by Francis Tint
“That’s one mystery solved,” said Blake.
“I’ve also solved another mystery,” Rachael added. “Well, sort of. I was able to get some genetic materials from Sam’s blankie. When I compared it with the original result from his mom’s amniotic fluid, there are indeed significant changes.”
“Could it be possible that it’s just a sample mix-up? Or a lab error from the original result?” Julia suggested.
Rachael shook her head. “The only changes are in c12 and c15. All the other chromosomes were identical. Can’t be a coincidence.”
“What are the changes?” asked Blake.
“This is the strange part. One’s in the OCA2 gene, which simply influences eye color. That one is somewhat unremarkable in comparison. For the other changes, they are all on dormant genes. And the configurations are all unnatural. This leads me to believe they’re genetically engineered.”
“It looks to me someone is deliberately trying to turn these genes on, harnessing untapped hidden human potentials,” Blake offered as an explanation.
“That does tie into our super army theory,” Julia added.
“Maybe if we can find out when Sam’s gene was changed, we can find out who’s behind all this!” Rachael offered. “Let me go do some digging. See you in the lab, Blake!” With that, she departed with her half-finished coffee.
“How are you holding up, girl?” asked Julia.
“Well, barely managing,” Blake responded candidly. “Victor scheduled all these meetings and working sessions. It’s really annoying with his obnoxious smirk and his know-it-all attitude. Every time he talks to me, it feels like he’s gloating about himself. When he asks me a question, he isn’t really interested in what I think. He’s just trying to get me to go along with him. He just loves hearing the sound of his own voice.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure it’ll pass. You won’t need to work with him forever.”
“I hope so. For now, I would love to get back on the project I started before Ashlea pulled me into this mess with Victor. I’m hoping to fine-tune the temperature fluctuations in the incubation period, and get some real results. Maybe I will win Ashlea back.”
“That’s the spirit!”
“I wish my parents would be as supportive as you are. I don’t know why, but I’m feeling more and more distant from them lately. They’re acting like they’re not even my parents.”
“You’ve never really talked about your parents before. I assumed you weren’t actually that close to them. But I probably won’t go as far as saying they’re not your real parents. Not everyone has a close relationship with their family.”
Blake took that by surprise. In her mind, she’d always had a very strong bond with her dad. How could that not show naturally?
“Ok, so that aside, how’s everything else?” asked Julia.
“Like with the crazy training using Zach’s simulation and the mission to fake Kaitlin’s death? You know all about it. You’re part of it!”
“Well, girl, I don’t know all about it. I mean, you and Corey took a long time,” she emphasized, “a very long time after putting on the crash-and-burn show.”
“He needed to pull me out from an inferno!”
“Really? Is that all? Because I swear there was something more from the way you two were looking at each other that night.”
Blake pondered for a moment and started to blush. “Nothing actually happened. It must’ve been all the adrenaline from escaping the security guards and faking Kaitlin’s death.”
“For someone who’s so good at biotech and human biochemistry, I’m a little disappointed. The love hormone is not adrenaline. It’s pheromone.”
“I don’t want to make the wrong decision. There’s so much going on right now.”
“Feeling is not a decision. Deep down, I think you know what it really is. And also, sweetie, you should really come clean to Ty. You know he’s always had a thing for you.”
“I know. And he’s such a nice guy.”
“You know that’s code word for friend-zoned, right?”
“I really thought I could… you know, reciprocate, one day.”
“You can’t force feelings, Blake. And also, you shouldn’t continue to lead him on.”
Checking himself in the mirror, Tylor kept adjusting his hair for a naturally unkempt look. It had earned Blake’s compliment last time. He put on his best outfit, something in between casual and dressed-up, and also appropriate for the occasion. Blake didn’t seem to be too impressed with done-up looks. Corey’s look’s downright unpolished. But it’s all over now, Tylor convinced himself. Why else would Blake call to hang out?
He checked his wound on his foot. Bleeding hadn’t quite stopped yet. That must’ve been some deep sharp cut. But with some ointment and plaster, it’d get better in no time.
Minty breath? Check. Cleaned car seats? Check. Flowers? Check.
Anxiously, Tylor rang the doorbell. Blake opened the door with a bright smile. “Aww… thank you, Ty,” she gracefully took the flowers and gave Tylor a peck on the cheek. Blake was in cute short denims with an off-shoulder top, revealing her defined collarbone. She even fluffed up her black hair for more volume. “Shall we, handsome?”
The day was already setting out to be a great day, thought Tylor. Through the years they’d been working together, Tylor had never hung out with just Blake. She didn’t give him any of the awkward, polite gestures. She was genuinely excited to spend time with him.
They stepped into Tylor’s car. “Let’s be rebels and forget about work today,” said Blake, and proceeded to lock their phones in the glove compartment.
“So seriously, you said you’ve never been to the amusement park?” asked Tylor.
“Never!” exclaimed Blake. “My parents never brought me there when I was younger. When I was able to go there by myself, all my friends had already outgrown amusement park. I’m so glad you agreed to bring me.”
“I love the rides, and the sweets there. If you like, we can absolutely go every year.”
“I’ll hold you to it. Hey, let’s get some music going.”
Tylor switched on the car stereo, and it defaulted to one of the top-forty radio stations. He was a little embarrassed with the choice. Must be so basic in Blake’s eyes.
“Ooh… music choice of a sensitive guy,” Blake complimented. “I’m so glad you’re not one of those alternatives who listen to indie music.” Was she referring to Corey? How silly of him to think he needed to copy Corey to impress Blake. He’d been doing the right thing all along!
They arrived at the park. It wasn’t too busy since it was a weekday after all. “Yay. There’s no lineup anywhere. We can ride as much as possible!” Blake declared childishly.
Tylor was also glad there weren’t a lot of people, giving them more privacy. More time with Blake.
They took on a frightful roller coaster ride. Tylor warned her but she insisted. She wanted the full amusement-park experience. Holding tight on the restraint, Blake was visibly agitated as the crew member started the machine.
“Relax,” advised Tylor. “You don’t need to hold onto it. Seriously, just let your arms hang and scream your head off!”
As the train slowly climbed up the slope, Blake followed Tylor’s suggestion and hesitantly let go of the restraint. The chain pulling them up ticked like a countdown to the doomed descent. Without warning, the train accelerated, succumbing to the pull of gravity. Feeling like she was about to fly off her chair, she cried out loudly, with her hand held tight to Tylor’s.
The train returned to the starting position. They got off, with their hands still linked. “That was super fun!” said Blake.
“We need to try their signature ice-cream-waffle dessert,” Tylor recommended. “The best you’ll ever have, guaranteed. Let’s see if they have your favorite flavor.”
“You know my favorite ice-cream flavor?” asked Blake.
“Yeah, of course. Chocolate chip cookie dough, right? You alway
s get that when we were still interning at Ashlea Edwards during our lunchtime excursion to the ice-cream shop.”
“That’s so sweet, Ty. So much better than just knowing my coffee. Bonus points for you.”
Another jab to Corey. Score. “I think the ice-cream-waffle goes well with an iced latte. Don’t you think?”
“You really know the way to a girl’s heart.”
“Blake, you know I’ve had a crush on you since I first met you during our intern times. A geek like me, no girls really paid attention to me before. But you were different. You’ve always been so nice to me. But…”
“I know, Ty. Of course I’ve known all along. And I don’t know why I’ve been just toying you, stringing you all along, without admitting my true feelings.”
“Your feelings?”
“My feelings for you, Ty. Of course I have feelings for you. I was just too scared to admit to it. I thought it might ruin our friendship.”
With their hands clasped tightly together, the couple went on a slow-moving Ferris wheel. Under the moonlight, their lips locked for the first time. They stayed on the ride until night fell, against the backdrop of glorious fireworks.
A doorbell interrupted Julia’s favorite guilty pleasure on TV. She put the show on pause. It’s quite late. Who could it be?
She opened the door. It was Blake, with tears in her eyes, carrying a suitcase. “What’s going on, sweetie?” Julia asked concernedly. “I didn’t see you at lunch.”
“I needed to go see my parents and ask them about the truth.”
“What truth?”
Blake handed Julia the genetic report in her hand. It showed conclusively they were not Blake’s biological parents. Damn, she’d really run a test because she had felt more distant from her parents!? “Are you sure there’s no mix-up from the lab?” Julia inquired.
“I did the test myself, three times. The same result every single time. I can’t believe it.” Blake told Julia about the conversation she’d had with Corey and her dream about the little boy and little girl. Corey had made it sound like she was Dr. Po’s daughter, same age, same abilities, except for the fact that their eyes were different. However, Sam’s eyes had been genetically modified. Her suspicion had grown. So she had decided to run the test.
Julia gave Blake a warm hug, trying to console her. She prepared a cup of hot chocolate, hoping it would calm her down.
They sat down on the couch. After Blake had relaxed, Julia asked, “Did Corey tell you more about this Dr. Po?”
“He said Dr. Po and his mom were close academic associates, researching cutting edge theoretical physics on quantum superposition and MWI.”
“MWI. That stands for many-worlds interpretation, the theory that kind of explains why Schrödinger’s cat is both dead and alive at the same time, right?”
Blake nodded. “Corey said that they were studying us, if I’m in fact the little girl he knew.”
“Like experimenting on you? Is that why Corey has his freaky powers?”
“No, he claims they never experimented on us. They were only trying to learn more about us.”
“And you don’t remember any of these past interactions with Corey and this doctor?”
“To be honest, my childhood memory is quite vague. But whose isn’t?”
“Well, yes, but I guess you probably won’t forget something so spectacular. What did your parents say about all this?”
“They denied it. Completely. They said I made it all up.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why would you make something up?”
“I was hoping they would come clean about adopting me. I mean, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t understand why they’re still hiding it.”
“Maybe… maybe you caught them by surprise, and they weren’t prepared to come forward with the truth.”
“I can’t believe it,” she sniffled. “I feel like… everything’s been turned upside-down. I’ve always felt this tight bond with my dad. But it turns out he’s been lying to me all these years. I don’t even know where this feeling comes from.” She burst into tears. “I don’t know who my real parents are. If this Edison Po is my real dad, then why don’t I have any memory of him? I don’t even know what he looks like!”
Julia held her tight. “It’s alright, honey. We’ll get through this together. I’m sure between Rachael and Zach’s research skills, we can find out who Edison Po really is.”
“There’s one more thing,” Blake gestured to her suitcase. “I don’t really want to go back home, and I don’t have anywhere to stay.”
“Thought you’d never ask.”
“Still no Ty?” asked Rachael, joining Julia next morning in the canteen with her caffè mocha before starting work.
“Haven’t heard from him since I sent him the text,” answered Julia.
“And where’s Blake? Is she also sick?”
“Nope. She isn’t coming in today. She wanted to research more about her p…” Julia trailed off, not sure if she should share the information.
“She told you about her adoptive parents?”
“Yeah, just last night.” Julia was relieved to know she didn’t need to make up some random excuse for Blake. “She stayed over at my place because she didn’t want to go back home.”
“We ran the tests together yesterday. I was so surprised with the results. Why would they hide it from her for so long?”
“I don’t know. I suggested we could help her find out who her biological parents really are. But I guess it’s something she needs to do on her own.”
“I suppose so,” Rachael pondered over her coffee for a minute. “Let me text Ty again. I feel like something is wrong.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
She sent a text from her phone. Moments later, she received a notification. A reply from their missing friend. “Hmm… he’s still just saying he needs to leave the city for some emergency.” She showed Julia the message on her phone.
“Is he that lazy? It’s the exact message word-for-word. Does he really need to use the copy-and-paste function even when replying to text messages?”
“I’m going to pay for some petrol now,” Tylor said. “Do you want any snacks?”
“You read my mind,” Blake winked. “Something chocolatey.”
Tylor picked up some snacks and more plaster. His foot kept irritating him. He hadn’t had such a persistent wound since the time he had fallen from his bike and hadn’t treated his injury properly. Perhaps his age was catching up to him.
“Here you go,” Tylor handed Blake the snacks. As soon as they got on the road, Blake rolled down the window and started singing along with the music. This caught him quite by surprise. Heck, the whole amusement park and impromptu road trip were really not typical of Blake. But he welcomed the change. Perhaps she’s allowing herself to be her true self and fully let go in front of him.
“So where should we go next?” asked Tylor.
“Just keep driving, Ty, and we’ll just head to wherever our hearts desire. Why restrict ourselves with arbitrary destinations and targets? We’re already chained to work, tied up to some capitalist nonsense. Every day we think we are saving for our future. But in reality, we’re just slaving our lives away until death hits us.”
They drove past farmlands, wild animals, and arrived at an unoccupied cabin.
“This place looks cute. Let’s check it out!” suggested Blake.
“It’s probably someone else’s property. We’re trespassing,” warned Tylor.
“We’ve done worse. Why not have a little fun?”
Tylor went with Blake’s recommendations. A lot had happened lately. Attacks from people with superpowers. Trying to stop a mischievous organization from building a super army. They did deserve to be impulsive. To be twenty-something year-olds for once.
He turned the doorknob. The door was unlocked. Blake followed him into a very cozy living space, with a lit fireplace, a couch, some dining seating, and an intimate bed. Blake leaped into the co
uch.
“Someone’s definitely living here. I don’t think we should stay too long,” Tylor said.
“Don’t be such a wuss. No one’s home, but us,” Blake replied. She stood up and threw her arms around Tylor’s neck. “Let’s just enjoy the comfort a little bit.” She said as she pulled Tylor into bed.
That night, Rachael and Julia headed to Zach’s lab. “Hey Zach,” Rachael asked, “have you tracked down a phone before?”
“Drop it, girl,” Julia interrupted. “It’s not unlike him to be all vague and mopey in texts.”
“And send the exact same texts twice?” questioned Rachael. “This is usually a sign of lurking trouble. It happens in movies all the time.”
“Who’s in lurking trouble?” asked Zach. “Tylor?”
“Yes,” Rachael answered. “We haven’t seen him for two days now. He didn’t give us any details, other than this nebulous message.”
“Hm…” Zach examined the message, “it’s time for Zach to come to the rescue! We can see if his service provider can track down his phone. It’ll only work if he’s enabled the GPS function.” He keyed in some details of the phone number into his computer and was able to get immediate access to Tylor’s account.
“Woah,” exclaimed Julia. “Rachael got competition now.”
“Unfortunately,” Zach narrated, “he did not turn on his GPS function.”
“Is there no backdoor way to get around that?” asked Corey. Zach shook his head.
“Actually,” Rachael suggested, “maybe we can pinpoint his approximate location, depending on which cell towers pick up his signal.”
“Triangulate his location through the active cell towers. Love that idea,” Zach said.
“Do you have access to that sort of information?” Rachael asked.
“Please… what sort of access don’t I have?” mocked Zach. “Ok, someone call him.”
Julia heeded the instruction, and waited as the dial tone played on the phone. Expectedly, it went to voicemail. “Still not picking up. Is that enough for you to get the location?”
