Chapter 23 · I do when remembering it gets you killed

"I do when remembering it gets you killed."

"You keep saying that like someone else is hunting me."

His silence answered before he did.

I shoved him.

He barely moved. His hand caught my waist, steadying me when my legs gave out. The contact lasted one sharp second too long. His palm was hot through my jacket. My fingers caught in the front of his coat.

We stared at each other.

"Take your hand off me," I said.

"You’re about to fall."

"Then let me."

"You'd hit the floor."

"Better than touching you."

His eyes narrowed. "Liar."

I drove my knee into his thigh.

He grunted and released me. I hit the console with my shoulder and slammed my palm against the memory window.

The screen pulled me in.

A corridor exploded across my vision.

Not a full memory. Pieces. Hard, bright pieces.

A red security light.

A gun in my hand.

A man shouting, "Agent down!"

Boots pounding behind me.

My own voice, younger and colder, saying, "Lock the west gate."

I staggered back.

Silas caught my elbow.

"Don't fight it," he said.

"You told me not to look."

"Because you won't know what's real.