The Annihilation of Foreverland

too. Lost ten pounds on that trip.”
    He smacked his empty hands, the grains of sand lost on the dune.
    “The thing is, I know none of those memories are mine. I don’t hike and I don’t fish.”
    Reed nodded.
    “What I’m trying to say is, maybe you don’t know her. Maybe she’s someone else’s memory and you’re just hanging onto it and you’re wasting your time resisting.”
    “I don’t remember her.”
    “Then what are you doing?”
    Reed looked far away. “I dream about her.”
    Danny hadn’t dreamed once since he woke up on the island. In fact, he always woke up with a buzzing noise, like static. And it had gotten louder since the second round. Was the needle killing their dreams?
    “I didn’t see her in the last round. But she gave me something. She left a gift just before it ended, or at least I think it was from her. It was wrapped in red paper, the same color of her hair. It said Merry Christmas, Danny Boy. And inside was sand.”
    Reed tensed.
    Describing her made him cringe.
    He didn’t like to think of her inside Foreverland. Not when he was outside.
    “What do you think it means?” Danny asked.
    “It’s a clue.”
    “A box of sand, but what does it mean?”
    “You need to find her. It’ll make sense the next time.”
    “Why don’t you go with me and help find her?”
    Reed didn’t bother responding. He’d been through enough pain and suffering that a bit of guilt wasn’t going to get him to take the needle.
    “Why is she hiding?” Danny asked.
    “I don’t know,” he said, quickly. “But you need to find her.”
    Danny played with another shell, sifted more sand. Reed didn’t have anything else to tell him so he got up, whacking the sand off his legs. He started back over the dune without saying goodbye.
    “Danny Boy!”
    Danny turned around but Reed was sitting still, facing the ocean. Maybe Danny imagined him shouting his name. The waves were so loud. He left him on the dune, all alone. But even when he was sitting next to him, he seemed so alone. Hollowed out by the suffering, a shell of a boy.
    And the waves rolled.

26
    “Keep your clothes on, gentlemen,” Mr. Clark said. “You’ve earned a reprieve for your masterful skills in the game room.”
    The boys gathered outside the Haystack and gave a rousing cheer. The Investors applauded. Sid lifted his arms and strutted around. He stood next to Mr. Clark, jutting like a rooster. Mr. Clark pushed him gently back toward the boys.
    “Yes,” he said. “Your appetite for killing in a virtual environment was unparalleled.”
    The Investors chuckled but the boys didn’t catch the sarcasm. They were still slapping hands.
    “As you know, you will be ineligible for another hiatus until the fifth round, so I encourage you to enjoy the reprieve. Please, take advantage of this gift bestowed up you by the Director.”
    Again, only the Investors noticed the sarcasm.
    “You may enter the Haystack and your prospective cells.” He opened the door.
    They lined up single file, as usual, but there was no need for the Investors to guide them with a hand on the shoulder. The damp cold was nothing to fear, only a temporary nuisance.
    Danny found his cell and Mr. Jones closed it for him with a curt nod and a quick exit. Danny blew into his cupped hands watching the others find th eir place. He wasn’t going to lie on the concrete until the skylights went out. Zin entered his cell with his head bowed. He dropped to the floor and crossed his legs, falling into his typical breathing pattern. Reed stepped into his cell alone. His Investor wasn’t with him.
    “Zin.” Danny bent down. “Zin, hey!”
    Zin took a long breath and turned to Danny. A slight smile curled on his lips. That was all Danny wanted to see.
    The Haystack door closed and the room became a shade darker. Only one Investor remained inside. Mr. Smith paced the aisle and stopped in front of Reed’s cell.
    “Reed, you are ineligible for the reprieve, son. I’ll need you to—”
    “Wait a second,” Danny said. “He’s part of this camp, he gets the same treatment as the rest of us.”
    Mr. Smith waited for the interruption to end. “I’ll need you to hand me your clothes.”
    “Listen to me, dammit!” Danny screamed. “You’re being unfair!”
    Mr. Smith was unperturbed. His gaze was trained on Reed like crosshairs.
    “He deserves it, Danny Boy,” Sid chimed from across the aisle . “What the hell has he done to get reprieve? I’ll tell you what: s