Identity

by E. J. Mara

  Tessa tilts her head, studying me carefully as she says, “Did you even think to ask the test subjects what they want?”

  “Girls, please just follow me,” Claire interrupts, “we’ve got to get to Hanger Two.” With this she darts away. Tessa arches an eyebrow at Claire before turning to me and shaking her head. Instead of speaking, she signs. “Claire’s useless. We’ll do this your way.” Tessa turns on her heel and voices, “Come on.”

  “You don’t even know where we’re going.” I call after her. And then I remember that she can’t hear me. Rolling my eyes at myself, I catch up with Tessa and sign as I speak, so she won’t have to read my lips while we’re running, “Dad’s here too, somewhere, but I think we should get you to the plane first and then come back for him.”

  Tessa watches my signs from the corner of her eye, nods, and then slips through the door. Upon exiting the lab, she pauses in stride and glances down at Ms. Greenich’s body.

  I start towards my sister, ready to comfort her and explain what happened, but before I can she crouches beside Ms. Greenich’s limp form and, quick as can be, lifts the small cat’s eye ring from her finger before moving on without a glance back.

  I try to mimic Tessa’s composure and walk past the body, but my throat constricts and I turn back to Ms. Greenich.

  “Come on, Karen. They, undoubtedly, have cameras in the hallways. It won’t be long before we’re seen,” Tessa voices. She grabs my hand and pulls me away.

  As we make our way to the stairs, I can’t stop looking at my sister. She’s definitely still Tessa Lyles, maybe even more of Tessa Lyles than she’s ever been.

  TESSA OPENS THE door and bright sunlight greets us, making me squint. “Where’s the plane?” she asks.

  “It’s a ship actually.” I point to it. “And it’s right in front of us. It’s invisible.”

  She turns to the seemingly empty area and arches an eyebrow. “Okay.”

  The noise of Iris’s side door opening sounds above the swamp’s bird squawks, and I jog to it as Nathaniel appears in the doorway.

  Tessa gasps … Nathaniel’s here? ... A huge grin forming on her lips, she runs ahead of me and hurls herself into Nathaniel’s arms. His eyebrows going up, he accepts her smothering hug.

  “Whoa there,” he says with a weak laugh. Tessa still clinging to him, he glances at me while I make my way to the large container of bagradae, Iris’s entrance closing behind me.

  “Karen?” His face falls and gently peeling Tessa off of him, he takes my hand. “What happened? Where’s everyone else?”

  “My Dad and Esther are still in there, but Ms. Greenich …” My eyes fill and I shake my head. “They got her. She’s gone.”

  “Oh, no.” Nathaniel pulls me to his chest and tightening his embrace, kisses the top of my head.

  … she always finds a way to steal his attention …

  Sniffing, I ease out of the hug and keep ahold of his hand as I direct him to the bagradae. “Do you remember how they planned to release these?”

  “Yeah, I’ll help you do it.” Nathaniel speaks firmly as he wipes a tear from my eye and kisses me on my cheek.

  … he kissed her? He kissed her! …

  Iris’s side door opens and Nathaniel and I turn to find Tessa exiting the ship.

  “Where’s she going?” Nathaniel asks.

  ... this will be the last time she’ll steal him from me ...

  “Oh, God.” I mutter, taking off after my sister as she runs back to the stairwell.

  Nathaniel limps behind me and says, “She’s not doing what I think she’s doing, is she?”

  As if in answer to his question, Tessa shouts, “Dr. Mire, help! My sister tried to kidnap me, help!”

  “I thought she was just jealous because she had a little crush on you, but this?” I say, the stairwell door slamming behind us as we follow her back into I.T.I.S. “This is insane.”

  We hurry down the stairs after my sister, while she yells for Dr. Mire. Just below us, the third floor’s entrance door swings open and two I.T.I.S. agents, their guns drawn, run our way. The one closest to Nathaniel shouts, “Stand down! Put your hands above your heads and get on your knees! Now!”

  I put my hands above my head and Nathaniel, quick as can be, grabs the gun from the nearest agent before punching him in the temple. The other agent fires in our direction and I duck while Nathaniel falls to his knees.

  “Nathaniel!” I scream, terror ripping through me.

  …I’m okay, just stay down…

  My gaze goes to his left arm; it’s bleeding.

  “Stand down! Hands above your heads!” the agent shouts, his gun still aimed at us. He brings his free hand to his ear and says, “Two targets have been apprehended in the north side, third floor stairwell. I’ve wounded one.”

  The fear that’s making my heart pound becomes blinding adrenaline. I lunge for the agent, and as I do, Nathaniel knocks the man’s gun aside before shoving him. The agent stumbles backwards and I right Mom’s ring on my finger. With that, I punch him in the jaw, making sure to push the ring into his skin as hard as I can.

  The ring emits a click and I twist the stone. The man gasps and the color draining from his face, collapses.

  My stomach turning, I back away from him.

  I stare down at the agent, watching for a sign of breath ...there’s none.

  Nathaniel touches my arm. “You okay?”

  I open my mouth to reply and the third floor entrance swings open. Multiple agents flood the stairwell, the one closest to me pointing a taser in our direction. Before I can blink, I’m hit. My body stiffens as my every muscle grows rigid. Stunned and unable to move, I fall, landing beside the dead agent. Just behind me a thud is followed by Nathaniel groaning.

  A needle pierces my skin and drowsiness overwhelms me.

  I OPEN MY eyes, my muscles burning with pain and a headache knocking on the insides of my temples.

  …Karen? Are you alright?...

  “Nathaniel?” I mutter, readjusting my vision to the bright lighting. I blink sleep out of my eyes and Dr. Mire, her stupid teased hair making her look like a peacock, comes into view. At the sight of her, a current of dread moves through me and I straighten my spine.

  She sits only a few feet away, perched and legs crossed, on an office desk. A white lab coat on over an expensive-looking black pantsuit that she smooths down in a nervous gesture, she lifts her chin and says, “Hello, Karen.”

  I look around, attempting to make sense of my surroundings. To Dr. Mire’s right, a small vase of Louisiana Alyssum sits on the desk, and beyond the flowers, my sister stands with her arms crossed.

  No longer dressed in a hospital gown, Tessa wears a silky black blouse over a pair of jeans. Her hair is neatly brushed and it falls perfectly over her shoulders. She’s more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.

  … who’s in control now? ...

  I lift my hands to sign and find that I can’t. My arms and legs are strapped to the chair Dr. Mire’s got me in.

  “I apologize for the confines, but I thought it best you remain immobile for the time being,” Dr. Mire says, uncrossing her legs and leaning forward.

  “Karen, are you alright?” Dad’s voice sounds from behind me and my heart lifts. I turn around, craning my neck to see him. He, Nathaniel, and Esther stand, lined against the wall. They’re handcuffed, feet shackled, and an armed I.T.I.S. agent stands between each of them, watching their every move.

  “I’m fine.” I glance at Nathaniel and his left arm has been bandaged, otherwise, he looks alright.

  …I’m okay, Karen, don’t worry about me. Just focus on telling Dr. Mire whatever she wants to hear so we can get out of here alive…

  I turn back to Dr. Mire and ask, “What is this?” while I silently ask a different question, ‘Esther, can you tunnel out of here and come back with a gun?’

  … Nope. Dr. Mire said the second I leave, she’ll have one of her goons shoot Nathaniel …

  My heart in my thr
oat, I take a deep breath.

  “This,” Dr. Mire says, “is what you’d call a peace treaty.”

  “If it’s peaceful, then why are we handcuffed and here against our own will?” I ask.

  … Karen, you can’t be confrontational. Just tell Dr. Mire whatever she wants to hear …

  “I’m not here against my own will,” Tessa says.

  I have no desire to look at my sister right now. So, ignoring her, I try to keep my voice even as I ask Dr. Mire, “What are the terms of your treaty?”

  Dr. Mire leans towards me and says, “You want to get out of here in one piece and I want to enhance the quality of human life. To accomplish this I need your father’s knowledge of genetics and Esther’s unique ability. So, if you all agree to work here with me for the next three years, after that, I’ll let you go.”

  “Even Nathaniel?” I ask, pretending to consider her offer.

  “Even Nathaniel.” Dr. Mire says.

  A funny feeling tugs at my gut while everyone’s thoughts run through my mind. Instead of listening to the blur of whispers, I focus on the flicker of intuition.

  This doesn’t make sense. I’m strapped to a chair while Nathaniel, Esther, and my dad are standing. It’s like Dr. Mire has intentionally made me the most valuable of her prisoners. But she doesn’t even know about my ability, so why would she care about me?

  “Why are you negotiating with me instead of my father?” I ask. “You don’t need me here.”

  “Jayne, no.” Dad says, his voice going up an octave. “Karen, don’t listen to anything she says.” The agent beside him, a square-jawed guy who’s built like a sturdy brick wall, backhands Dad and I wince.

  “Leave him be,” Dr. Mire orders, briefly glancing at Dad. “You’re right, Karen, I don’t need you here. I want you here because I want to know my daughter.”

  The scuffling and grunts of a fight erupt behind me and Dr. Mire, jumping to her feet, pulls a gun from her lab coat as one of the I.T.I.S. agents shouts, “Hey!” I turn around to see what’s happened. Esther’s nowhere in sight, she must have tunneled away, and my father’s jamming his left elbow into the ribs of the agent beside him.

  Esther reappears between Dr. Mire and my sister. Her smart-alecky smirk in place, she holds Dr. Mire’s gun and winks as she says, “Hey there, Jayne. Thanks for the gun, maybe I’ll keep it.”

  Tessa waves. “Hey there, Esther. Thanks for tripping me the other day. Maybe I’ll return the favor.”

  Esther rolls her eyes. “Oh my God, it was an accident, Tessa.”

  My sister points each of her waving fingers in Esther direction and releases five quick streams of sparks. Esther screams, her gun clattering to the floor as each burst of fire hits her chest. She tries to put them out, but the flames eat into her skin, quickly spreading to her face and torso.

  “No!” I cry. “Tessa stop!”

  “That,” Tessa shouts, her eyes glazed over and full of hate, “wasn’t an accident.”

  “Tessa, no,” I scream. “Help her!!”

  Esther vanishes as the sounds of fighting intensify behind me. Trembling and barely able to breathe, I turn around.

  “Stop it right now!” Dr. Mire orders, darting for one of the guns on the floor. The agent guarding Nathaniel is clearly in possession of some kind of ability, his skin gleaming gold, as he holds Nathaniel at bay and yells at my Dad, who’s kneeing the other I.T.I.S. agent in the genitals.

  “I said stop!” Dr. Mire commands, but Dad knees the man again, this time in the chin.

  The man, red-faced and his features contorted in pain, reaches for the gun at his hip.

  “No!” I cry, struggling to get out of this stupid chair I’m bound to. “Nathaniel, my dad!”

  The agent lifts his gun and shoots my father in the chest, twice. My blood runs cold as a burst of red blossoms on Dad’s shirt. His eyes widen and he slides against the wall, a trail of red painting the wall behind him as he collapses to the floor.

  Everything around and inside of me stops. My gaze not leaving Dad, I reel, the entire world quaking on its axis; I can’t breathe, think, or move.

  Dr. Mire approaches the agent who fired the shot. “Lower your weapon.”

  He does as told and she lifts her gun to his temple. “I ordered you,” she says, her voice low, “to leave him be.”

  I close my eyes as Dr. Mire pulls the trigger and at the sound of the gunshot the world returns to its tilted spin. I’m once again able to think and every inch of my body trembles as it dawns on me why Dad reacted with such violence. He didn’t want Jayne to say it, but she did ... she said it, she gave away Dad’s biggest secret, and I nearly missed it.

  I open my eyes, my throat dry and my every heart beat loud in my ears. Dr. Mire said, ‘I want you here because I want to know my daughter.’

  “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “She’s can’t be my mother. There’s no way.”

  I don’t know who’s trembling more, me or Karen. I’d go to her, but this I.T.I.S. mutant who’s got me trapped in a relaxed chokehold is even stronger than Roy was.

  Tessa screams and runs to Dr. Lyles. He’s on the floor in front of me, bloodied and …gone.

  My stomach turning, I return my attention to Karen. She’s breathing hard and her eyes are full of tears.

  … she’s not my mother, she can’t be …

  “Karen,” Dr. Mire says, “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry,” Karen repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

  The mutant agent who’s got me restrained asks, “Dr. Mire, should I call for backup?”

  “Yes,” Dr. Mire says and he immediately speaks into a mouthpiece near his collar, requesting for a dozen armed agents to join him in Dr. Mire’s office.

  “How are you my mother? How is that even possible?” Karen spits each word and Dr. Mire winces like she’s been hit.

  “I understand your anger. I never wanted your father hurt.”

  “Just answer my question!” Karen screams, her fist clenched and a tear spilling down her cheek. My mouth going dry, I shove against the mutant who’s trapped me.

  “Keep still!” He barks, tightening his grip even more.

  “Alright,” Dr. Mire offers Karen a nod. “I’ll answer you.”

  Tessa’s sobs lessen and I glance at her. She wipes her tears, her glazed over eyes narrowing as they dart to Dr. Mire and Karen.

  “I knew your father long before Tessa’s mother did.” Dr. Mire returns to her desk and leans against it. “We were both from Louisiana, and as adolescents, we were sent to a summer camp for Children with Special Needs, a cover for researchers who wanted to study autism. That’s where we met.”

  Karen looks like she might vomit, but keeps her mouth shut and listens to Dr. Mire carefully.

  “While there,” Dr. Mire continues, “your father and I discovered that we and quite a few of our other peers had high intellects and similar ways of thinking. I’d studied the findings of Hans Asperger and I realized, even before the so-called specialists of our time, that Asperger’s was a more correct label for our personality traits. Your father agreed, but was much less adamant. After that summer, we kept in touch, and even after he married Tessa’s mother, we remained friends.”

  “Friends?” The growled question comes from Tessa and I glance at her. She scowls at Dr. Mire, but the woman doesn’t even notice. Karen has Dr. Mire’s full attention.

  “A year after their marriage, I invited him to work with me at I.T.I.S. and he accepted. You were conceived shortly thereafter, and so I was pregnant with you while your father’s wife was carrying their first child,” Dr. Mire explains, her tone flat, like she hasn’t just said one of the most disturbing things Karen’s probably ever heard in her entire life. “By the time he decided to leave I.T.I.S., you were an infant. He kidnapped you and the Reams girl, and then he left.”

  Karen’s breathing hard as she says, “What about the baby my …my mother was carrying?”

  “She had a miscarriage in the
chaos of the escape. To be honest, strength was never Tessa’s strong suit, physically or emotionally.” Dr. Mire rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Your father knew that, and assuming she wouldn’t be able to handle the loss, he used our Luomnem machine to erase her memory of the child’s death. He made her think you belonged to her.”

  … Dad lied to me? And to Mom?... The color drains from Karen’s face.

  “But that couldn’t be further from who you really are, Karen,” Dr. Mire continues, her voice softening. “You’re my daughter. You have my fortitude and I intend to teach you to use it.”

  Karen’s face falls and she shakes her head. “Even if we have the same DNA, you have nothing to do with who I am.”

  Movement to my right catches my eye and I glance that way to find Tessa gently pushing Dr. Lyles’ body aside and getting to her feet.

  “And if anyone’s weak,” Karen shouts, “it’s the murderer who killed the only mother I’ve ever known!”

  “I know you’re angry.” Dr. Mire sighs, pushing a strand of hair away from her forehead. The very Karen-like gesture startles me. There’s no denying that the two of them look alike. “But that’s because you don’t understand the scope of my plan.”

  “We’re angry because you killed our parents,” Tessa shouts, raising both of her hands. Golden and red sparks leap from the tips of her fingers. “And my sister’s correct, you’re weak.”

  The mutant who’s got me in his grip releases me, steps forward, and aims his weapon at Tessa. “Lower your hands, lower them now!”

  “No,” Dr. Mire waves the mutant off, “don’t shoot this one.”

  As she’s speaking, her office door flies open and a dozen armed agents rush the room, followed by a young blonde woman in a white lab coat. Ignoring the agents, Tessa keeps her gaze on Dr. Mire and releases a stream of sparks, but she’s tackled to the floor and restrained, her fire landing nowhere near Dr. Mire.