More Than One: A Novel

by Fowler, Monica

  Rach had a shocked look on her face, Ash was staring into space, his face was blank and Michael's I really couldn't place; it was a mixture of being shocked, confused and I don't know what else.

  “Clones? Are you sure that's what you saw?” Rach asked.

  “Yes, I'm sure. But I don't know why this information was with my things. It doesn't make sense, does it? I mean, if the cloning process failed then I can't be the clone, but what if they tried again and it was successful the next time. It could be possible that this is the person who is doing the murders and that's why I keep dreaming that it is me,” I said.

  “Okay, first of all, clones? They cloned a sheep, but I doubt if they are so advanced that they could clone humans. Second, the murders are in Rome. You've never been there and neither have your parents. How would they have gotten the DNA from you to make a duplicate? It just doesn't add up,” Rach said.

  “None of this adds up, I'm just throwing things out there so we can get somewhere. But I know what I saw and that is what the file said.”

  No one had anything else to say. This was a lot of information to take in. I was just glad and actually relieved that I finally had a chance to get it off my chest. I didn't care that Ash and Michael knew about my craziness and would worry about me. They were already worried, but now they had the full story. I also felt better about taking some of the pressure off of Rach. She was really trying to be there for me and it made me think about how I thought she was against me. I would never doubt her again.

  Michael on the other hand, I was still skeptical about. He didn't say anything unless someone called his name or asked him a question. He still wasn't willing to tell me about his job or where he was from. And I then I took in Ash's expression after I said something about clones. He stopped talking after that, as well. He once said that he was scared that if I knew, I might not like him anymore. I wondered what he was keeping from me.

  We continued to sit in silence, everyone in their own private world, thinking about the conversation we just had. What I said was too farfetched. I have never been to Rome and my parents have told me about all the places they've lived and visited, but I don't remember them ever mentioning Italy. I don't know how anyone could have gotten any type of samples from me. And clones... that was preposterous.

  I still didn't understand why that information was in my files. My dad was a genius in his own right and he always talked about being the first to discover something, but I couldn't imagine this being it. And wouldn't he have told me if he made a discovery this big? I must have looked at it wrong, because none of it added up to me.

  I knew I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. There were still so many unanswered questions. I felt like we covered a lot of ground, but still didn't get anywhere. The only difference was I had friends on my side that I knew would help me through these trying times.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Today I woke up feeling exhausted, but refreshed at the same time. It was weird. I didn't get much sleep last night but I was refreshed because I did get to talk it all out and that took some of the pressure off of me. I wanted to look at this as a new beginning. I was determined once again and hopeful.

  After I read the emails about what I have been neglecting, I wanted to put things back in order and think about my future. I couldn't take my dad being disappointed in me and my mom feeling like I was ignoring her. I was going to get back on top of things at my job as well. I wanted to control every aspect of my life and make it better. No more letting the dreams consume me. I didn't even want to think about it unless I found another piece to the puzzle.

  I made it through all of my classes that day without a hitch. I also talked to all of my teachers and gave them a speech about how I was going to do better in class and asked if they would give me a chance to bring up my grades. They reluctantly gave in and let me make up the work, with the promise that I would not miss any more classes.

  My school day was done and I headed straight to work. I needed to get there early since I'd called in so many days. I wanted to relieve whoever was on duty to make it up to them. I was hoping it was either Keisha or Dana, since they helped me so much during this week. I owed them big.

  After work, I was headed home when my phone rang. It was Ash. I was actually shocked that he would be calling me. I guess because I was expecting someone else to call. It stopped ringing before I could answer and I waited for my phone to beep indicating a voice mail, but it didn't.

  I put the phone down and kept driving. I pulled up at the dorm minutes later and sat in my car. The phone rang again, it was Ash.

  “Hello.”

  There was silence on the other end.

  “Hello, Ash. Are you there?”

  “Jamie,” he said in a whisper.

  “Ash, what's wrong? Are you okay?”

  “Jamie, I'm so sorry... Please don't be mad at me. Please don't hate me,” he was still whispering.

  “Are you crying? Where are you?” I said frantic.

  “Please say you'll still be my friend.”

  “Ash, you're scaring me. I'm coming over. Don't go anywhere or do anything,” I said hanging up the phone.

  I put the car in reverse and bolted out of the parking lot. I've never known Ash to cry for no reason. I was so worried that I started speeding up toward his place. I tried to reach Rach to see if she had talked to him, but she didn't answer her phone.

  I made it to Ash's place and jumped out. I got to the door and pounded on it so the doorman would hurry and let me in. I didn't have time for pleasantries, so I just waved as I ran by heading to the elevators. I pressed the button over and over again until it opened.

  I ran to the door and before I knocked, I checked to see if it was unlocked. It wasn't. I started beating on the door and yelling his name, he still hadn't come to the door. I was panicking again. He didn't say he was at home. I just rushed over here on an assumption. What if he was somewhere else?

  I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and started to dial. He opened the door when the phone started to ring. He wasn't standing up. It looked like he crawled to the door to open it. I squatted down and pulled his face up. He had been crying, his eyes were blood shot red and he looked pale.

  I tried picking him up, but his body weight was too much for me, even though he looked like he hadn't eaten in days. I managed to push him up against the wall. I walked in, closed the door behind me and then slid down the wall sitting next to him.

  “Ash, what’s going on? What happened to you?” I asked.

  He leaned over and threw his arms around me and let out a howl. I was trying to keep from crying, but the tears started flooding. He was shaking under me and I didn't know what to do.

  “Ash, please... tell me what's going on. Did something happen?”

  “I'm so sorry. I just didn't know how to tell you... and now... I'm sorry, please don't hate me,” he said in between cries.

  “Sorry for what? Whatever it is, we'll get past it. I love you too much, remember? Remember when we talked and I told you that it didn't matter what happened, I was still going to be here for you. Do you remember that babe?”

  “Jamie, you don't get it,” he said sitting up, anguish all over his face. “You can't say that until you know the truth.”

  “Okay, so tell me. What is the truth? You tell me then let me decide whether I want to stop being your friend,” I said.

  He started sliding further down the wall. His head was bobbing up and down as if he was going in and out of consciousness. I grabbed him up and tried to push him back on the wall, but he was heavier this time. I slapped his face to try and wake him up. When he peered at me under tear soaked eyes, he seemed dazed and scared. His eyes looked different somehow.

  “What's going on? You're scaring me,” I said.

  “Just let me lie down for a second. Please let me lie down,” he said falling to the floor again.

  I let him lie on the floor and I went to his bedroom and found a pillow. I pushed it under hi
s head and grabbed my phone again. I needed someone to come help me. I didn't know what to do. I tried Rach again and still no answer.

  I checked Ash to see if he was still breathing. His eyes were opening and closing; it was freaking me out.

  “Ash, should I call the ambulance?”

  “No, just let me lie here for a second and I'll be fine,” he said weakly.

  He closed his eyes again and then started breathing heavily. I picked up my phone and tried Rach once more, still no answer, so I dialed Michael and he picked up on the first ring.

  “Hey baby, what's going on?” he said.

  “Mike, I need you to get over to Ash's. I need help.”

  “What happened?” he said.

  “I don't know, but he is going in and out of consciousness and he doesn't want me to call an ambulance.”

  “No. Don't call anyone, I will be there in a minute,” he said and hung up the phone.

  I propped Ash up and laid his head in my lap. I brushed the hair out of his face and started crying again. What was going on with him? I started to ignore what Ash and Michael said and just call someone, but I didn't want to go against his wishes.

  I sat there rocking him while his breath was coming out heavy and uneven. The tears from my eyes were hitting his cheeks and rolling down. What is going on with my friend? My heart was pounding. I had to calm down so I wouldn't hyperventilate. It wouldn't have been good for both of us to be out.

  Ash's phone rang. I slid his head out from under me and went to answer it. It was the doorman calling about letting Michael up. I told him it was fine, but he needed to talk to Ash to confirm that. I pleaded with the guy, but he wouldn't allow it. I took the phone to Ash and slapped his face again. He opened his eyes, startled.

  “Hey Ash, I need you to tell the guy that it’s okay for Michael to come up. Please get up long enough to tell him because I need help,” I begged.

  He nodded and I put the phone up to his ear and he whispered in the phone that it was okay for Michael to come up. Minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

  “It's open, but be careful, we’re behind the door,” I yelled out.

  He immediately came in and started checking his pulse. He then started feeling his forehead and chest.

  “He's burning up. Go get some cold water and a washcloth. Hurry,” he said.

  I was rocking him this whole time and didn't notice his temperature or anything. How would Michael know how to do this, I wondered. He helped me to get from under him and I did as he said.

  After I got the cold rag and put it on his face, Ash woke up. His eyes were still red and he still looked dazed.

  “What is wrong with him?” I asked.

  “I don't know yet. His pulse is okay, but we need to concentrate on getting his temperature down. How did this happen? When did you get here?”

  I did a full account of the conversation that took place over the phone and what was said when I got here. Michael was just shaking his head. He looked worried and scared. I couldn't completely grasp anything that was happening.

  “I need to make a phone call. I'll be right back,” he said.

  “Okay.”

  He walked into Ash's bedroom and shut the door halfway. I went straight back to Ash's side and held his hand. He was a little more alert now, but I didn't want to push him. I wanted badly to know what it was he wanted to tell me. It was eating away at me.

  It was a good thing that Michael was here. I would've never thought to check his pulse or temperature, not that I would know how. I was sitting there thankful that he answered the phone when it dawned on me. How did he know how to get to Ash's place? I've never brought him over here and Ash never mentioned hanging out with him without me, but he came right over and within minutes.

  I started looking toward Ash's bedroom. He was in there on the phone and it was late. I was getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach again. I needed to know what was going on, so I got up and crept through the hallway to eavesdrop on his conversation.

  At first, I couldn't hear much, but I could tell he was pacing the floor. Every once in a while he walked close to the door and I could hear some of the conversation.

  “Like I said, he is stable now, but I don't know for how long,” he said.

  He stopped talking, but I could still hear him walking back and forth in there.

  “I think he was about to tell Jamie everything.... well, what do you want me to do... you sent me down here to keep an eye on him and report to you about his health and that is what I’ve been doing. You never said that there was a chance he would tell the secret.... well how could I have been watching out for that, too... okay, well I have to go, I don't want her getting suspicious and I need to check on Ash. I'll call you tomorrow if there is a need to bring him home... Okay sir I will, bye.”

  I bolted from the door and made it back to Ash before he came out the bedroom. I was scared out of my mind. Who was this guy? Who was on the phone? Is he some kind of spy or something?

  “Hey Jamie,” he said walking around the corner. “How is he doing?”

  “Uh, um, he's, he's okay I guess,” I said stumbling over my words. “He is resting well. His skin is still warm, but it’s better than before.”

  “That's good. Help me get him on the couch. And we’re gonna need more cold water and maybe some ice. We gotta get his temperature down.”

  Michael came around, grabbed him underneath his arms, and instructed me to grab his legs. We got him to the couch and I positioned him so he would be comfortable. Michael started pacing the floor again while I retrieved the water and ice. I didn't know what to say, I was so nervous. First, Ash calls me and says don't be mad at him and please be his friend. Now Michael is making phone calls about watching Ash and some secret he is supposed to make sure Ash keeps. I tried to calm down, but this was too much to take in.

  “So, what exactly did he say when you got here? Did he tell you anything specific?” Michael asked.

  “No, I told you everything he said to me. He wanted to tell me something then he just blacked out. Why is that so important?”

  He stopped pacing and looked at me with a stern look.

  “It's not important, I just wanted to know.”

  He turned around and went to the kitchen. I pulled my phone out to check my messages. Rach still hadn't called me back. I was starting to worry about her, too. She always answered my calls or called me right back. What was going on in the world? I didn't know what to say about Michael. All the secrets were working my nerves.

  I watched him pace back and forth in the kitchen, and he periodically looked at his phone, like he was waiting for a call. Ash was sound asleep and I was getting tired myself. I wanted to get out of here, away from all this, but I couldn't leave Ash; not like this anyway.

  Michael was being creepy and I wanted to know who he was on the phone with and what that whole conversation was about. I needed to find a way to ask him without him knowing I was listening.

  “Michael, can I ask you something?” I said getting up to go in the kitchen.

  “What's that?”

  “How did you know where Ash lived? I've never brought you over here and yet you came right over when I said I needed you.”

  “What are you talking about? We've been by here before, right? We had to have come by here some time or another,” he said stumbling over his words.

  “No, we haven't. You and Ash don't hang out without me, do you?”

  “Now you know Ash doesn't like me that much. Why would he want me to hang out with him? I think he'd rather have me out of the picture.”

  “True,” I said getting closer to him. “But that still doesn't answer my question. You came right over here, without getting directions and then you come in and play doctor. What are you not telling me? No more lies, just tell me the truth,” I demanded.

  “Okay, Jamie calm down. This isn't exactly the best time for us to be getting into it. Your best friend is over there blacking out. Don't you thin
k we need to be here for him right now?”

  “Yeah, but Ash is asleep and I want answers. If you are here on your mystery job to harm Ash, I will make your life a living hell. You get me? So I need to know what's going on and I want to know right now,” I said, fuming.

  I was so angry. I could have punched something, preferably him. He was standing there thinking, trying to find the best lie possible to tell me, of course. I couldn't believe this. This was the man that I said I love you to and he said it to me. Why would this have to be the one I fall for?

  “Look Jamie, you don't understand the severity of the situation. Things are really complicated and I don't want to stress you out any further,” he finally said.

  “Why because you love me?”

  “Yeah, it's...”

  “That is such bullshit,” I screamed. “You say the situation is complicated, well break it down for me, help me understand. I'm tired of this back and forth from you and Ash and maybe even Rach. Tell me something now and it better be good.”

  He grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

  “You just don't get it. People's lives are at stake and you want me to tell you what's going on so you can be a part of that? Is that what you want? I'm not trying to betray you or Ash, that's not why I'm here.”

  “Then why are you here? You can tell me that much, you at least owe me that,” I said calming down.

  “Owe you? Why do I owe you?”

  “Because you told me you love me and I said it back. I don't go around falling for people and not knowing anything about them. You told me I should trust you and you can't even tell me a little bit of what's going on. This doesn't make sense and it’s not fair.”

  “Jamie, I would never hurt you or Ash. I'm here to protect him, that's all I can say and please don't make me go any further.”

  “How do I know you're not lying?”

  “Because despite what you think, I do love you. I love you enough to tell you what I'm doing here and if anyone finds out I told you... well, let's just say, no one needs to find that out.”