Gone (24 page)

I will grieve. I will grieve for all the people I've lost-all the other victims of the puppet show. I will grieve for Jake every hour on the hour for a long time to come. And I will miss Ed like crazy every day. I'm not forgetting my past. I'm just not going to live in it anymore. From this day forward, I will only live in my future. The new future that I am creating for myself.

It's so strange, really. Strange that existentialism always seems to be equated with depression and despair. People have it all wrong.

To be on your own… to make your own fate-to be completely in charge of who you are and what you become… I think that is
the most hopeful thing in the world. That is a new feeling that I am just beginning to learn about: hope.

So I'm looking to the future now. My future in California. It's entirely unknown. And that's
beautiful.
I have finally graduated from my old puppet past. No more strings, no more restraints ever again. My fate is mine and mine alone.

I am, to put it simply, free.

When GAIA MOORE was young, she rescued her childhood friend from a pit bull's attack. A few years later she busted a thug who was beating on her babysitter. Soon enough her parents realized—their daughter was not like other girls. Multiple tests and studies revealed what Thomas and Katia had long suspected: Gaia simply couldn't feel fear.

As a CIA agent, TOM MOORE knew well enough the everyday dangers his daughter could potentially face—and of course, some of the less expected dangers that were, sadly, altogether too common in his life. As a result, he decided to train his daughter to defend herself. Gaia was a quick study, and she proved as capable an academic as she was an athlete. Tom, Katia, and Gaia moved to a cottage in the Catskills, where they existed almost completely in a world of their own.

Soon enough, though, Tom's twin brother, OLIVER, resurfaced. Oliver had also been trained as a CIA agent but had never achieved the recognition or prestige that his brother had, and he was deeply in love with his brother's wife. So there were some issues, needless to say. On a quest for revenge, Oliver gunned Katia down in her own kitchen, effectively ending Gaia's childhood.

Eventually Tom was called back to active duty. He placed Gaia in the care of a onetime colleague, GEORGE NIVEN, and his wife, ELLA. Tom rushed off on one mission after another while Gaia relocated to Perry Street, enrolling in the Village School. So while other girls worried about what to wear on the first day of school or what hairstyle was “in” that season, Gaia—ever her father's daughter and more aware of imminent threat than ever—was on the constant alert for danger.

Survival tactics. Ambush techniques. Methods of surveillance. And calculus.

Whoever said high school was easy?

Here's a peek at some highlights of Gaia Moore's senior year….

ON GAIA

GAIA ON GAIA

“My name is Gaia. Guy. Uh. Yes, it's a weird name. No, I don't feel like explaining it right now. I'm seventeen. The good thing about seventeen is that you're not sixteen. Sixteen goes with the word sweet, and I am so far from that You see, I have this handicap. Uh, that's the wrong word. I'm hormonally challenged. I'm never afraid. I just don't have the gene or whatever it is that makes you scared.”

ED ON GAIA

“Do you get into fights
everywhere
you go?”

HEATHER ON GAIA

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

TOM ON GAIA

“In the case of a mugger or a purse snatcher going up against Gaia, I would frankly fear more for the criminal than for her.”

SAM ON GAIA

“When I'm with her—when I even think of her—I feel things. I feel a wave brewing just out of reach, building and swelling into a breaker of dangerous proportions. Maybe that's what love is.”

LOKI ON GAIA

“I take on all duties myself. Because I have no choice. And because Gaia deserves it. She deserves better than these thugs and lackeys I've thrown at her—she's so laughably superior to those drones. She deserves a captor with a genius equal to her own. She deserves me. And I her.”

GAIA ON GAIA (AGAIN)

Some things I like:

Chess

Slurpees

Road Runner cartoons

Eye boogers

W.B.Yeats

Ed

Some things I don't like:

Four-dollar coffee drinks

Foster parents

Skim milk

Butterflies

Baking soda toothpaste

Myself

A thing I hate:

Being away from my dad

FROM THE FILES OF OLIVER “LOKI” MOORE

Subject: Gaia Moore

Age: 17

Character traits:
Confrontational, socially maladjusted. Self-conscious. Street smart. Book smart.
Fearless.

Physical abilities:
Karate, jujitsu,
muay thai,
mountain climbing, boxing, wrestling, speed, strength, agility, accuracy.

⋆Note: Any period of increased or excessive exertion is typically followed by a “blackout” period where the subject is rendered physically drained and, in most cases, unconscious for at least a brief period.

Mental abilities:
Multilingual (at least 4 languages, possibly more), code-breaking, computer-hacking, advanced mathematics, and analytical reading skills.

Action: Complete surveillance of subject at all times. I want info.

⋆Note:
Subject is not to be harmed under any circumstances.

SLOPPY FIRSTS

(from the back of Tammy Deegan's notebook)

Ed's first love: Heather

Ed's first sexual encounter: Heather

Heather's first college boyfriend: Sam

Sam's first love: Gaia

Gaia's first love: Sam

Gaia's first kiss: Sam

Gaia's first boyfriend: Sam

Gaia's first sexual encounter: Ed

FROM THE FILES OF OLIVER “LOKI MOORE

Subject's Addresses

Perry Street:
Subject resided in brownstone with ex-CIA agent George Niven and his wife, Ella. George developed a professional friendship with Tom Moore during their days in the Agency but ultimately turned and collaborated with Loki. Ella was a collaborator from the early days.

Reasons for move:
Ella was killed by an assassin who mistook her for Gaia. George was later killed by his collaborators when he proved no longer useful to Loki.

Mercer Street:
Two-bedroom apartment subject shared with Tom Moore in an effort at “family stability.”

Reasons for move:
Tom was called away on Agency business; subject temporarily moved to the Moss family apartment
(see Appendix A, Mary Moss)
.

Upper East Side:
Subject was brought to this residence with Tom Moore and his then-partner (work and romantic), Natasha Petrova. Tom Moore and subject resided at this location with Ms. Petrova and her daughter, Tatiana.

Reasons for move:
Natasha was revealed to be the sister of Katia Moore, working in conjunction with Organization head Yuri; Tom Moore was once again called away on Agency business.

⋆Note:
Natasha and Tatiana have since been apprehended and incarcerated.

Bank Street:
Subject's last known address; boardinghouse for children of Agency officials. Subject shared residence with two other minors, monitored by Agency-appointed housemother.

Subject's Known Friends

Ivy: Friend from before subject's move to New York City. NO FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

Heather Gannis: Eighteen years old, romantic ties to Sam Moon (HIGHLY SUSPECTED THAT SUBJECT WAS DIRECT CAUSE OF THE BREAKUP) and Ed Fargo. Long dark hair, blue eyes. Extremely attractive by conventional standards. Was at top of social hierarchy until incident with beta-model fearless serum rendered her temporarily blind. Initial dislike of subject. Recently released from boarding school for blind students.

Mary Moss: Seventeen years old, loud, impulsive, combative. SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES. Tall and v. thin, bright, curly red hair and green eyes. Striking, not pretty. Stable home environment.

⋆Note: Terminated at the hands of an assassin posing as a drug dealer due to interference with our ultimate agenda.

Liz Rodke: New social queen at Village School, daughter and heir apparent of Rodke Pharmaceuticals empire to be divided with two older brothers. Down-to-earth. Long blond hair (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THAT OF SUBJECT; USUALLY WORN DOWN RATHER THAN TIED BACK), bright smile.

*Note: L's involvement in the most recent plot against the subject remains undetermined.

FROM THE VILLAGE SCHOOL YEARBOOK

MELANIE YOUNG'S GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN SHOPPING

Antique Boutique: The place for vintage styles—all in fabulous conditions and a funky setting.

Patricia Field: The official stylist of Sex and the City. Need I say more?

Broadway Shoes: A selection to rival even Heather Gannis's closet (Jk, Heather!! Lol!).

Fresh: Cosmetics and skin care. Your face will thank you. Your boyfriend probably will, too.

Mavi: They will carry your favorite jeans. The ones that make your butt rival Jennifer Aniston s. And no, I'm not kidding (would I joke about something like that?].

Tower Records: True, the downtown location is a little limited, but hey—its within walking distance of school.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRIED TO KILL ME

(from Gaia Moore's laptop)

(This list does not include ancillary attackers, i.e., skinheads in Washington Square Park, etc.)

1. Uncle Oliver. Ollie. Or Loki. Whatever name he's using, he's got a plan for me. He swears he'd never hurt me. Yeah, right.
   
2. David: Loki's protégé, another freak who couldn't feel fear. Seemed to have some crazed competitive thing with me. Also, posed as a potential date. Nice.
   
3. CJ: Still not sure what his problem was. Suspect he was working for Ella.
   
4. Ella: She actually put a hit out on me. But she sorta made up for it when she apologized to me, posed as me, and took the fall herself.
   
5. Skizz: Mary's drug dealer. Savory sort.
   
6. George: Uh, apparently not so much my father's “old friend from the Agency.”
   
7. Natasha: Again, ticked off that her daughter was being passed over in favor of me. Please-Tatiana can have all the glory of the “Organization.” I just kind of want a permanent address.
   
8. Tatiana: See above.
   
9. The doctors at Fort Myers: Weren't so thrilled when I uncovered their operation and busted my long-lost brother out of there.
   

EAT HERE NOW: GAIA'S GUIDE TO FINE DINING IN NYC

(from a scrawling on the back of Gaia Moore's calculus test)

Benny's Burritos: Any upgrade in the kitschy, Southwestern decor would ruin the upbeat charm of this lively Mexlcan joint. A great value; monster burritos.

Dojo: No-frills vegetarian. The tattoo-and-body-piercing show is a bonus at no extra charge.

Falafel King: Fulfills at least 2 of your daily servings of “fried.” cheap, messy, and spicy. A perfect after-school—or instead-of-school—snack stop.

Gray's Papaya: This 24-hour stand has zero atmosphere, but where else can you get two dogs with all the trimmings—and something to drink, too!—for two bucks?

Krispy Kreme: More of a religion, actually, than a doughnut.

Murray's Bagels: Carbalicious bliss. Atkins, schmatkins. Get there early or stand in line.

Odessa: I like my grease with grease on the side. Good for late-night munchies or a morning-after breakfast. kind of of hole in the wall but with huge portions, low prices, and quirky waitresses with unintelligible accents—do you really care?

Starbucks: A gift from the gods above or a slow and painful path to hell? You make the call, (if you want to piss them off, order “coffee, black.”)

Taylor's: Heaven in a pastry shell. Accept no substitutions! And take a free sample while you're there.

veselka: Hearty ukrainian fare at gentle prices! When you want to be reminded of your mother. Or when you want to be reminded of my mother.

THE HOOKUP

(from Tammie Deegan's journal)

Heather and Ed

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AS A RESULT OF HANGING AROUND WITH ME

(from Gaia Moore's laptop)

1. David: Not sure. Think Loki “disposed” of him based on his bad behavior.
   
2. Mary: Either killed by Skizz or killed by someone posing as Skizz. The fun is in the guessing (yes, that's sarcasm).
   
3. Ella: Met similar fate as Subject #1.
   
4. Mike Suarez: Sam's roommate who got played in one of Loki's twisted games.
   
5. Josh Kendall: Heather's “boyfriend” who turned out to be one of Loki's lackeys. The good news? Yeah, Loki cloned him. Wouldn't be surprised if there were a few more “Joshes” still running around.
   
6. Sam: Shot dead. But-ha ha!-not really dead. Just injured, captured, and held. Always a fun time when your true love comes back from the dead. Very Dynasty.