“You’ve got to be … is Rory crazy? No! No way I’ll let you anywhere near my family!” I checked myself, lowering my tone. I could handle this. Hell, I was handling pretty much everything else.
“So, a war is coming and you’re cozying up with the guy in charge, getting a job, and hoping to get into my good graces?” I asked, my voice still tense.
“I know you have no reason to trust me. But I’ve been out here in the jungle, alone, for five years. At first I was pissed, yeah I’ll admit that. But now I know who to be angry at, and it was never you. Or your husband. I’m here to fight the Travelers.” His voice was rough, and I noted a jagged tear across his throat that looked like it would have been fatal for someone so far away from a medical clinic. It had caused his voice to sound strangled, and for a brief moment I felt a little sorry for the pain he must have gone through. But he had professed himself to be my mortal enemy five years ago, and I wasn’t forgetting that any time soon.
“You think that because we’re fighting for the same reason, on the same side, we can be buddy-buddy? You held a tranquilizer gun loaded with lethal poison at my head. At my head! Or don’t you remember that little detail?” I was getting angry again, and Luke was starting to shrink away from my rising voice. An Obedience Officer was making his way over to check on us, and I remembered that it probably wasn’t wise to cause any trouble here in the camps. People might be getting more fearful and restless, and they’d find out in the morning how dire things looked. I shook my head to clear it, and lowered my voice again when I spoke next.
“Look, I appreciate your efforts at trying to reconnect with your former team. As for your new job around the half-morph camp, well, there’s nothing I can do about that, but if you so much as … there’s just no way I can trust you.” I swept my gaze over his wounded visage and bedraggled body and felt another pang of sympathy. But I kept my face and voice stony, and his shaggy head hung in defeat.
“I need to get back to my daughter. I’m giving a speech to all Originals tomorrow morning and I’m scared shitless. So forgive me if I don’t want to stand out here in the dark having some kind of warm fuzzy reunion with you.” I began to jog backward, signaling an end to this exchange. The air had grown cooler, and I wanted to run back to our shelter, enjoying a few minutes of being alone with nothing but the night to keep me company while I stretched my legs.
“I understand, Dr. Brice. But just know I’ll be keeping an eye on your husband. If I can help in any way …” He began retreating in the opposite direction, his shoulder hunched where it had been injured. I didn’t slow my pace to watch which direction he went in. Instead I turned back to the camp, cast a glance at the Obedience Officers who had been half listening to our conversation, and made my way down a dirt path that would lead to the rows of log houses. I picked up my pace and realized I had a couple of miles to go before reaching our shelter. So I gave in to the urge to run with as much speed and energy as I could muster. I flashed by Originals out taking in their new surroundings, and they all gaped after me in awe and confusion. But I didn’t stop, nor did I care.
People were sitting out on their porches, some sat in groups around small fires. The scene was almost pastoral. It reminded me of the last time I had been out in the forests with the band of rebels. I found myself wondering again which of them might show up in the coming days, and I had a feeling I’d be seeing a few of them at least. They were too determined now to rid the world of the Travelers for good, and they’d been disappointed that the opportunity had been defused five years ago. My feet continued to glide over the ground, but I began paying attention to the numbers on the houses, sensing mine was fast approaching. I wanted to see Lulu before she fell asleep to reassure myself she was safe, at least for now.
My breath was coming in light bursts when I found our shelter, and a soft glow was emanating from the porch. Mack was sitting on a bench out in the small enclosure, and he smiled when he saw me approach.
“The little ’uns have gone to bed. Annie and Isabelle insisted, and they’ve gone to bed, too, but you’re welcome to join me out here, eh. Seems people are pretty beat, but I was never one for sleeping, not in my first life nor this one.”
I climbed the steps, smiling at his invitation. I sat down next to him on the bench, my legs thrumming their song of vitality. We were quiet for a while, and Mack didn’t ask where I’d been or what I’d just been doing. I was grateful for that, not wanting to relive the encounter. It had been distressing enough the first time through.
Mack broke the silence, asking, “So, what do you think you’ll say tomorrow morning in your big speech?” Suddenly I was weary with the events of the day, and the fear of the approaching morning. I could have killed for a long bath and an exfoliating session.
“Who told you I was picked to speak to the Originals?” I couldn’t recall if I’d said anything to my group and doubted I had.
“Word gets around in small communities. People aren’t as in the dark as the Origin Council perhaps thinks they are, eh.”
I looked over at his lumpy head, mostly in shadow, and wondered again what it was about him that had kept him safe from morphing into an Eater. Was it because of his physical deformities? There had to be something, a reason like mine. I wasn’t about to start a conversation that could go for many hours. He was the type who loved to talk endlessly, and I needed to sleep. I stood up and inhaled the scent of freshly cut wood, and wondered if it would be warm enough in our cabin. Or if my bed would be comfortable.
“Time to turn in. I have no idea what I’m saying tomorrow,” I admitted. “I’m hoping they provide a script. Most political rallies are scripted, at least they were in my first life. I don’t know. I can’t think about it right now.” I wondered if Jack was sleeping and longed to be together with him in our big bed, safe in our condo with Lulu in her own room. Away from these worries that were grinding my soul down to a nub.
“Sleep well, eh. I find things tend to look better in the morning,” Mack said, and settled back onto the bench.
I walked into the house, the strangeness of opening a door manually a sensation that my whole body felt. But it wasn’t unwelcome. The lights were off, but I could see everyone tucked into their beds, Annie and Isabelle on the first floor, and up the stairs and in the loft, Tyler and Lulu. I climbed the steps slowly and quietly, crossing to the remaining bed nearest Lulu. She was fast asleep and didn’t stir at my approach. I stood and looked down at her for several moments, wondering how she’d handle the next morning. And the mornings beyond that one. There were intrusive thoughts about her mortality crowding my overtired brain, but I pushed them away. Lulu would always, always be loved. Somehow. There was no other option.
I climbed into the bed and found it was almost as soft as the body-conforming beds we’d come to know and appreciate in Origin. I wondered once more how they’d been able to organize such facilities in such a short span of time. It meant things were well organized, so maybe there was some hope of coming out of this dilemma intact. I rolled over onto my side and felt Jack’s absence acutely. The worms of worry started to crawl around my gut at the thought of public speaking. But I was far too tired to lay awake wondering what was coming, and in typical clone fashion, I was asleep within minutes. My last thought was of my remark to Mack that I hoped I would have a script to work from the next morning.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
It had been years since I’d had the dream, and I welcomed it back like an old friend. I hadn’t really needed it anymore because Jack had found the cove for me, and we visited it every year. But now we were facing an uncertain future, and so seeing it again was no longer something Jack could promise me. I knew I was dreaming, but that didn’t make the crystal blue water any less warm against my bare skin. I was wading out into the protected pool, and a slight breeze ruffled my hair. The sky was a perfect blue; the exact color of the ocean I could see through the asymmetrical hole in the wall that surrounded me. The rocks hugged the cove like a protective
mother, and I felt the safety of their embrace. Fish were schooling around my legs, and I delighted in the sensation of their curious nibbles at my feet. I looked around, hoping I’d see Jack here in my little paradise, but I was alone. Yet somehow, there was a bar set up on the small sandy beach that led to the water, and I wondered if I should get out and make myself a drink. Soon the worries of recent days were gone, and I lazily climbed out of the water and walked across the hot sand to the barstools. Since no one was there acting as mixologist, I went behind the glossy wood bar and looked around for bottles that might suit my taste. But this being a dream, a margarita was concocted for me already, and I took the drink back with me to the water. I didn’t want to be out of the water for too long, and already the hot sun was drying the droplets from my skin. I waded back out into the gently lapping waves and sipped the delicious drink. It was cold, and I shivered. I moved closer to the stony wall and lifted myself up on my toes to look out of the hole at the vast ocean beyond. It was glassy and roiling slowly, an endless seascape of turquoise. I was wishing Jack and Lulu could see this with me when I spotted a dark dot floating on top of the water, and then another. With the slow speed of dreams, the entire ocean began to fill up with these mysterious shapes that quickly formed into water-logged human bodies. I dropped my drink, fear and horror filling my chest and throat. Suddenly my cove was a prison, keeping me from rescuing any of the people from drowning. I had no way of getting to any of them, and their numbers were increasing. Soon the entire ocean was teeming with floating bodies, and I was desperate to see their faces. The dread that weighed down my belly told me that I’d know some of them. A little figure with long black hair floated closer to the ledge of the cove. I was repeating the word “no” over and over, because I knew if that little body turned over I’d see a face I knew all too dearly. But inexorably, the current brought the body closer and closer, and I couldn’t turn my gaze away. In slow motion, the broken rag doll that I was now certain was my daughter began to turn over, the strands of hair twining out from her diminutive head like dead snakes. A scream built within my chest, and I was certain it would be loud enough for the entire planet to hear, and the grief that was engulfing my being was strong enough to set that same planet on fire.
I sat up in my bed with a start, the images of my dream still before my eyes like some horrible movie I couldn’t just change the channel from. I was disoriented for a moment, forgetting where I was, and then I remembered I was in the log shelter the Origin Council, in cooperation with the Facility, had built for all Originals out in the forests.
“Mom. Are you ok?” I looked over at my perfect daughter, and clutched her to my chest. She was ok, at least for now. But my dream told me that fear wasn’t far away. She protested lightly at this motherly assault on her person, but was soon giggling when I wouldn’t let her go. The soft blankets fell away from my legs, and I could smell someone cooking pseudo-bacon. Annie’s head popped up over the ledge of the second floor loft, and she smiled.
“I’ve gotta say, Dr. Brice, your kid is one of the easiest I’ve ever dealt with. She went to sleep like a champ last night, no complaints. You and your husband are very lucky.”
My mouth felt parched, but I mustered a smile in response. “Thanks, she really is perfect.” At this Lulu squirmed away and gave me an exasperated look.
“I’m hungry, I’m gonna go eat with Tyler. Isabelle is making French toast too. Mack already started eating. You better hurry before he eats it all.” She trundled down the stairs, and I found my craving for morning coffee was too strong to ignore. I shook the dream from the forefront of my mind, reminding myself I had a big duty to accomplish today. I’d be giving my rallying speech, and that was almost as daunting as the dream I’d just had.
We all took turns taking short showers in the little bathroom that lay off to the side of the shelter, but the facilities weren’t that bad. Still though, it was no time to indulge myself in any of my usual rituals, so I hurried myself through my toilette but made sure my hair was perfectly braided and a light application of make-up was on my face. The entire population of Origin would be getting an eyeful of me, and I at least wanted to look somewhat presentable. Mack seemed content to return to finishing the remainders of breakfast, which had turned out to be delicious. I smiled at Isabelle as often as I could, and it seemed she was warming to my presence. Trying to convince a city population they should trust me and listen to me would be far more difficult, and I had to trust Rory knew what he was doing. I was nervously drinking a third cup of coffee when a sharp knock came on our door, and everyone stopped what they were doing to look at one another. Lulu was sitting with Tyler by the window, and she turned with big eyes to announce Obedience Officers were standing on our porch. Annie opened the door, and I stood in preparation.
“Dr. Mina Brice, Councilman Gallach has sent us to fetch you and bring you to the main staging area this morning. He’ll meet you there and brief you on what’s required of you. Please come with us.”
I looked around the cozy kitchen, dreading having to leave this motley group of people who had begun to feel like a makeshift family. Lulu came to stand by my side, her chin jutting out in defiance.
“Where will my group be situated; my daughter? I need to know where to find them afterward.” I choked out these words, and the closest Officer to me, flanked by two others, turned his flat eyes on me, then looked dismissively around at my group.
“We’ll return you to them afterward. But we’re late, so please come with us now.” I sighed in frustration. These guys really were lacking people skills.
I hunkered down to look Lulu in the eye. “You’re going to have to mind Annie and Isabelle again. I’ve got a job to do, but you’ll be able to see and hear me from the crowd.” I looked up at the Officer standing over me for assurance that this would be true, but his face was stony and unresponsive. I wondered for a fleeting moment what his job actually consisted of, but turned my attention back to Lulu. “So promise me one more time you’ll be good and obey them?” She nodded, her mouth turned downward. I couldn’t bear to see her even a little afraid, and Mack must have sensed this, because he hauled himself up out of his seat and came to take Lulu’s hand.
“We’ll find fun things to do eh? Come on kiddo, let your mom go do her job now.” I smiled my thanks at him and turned that smile on all the other faces that were watching me intently.
“Wish me luck,” I said, then followed the Officers out of the house. The morning air was growing hot, and it would be even muggier with all the trees cut down. With no protective shade, the crowds would surely be miserable and angry. The sick feeling returned to my stomach when I saw one of those jeep-like things parked in front of the row of houses with people out on the porches watching my procession. I wondered if I was going to my execution. I felt a flush of embarrassment at all the attention I was getting, and I hoped I was wearing the appropriate tunic set. But this would be nothing compared to what was ahead, and I thought for a moment I’d vomit with fear. The Officers were climbing into the vehicle and waiting for me to follow suit. I took a breath and climbed in.
The Officer in the driver’s seat started the almost silent engine, and I realized that this contraption ran on solar energy like the car I drove to the station every day. The solar panels were small along the sides of the vehicle. Feeling a little self-satisfied at having made this banal observation, I sat back into my seat and tried some breathing exercises that I’d learned in my first life for slowing down the progression of anxiety. But soon I was hyperventilating, and the Officers were stealing curious glances at me, no doubt wondering what the crazy clone was doing. I turned my thoughts to Jack and what he was doing in his cage, and if he’d be able to hear me when I spoke to the crowd. The jeep raced along the dusty paths, and we wound our way through some leftover trees before entering an entirely new camp. We didn’t slow down, and people stopped to watch us speed past. This camp looked almost identical to mine, and I wondered how many there were in tot
al. I turned to the Officer sitting next to me to ask, but her face was intent on her computer. She was ordering a scan of information with her mind, and I decided not to interrupt her. I’d ask Rory, I told myself. We rushed through the camp, sped along another dirt road, and quickly arrived at another camp with no signs of slowing. I grew angry at how much destruction had been done to the forest, and I worried about my bonobo community. I told myself their habitat was far enough away from these camps that they were probably ok. Still, the disruption to the wildlife would take some time to recover from, and these trees weren’t easily replaced. They had been living, growing things. Then I realized my anger should be directed at the Travelers, because if they weren’t a threat, none of this would have been necessary. Seizing on that anger, I decided it would be my motivator for my speech. My fear began to subside, and I found myself wishing the drive wouldn’t take so long. I wanted to get up on whatever stage they had erected and shout it out for all Originals to hear: The Travelers were to blame.
Eventually the jeep began to slow, and we entered a clearing bigger than any I’d seen yet. Ahead of us was the stage. It was of a size to rival any I’d have seen at a rock concert in my first life. A bit of my anger drained from me, and was replaced with a tinge of apprehension. I grabbed the side of the vehicle to steady myself. We came to an abrupt stop and a cloud of dust rose up around us. I coughed a little, clearing the dirt out of my eyes. I didn’t need my mascara to start running. The Officers leapt out of the car, and looked to me to follow. Just go see Rory, get your instructions, and get through it. Then you’ll see Lulu again and maybe they’ll let you go see Jack. I repeated this sentence over and over in my mind like a mantra as we walked toward the stage. Wooden steps led us up to the main platform, and I could see Rory standing on the other side of it, giving orders to his retinue. My knees weakened as I turned to gaze out at the space beyond the stage. It was massive. Thousands of people could fit, easily, with room to spare. All I could see was dry earth, with an errant bush or tree with some vines hanging from it spotting the expanse.
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