Abe’s long legs stretched out before him as he sat on the ground. There was no one around him as he ate his lunch. It was easier to eat alone. The supervisors at the farm were watching him. He could not let any of the kids get too close. Josef had talked in an offhand way about how parents always obeyed better when you threatened their children. It was too calm, the way he said it.

The sandwich trembled in his hands as he brought it closer to his mouth. As much as Sam tried to give him comfort, it did little help. His nerves jumbled all day long, and rest did little to help him relax. If he didn’t get too much sleep, the nightmares wouldn’t come.

The children closer to the fields played and laughed. One of them started a jingle, but were silenced by their parents. Abe closed his eyes, trying to force his nerves to calm down. They were working toward a better future. He had to keep telling himself this. It was the only thing that got him through the day. Four more days until he could go into hiding. At times he would count down the hours. It still seemed too far away, but it was closer than it was yesterday, and he survived yesterday. A few more days listening to Josef’s unnerving comments, and he could be done. Sam had been excited about the numbers. They would reach their goal, Abe just had to make it four more days.

“You don’t look so good,” a young voice said.

Abe opened his eyes to see a five year old girl standing in front of him. Another jolt of panic hit. He couldn’t have any children around him. Josef would know. He forced the paranoia away and cleared his throat. “Sorry?”

“Your face. Why is your face like that?” she asked.

Abe instinctively touched his face. “What do you mean?”

“You keep doing this.” The girl put on the biggest frown he’d ever seen that Abe almost wanted to smile, but he couldn’t. Even children could tell he was a complete mess.

“Some days are worse than others,” Abe said.

The girl studied him, her head turned to one side, then she opened her lunch bag and pulled out a cookie. Abe made sure no supervisors were watching as the cookie slid into his palm. “Get feeling better.”

Abe looked down at the cookie, overwhelmingly touched by this simple act of kindness. He looked at the girl, a genuine though small smile on his face. “Thank you.”

She nodded before she turned and ran off to play with her friends.

***

Albert got his tray and searched for Billy. It took him a few seconds longer to find him, mainly because he was talking with another teenage boy, and both looked engrossed in their chat. Billy was most likely doing some recruiting in a roundabout way, something Albert had to do better with. He spied Agatha and Anne not that far away, having their own quiet chat, giving Billy and the teenager occasional glances but were focused on what they were talking about. Albert walked and noticed the largest group. The cafeteria seemed full of groups today.

“... I start right after lunch.” Adolf’s voice was unmistakable. Albert clenched his tray harder than necessary as he passed by the large group.

“Insane, man! To think you’ll be transferring to President Arnold himself!” someone said.

“I suggested some ideas to him, and it turns out he has a lot of plans for the future. Mostly for enforcement. He really liked my ideas about how to coerce people to give up information about their neighbors,” he said.

The crowd parted enough that Albert saw Adolf, sitting in the middle of the group, basking in the glory. Albert tried hard to keep his face neutral, but when Adolf met his gaze, Albert couldn’t help but give a tiny glare.

“These scientists must be dealt with,” Adolf said. “Even if they do it for a hobby.” Albert forced himself to turn his head and walk straight to Agatha and Anne. Even Adolf was better at recruiting. Albert needed to work harder, or he wouldn’t last the rest of the summer.

Albert sat down across from Agatha and Anne, giving them both a smile when they looked up to see who it was.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Albert asked.

“Good. Good,” Anne said.

Albert took a moment to read their facial expressions. They looked like two people caught on the brink of gossiping about someone and having that exact person sit down next to them. “Is everything okay?” Albert asked.

“Yeah, yeah. We were just chatting,” Agatha said as she took a drink from her cup. Albert had a sneaky suspicion there was cream in that cup.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to make things awkward,” Albert said.

“Not at all! I was just helping Agatha work out one of her mysteries,” Anne said.

“As in, book mysteries?” Albert asked.

Agatha gave a smile. “If you must know, we were chatting about the likelihood of a woman killing a man and how that would play out.”

“Oh,” Albert said, grateful for the year of being Billy’s roommate so he wasn’t completely surprised by the fact that two people could talk so calmly about murder. “I’m sure, with the drive, a woman could kill a man if she wanted to.”

Agatha nodded. “I think so too. It makes for a more interesting book, I’d say. Women don’t often have the physical advantage over men, so they have to be more clever in their execution.”

Albert gave a small shrug. “Well, I’m sure there are some women who could beat up some men.”

“True,” Agatha said as Anne picked up her barely touched bean burrito for lunch and took a bite. “However, I like the more subtle approaches to murder.”

Albert nodded as he picked up his utensils and started eating his pasta.

“Looks like Billy’s found a new friend,” Anne said as they turned to the two teenagers who were still chatting.

“Yeah. Who is that guy?” Albert asked.

Albert heard Billy’s voice trailing over toward them. “So the ‘C’ is completely taken out?”

“In a way,” the other guy said as he wrote something out on paper before passing it over to Billy. “I mainly work on the sounds, and C is pretty much the same as K, so there’s really no point.”

“Exactly! I was talking to another friend about this exact same subject!” Billy said, his eyes lighting up.

The teen passed over the paper and Billy picked it up reading it hungrily. “There’s so much to a language that I want to explore, but no one at the universities is really interested in studying the science of language,” the teen said.

“He’s a bit of a loner,” Anne said. “Spends a lot of time in his head thinking of stories. I’m actually surprised Billy got him talking.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised. Billy is great at getting loners to talk,” Albert said.

“Why aren’t they teaching about language?” Billy asked.

The teen gave a shrug. “They teach it more in terms of poetry. I want to study it in terms of the history of the language. How it’s structured. Syntax, phonetics, semantics, everything. They should have majors for this.”

“What’s his name?” Albert asked.

“John Tolkien,” Agatha said before she finished off her cup of cream.

“You should put in your college applications that you are literally creating a language. I bet professors would leap at the chance to help,” Billy said.

John gave a small but shy smile. “I don’t know.”

“Billy brings up an interesting point,” Albert said, glancing at Anne and Agatha. “What do you guys think about the science of art?”

Anne swallowed her bite before making a curious face. “The science of art? Seems counterintuitive.”

Agatha gave a shrug. “I don’t know. After all, I did just talk far too long about poisons with you. Without science, there’s no poisons.”

“And… not just poisons,” Albert said.

Agatha laughed. “True, not all science is poison.

“But the technical terms of how it breaks down the body and everything,” Anne said, making a little face as she thought about it.

“So what do you think about the S.E.A. getting rid of science and math?” Albert asked.

Anne glanced up at the ceiling in thought. “I understand trying to keep the mad scientists at bay. Those people freak me out.”

Albert nodded. “Yeah, that’s fair. They freak me out too.”

Agatha watched Albert closely. “Are you more of a science mind?”

Albert gave her a bit of a smile. As he learned from Mr. Reagan, he had to tell the truth about himself. “I like both pretty equally.”

“So then what do you think about the S.E.A. getting rid of math and science?” Anne asked.

Albert couldn’t help but feel his chest seize up in panic. Anne was truly curious, but he couldn’t fight the urge to tell her to whisper so not to let others know he liked the sciences. Hopefully Adolf was stuck in his own ego not to listen.

“I don’t think it’s fair that all who study science are assumed to be mad scientists,” Albert said.

Agatha rested her head against her fist. “You know, there are rumors that one or more of the interns are actually underground spies.”

Anne turned around, giving Agatha a weird look. “Really? Where’d you hear that?”

Agatha gave a shrug. “They’re just rumors.”

Albert tried to fight down the panic so his chip wouldn’t activate. “Perfect example here. I like science, so I’m immediately assumed to be an enemy.”

Agatha gave a small smile. “So then you’re not an underground spy?”

Albert had put some food in his mouth and chewed to keep himself busy. Okay, time for some white lies that hopefully won’t bite me later on. “I don’t associate with mad scientists,” Albert said. “But I think if John over there wants to study the more scientific aspects of language, I say let him. I think we’ve been associating science and math with death and destruction. What could John do with his made up language that could possibly destroy civilization?”

Anne gave a small laugh. “He could take over the city and force everyone to learn his new language as a form of dictatorship.”

Anne said that right as there was a lull in the conversation between Billy and John. Both turned to look at Anne.

“I was joking!” she said, waving her hand. “I’m sure John here isn’t going to turn into a dictator.”

John’s face instantly went bright red at the attention. “Uh.”

Anne gave another laugh. “Can I see it?” Billy handed the paper over to Anne. She looked over it, the joking mannerisms sliding from her face. Agatha leaned over to see it better. “Whoa. It’s true. You’re actually creating an entirely new language.”

Somehow John’s face went even redder. “I’m not planning on taking over the city or anything.”

“Oh I know.” Anne looked up at John. “Seriously, this is incredible. I say go for it. You tell those professors you want to study the science of language. Someone’s gotta do it first, and you might as well be the one.”

John gave a small yet confident smile. “Yeah. You know what? I think I will.”

Agatha turned to study Albert, but her gaze seemed to soften a little. Anne scooted over closer to be a part of the conversation of language, and Albert ducked his head to hide his smile. Excitement bloomed inside him. They hadn’t issued the invitation to anyone, but he was certain, given time, that there would be more in the underground before the internships were up.

***

Marie was glad she still had the energy to get herself into her pajamas at night. Things looked worse. Not only did she feel about the same before she got the cure, but the look on her dad’s face when he thought she wasn’t looking made her terrified. The cure hadn’t worked, and she was too terrified to be the first to admit it.

Marie got into bed, pulling up the covers. “Okay, Charles. I’m ready.” It was Charles’ night tonight, and she was especially glad she still had energy to get in her pajamas. Charles smiled at her when he entered.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

Marie couldn’t look him in the eye. “I wish I felt better.”

“Yeah, I think everyone feels the same.” Charles sat down and prepped her vein to hook her up to the IV. Marie stared ahead as he did his thing. Marie noticed her dad pacing back and forth, glancing into Marie’s room to watch what was going on. Marie instead looked at the wall so she didn’t have to see her dad. Both of them knew their father daughter relationship needed work and it started with trusting the other to tell the truth, but both of them danced around this situation this past week. It was a strange feeling, pretending to already admit one of them had said the fatal words that it hadn’t worked, while at the same time still pretending things were fine. Marie wasn’t prepared for the actual conversation to take place.

If it ever would.

Charles placed a clip on her finger that relayed her vitals to a laptop.

“Alice says you’re still sleeping through the night. Right?” Charles asked.

“Yes.” Marie said.

Charles nodded. “Good. You’re all set. Get some sleep, Marie.”

Charles asked because Alice took over Sophie’s bed whenever it was her time to spend the night. This was Charles’ way of deciding whether he needed to start doing the same. At least for now, Charles still let her keep a semblance of privacy and slept in the other room when he was on watch during the night. Marie hated that she needed them, but she couldn’t deny the IV helped a lot during the night.

Sophie walked in, giving Marie a small, awkward smile as she closed the door to get changed. Marie situated herself better in her bed, staring up at the ceiling while Sophie changed. Alice had spent a couple nights in a row, so this was the first time Sophie was sleeping in her bed again. Marie hated how awkward it felt around Sophie, but ever since Nik got here, Sophie closed off to Marie.

Sophie opened the bedroom door again so Charles could run inside if needed, then got into bed. Marie turned her head slightly to see her. Sophie’s brown roots were really showing now. Sophie was facing the wall, her back to Marie. Marie’s dad waved goodnight, and Marie waved back before he slipped into his own room. The rooms were dark, and everyone was settled for bed. Marie looked up at the ceiling again.

“Hey, Sophie?” Marie whispered, feeling all the awkwardness threatening to come out in the conversation.

Sophie turned her head slightly, keeping her back toward Marie. “Yeah?”

The words shook around in Marie’s mind and she let them settle before she opened her mouth. “It’s really cool you’ve become friends with Nik.”

There was silence, then Sophie got up, resting on her elbows, facing her with a curious expression. “Really?”

“Yeah. You were really miserable before he befriended you. I didn’t like seeing you so miserable.” Sophie still stared at Marie, just a hint of mistrust in her eyes. Marie continued. “I know I could have helped, but I guess I was waiting for you to be exactly who you were when we left. And it was a jerk move.”

Sophie nodded before she caught herself and turned her head ever so slightly to hide her expression.

“Anyway, I’m glad Nik is your friend. I’m glad you’re not so miserable any more.” Marie situated the blankets closer around her and stared up at the ceiling, feeling good to at least get that off her chest.

Marie took a deep breath, then let it out, trying to situate herself to try and sleep. She tried not to dread what tomorrow would bring or what the state of her body would be, but she tried not to dive down that dark path.

“Marie?” Sophie asked quietly. She hadn’t changed from propping herself up on her elbows, though she was still studying Marie closely.

Marie gave a little smile. “Yeah?”

Sophie continued to study her before she turned away. “I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for not holding -- this --” Sophie motioned to Marie hooked up to an IV, “over my head to force me to be your friend.”

It didn’t even dawn on her to used her impending doom to force Sophie to be her friend. Marie raised her hand enough to see the IV in her arm. “Oh, yeah. No way. I’d never manipulate you like that.”

Sophie gave a short nod. “Thanks. Yeah. I appreciate it. I mean, I know I wasn’t the only reason why you injected that stuff in you, but I was one of the reasons. And I’m sure it’s hurt you that… that we-”

“It’s been okay,” Marie said. “Obviously I wish we were back to where we were in the old days, but I shouldn’t have just waited for it. I should have done what Nik’s been doing, and appreciate you for who you are. There are still kernels of you in there, and that should have been enough for me.”

Sophie gave a snort. “Well, Nik is fun in a grumpy, curmudgeonly kind of way.”

“Yeah, and I feel like he’s fiercely loyal to the few people he does befriend.” Marie wanted to put her hand behind her head, but didn’t want to mess with the IV.

“And would be your worst enemy if you ever backstabbed him,” Sophie said.

“Kind of like how you were.” Marie paused, a small frown on her face. “Never mind. That’s a trait you still have.”

Sophie looked away, then up at the ceiling. “I still hope we can get my memories back soon.”

“Me too. I can’t imagine forgetting myself completely. It must be horrible.”

The cot squeaked as Sophie sat up and hugged her legs, resting her chin on her knees. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Marie tried to laugh. “Well, until then, I’ll support you in whatever you decide. If you want to study art or poetry, go ahead.”

Sophie gave another snort. “Yeah, I think you were right about that one. I don’t think I’m much of an artist.” Marie giggled at the ceiling but refrained from agreeing with her immediately. Sophie settled back down on her bed and pulled the covers up. There was silence again, then Sophie turned in her bed to face Marie. “I really hope I get my memories back before…”

Marie wiggled her fingers, feeling the dread she had often pushed aside come back full force. “Yeah. Me too.”

Sophie closed her eyes. “Good night Marie.”

Marie stared at the ceiling again. “Good night, Sophie.”

The good feelings swirled in her chest as her body settled for the night. It was a strange conversation to have with her friend, but a necessary one. Though they were nowhere near the best friends they once were, with time, they could be. Marie let Sophie go, and Sophie didn’t sprint away like Marie feared. At least not for now.

Marie’s fears of Sophie’s departure were unfounded because the next morning, when Marie was quietly sobbing because she couldn’t feel anything below her knees, Sophie was there at her side, yelling at Charles to wake up and help her.