My chest lifts at the memory and a zing of anticipation runs through me. I slip out of my wool cloak, white linen Academy shirt, and black leggings, discarding them on the floor. I trade my uniform for my favorite jeans and a comfy sweater. Home. I’m headed home. I sit down on the end of the bed and fish my tall brown boots out of the suitcase.

As I pull them on there is a light knock at the door.

“Come in!” I call, and the guard opens the door, with a glass of cloudy liquid in his hand, which I can only assume is my sedative. And once again I’m painfully aware of my two lives—my gentle one in Pembrook and my deadly one as a Strategia.

I pull on my boots and zip up my bag. I would ask him what happens next, but he wouldn’t answer me, so there’s no point. He hands me the glass and I scooch back on the bed, not sure how fast this stuff works and not wanting to concuss myself by hitting the floor. I smell the cup, but there’s no scent. I look questioningly at the guard, but he just stares at me with the typical detached expression.

I don’t know why, maybe I’m just buzzing with excited anticipation that I’m going back to Pembrook, but I sing, “Put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up.” Then I chug back the slightly briny liquid and hand him the glass. And even though his expression remains cold, I swear I see a glimmer of amusement dance across his eyes.

“Don’t worry,” I say. “I won’t tell anyone that you think I’m funny.” For a moment nothing happens, then gradually the world gets fuzzy, as if I were looking at it through a rainy window. “I think I’m funny, tooooo.” And as I speak, I fall back onto the cushioned bed. “Wheeee!”

I lift my head off a crisp white pillowcase with a gasp, the world suddenly blinking back into existence. My eyes flit about rapidly, my heart racing, trying to make sense of the disorienting room. I’m in a king-sized bed. There’s an armchair near a large curtained window. And there’s a desk, above which hangs a large flat-screen TV. I rub my forehead and sit up, frowning at the modern objects. Then I remember the sedative, remember that I left the Academy.