Exposed

by Maller, Andrea

  Around 7a.m., Alyson rubbed her eyes, leaned forward in the chair and planned the day’s events. She knew she had to leave soon or risk running into her father. Having no safe place to go, she headed over to the park to find a shady tree to sit beneath. She always thought better in the quietness of the park. Being in the midst of singing birds and swaying trees, Alyson was reminded of the beauty of nature. What she was wasn’t natural. Her existence went against nature. She felt guilty, although logically she knew she had no need to. Being a clone certainly wasn’t her fault or her choice.

  After breathing in the fresh spring air and watching a bluejay add twigs to an already overflowing nest, she settled her mind and turned her phone on again. She needed to deal with what lie ahead. Knowing Jake would be in class, she dialed his number.

  “Jake, this is Alyson. I need to talk to you. There’s something I need to tell you, but not on the phone. Meet me at the front entrance of Marshall High at 3:00 and I’ll explain everything. Don’t call me back. My phone won’t be on.”

  Alyson ended the call and turned her phone off again. She knew Jake would try calling back and she wasn’t ready to answer any questions, especially over the phone. Telling him in person would be hard enough.

  The hours passed and she headed over to Marshall High to meet Jake and Cassie. She arrived a little before three and waited near the front entrance, careful to avoid security. When she saw one of the officers walking in her direction, she quickly ducked behind a tree. A few more minutes and the final bell would ring. A few more minutes and she would have to face Jake.

  Her hands trembled. Her stomach tightened and twisted. A wave of nausea rushed over her and she tasted the fear as it grew inside her. Tick tock. Tick tock. The time drew closer. A lean figure with dark wavy hair and worn out jeans approached her.

  “Jake, you’re a little early,” Alyson said, her voice cracking.

  “I’m happy to see you, too,” Jake said as he leaned in to kiss her.

  “I am happy to see you. I’m just nervous.”

  “Nervous? Why in the world would you be nervous? With me? I’m your boyfriend. We can tell each other anything. You should know that by now. We’ve been together for two years.”

  “Actually, it’s more like I have something to show you.”

  “I’m all eyes,” Jake said, widening his stare in Alyson’s direction.

  “Come with me. There’s someone I want you to meet. She goes to school here. She’ll be meeting us at the front steps in a few minutes. Her name is Cassie.”

  “I don’t understand all the mystery, but I’m sure you have your reasons. I trust you.”

  “Let’s head over.”

  Jake and Alyson walked, hand-in-hand, until they reached the front steps. The final bell was just about to sound when Jake sat down on the top step.

  “I wouldn’t sit there if I were you. You’re going to get trampled.”

  Jake stood up just as the bell rang.

  “Perfect timing,” Alyson said, relaxing slightly.

  The front doors swung open and masses of students came running out.

  “I would look for her, but you haven’t told me anything about her. What does she look like?”

  “Trust me. You’ll know her when you see her.”

  “I don’t see how. We’ve never met. Have we?”

  “No, I’m sure you haven’t. Everything will become a lot clearer once I introduce you to her. Here she comes now.”

  Spotting Alyson, Cassie walked straight over to where she and Jake were standing.

  “Jake, this is Cassie. Cassie, this is...”

  “Whoa! Talk about double vision. I didn’t know you had a sister. Is this what you had to tell me? You have a twin sister? It’s not that big of a deal. You could have told me over the phone. I was so worried about you.”

  “Cassie’s not my sister.”

  “What do you mean? You could be twins. She looks exactly like you.”

  “Exact being the key word. We’re exact copies of each other.”

  “What are you talking about? What do you mean you’re exact copies? I think your imagination’s gone a little wild from all the movies we watch.”

  “Cassie, would you mind? I have to talk to Jake -- privately.”

  “I understand. It’s okay. Go ahead. I’ll wait over here.”

  “Thanks.”

  Alyson and Jake walked over to the school statue and spoke in hushed tones.

  “What the heck is going on, Alyson? You’re starting to scare me. First, you don’t take my calls. Then, you introduce me to a girl who looks like your twin and you say she isn’t even your sister. What gives?”

  “I’m not trying to freak you out. This is all new for me. I’m still trying to sort through everything. That’s why I haven’t been home or in school. I just can’t face anyone. And I’m so angry with my dad. I shouldn’t even call him that. You see, I just found out my dad isn’t my dad.”

  “So, he adopted you. That’s not such a big deal. I know it feels like a big shock right now, but...”

  “That’s not it! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just...I’m going...”

  “I can see that you’re going through something. Let me help you. It’s going to be okay. A lot of kids are adopted. It doesn’t change anything.”

  “He didn’t adopt me. He..created me...us. Me and Cassie. We weren’t born like everyone else. He created us...in a lab. Him and some other scientists. Her dad is one of the other scientists on the project.”

  “What are you saying, Alyson? Are you telling me you’re a ... a clone? That’s not possible. Not with humans.”

  “Apparently it is. I’m here. Cassie is here. There was another one of us, but she didn’t make it past the first few years. They have her in some sort of suspended animation machine. She’s just floating in fluid. It’s so creepy.”

  “Real great joke, Alyson. You got me good. You almost had me believing you were a...”

  “I am. We are. Me and Cassie are...”

  “Don’t! Don’t say it! If what you’re telling me is true...”

  “It is. I wish it wasn’t, but it is.”

  “You can’t be. You mean I’m dating a...”

  “Go ahead and say it! I’m a freak! You’re dating an illegal freak!”

  “Calm down.”

  “How can I calm down? I just found out I’m nothing more than a proven hypothesis. I’m real live science nonfiction.”

  “I think you just need some time by yourself to deal with this.”

  “Are you breaking up with me? Not that I would blame you.”

  Alyson hesitated before speaking again.

  “But are you?”

  “I think we both need some time to think,” Jake said very calmly.

  “Take all the time you need. We’re through! I can’t believe I really thought you would be there for me. I thought you loved me, but obviously I don’t know you at all.”

  Alyson turned away from Jake, nose running, fluid-filled eyes blurring her vision. She blinked hard, then wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. Trying not to let anyone see how distraught she was, she staggered back to where Cassie was waiting, her gait unsteady. Jake wanted to follow, but knew he would only upset Alyson further. He did love her, but his confusion was real. How do you handle hearing that your girlfriend was something that got cooked up in a laboratory? Even Alyson was having a hard time processing the information.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I will be, Cassie.”

  Alyson took a deep breath.

  “I can’t believe he’s being such a jerk. I thought I knew him.”

  “I’m not defending him, but you did just drop a bomb on him. Anyone would be a little blown away. Maybe he’ll come around.”

  “I don’t care if he does. Can’t he see how hard this is for me? I don’t even know which end is up anymore. My whole world has been ripped apart.”

  A wave of sadness came over Cassie’s face. Her eyes
lowered and she bit her bottom lip.

  “I’m sorry. You must think I’m horrible and self-centered. I know you’re going through the same pain as me. You were lied to your whole life also. We need to stick together.”

  “It’s okay. I understand. I told Rachel I’d meet her at the library. Why don’t you come with? You shouldn’t be alone now.”

  “Thanks. If I ever did have a sister, I’d want her to be just like you.”

  “You mean just like you, don’t you? We’re identical, remember?”

  “How could I forget? That’s how this whole mess started.”

  Cassie dabbed the smudged mascara from Alyson’s face and smoothed her hair.

  “If you’re going to look like me, I can’t have you looking like something the cat dragged in.”

  Both girls smiled and then burst out laughing.

  “We could always tell people we were twins separated at birth,” Alyson said.

  “That would certainly be easier than explaining the truth.”

  “And safer,” Alyson added.

  “Come on. Rachel is waiting.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jake raced home, threw open the front door, and slammed it behind him.

  “What’s going on, Jake? I thought we were having an earthquake,” his father said.

  “Very funny, Dad. Ha ha. I’m not in the mood.”

  “I can see that. What happened to get you in such a state?”

  “What happened? What happened? I’ll tell you what happened. Me and Alyson broke up. That’s what happened.”

  “I’m sure it’s just a tiff. You’ll make up. Whatever you did, just say you’re sorry. Oh, and give her some flowers. Females like that sort of thing. So I’ve been told. I haven’t tested out the theory as of late.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong. Just forget it. You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I was young once, Jake. I wasn’t born this age you know. Why don’t you give her a call and work things out?”

  “It wouldn’t help. There’s nothing to work out. We just can’t be together.”

  “You’ve been together for two years. What’s changed? Was she with another guy? Is that it?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that. Nothing’s changed. Everything’s the same. Everything is too much the same.”

  “You’re not making any sense.”

  “Alyson and Cassie are the same.”

  “Who’s Cassie?”

  “I can’t explain.”

  “Jake, I’m your father. You can trust me. You know you can tell me anything.”

  “Alyson and Cassie are exactly the same. Their fathers aren’t their fathers. They’re their creators.”

  “What in the world are you babbling about? You’re losing it, Jake.”

  “They’re clones, Dad! They’re clones. My girlfriend, correction, my ex-girlfriend, is a clone. The girl I’ve loved for the last two years is a clone. She’s not real like you and me. She’s something that got whipped up in a laboratory one day.”

  “She’s playing a practical joke on you. Clones don’t exist. Not human ones, anyway.”

  “That’s what I thought. But she wasn’t joking. It’s real. How can I still be with her? I don’t even know what she is. Is she human? Is she some kind of mutant? I don’t understand any of this. All I know is I’ve never felt so confused in my life.”

  “Imagine how she must feel. This can’t be easy for her.”

  “I know. She’s having a really hard time dealing with the news. She doesn’t even want to go home because she’s so angry with her dad for what he did. I know it must sound cruel, but I just don’t know how to be with her anymore.”

  “You should talk to her.”

  “I can’t. Even if I knew what to say, she would never forgive me. She would never listen to me. I’ve never seen her so upset. It’s really over, Dad.”

  “I’m sorry, Jake. I know you really loved her. Give it some time. Maybe she’ll come around.”

  “Thanks, Dad. But I don’t see how things can change. Not this time.”

  Feeling lost, Jake went down to the basement to feel closer to Alyson. They spent almost every afternoon there for the past two years. The couch cushions still had her scent imprinted in them. He leaned back and breathed in her essence.

  How can I just let her go? How can I still be with her? I’ve never felt so confused in my life. I don’t know what to do. I guess it doesn’t really matter since she’ll never forgive me anyway. But I do still love her. Even if she is a clone. Even if she were a robot. Even if she were a fifty foot robot. But it doesn’t matter now. She’ll never give me another chance.

  Jake closed his eyes and tried dreaming of Alyson. He pictured her in his mind and forced himself to only see her face. He missed her and ached to hold her again. He realized he made a huge mistake, but now he had no choice but to live with it.

  Meanwhile, while Jake was drowning in despair, his father was upstairs calling Alyson.

  “Hello, Alyson. It’s Mr. Parker, Jake’s dad.”

  “I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Parker.”

  “I know Jake didn’t handle the news very well, but he really cares about you. Just give him some time.”

  “I should what? Give him time? Are you...?”

  Alyson paused, then replayed his words in her head.

  “He..told you? You know...the truth...about me?”

  “And about Cassie. I know everything. Don’t worry. He’ll get past it. Why don’t you and Cassie meet me at my lab tomorrow morning? Say about 7am? I’ll talk to Jake.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Give him a chance. This is big news.”

  “I’ll talk to Cassie, but I can’t promise anything. Me and her are in this together.”

  “Jake said you won’t go home. I can give both of you a place to stay.”

  “I guess we really don’t have too many options. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Don’t worry. No one will ever find you.”

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, shortly before 7am, Alyson and Cassie arrived at Genesis Biotech. The security guard greeted them as if they were expected guests. They thought it odd, but dismissed it and entered the building. Straight ahead of them was the information desk.

  “We’re here to see Mr. Parker,” Alyson said in a soft voice.

  “He’s expecting us,” Cassie chimed in.

  A heavy set, bearded man of about fifty dialed Mr. Parker’s extension and announced the arrival of his two guests.

  “Send them in,” the girls heard him say over the intercom.

  “You may go in. His office is through the double doors, down the hall, make a left, third door on the left. I’ll buzz you through.”

  “Thank you, Mr...” Cassie leaned in to read his name tag. “Hopkins.”

  Alyson and Cassie passed through the double doors, certain they were making the right decision. As they neared Mr. Parker’s office however, the little hairs on the back of their neck stood up, almost as a warning. A chill passed up Alyson’s spine, then down Cassie’s.

  “Do you think we’re making a mistake?” Cassie asked in a soft voice.

  “It’s too late to turn back now. Besides, we have no where else to go. We can stay here while we figure things out.”

  “Girls, I’m glad you came,” Mr. Parker said, startling Alyson and Cassie.

  “Sorry I jumped. I didn’t see you there, Mr. Parker. This is Cassie.”

  “Wow, Jake was right. You two are identical. Hello, Cassie. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Why don’t you girls go into my lab and I’ll meet you inside in a little while? I just need to tend to something very important. It shouldn’t take more than a half hour. Make yourself at home.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Parker,” the girls said in unison.

  They stepped inside the cold, sterile room and Mr. Parker closed the door behind them. They heard a click, but didn’t think much of it. After a few minutes, a strange gas st
arted filling the room. Cassie wheezed as she gasped for air.

  “I can’t...breathe,” Cassie said, reaching for her emergency inhaler.

  “Let me help you,” Alyson said, coughing.

  Cassie shook the inhaler, sucked in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m..I’m okay. Let’s get out of here.”

  “The door won’t open!”

  “We have to get out of here!” Cassie said. “Try harder.”

  Alyson twisted, shook and pulled the knob. It wouldn’t budge.

  “He must have locked us in here! Find something we can use to pry it open.”

  “I can’t...find...anything,” Cassie said, slurring the words.

  Her eyelids grew heavy and in a few minutes, both girls were unconscious. The gas dissipated as Alyson and Cassie lie helpless on the cold, tile floor. Mr. Parker unlocked the door and waited for the last trace of gas to disappear. He called his associate, Leonard Steele, to join him in the lab. When the air was clear, they entered the room.

  “Leonard, help me strap them to the beds.”

  “Who are they?” Leonard asked, eyeing the girls.

  “He did it. Charles did it.”

  “Did what? Had twin girls?”

  “They’re not twins. They’re clones.”

  “What do you mean they’re clones? We’re still years away from being able to clone humans. Even if it was legal. And these girls have got to be about eighteen years old. That would mean they were cloned nearly nineteen years ago. It’s not possible.”

  “Oh, but it is. The one on the left admitted it to my son, Jake.”

  “What are you planning to do with them? We can’t keep them strapped down in restraints forever.”

  “We’re going to find out how Charles did it. You’re right about not keeping them forever, though. We’ll insert a locator chip in them. In case they do manage to escape, we’ll always be able to find them.”

  “You’ve gone mad, Howard.”

  “All in the name of science, Leonard. You will help me, of course.”