It’s no use. The anger still creeps in. My thoughts can only turn to Tila. I imagine her, with her blue, spiky hair, that teasing grin she always wears. It’s like she’s darting through my cerebrum, laughing. You can’t find me, she seems to call. You don’t know what I’ve been up to, do you?

I fling one of the couch throw pillows across the room. It’s an empty, childish gesture.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I yell at the empty room. My voice drops to a whisper. “How can I help you if I don’t know what you’ve done?”

The tears come again, and this time, I let them. They trickle down my cheeks, warm and salty. I don’t wipe them away. Memories of us in the Hearth flash through my mind. Going to our secret spot in the woods, whispering to each other for hours. Playing cards with our parents, Tila and I on the same team. Our voices lifted in harmony during sermon. The first time I saw her in that hospital room. She came back to me as soon as she woke up. Those first years after surgery, when we always walked holding hands because we still had to be connected in one way or another. And then the look on her face last night. The stark fear, the whites of her eyes showing. It was as if I didn’t know her at all.

This is not a dream. It’s too real. And there’s no going back.

“Why did you lie to me, of all people? What do I do?” I ask the empty room again.

There’s no answer.

Until there is: the implant in my ear beeps.

I have a message.

*   *   *

I’m back in the SFPD interrogation room. I came in by a back entrance, with my hood up to partly obscure my face.

Officer Oloyu stares at me from across the table. His eyes look tired, though his face doesn’t show it. I doubt he’s slept, but he’s popped a few Rejuvs to keep him going, just like I have.

“Why am I back here?” I ask, ignoring the pleasantries. I have water this time instead of coffee, but I still don’t touch it.

“Have you read the news this morning?” Officer Oloyu asks.

“I’ve noticed what’s not in it.”

An eyebrow quirks, along with the corner of his mouth. “Quite.”

“How did you keep this quiet?”

“Who controls the media bots?” he counters.

Decent point.

“Your sister is out of the news because this is part of something larger. If we’re to find out what’s really going on, we have to get to the bottom of it before they peg we’re onto them.”

“Them? Who’s them? What does this have to do with me?”