Soren, a character in Kathryn Lasky's book "The Siege," was assigned the number 82-85, an identification that left him unable to recall his previous number. This detail emphasizes his disorientation and the loss of identity that accompanies such a tagging system. The number likely represents a broader theme of the story, where characters struggle with their sense of self amidst challenging circumstances.

The narrative explores how these identifiers can strip individuals of their personal histories and experiences, causing a disconnect from their past. Soren's inability to remember his former number symbolizes a larger conflict between individuality and the oppressive forces that seek to diminish personal narratives in the environment he inhabits.