Moon(39)
“Yes.”
“It’s been the same with your friends. You forgot who they are. What is your name?”
“466.” He was sure of that.
Joy hesitated. “You chose a name after you left site four.”
He struggled to remember but couldn’t.
“Moon,” she whispered. “That’s your name now. Is that familiar to you? Ring any bells?”
He shook his head and his hold on her tightened. “Why are you playing games? My name is 466. Is this a test?”
She stroked his cheekbones lightly with her fingertips. He liked it a lot and it calmed him a bit.
“I’m telling you the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you. You were dangerous so they had to lock you inside this space and chain you so they could take blood tests. Everyone is doing whatever they can to make you better. There are a lot of doctors, scientists, and chemists working on finding a way to reverse what was done. They called me and I came to help you too.”
“Called you?”
“On the phone.”
“You were in your office when this happened?”
“No. I was actually driving my car at the time, on my way home.”
“This Homeland is so big you need a car?”
“I wasn’t here. I live about an hour away.”
“We don’t live here?” Her words were confusing him more.
“You live here. I live somewhere else.”
Something clicked and he growled again. “Didn’t you come with me when I was moved to this Homeland?”
“No.”
Anger surged. “You lived at site four. Why don’t you live here? You’re mine and I’m yours. Did you give me to that other female?”
“No!” She squirmed on his lap. “Take some deep breaths. You’re getting agitated.”
“Explain.”
She glanced away and then back. He knew what that meant—she’d always been easy to read. She didn’t want to respond.
“Explain!” he demanded louder.
“I left site four before you moved to Homeland.”
Pain came with realization. It tightened his chest as though a fist squeezed his heart. He’d always feared she’d quit her job and abandon him. “You left me?”
Her eyes flooded with tears. “I did. I’m so sorry.”
He released her waist and leaned back, jerking his face away from her gentle touch. The urge to shove her off his lap was there but he couldn’t do it. “I left site four and came here without you?”
“Yes.” The tears slipped down her face.
He resisted the urge to wipe them with his thumbs. “Why are you here now?”
“You needed me. I came the minute they called. I didn’t even go home. I turned the car around and drove straight to Homeland.”
“You’re not in danger if you leave my cage?”
“No. You’re safe here. I promise.”
Joy had chosen to abandon him. He had pride. “Get out, Joy. Go.” He saw surprise in her eyes. “Get off my lap. Don’t touch me again. I don’t want your pity.”
“466,” she whispered, reaching for his face again.
He reacted by rolling, dumping her gently on the concrete floor, and scooted away until he could climb to his feet. He backed up to the wall of the cage, watching her, as he fought his emotions. Pain and anger were evenly matched.
“Get someone else to tell me what has happened. I don’t trust you anymore.”
Joy wiped at her tears as she watched 466 put as much distance between them as possible. Telling him so much had been a mistake. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him or risk him trying to escape, believing they were both in danger from Mercile. She’d forgotten how protective he was until he’d kicked the cell door closed in an attempt to protect her. The key to his shackles was out of his reach where she’d tossed it but he could take the door key if he wanted. It was inside her pocket where she’d slipped it after stepping into his cell.
“Please, 466.” She wasn’t above begging. Guilt was something she’d lived with since the day she’d packed her bags and driven away from that motel in the desert. “Listen to me.”
“No.” He curled his upper lip to reveal his sharp canines. “Get out. I am not yours anymore. Is my name really Moon? I chose that?”
“Yes.”
“Stop calling me a number then.” He glared at her and growled in a menacing way. “I told you I’d never take a human name.”
The professional part of her was happy to see that he seemed coherent and retained the information she’d given him. He had every right to be furious and reject her help after she’d betrayed his trust. It hurt that he wanted her to go. A selfish part of her was tempted to leave him for a few hours in hope that he’d forget what she’d said so they could start over again. Lesson learned. He hates me now that he understands some of what happened between us.