“Nothing will be the same,” Tonbo declared while pulling Mack into a hug. Not exactly the words I would have chosen for a welcome back, but Mack didn’t seem to mind. “But that’s okay. We’re all in uncharted territory here.”
For some reason, the words uncharted territory stirred up a memory of my dad talking to my mom. At the time, they’d been referring to me not being quite Samantha or Sammy. Since becoming a damsel, I wasn’t either of the two. My parents weren’t sure how to handle me.
“I know,” Mack said when Tonbo released him. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to re-earn your trust, Tonbo.”
“I know, my boy, I know. Come on. Let’s have a nice meal together before you all retire for the evening.” Tonbo patted Mack’s back.
To me, Tonbo added, “With Mack’s help, Samantha, I’ll have a much clearer view of what you’re made up of. That’s part of the reason I’ve been begging Blake to bring you back to me.”
Slightly jarred by Tonbo’s ever-blunt words, I could only nod as Blake’s hand slid over mine. He gave my fingers a gentle squeeze.
“That… and I’d like to have a talk with Sammy, if you don’t mind,” he finished. Blake’s hand tightened reflexively, squeezing my fingers in the process.
“Tonbo, what are you talking about?” Blake asked, releasing his grip on mine when I gasped. To me, he mouthed, “Sorry.” He’d misunderstood my gasp. Sure, my hand didn’t feel great, but it was Tonbo’s words that were making it hard for me to breathe. Talk to Sammy?
The anger I saw in Blake’s expression led me to believe this was news to him. I glanced at Mack, whose chalk-white complexion and widened eyes appeared shocked as well.
Tonbo glanced at the three of us. “Oh, maybe I should’ve told you that after we’d eaten. I’d like to ask Sammy some questions, that’s all.”
“That’s all?” Blake asked, folding his arms across his chest. “What are you talking about? Sammy’s gone.”
Tonbo scratched his temple. “Maybe she is, and maybe she isn’t. Either way, I think I can access the parts of Samantha’s brain where Sammy’s memories are stored. They’re in there; we just have to get to them.”
“I don’t know, Tonbo… that doesn’t sound very safe,” Blake said, his eyes meeting mine.
“The best thing would be to talk to Sammy herself,” Tonbo continued as if he hadn’t heard Blake at all. “And since Mack helped me map her genetic code, I feel confident that talking to Sammy will be quite safe. If she’s still around, that is.”
“Mack?” Blake cut in.
He immediately threw his hands up. “I had no idea about any of this, Blake. I only told him what I knew about the serum. I figured Samantha would want to know what Kate and… Sammy did to her.”
Blake’s jaw bulged as he took a deep breath in through his nose. I worried he’d blurt out, “You mean what you did to her,” when he opened his mouth, but he didn’t. “You’re helping him bring Sammy back?” He glared at Mack.
Mack stuttered to respond.
“Now wait just a minute here,” Tonbo cut in. “Everyone’s getting all worked up for no reason. Mack only helped me with her DNA coding, Blake. No one is trying to bring Sammy back… at least not in the way you’re thinking. I’m only proposing putting Samantha into a hypnotic state where I might be able to summon Sammy, if she still exists. If she doesn’t, I can induce a deep relaxation. With the aid of a few pharmaceuticals, we can tap into her subconscious where Sammy’s memories are stored.”
“Hypnosis won’t work,” I said, my voice sounding flat and emotionless. I was amazed considering the wars raging within. Talk to Sammy? After the initial shock of the idea, I had to admit the thought of it both excited and terrified me. I had so many questions for her. So many things I wanted to understand better. She was a part of who I was and yet, she was a complete stranger to me.
Everyone’s eyes were on me. I continued. “They tried it before, when I was a kid. My parents said it was to help me get over the drowning, but now I realize they were probably trying to get rid of Sammy. Either way, I never went under.”
Tonbo grinned. “You would if I did it.” Blake shook his head. “Tonbo, it’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?” I blurted, cutting off Tonbo’s response.
Blake’s eyes riveted on me, looking surprised that I’d even asked.
“Because, it’s too risky,” Mack answered for him, his tone sounding defeated. “Tonbo, you have to admit there’s a chance that if you put her under and Sammy emerges, she might not go away.”
I directed my gaze to the floor, trying to ignore Blake’s direct stare. How could I explain to him the need I felt inside? He just didn’t get how important it was to me to know what had happened. To know why Sammy did what she did… and more importantly, what she had planned for the future. Something inside screamed that even if she was gone, or suppressed for now, the plan she’d hatched and put into play with Kate was still in motion. The fact that Kate had suddenly disappeared only solidified the fears I had.
I need to know more… It’s the only way I won’t be the victim again. That I’ll be the one in control.
“That chance is extremely small,” Tonbo said.
“But there’s a chance,” Blake said. “So the answer is no.”
I glared at him. Shouldn’t this be my decision? Even the knowledge he was refusing because he feared losing me frustrated me. Why would he get the final say on the matter?
“I see I struck a nerve here,” Tonbo said. I wondered why he had been so keen on it in the first place until he added, “We will find other ways to get answers to the ancients disappearing.”
Blake’s eyebrows shot up. “You think Sammy had something to do with it?”
Tonbo met my gaze. “I’m not sure. Just a theory at this point.”
“Tonbo…” I took a step toward him. “What do you think happened?”
I felt Blake tense up next to me, but that was nothing to how pale Mack had become. He looked green, like he might puke at any second.
“Sammy appeared the last time you were here. As you know, she took over while we were in the theater. I didn’t know about Sammy then, but if I had,” Tonbo shot Mack and Blake accusing glares. “I never would have let you, or her, out of my sight. As it was, I sent you to your room. Thought you just needed some rest.”
I nodded, holding my breath while my heartbeat seemed to speed up with each word he uttered. This was exactly what I wanted to know. What was Sammy up to? What did she do during that time?
“Sammy was left alone the rest of the evening,” Tonbo continued. “We didn’t check on you until the morning. By then, we discovered you were gone. Sammy had left a note behind, so we assumed you’d just flown home.”
“Wait, she left a note?” I asked. “Do you still have it?”
Tonbo scratched his chin. “I don’t think so… Well, actually, I might.” He hurried over to his desk, rummaging through a few drawers. “I haven’t cleaned out my desk in a while. Guess my bad housekeeping skills can come in handy.” He straightened and held out a folded piece of paper. “Like today. Looks like we are in luck.”
I rushed over, scared someone else might beat me to it. The paper felt cool to the touch. It was strange to hold something Sammy had created. It was concrete proof she had or did exist. The paper betrayed my shaking hands. Suddenly, I was terrified to see her handwriting. Would it look like mine? Blake touched my arm, letting me know he was near. His closeness gave me courage. I took a deep breath and unfolded it.
Tonbo, thank you for all your hospitality. It began. The handwriting was a tight cursive. Definitely not penned by me. I blinked and continued reading.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m flying home. I have a lot on my mind, and I just need some alone time to sort it all out. I’ve been worried about my family’s safety with the bug at large. I’d feel better if I was home with them right now.
I’ve asked Kate for directions back and feel confident I will make it fine. Please tell Mack and Blake to be careful destroying the bug. I won’t rest until they are home safe.
I want to thank you for taking the time to run analytical tests on me. I hope you find the results insightful. I’m sure they will be easily deciphered by your astute mind. I look forward to discussing your findings when we meet again. I consider you one of the greatest minds of our time, and it was a pleasure to meet you in person.
-Sammy
I re-read the words. Seeing Sammy scrawled at the bottom made my stomach tighten.
Blake must have read it from over my shoulder because he grunted. “Do you even know what astute means?”
“Not really.” I refolded the paper, tucking into my jean pocket. There wasn’t much to the note, but they were Sammy’s words. I wanted to keep it. “So you just assumed she went home?” I asked Tonbo.
He shrugged. “I had no reason to doubt her actions. If I’d known,” he shot another glare at the guys, “it wouldn’t have happened.”
“Okay, you’re right, Tonbo,” Blake admitted. “I should’ve told you.”
“So why do you think Sammy might have something to do with the ancients disappearing, Tonbo?” I asked, not wanting to get too far off subject.
Tonbo shrugged. “I don’t have anything solid, really. Just curious what the girl’s motivations really were. I have a hunch we haven’t seen the last of her.”
I wanted to blurt, “Me too!” but Blake wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I glanced up to see concern in his aqua eyes. He’s worried I can’t handle this. Part of me wanted to scream at him, But this is what I need to talk about! While the other half of me felt my knees go weak when I heard Tonbo confirm my own suspicions.
“You know, I think we’d all feel much better with some food,” Blake said, his tone firm.
Tonbo glanced in my direction, hesitated, and then agreed. He and Mack led the way out of the office. I tried to convince Blake I was totally fine, but it was hard to hide the rush of adrenaline making my body shake and my teeth chatter.
He wrapped an arm around my waist as he steered us through the door. “Don’t let Tonbo’s words get to you, Sam. I think Sammy’s long gone.”
I knew he meant well, but the way he kept sweeping the reality of Sammy under the rug was getting irritating. I want answers. Not food.