In the After

terror. Despite my chill, I feel a warmth rush to my face. I can barely contain my rage.
    He nods. “Yes, and we’ve already told a different story to all of New Hope. That you were wounded while on a mission and are recovering in the Ward from severe injuries. People are inspired by you: the director’s daughter willing to sacrifice life and limb for New Hope. You’ve helped to strengthen our cohesive community, Amy.” His smug smile is sickening.
    “You’ve turned me into a phony martyr,” I hiss. “Why are you telling me all this?”
    “Because I’ve been gauging your reaction.”
    My head snaps up.
    “This was part of your evaluation, and it’s fair to say you have not responded positively.”
    “That was part of my psyche-eval?” I ask. “And the procedure?”
    “That’s entirely up to you, Amy.” He stands to leave. “We’ll see how well you behave.”
    I bite my lip, trying to appear resigned. “How long will I have to behave, to prove myself?”
    “Indefinitely.” He smiles as if I should be pleased by this.
    “Will I ever . . . Can I see Baby?” I ask desperately.
    “No,” he says, enjoying my misery.
    He thinks he’s won. He thinks he knows me, but he has no idea what I am capable of. If I can survive the After, I can survive the Ward.

    I’m not surprised that he comes. Even if Dr. Samuels didn’t relay my message, I knew Rice would be back. I sit quietly, pretending to be medicated.
    “Amy.” He takes my hand. I act as if I’m oblivious, focusing in the general direction of the television.
    I know we’re being watched. It’s a constant thought at the back of my mind, as is Dr. Reynolds’s threat of the lobotomy. Amber’s blank, uncomprehending face flashes through my thoughts and I shiver.
    I give Rice’s hand a tentative squeeze. Rice. I can’t stay here. Reynolds wants me gone. It’s not safe. Help me .
    I will , he signs into my hand. I want to do more, but I’m being watched too. We all are. We have someone on the inside now .
    In the Ward? Dr. Samuels? A glance tells me he’s talked to Rice; he’s on our side.
    We can do this , Rice signs. Our eyes meet and I have to look away before I start to cry. Kay has a plan .
    Yes , I sign. I’m prepared. I’m awake and ready .
    “I should go,” Rice tells me, trying to let go of my hand, but I squeeze it tighter.
    Promise me you’ll look after Baby , I sign. I know she’s found her real name but I’ll never stop thinking of her as Baby, the toddler I found in the After.
    I will , Rice assures me. He pauses and studies the ground. He looks like he has a decision to make and I wait, tense and desperate.
    Rice reaches up to his hair, rubs the back of his neck. He turns slightly and then I see it: a small, diamond scar at the nape of his neck. That’s why he wears his hair so shaggy, to cover the mark. I gasp, then catch myself and try to look drugged and uninterested.
    Then he’s gone and I have to pretend that I have no feelings. All I can do now is wait. Wait and hope.
    I don’t know what time it is when they come for me. It’s after lights-out, and I’m already in bed when two Guardians appear. These are my colleagues. I’d trained with them for four months.
    “How did you get in?” I whisper.
    “Look, sunshine, we don’t have a lot of time.” Kay looks around the sparse room. “Grab what you want to take, quickly.”
    “There’s nothing.”
    I mentally prepare myself for what is to come. If we’re successful, I’ll never see this place again.
    “I’ve disabled the cameras,” Gareth tells me from the door. “We have five minutes to get out.”
    “I’m ready.”
    We make our way silently from the building. Kay uses a key card to open doors and run the elevator. I smile when I see Dr. Reynolds’s name on the side. When they check the system, it will look like Dr. Reynolds himself broke me out of the Ward. How did she manage to get it? Then I grin. Dr. Samuels .
    When we’re out of the building, I head toward the dorms, but Kay stops me. “No, Amy. You can’t take her with you.”
    “I can’t just leave her here.” I can’t abandon Baby.
    Kay gives me a hard look. “Would you really endanger her like that? You have no choice. She does. Which do you think she’ll choose?”
    I know Baby would choose me. She would willingly leave New Hope and go back to the After, just to stay by my side. But with a realization that almost destroys me, I know I can’t do that to her. She’s no