The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series, # 2)

by Karpinske, Stephanie

  Erik rolled his eyes. “Dad, you do realize that now it’s pointless to—”

  “Nothing has changed.” Jack’s voice was stern. He refused to accept that his son’s death, or mine, was now inevitable. “We’re going to slow the timer as previously planned. After that we’ll address the next course of action needed to get it turned off for good.”

  “But, Dad, there’s no way to—”

  “Erik. Enough!” Jack interrupted, raising his voice.

  We waited in silence for Jack to continue. “As I was saying, we’re going forward with the procedure. We can have access to the lab tomorrow, which is a day sooner than we planned. I want to get there early. We’ll be leaving here at 5.”

  “So what exactly happens during this procedure?” Erik asked. Unlike me, he’d had little to no medical care during his life.

  “It’s simple, Erik. You’re basically getting a shot. The DNA from Luke is placed into a vector, which carries the DNA into the nucleus of your cells. And that vector is injected like a vaccine. The same is true for Sam but we used Brittany’s DNA. Paul and I already prepared the shots when I was at Stanford with him the other day.”

  “And then what?” I asked.

  “Then I’ll monitor your cells for changes. Hopefully, they’ll respond just as they did in my computer model. I’ll take blood samples midmorning and midafternoon and see how things are going.”

  “Are Colin and I going to Stanford, too?” It was the first time Brittany had spoken since Jack revealed what was in the file.

  “Yes, we’re all going,” Jack replied.

  Brittany seemed pleased. Going anywhere was better than sitting in Paul’s house with nothing to do.

  “Since you’ll be hanging around campus all day, you should come up with a story explaining why you’re there,” Paul advised. “I would suggest saying that you’re all touring the university. You’ll need to come up with fake names and histories for yourselves. The professors and other staff are very curious by nature, so expect a lot of questions.”

  “That’s good to know. Thanks, Paul,” Jack said. “Oh, and since we’re doing this earlier than expected, we’re leaving here on Friday.”

  For the rest of the evening, we went over the story that we would tell people if they approached us at Stanford. Jack made dinner, but hardly anyone ate. The revelations from the file left all of us feeling a little sick. Jack tried to act like everything was fine, but I knew he was feeling as hopeless as the rest of us.

  The next morning, I woke up at 2 a.m. feeling anxious, wishing we could leave California that very minute and head to Minnesota. The dream I’d had about that note from Dave was now my only glimmer of hope. There had to be something on that flash drive he sent the professor that could help Erik and me. It was a long shot. But it was all I had left to keep me going.

  “Sam? Are you up?” Brittany’s voice startled me.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  She turned to face me. “What Jack said tonight. Does that mean you and Erik are like, aliens?”

  I could tell that Brittany wasn’t trying to be mean with her question. She just didn’t understand.

  “No. It’s not like that. There’s just a tiny piece of our cells that has this, um, genetic material that’s from an alien life form.”

  From her silence, I knew that Brittany was imagining little green men with big heads and black eyes living inside my cells.

  “But that doesn’t mean it’s from aliens like you see in the movies,” I said, trying to erase the image from her head. “Nobody knows what aliens really look like. Those remains they found in that tomb were too decomposed to re-create whatever they came from. For all we know, the aliens looked like us.”

  “And you’ve had this stuff in you all this time? Since you were born?”

  “Technically, before I was born.”

  “Do you think they could get it out of you?”

  “No. It doesn’t work that way. It’s part of me. And Erik. It’s built into our DNA.”

  “So you’ll never be, like, normal?” Brittany’s voice turned sad.

  “Normal can be defined different ways. I think I’m normal now. I feel normal, well, except for the abilities I have.”

  “But, I mean that you can’t do normal things, like have a kid someday?”

  I hadn’t given the idea any thought. But Brittany brought up a good point. If I somehow survived this timer thing and found a way to hide from GlobalLife, I would still have these altered genes in me. Although I could probably have kids, would I want to, knowing that they, too, would have this alien-human DNA? It wouldn’t be fair to pass that on to them. And it would put them in danger. Not to mention it would create a whole new generation of people with alien-human DNA.

  “Sam, did you hear me?” Brittany was still waiting for my response.

  “Having kids is the last thing I’m worried about. I’m not even gonna make it past—”

  “Stop,” Brittany interrupted. “You’re not gonna die, Sam. Neither is Erik. Jack will fix this. Everything will work out.” Brittany voice was shaky. She cleared her throat before continuing. “I waited my whole life to get a sister. And even though you really annoy me sometimes and you have no fashion sense,” she paused, “I still want you around.”

  “Well, if, or when, everything turns out okay, maybe I’ll let you help me with that fashion thing.”

  “Really?” Brittany’s mood lightened. “Why wait? I could help you now.”

  I laughed. “Go to sleep, Brittany.”

  I finally fell asleep but not for long. “Hey, Sam.” Colin was sitting at the edge of my cot. “Jack told me to get you guys up.”

  “But I went to sleep like an hour ago,” I mumbled.

  “You stayed up all night?”

  “I couldn’t really sleep.”

  “Because you’re worried about today.”

  “No, not really. I’m more worried about what happens after today.”

  “Let’s take one day at a time.” Colin kissed my cheek. “Now get up. We’re leaving soon.”

  “Okay. You guys hit the showers first. It will give us girls a few more minutes of sleep.” I rolled over and pulled the covers over my head.

  “Come on. You’ll never get out of bed if you do that.” Colin yanked my blanket off.

  “Hey!” I yelled, waking Brittany up.

  “Too loud,” she muttered, putting the pillow over her head.

  The overhead light turned on above us. “Get up, you two.” It was Erik, but I only knew that from his voice. The bright light blinded me in my half-asleep state. “Paul is already at the lab, so the sooner we get there, the sooner we can do this.”

  “All right,” I said, finally adjusting to the light. “But just so you know, you guys are horrible at waking people up.”

  “Horrible, but effective,” Erik responded, nudging at Brittany as he pulled her blanket away.

  We were out of the house by 5, just as Jack planned. When we got to the university, it was so dark that we couldn’t even get a view of the campus. The lab was in the school of medicine. Paul had everything out and ready for us.

  Erik went first. “It wasn’t that bad, Sam,” he said when it was done. “Just a sting. But you kept the needle in there long enough, Dad.” Erik rubbed his arm.

  Jack shook his head. “You’re fine, Erik. Sam, you’re next.”

  As Erik described, I felt the prick of the needle, but that was about it.

  “So it’s that easy to put DNA into someone?” Erik asked.

  “Well, it’s not quite that easy,” Paul said. “Getting the DNA fragment into the cells is tricky. I won’t go into how that’s done. But as for the actual injection? Yes, that’s all there is to it.”

  “That’s kind of scary,” I said. “I mean, think about it. You could put DNA into a shot, like a flu vaccine. You could alter the DNA of a whole population and they wouldn’t even know it.”

  “I like how you think, Sam,” Paul said, complimenting my
attempt at a conspiracy theory. “And what you’re saying isn’t that far off from reality. In fact, what we just used is actually called a genetic vaccine. Different types of genetic vaccines are already being developed to prevent illness. But that’s not to say they can’t be used for something more sinister.”

  Jack smiled. “Okay, I think that’s enough of that, Paul. Do you have the software ready to test the blood samples?”

  “Yes. It’s already on my computer on the desk over there.” Paul pointed to the laptop he built that had no Internet connection, no webcam, and no microphone. He had loaded it with the latest gene analysis software from the university, a move that could get him fired if anyone found out. “Jack, that laptop is yours to take when you leave here.”

  “No, Paul. I can’t take your computer. You had it specially built.”

  “That software on there is the latest and greatest. You’ll need it to keep monitoring for changes in their DNA. Take it. It’s yours.”

  “Well, thank you. You’ve done so much for us, Paul. I really can’t thank you enough.”

  “I wish I could do more, but I just don’t know enough to help them. That’s all new territory.” Paul kept his references to our enhanced DNA generic in case the university was listening in. He truly trusted no one.

  “Is there a cafeteria around here? Or a vending machine?” Brittany asked Paul.

  “Oh, yes. You can eat in any of the dining halls. Most of them are open now. Or you’ll find vending machines just down the hall.”

  “We have some time to kill,” Jack said. “We’ll go have breakfast. Where’s the nearest dining hall?”

  “Right this way. I’ll show you.” Paul led us out of the lab and to the outside.

  “Why don’t you join us, Paul,” Jack offered. “It’s on me.”

  “No, I should really catch up on some work.” Paul pointed straight ahead. “See that building over there? There’s a dining hall on the main floor, off to the right. You’ll see it as soon as you walk in.”

  “Thanks. We’ll catch up with you later this morning,” Jack said.

  The dining hall was on the main level of one of the residence halls. Students were racing about, some already heading out of the building with their backpacks.

  “You have to get up this early in college?” Brittany asked. “I thought in college you stayed up late partying and slept until noon.”

  “Some college students do that, but not the ones who are serious about their education,” Jack lectured.

  “I don’t know, Jack,” I kidded. “Uncle Dave told me some interesting stories from his years at MIT, and I’m guessing you had a part in at least some of those.”

  Jack blushed. “Well, that was a long time ago. I don’t remember.”

  Erik smiled and rolled his eyes, knowing his dad was lying.

  The dining hall greeted us with the smell of pancakes and maple syrup. “That food smells awesome,” Colin commented as we entered. “I didn’t think I was hungry. But now I’m starving.”

  We got in line with the students. Some came in their pajamas. Others were dressed for class. They all looked close to my age, probably freshmen or sophomores. As we waited in line, a pretty blond girl wearing a tight white t-shirt and dark jeans came up to Erik.

  “Aren’t you in my biology class?” she asked him.

  The encounter took Erik by surprise. He’d been checking out the food, which we could see from our place in line.

  “Um, no. I’m just visiting.” Erik moved his eyes from the food to the girl. Standing taller than her, he could see right down the plunging v-neck of her shirt.

  “I could have sworn you were in my class.” The girl moved closer to him and started twirling her hair around her finger, a classic “notice-me” move that I never understood—or tried. “So do you think you’ll go here?”

  “I’m considering it. Along with some other colleges.” Erik was playing it cool. For a guy who grew up home-schooled out in the middle of a farm field, he was very good with women. Sometimes too good.

  “Well, I hope you end up here,” she said, smiling up at him. She put her hand on his arm. “You know, I’d be happy to show you around campus later. And tonight some friends and I are going to a party if you wanna come along.”

  Jack motioned us to go through the food line. “Okay, we’re all paid for.”

  I looked back at the girl, who was now scribbling on some paper. “Here’s my number. Give me a call later. I’d love to give you that tour.” She gave him a look that implied the tour would be of much more than just the campus.

  Erik took the piece of paper and smiled as he watched her walk away. Colin came up and punched him in the shoulder. “Damn, man! We’re here like two minutes and you’ve already got a girl’s number? And she is hot! Too bad you can’t call her.”

  “What a slut,” Brittany muttered as she brushed past Erik, who was still staring at the pretty blond.

  “Um, Erik, you’re holding up the line.” I yanked on his sleeve.

  “Oh, yeah.” He finally woke from his daze and moved forward.

  During breakfast, Brittany couldn’t stop talking about the food. “There’s so much to choose from. I can’t believe people eat this way every day.” Coming from a home where food was scarce, the massive buffet was shocking to her.

  “Get some more if you want,” Jack said. “We’re in no rush.”

  Colin got up from the table. “Then I’m getting back in line.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” Erik said.

  The dining hall was getting busier and the noise level was rising. Brittany sat there staring at every guy who walked by.

  “Sam, you gotta see this guy who just came in. He’s so hot.” She stood up. “I’m gonna get back in the food line so I can get a better look at him.” She started to leave then stopped. “Hey, Sam. Now Colin’s getting hit on.”

  “What?” I quickly stood up to see past the crowd. Sure enough, some tall, pretty girl with dark hair was hitting on Colin. She had the flirtatious head tilt going and kept swinging her hair around. Then she got close to him and started whispering in his ear. Or maybe she was talking close so he could hear her above the noise. Whatever she was doing, I didn’t like it. But Colin seemed to enjoy the attention. He was standing there laughing at whatever stupid things she was saying.

  “What is it with these girls?” I asked Jack, who was now the only person left at the table. “First your son gets hit on. And now Colin!”

  Jack didn’t respond. He was completely engrossed in reading a newspaper that had been left on our table. He had no clue what was going on.

  “I’ll be right back.” I walked over to Colin.

  “Colin, we should go.” I stood close to him and wrapped my arm around his.

  The brunette ignored me. She backed away slightly but kept staring up at Colin.

  “Anyone ever tell you that you look like that actor?” she asked. “What’s his name? I can’t think of it. But you totally look like him.”

  “Colin, come on. Your food’s getting cold.” I tugged on his arm.

  “Yeah, okay. Nice meeting you, Katy.”

  “You’re leaving?” She gave him the pouty lip expression. “Well, we should hook up later. My classes end at 2 today.”

  “Um, sorry I can’t.” He kept his eyes on her.

  I yanked him away before either one of them could say anything else. When we got back to the table, Colin dug into his food as if nothing had happened.

  “What was that all about?” I asked.

  “What was what all about?”

  “That girl! The one hanging all over you.”

  “You mean Katy? She wasn’t hanging on me. She was really nice. She’s studying biochemistry. You would’ve liked her.”

  “No, I don’t think so. She told you she wanted to hook up later. Don’t you think that’s a little slutty?”

  “She didn’t mean that type of hook up. She just meant get together. Hang out.”

  “Sure s
he did,” I muttered.

  Brittany came back with another plate of food.

  I looked around the dining hall. “Did you see Erik when you were up there? He’s been gone forever.”

  She pointed behind me. “He’s back there with some girl.”

  “That same girl?”

  “No, someone else.”

  “Are you serious?” I got up to look for him.

  “What do you care?” Brittany asked.

  I sat back down again. “I don’t. I just think these girls are a little aggressive.”

  “It’s the same as back home,” Jack said from behind his newspaper. “Girls are always flocking to Erik.”

  We sat at the dining hall for a couple hours waiting to do the first blood test. Students came and went and eventually the place quieted down. During that time, Erik had been approached by two more girls.

  “Meet anyone you liked?” I asked Erik.

  “Yeah, sure,” he answered casually.

  Colin smiled. “Bet you wish you went to school here, Erik.”

  “Hey, about that. Dad, I think I need to go to college. I think I could learn a lot.” Erik laughed and gave Colin a look.

  “I wish you could, son,” Jack said, not getting their joke. “College would be good for you.”

  “It would be really good for you,” Colin said, laughing.

  “All right. So is it time or what?” I asked, not wanting to discuss Erik’s love life anymore.

  Jack looked at his watch. “Oh, yes, let’s go.”

  We headed back to the lab. Paul was there waiting for us. Jack drew some blood from Erik and me, then went to work analyzing it. After a half hour of waiting, we were getting anxious.

  “Well, any news yet?” Erik asked.

  Jack sighed. “Yes, but it’s not good.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  College Tour

  “What do you mean?” Erik stood over his dad, staring at the laptop screen.

  Jack sat back, folding his arms across his chest. “Nothing is happening. There’s no change. Not even a little.”

  “Isn’t it too soon?” I asked. “We only did this a few hours ago.”