe you and Raven can talk it out later," Echo suggested.

"Doubt it," 4758 moaned and left the room.

"Are you okay?" Echo asked.

I nodded, my eyes still widened. "Are you okay?"

Echo smiled. "Decided to use the burning factor to my advantage."

"Has your mark grown any more?" Ember asked.

"You... could say that. It's at the elbow," I said.

"Not anymore," Echo couldn't look at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"I'm more interested on why you thought you've seen that guy before," Ember said.

Dusk turned to face her. "It was only one time when training for The Regime."

"When was that?" Ember asked with a raised eyebrow.

I rolled up Echo's sleeve.

"Three years ago," Dusk said.

I gasped. His mark was all the way up his arm. According to Zolona, that was longer than anyone else's.

"Why wouldn't you tell Zolona about this?" I asked.

Dusk sighed. "You expect me to spill that kind of info?"

"I think she was talking to Echo, Dusk," Arvin said.

"I was going to tell her yesterday, but I got hurt," Echo said.

"I can't believe you did that. 4758 will probably try to kill you," I said.

"What was he going to do? Let you get punched in the face?" Ember asked.

Echo smiled. "You're welcome."

"... You're right. You were pretty brave," I said.

Echo's eyes widened. "I was terrified. I wasn't sure if that would work."

"What do you think bravery is? It's doing something even if you're scared," Dusk said.

Echo let out a breath of relief. His smile widened. "Besides, Zolona told me there was no reason for me to be afraid of something unless I had a good reason."

I smiled back. "I don't know how it works, but if you could teach me about making friends, maybe you can help me search for my memories."

"I'll accept that deal." Echo offered me his hand.

I shook it without a second thought. "Then it's settled."

Zolona dropped a glass she was carrying. "We have to talk."

"When?" Echo asked with concern.

Zolona's eyes looked desperate. "Now."

He let go of my hand and walked towards Zolona.

"You too, Raven," Zolona said.

I took a deep breath in. "What about Ember, Dusk, and Arvin?"

"They'll have lunch," Zolona commanded.

I headed out the training room with Echo and Zolona and into her bedroom, not knowing what to expect. I only hoped Sage would be able to handle the prisoners while we were gone.

Maybe I was a pawn like 4758 said. He certainly was right about one thing: I was changing. I had to stop myself from becoming what Zolona didn't want, and make sure Echo changed. Why did it seem so hard?