Puppet Without Strings

Chapter 2: The Truth

I watched it pour as I touched you face,
Well, it burned while I cried,
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name!
~ Adele Set Fire To The Rain

"My name..." I started. "It's Racheal Clark?"

"Yes," Mr. Carter said, nodding.

"Why am I here? Why am I at a hospital when I'm not hurt?"

"Your memory has been wiped clean," Mr. Roads said.

"Yes, I know!" I said, wanting answers.

"You were sent here because your mother, Marina Clark, is an influential rebel leader. And you, Racheal, were also a very dangerous criminal. It was just last week when we finally caught up to you. You were attempting to free another rebel from federal prison, but you accidentally triggered the alarm," said Mr. Carter.

"But we saw potential in you. Mr. Roads here helped us give you a second chance. We swiped your memory, the only alternative to execution."

I gasped. Was I really a rebel. Did I really lead a criminal life against the government? My head started to ache, and my hands got all clammy. I couldn't sort out my thoughts anymore. I had so many questions!

"What now?" I asked.

"Well now we're going to give you a second chance. We're giving you a choice. You can either be publicly executed, or go to live with the Governor," said Mr. Carter.

I shook my head.

"No," I yelled. "No, no, no! None of this is true! It can't be true! You can't just take away someone's memory, and ask them to believe that they're ex-criminals!"

"Calm down," Mr. Roads said insistently. "You just have to make one choice: live a life of luxury as the Governor's ambassador, or die a rebel against your country."

"No," I said. "No, I need proof that I was a rebel. I need proof!"

Mr. Carter once again sighed, and typed something into his tablet. A video was projected against the wall.

"This is footage of you just as you were caught," he said.

A girl wearing all black ran across a courtyard, to a cement wall with barbed wire at the top. She brushed her black hair out of her face. The boy looked at her fearfully.

"They're coming!" he yelled.

I pulled out a sleek black pistol. I shot it, and a scream could be heard.

I tapped at an ear piece that rested on my ear.

"This is Blue Angel! We need back up! Under fire! Over!"

My and the boy heard something that we obviously didn't like. "What do you mean two minutes?" I screamed.

Suddenly, the boy grasped his leg, his face squeezing up as he cried out in agony. He fell to the ground. I keeled down next to him.

"Tyler!" I screamed. "Oh god! Tyler you were shot!" I leaned down, and kissed him. "Tyler, you have to live!" Come on!" Another shot rang out, this one grazing his hair line.

"Tyler!" I shrieked. "Live for me!"

Suddenly, I stood up. I threw my weapon aside.

"I surrender!" I yelled. "I surrender. Take me! Just don't hurt him! I'll do whatever you want, just please don't kill him," I sobbed.

The footage stopped. Mr. Roads and Mr. Carter looked at me expectantly.

"Well, is that enough proof for you?" Mr. Carter asked.

I gulped. Who was Tyler? Why did I kiss him? Did he mean a lot to me? Did he die? Did I let them take my memory? Did I really shoot someone? I nodded.

"Well than make up your mind!" Mr. Roads said.

Now that I know the truth, I'm shocked. I'm also scared to death. Should I be executed? I might not be able to live with myself now that I know, but do not know so much more. If I go to live with the Governor, will I ever see my mom again? Sure, I'll live. But I'll be an ambassador, or whatever Mr. Roads had said. If I really was rebel, why was I rebelling in the first place? Was it a good enough reason not to live in this country?

I better go with the only way I'll survive.

I swallow. "Take me to the Governor's mansion.