HarleyYou know those cheesey romantic movies where the young couple get caught in the rain and end up making passionate love? Well, this felt like that. One moment I was standing by the window of the small room, looking out at the rain soaked landscape below and feeling waves of sadness. I was meant to know this place. It was meant to be familiar. And yet it wasn't. I started to worry that my memory would never return. Even though Cole had filled me in on as much as he could, the knowledge that my life will always be in danger because of an ability I didn't even know I had was discomforting. Cole had explained that we would be in danger - all four of us "SAWS Project" kids - until all of the research is destroyed and the military are given a reason to leave us alone. "We're stronger together," Cole had explained to Jay and myself as we had sat around the kitchen table, late last night. "That's why I have been searching for the others - I would never be able to face them alone."I
ColeWe drove our bikes in tandem, the hum of the engines vibrating in my stomach. At least, that was what I was telling myself. There was no way I would admit that I was nervous about taking Harley to meet Emily, that was just too "girlfriend scenario" for me."Do you think she'll like me?" Harley had asked before we left, and I'd merely said "of course!"Inside I was worried that it wouldn't be the case.We'd made the decision to go to the orphanage, hoping that it would trigger some sort of memory for her. Jay wasn't on board - we had to fill him in of course. He thought that the past should stay in the past, and if it were anyone else I would probably agree. But it wasn't just anyone else
HarleyTo say that I was overcome with shock at being told I was practically a science project gone wild would be an understatement. One side of me hoped that my theory was right - that by losing my memory, I had lost my powers as well. But that didn't really make sense if it was ingrained in my DNA. Either way, I had a few of the questions which had always plagued me answered. "We should get back, Jay will be wondering where we are," Cole said gently, pulling me to my feet. Even though he'd told me that he was basically superhuman, it didn't really worry me. At least, not now that I had been able to process the information. We had chatted for a while, talking about Emily and Lana, and Lana's boyfriend. "You're going to have to take me to the orphanage," I muttered, walking ahead of him as we made our way down the hill to the house. "Of course. Emily would definitely want to see you again, although be warned - she'll probably never want to let you go. She blamed herself after you
Cole"What the…"Harley's voice trailed off as her eyes were filled with fear, and I suddenly realised I'd misjudged how I should break the news to her.Something better than "hey, I'm a freak" would have done well. I didn't even get into the fact that she was like me too, that she'd been the most powerful of us all when we were kids."I know, it's strange and a bit frightening when you first learn about it, but I promise you that it's OK," I tried to reassure her."What are you?" I heard her whisper as she stepped away from me.I should have expected this
Harley"That's Junior!" Cole practically shouted as he grabbed the file and studied it more intently. "I spent most of the day with him… but he said his father was dead. He said he joined the Rebels in memory of his dead dad."I'd seen the guy Cole had been hanging out with but I guess I hadn't been paying that close attention to him - my focus being on Cole instead."Are you sure, kid?" Hank asked, scratching through his scraggly beard.Cole nodded, his eyes fixed on Jay. "I promise, if I'd known the full story I would have said something to him. I will see what I can do to break the news to him gently… try to get him to leave that group of criminals."
Cole"What the fuck is that on your back, Harley?" I asked again as she stared at me, mouth opening and closing like a demented goldfish."What do you mean?" She responded with a question of her own, feigning ignorance.I took a step toward her, noticing her taking a step backward in response. I wasn't trying to scare her, but I was struggling to contain the emotions bubbling up inside me."You know exactly what I mean, Harley," I stepped forward again, trapping her against the back of the sofa. "Why do you have that tattoo between your shoulder blades?"The tattoo of a tree covered in blossoms and surrounded by a tribal styled borde