Chapter 72 The Convicted

I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of themAnd I know how bad I am.

 -Joseph Bareth

 

Emma

 

“Could you put the knife down?” I raps. My mind is panicking. How long has he known about the scar? What’s he going to do to me?

He’ll never believe me.

Blake isn’t’ moving. “Blake?” I squeak.

“Don’t,” he says in a warning tone, “don’t work your lies on me. You’re good. I have to give you that. You managed to convince Nate and he’s not easily fooled. I believed you.” His voice quivers. “You act her so well, to the smallest detail. And becoming friends with one of the aliens is just the kind of stupid thing she would do. But you’re not her.”

I bit my lip. No matter what I say, he’ll just think I’m lying to save my own skin. Is he going to kill me now? What will happen to Burns then?

“Just tell me,” Blake continued when I don’t say anything, “I promise I won’t hurt you. Just tell me the truth.” The despair in his eyes is confusing me and I’m not sure how to react to it. He notices my shock and he swallows. “Look,” he says, “I’ll put the knife down, alright? I won’t let you get up yet, but now you’ll know I won’t hurt you.” He places the weapon on the ground.

It’s completely pointless. He could easily strangle me, but I don’t comment on it.

“Don’t be scared,” he whispers, “I just want the truth.”

I feel like crying, because I can’t tell him the truth. It will put Burns in danger.

I shake my head.

“Just your name,” Blake coaxes, “I saw the scar. There is no use in denying. Please.”

“Don’t hurt Burns,” I whisper.

He blinks at me confused. “You worry about him at a time like this? You’re the one that’s pinned down.”

“Did you separate us on purpose?” I ask, “so you can kill him?”

Blake shakes his head. “I only just saw the scar when you reached for our bag.”

A relieved sigh escapes my lips, but I know it’s not over. “Promise me you won’t hurt him.”

“Will you tell me the truth then?” Bake asks carefully and I nod. He nods too. “Alright. You have my word.”

I take a deep breath. If I tell him, I’ll have to take a  risk. I’ll have to trust him. I’ve known him half my life, but do I trust him? “I was taken,” I begin and Blake stares at me.

“You mean Emma was taken.”

“No,” I whisper, “me. I was taken.” He starts to protest, but I shake my head. “You wanted the truth. So let me speak.”

He sighs. “You even sound like her when I irritate her.”

“You’re not listening,” I say, “I was taken. But he brought me back Burns brought me back.”

There’s doubt in his eyes. I know how he feels. Until a few days ago, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. I’m still getting used to being in control of my own body again.

“How?” Blake finally demands.

“I don’t know,” I say honestly and I see the suspicion return to his eyes. “I really don’t,” I say, “I was unconscious.”

I know how it sounds. All a little too convenient. And I know he’s not going to believe me.

“Why would he do that?” Blake asks.

“He said…” I sigh, “he said he couldn’t bear the thought of her in my body while I was still there.” I feel my lower lip trembling.

Bake blinks and stares at me for a moment before slowly sitting back, allowing me to sit up. “Say what?” he croaks.

I take a few deep breaths and look at my hands. It’s silent for a while. I’m not sure what to say. “I was taken,” I repeat, “and he saved my life.”

Blake shakes his head. “That’s not possible.”

“I know,” I whisper. I dare a  glance at him. He’s staring at me bewildered.

“People don’t fade?”

“Most do,” I say quietly, “Sky was really scared when she found out I was still conscious. Though I don’t think she knew how aware I was.”

“Sky?” Blake questions.

“That was her name,” I answer, “Floats Through The Sky. She came from the Dragons.”

“Dragons?”

“Well, they’re not real… it’s not important. She knew it wasn’t normal. She as afraid of me.”

A light smirk plays on Blake’s lips. “Afraid of you?”

I don’t answer his smile and look down again. “She wanted to get rid of me.”

“How?”

“Trading me in for another body,” I whisper. The memory still makes my heart turn cold.

“But Burns stopped her?”

I nod.

“Why didn’t he stop them from taking you in the first place?”

“He wasn’t there with me,” I defend him, “I ran away from him, because I thought he would turn me in.”  I let out a bitter laugh. “Ironic huh.”

Blake shakes his head again. “I want to believe you, but…”

“But you don’t,” I finish for him, “It’s alright. I wouldn’t have believed it either.”

“It’s just… if people can come back…”

“Not everyone stays,” I say, “David didn’t.”

“David?”

“Burns’…” I trail off, not sure how to call him.

“How do you know?” Blake asks.

“I asked,” I say, “I believe him.”

Blake shakes his head again, this time in wonder. “You are really something, squirky.” He leans forward and his fingers trace my cheekbone.

“You believe me,” I breathe.

Blake sighs. And then he leans in and kisses me. I freeze, though I’m not sure why his actions shock me so much. It’s not like it’s the first time he’s done that. He pulls back and grins at me. “Do you know what this means?”

I blink away the daze in my brain. “What?”

“We can get them back! People can come back!” He crawls to his feet and I hurry to follow, catching him before he can run out.

“No Blake! Wait!”

“We have to tell the others.”

“No, you can’t.”

“What are you talking about, Emma? The others need to know. Think of our friends. Or family. Your parents, Emma. And Ashley.”

“They’ll hurt him,” I say, “they’ll hurt Burns. You promised! You promised you wouldn’t hurt him!”  I only realize I’m hitting him when he grabs my wrists.

“I can’t keep this from them, Emma,” he says quietly.

I know he’s right, but I can’t let Burns get hurt. “I trusted you,” I say.

He leans his forehead against mine. “Squirky,” he whispers.

“Don’t hurt him,” I say again, pleading.

Blake looks at me seriously. “I know you want to protect him, but you can’t keep this a secret. People will notice the scar, like I did. If they find out you kept this from them, your friend really will get hurt. They might hurt you too.” He lets go of me and I shake my head at him helplessly.

Blake sighs. “I promise I won’t let them hurt him, but I have to talk to Nate about this.” He walks past me and disappears down the tunnel.

My hand slides over my mouth and I lean back against the wall.

What have I done?