Chapter 1

 The gunshots are loud. I fall to the ground, hitting my head hard. My ears are ringing and I can’t hear the culprit running away. The ringing takes some attention away from my bleeding arm and knee, but not much. My eyes are out of focus after the fall, and I can barely see anything. I have to rely on my sense of hearing, which has pretty much deserted me. My white shirt is beginning to stain, and I suddenly realise how difficult it will be to get the blood out of the thin fabric. As I lie there, not daring to move, the gunman’s master, it seems, kneels down beside me.

 “We win.” he says, the noise sounding oddly muffled. I know he’s right. I can’t walk, I can’t see, I can’t do anything. I can’t do anything but yell.

 “Dan!” I shout. “Daniel! Where are you?”

 The man laughs. He gets to his feet, purposely kicking my injured arm as he does so.

 “Your little partner won’t come to your rescue, darling,” he says. “You’re all alone.”

 “Somehow, I don’t think you’re right, Samuel.” I say, feeling oddly brave, given the circumstances.

 The sound of a siren comes to my ears, which have somewhat recovered from the gunshot. I smile to myself. I recognise that siren. It’s the sound of a police car, ready to take Samuel Johnson away to prison. Not that jail could hold him. He would find a way out. He always does.

 “Ah, yes,” he says, as though he anticipated our guests. “The gardaí. Always good to have a bit of back up, isn’t it?”

 I attempt a glare, but I’m sure he’s laughing at me. I must look incredibly stupid. Blood coming from two of my limbs, a scowl on my face.

 “Sadly, I must leave you now. I really hate to break up our little party, but I don’t think the gardaí will be very happy to see me here, if you understand.”

 I hear him sort through the contents of a pocket. He kneels down once again, holding whatever it is he took from his pocket in front of my unseeing eyes.

 “Sorry, but the gardaí can’t know anything about this little meeting.”

 I open my mouth to object, but I can’t think of anything to say. He clicks whatever he has in his hand, and instantly, I’ve forgotten our entire conversation. I have time to make one comment before he leaves. Somehow, I know he’s waiting for it.

 “Ah, of course,” I say, trying to keep my voice level. “The amnesia flash. Quite a handy gadget, even if the idea was stolen from a science fiction film. Of course, it’s not very effective on the strong-minded. I still remember what’s happened, and who I’m talking to. Johnson, you won’t get away with this. I may not remember what has been said, but I’ll remember who has said it.”

 “Oh, my dear, but I shall escape. The police won’t get anything useful from you. No one will. Not even your partner.”

 The pain is extreme. I try to put on a brave face, but fail miserably. I hear Samuel chuckle. Obviously, my pain is starting to show in my expression.

 “This is where I leave you, sadly. Our little friends in the law enforcement department are coming closer. I bid you adieu, my dear.”

 I’m desperate to keep him talking. Just until he doesn’t have quite enough time to make an escape.

 “Don’t call me that,” I say.

 “But why ever not, my darling?”

 “That’s what my mother calls me. And I’m not your darling, either.”

 “I do sometimes forget your age, dear Alexis. Just fourteen years old. Still with mummy and daddy, I assume? But I suppose that’s just what they think, isn’t it? You’re a clever girl. You must have an escape route of some sort, yes?”

 I don’t want to tell him anything. But I’ll do anything to keep him talking. I settle quickly on an edited version of something I once read - even if the book was a work of fiction. A man Johnson’s age wouldn’t have read Skulduggery Pleasant, would he?

“A hologram. A double of myself, looks and personality. But it’s smart enough not to let anyone touch it.”

 My vision is starting to clear up. That’s a good sign. I’ll be able to make eye contact with Samuel, make him believe that at least a small part of what I’m saying is true.

 “Very clever. And if you miss something important, perhaps an illness in the family?”

 “The double has its own memory. Much like that of a phone or computer. Once the double and I make physical contact, I absorb every memory from the last time we met.”

 “Amazing what technology can do these days, isn’t it?”

 “Oh, I don’t know. Water-proof books have yet to be invented.”

 He ignores my sad excuse for a joke.

 “I know what you’re trying to do.”

 “Oh? And what would that be?”

 “You’re lying to me. This story about the hologram, it’s all fake.”

 “Am I really that obvious?” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm that I know he won’t understand.

 “Not particularly so. I just know never to trust those that are out to get me.”

 “Same here.”

 With that, the man leaves me there in the alleyway, alone and slowly losing feeling in my arm and leg. The sirens are coming closer. Somewhere around the corner, I think. But I’m not sure if I can trust my ears while I’m in this condition.

 I hear footsteps coming quickly down the alley. They splash in puddles and stomp on crisp packets, not making any effort to avoid the litter.

 “Alexis?” a familiar voice calls. “Where are you?”

 “Down here, Daniel.”

 “Ugh, you know I hate being called that. What are you doing down there?”

 He grabs the arm that doesn’t have blood seeping from it and pulls me up.

 “Oh, you know, just having a rest. Being shot sure takes a lot out of you.”

 “I’m trying to help you, and you repay me with sarcasm?”

 “I wouldn‘t need your help if you had been here.”

 “I thought you would be able to defend yourself!”

 “Don’t you know that fists are useless in a gunfight? Have you not seen the bullet wounds, Daniel? I can’t stand properly!”

 “Oh, shut up. Let’s just get you to the car. Collin will know what to do.”

 Slowly, we make it to the top of the alleyway, to the street. I lean on Dan for support, but he’s not much help.

 “You’re so heavy!” he says, panting unnecessarily. “What have you been eating?”

 “It’s not my fault you have the upper body strength of squirrel.”

 “A very strong squirrel. Anyway, the car’s just over here.”

We waddle the rest of the way in silence, other than the odd grunt from Dan, just for dramatic effect.

 “I know you’re faking that.” I say finally, after one grunt too many. “This is no trouble for you at all.”

 “You’re just saying that.”

 I lean against a wall while he opens the back door of the police car for me. He helps me in and assists me with my seatbelt.

 “Alright, Dan, get in the other side. She’ll be fine for ten seconds,” comes the voice of Sergeant Collin O’Neill.

 “Dan, relax, there’s no need for you to fuss over me.”

 “There is though, Alexis, you’ve just been shot. If that’s not a reason to fuss, then I don’t know what is.” Collin says.

 “It’s not to me. I feel fine.”

 We always argue like this. But I always win. Dan laughs.

 “What’s so funny, Casey?” asks Collin, looking at Dan in the rear view mirror. He starts the car.

 “Just the fact that you can’t ever win an argument with Alexis.”

 “Actually, Alexis, I’m surprised at you. Everyone else we have in this car that has been shot always make a huge deal about it. But you’re not even making a peep.”

 “I’ve only been shot in the arm and the leg, it’s no big deal.”

 “But doesn’t it hurt?”

 “Well, obviously I’m in pain. I’ve just been shot.”

 He glances at the satellite navigational system on the dash board.

 “Hospital first, yeah?” he asks me.

 “Yeah. I want something done about the blood - and my ears. They’re still ringing after the gunshot.”

 The car pulls away from the curb.

 “Is everything else okay? Nothing broken after the fall you took?” Dan asks.

 “Oh, now you take an interest? Collin, do you believe this? He deserted me, thinking I could take care of myself in a gunfight, to phone you. It’s his fault I can’t see anything!”

 “You can’t see?” Dan says, sounding incredibly dopey.

 “No, eejit, I can’t see!”

 “Don’t call me an eejit, you!”

 “So you’re saying it was smart to leave me alone with those two? Those two that had guns?”

 “Hey, kids!” says Collin. “Calm down. It’s no one’s fault anyone got shot. Alexis, did you know they had guns?”

 “No. But I did think it was likely.”

 “Dan, was it really wise of you to desert your partner in that situation?”

 “No. But I had to call you!” Dan protests.

 “Dan, you and Alexis are the best in the business. You didn’t need to call me.”

 “Yes I did! Alexis got shot! Can’t you see the blood ruining your upholstery?”

 “Oh, and Collin?” I say. “We’re not kids.”

 Collin stops the car. I look out the window, something I should have been doing all of this time. The back of a brightly coloured Nissan meets my gaze.

 “We’re here.” He sounds annoyed at my last comment.

 Those are the last words spoken.

 I wake in a bright room with pale orange walls. The curtains are wide open, letting in all of the natural light possible. Dan is in a mustard yellow chair by my side, drooling out of the corner of his mouth, leaving a wet patch on the fabricated arm of the seat. I must be in the hospital. The nightgown and the tubes only confirm my suspicions.

 “Dan?” I whisper. “Dan, wake up.”

 He jumps awake, almost falling from his chair. He glances around the room, seemingly unaware of where he is. His eyes rest on me in my bed, tubes coming out of my arms and bandages on my leg and arm. He relaxes.

 “You’re awake.” he says.

 “Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

 He smiles at me.

 “How’re you feeling? Does anything hurt?”

 “I feel fine. I’m a little dizzy, but otherwise fine. My eyesight is perfect, before you ask.”

 “How’s your-”

 “My hearing is fine, Dan. Relax.”

 “Are you hungry? Thirsty? Can I get you anything?”

 I think for a moment.

 “I’m a bit thirsty. Could you get me some water?”

 “Of course. I’ll be back in a minute.”

 He walks off, muttering to himself. No doubt attempting to remember my order. I lean back on my pillow, trying to remember what day it is. No one has told me. I looks at the clock on the wall. It’s 4 o’clock. I glance out the window to the right of my bedside for the first time.

 “Ah, I see you’re awake.” says a vaguely familiar silky voice to my left. “How are you?”

 “I’m fine. A tad dizzy, but fine.”

 Ooh. Déjà vu.

 I look at the owner of the voice, apparently my doctor. He is incredibly handsome, although I’m oddly repulsed by him. He has curly blonde hair that ends just beneath his ears and bright green eyes that seem to be studying my every move. His arms look quite muscular and his forearms are tanned. From past experience I can tell that it’s fake tan. Obviously just for the younger nurses.

 “Have you tried to walk?” he asks.

 “No, not yet.”

 “You should, just to be sure that we’ve repaired the leg well enough.”

 I pull the quilt from my body and swing a leg over the edge of the bed. The other one next. Perhaps I swung my legs a bit too fast, because they crash together and send a sharp pain running up my spine. He helps me with the various tubes.

 “Careful.” the doctor says, coming over to help me to my feet.

 I take his hand and pull myself up. I take a step with my right leg. Everything seems fine there. I take a step with my left, putting my weight on it. It buckles underneath me, sending me to the floor. The doctor grabs hold of me and helps me up yet again. Or so it seems. His powerful muscles are my only hope of regaining balance. He notices this too. A small smile spreads across his lips.

 Up this close I can see his nametag clearly. Doctor Samuel Johnson.

 “That’s funny,” I say, trying to sound calm, even amused. “I know someone named Samuel Johnson.”

 “Oh really?” the doctor says. He’s gotten rid of that silky smooth voice I heard earlier. It has been replaced by the rough tones of the Samuel Johnson I know and despise. It sounds strange coming from a blonde man - Samuel’s hair is grey and usually combed back.

 He throws me on the floor. I land on my injured leg and I hear the crack of the bone. The pain is the most intense it’s ever been.

 Samuel’s hand dives into his white coat. He rummages for a second and a half and finally pulls his hand out, adjusting the position of the revolver he’s holding. I hold my breath and wait for the pain and the darkness.