Deceived

by Heather Sunseri

  “That originated from the incubators?”

  “Yeah. All of the clones living in the building behind this one were created right here on the island.” I dropped my arm.

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “We don’t know.”

  I led her away from the medical wing of the building toward the halls of small apartments that housed the people who lived and worked on the atoll. She stopped in the middle of the hallway several yards from the apartment she was staying in. “Where are we going? Don’t you want to stay close and make sure the clone is okay?”

  I did, but for some reason I didn’t want Bree involved. I didn’t want her to get vested in the lives of the people here. The closer she got to the clones and others on the island, the more she’d want to remain—and there simply was no future for her here. “Dr. Sallee will call when she knows more. I thought you might want to take a shower. And I need to call Lexi and Kyle.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why do you need to call both of them?”

  “Something’s going on in Costa Rica. Kyle needs Lexi’s help. And I might have to join them there.” Plus, I had promised to update Lexi on everything happening here. Especially if another child collapsed.

  Bree squeezed the bridge of her nose. “You might be leaving?”

  “I don’t know yet.” I recognized the look in her eye, and I could sense the change in her heart rate. I had to think fast, or I was going to ruin our last bit of time together. I didn’t want to fight with her.

  I stepped closer and slid a hand to the small of her back. “Look. Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll make my phone calls. Then I’ll cook you dinner.”

  She smiled. Her heart rate slowed. The muscles in her back relaxed beneath my hand, making me want to hold her even closer. So I did. I lifted my free hand and played with the red curl that had escaped from the messy bun on the back of her head. I smiled, and I tried to put a matching emotion behind it, even though I was worried about Tamati.

  “You will cook me dinner?” she asked.

  “I can cook. And you’ll love it. How much time do you need?”

  “An hour?”

  “Perfect.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering there for a second or two before I let her go.

  When the door to her apartment was closed, I let out a held breath. What the hell was I doing? I had the most beautiful woman in the world right here on Palmyra. She was even offering to stay here. But as much as I wanted to let her, I knew I couldn’t. This was not the place for her. I had to set her free. And I had to do it tonight.

  ~~~~~

  I tried reaching Kyle and Lexi, but had to leave messages for both. I was starting to worry that Kyle was in over his head in Costa Rica. It sounded like he’d met a cute chick at least—although I wasn’t sure he’d find a way to enjoy her company since he was still mourning the loss of his girlfriend, Dani.

  I then headed back to the medical wing to check on Tamati. He was just a child, and I didn’t want him to wake up scared.

  When I got there, Keoki was sitting with him. He stood when he saw me. His shirt hung loosely against a skinny chest. “Mr. Jonas,” he said nervously. “I can leave if you’d like.”

  “No. I’m glad you’re here. Where’s Dr. Sallee?”

  “She was just here. She took more blood.”

  I nodded. “I’m going to grill dinner on the beach. Will you send word if anything changes?”

  “Of course.”

  I stared at the small boy lying in the hospital bed. His skin was lightly tanned; his hair was bleached by the sun; his nose was freckled. He was so young. And he was trapped, like the rest of Sandra’s experiments, in a world that was beyond the ordinary. I hoped to teach him, and others like him, that they could still choose to make something of their lives despite having such an extraordinary start.

  I exited the hospital room and headed toward the kitchen, still torn about what could have caused Tamati and the others to collapse this way.

  The cloned children here on Palmyra were all very young; as they neared the age of eleven, we would transfer them to Wellington Boarding School, the same school where Lexi, Bree, and Kyle had lived for the past seven or so years. Lexi hoped to keep Wellington running in such a way that would allow the clones to learn about their origin, learn how to use any abilities that they may have received in the cloning process, and receive an education from teachers who understood what they were going through.

  Lexi and Bree had both known when they were young that they’d had minor unnatural powers. Lexi could manipulate the thoughts of others, and Bree could enhance or alter what others saw. But each had only skimmed the surface of their true mind powers, and though Lexi had come closer in the last year to discovering the full extent of her abilities, Bree was still in discovery mode.

  I stopped in the hallway outside the kitchen and placed a hand on the wall to steady myself. I wanted badly to guide Bree, to lead her on this journey of self-discovery. Hell, I just plain wanted her. But this wasn’t just about what I wanted. It was about what was right for her.

  I pushed through the kitchen doors. Several cooks were rushing around, making dinner for the residents of the island.

  “Jonas.” Barbara, head cook and best hugger on the atoll, pulled me in for a giant squeeze. Her plump, dark-skinned arms held me the way I had always imagined a grandmother would hold her favorite grandkid. “Where’s that tiger of a lady you’ve been spending all your time with?”

  “Bree? She’s showering.”

  “She’s quite the catch, isn’t she?”

  I raised a brow. “Catch?”

  “Don’t break an old woman’s heart and tell me you and her ain’t an item. Honey, I seen the way she look at you. If I ever had a man look at me that way, I’d hold on tight and never let go.”

  “Barbara.” I stepped back and waved her off. “I’m a gentleman. I’m not telling you anything.” And there was nothing to tell. It didn’t matter how attracted I was to Bree, she wasn’t staying. I had to make sure of that.

  “Oh, a gentleman, huh? Tell someone who believes that shit you’re spewing.”

  I chuckled. “How about you fix me up with some food to impress my tigress.” I could at least make sure Bree had a memorable last night on Palmyra. She’d obviously come here for a break from life, and no matter what, she and I were friends. I would make sure I didn’t ruin that aspect of our relationship.

  Barbara set about the kitchen, stuffing this and that in a big basket, including some fresh-caught sea bass on ice.

  When she presented the basket to me, I kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Go get ’em, tiger.”

  chapter three

  Briana

  When I arrived, Jonas was starting a fire in a small pit he’d dug on the beach. He had worked himself into a sweat. His linen shirt, rolled to the elbows, stuck to his back, and the transparency of the fabric revealed the curves of his muscles. Behind him, the sun was just reaching the ocean, bright orange reflecting off hues of blue and green.

  Jonas’s brows furrowed, casting a shadow over his eyes.

  “Hey,” I said.

  He looked up. His eyes widened before he blinked twice.

  I was wearing a spaghetti strap sundress. Orange and white cotton reached all the way to the sand, covering my bare feet. But Jonas wasn’t looking at my feet. The top of the dress fit me much like a string bikini—and judging by the way Jonas was looking at me now, the dress was doing the job I hoped it would do.

  He swallowed, then stepped to me. He brushed his fingers down my arms and grabbed my hands. “Come sit.” His voice was slightly hoarse.

  We circled the fire so I could sit on a log upwind from the smoke. He went back to messing with the fire and a basket of stuff that I assumed would become dinner.

  “I never would have picked you for one who could cook.”

  “I can be quite resourceful when nec
essary.” He winked at me. “Besides, I’ve been on Palmyra for quite a while now. It’s nice to get away and be alone sometimes. I like to come out here and cook, or just enjoy an evening on the beach. Alone time.” He shrugged, then proceeded to place a metal grate over the fire and set several tinfoil boats on top.

  “Can I help?” I asked.

  “There’s a blanket in the basket, along with some silverware and bottles of water.”

  I laid out the blanket and silverware while he fiddled with the tinfoil boats a little longer. Finally he announced that dinner was served. As we dined on fresh sea bass and roasted potatoes grilled over the open flames, we looked out over the ocean. We talked a little, but the conversation was strained. Anxiety was building inside me as the distance between us grew—not the physical distance, but the miles and miles of awkwardness caused by him shutting me out.

  As I picked at the last of my fish, I eyed him curiously. He sat on the blanket across from me, his legs stretched out in front of him. Each time his bare calf brushed against the fabric of my dress, I badly wished I’d worn something different. I craved the feel of his skin against mine.

  “How’s the little boy that became ill?” I finally asked. Anything to get him talking to me.

  “Not sure yet. I couldn’t find anything wrong with him.”

  “Maybe he just caught a little virus? Little kids get sick sometimes.”

  “Maybe.” He held out a hand. “You finished?”

  I narrowed my eyes, wanting to punch him in the gut for giving me short, shallow answers. Instead I nodded and handed him the tinfoil. “My compliments to the chef,” I said with restraint.

  I didn’t know why I was so nervous around Jonas tonight. A year ago I would have screamed at him for being so guarded. Actually, a year ago he wouldn’t have shut me out this way—and we wouldn’t have made it through a romantic dinner like this before he’d had me horizontal on this blanket. We’d spent much of the time we were around each other last fall intermittently fighting and making out. And tonight, the setting was perfect for the latter: a large blanket spread out on the sand, the setting sun, and the sound of crashing waves. But something was different; we were different. Now I hesitated before every spoken word, afraid he’d push me away. I’d never before been fearful of my feelings for Jonas.

  Maybe I’d never realized how much power he had to hurt me… until now.

  When he had cleared the food, he returned to the blanket. The sun had nearly disappeared into the ocean, leaving the soft glow of oranges and blues. The sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline was soothing in the twilight. Jonas lay on his back, his arms tucked behind his head, and stared up at the stars overhead.

  “This island has changed you,” I said. Taking a risk, I stretched out beside him and propped my head up on a bent elbow so I could study him.

  “You think so?” he asked as if he hadn’t noticed, which I didn’t believe for one second.

  “What’s got you so worried, Jonas? Talk to me.”

  “Where do I start?” he joked, but neither of us laughed.

  “Why don’t you start with what’s happening in Costa Rica and with Kyle.”

  “Well, the person I was cloned from was spotted there.”

  “Kyle spotted your clone daddy?” I tried to make light of the situation and was rewarded with a chuckle and a playful glance. “What do you know about him?”

  “Not much. His name is Dr. Jeremy Porter. I sent Kyle there because I received intel that trackers were being used there. Possibly even manufactured.”

  “And that’s why you might have to go there?”

  He nodded.

  “What else is bothering you?” I touched the hair that lay across his forehead.

  “Tamati. The boy that’s sick. I’m worried about him.” He didn’t look at me.

  “I’m sorry.” Feeling slightly more daring, I laid my head on his chest and draped my arm across him, silently praying he wouldn’t reject this tiny amount of intimacy.

  To my surprise, one of his arms circled around and brought me even closer. His hand pushed into my lower back. I looked up at him, putting our faces only inches apart. It was the closest we’d been in many months. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been more welcoming,” he said. “It just hasn’t been easy on Palmyra. He’s not the first clone to become sick. Two other clones identical to Tamati died earlier this spring.”

  “Died of what?”

  His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. “No one knows. Not even Lexi could figure it out.” The amber of his eyes gleamed in the moonlight, and for a brief moment I thought I saw the heated desire he’d had for me once upon a time.

  “I’d like to help if I can. Maybe I can find something you missed?” I made my offer in the form of a question.

  He played with an unruly curl that fell in front of one of my eyes, but he didn’t acknowledge what I had just said. Most likely he didn’t think my abilities were anything compared to his own. And he was probably right.

  His eyes grew more serious. He was analyzing every inch of my face as if memorizing each freckle and every eyelash. He leaned up, stopped. I could feel the heat of his breath against my lips.

  I held my breath. I badly wanted to close the distance and let our lips meet, but it had to be him. He had to be the one to kiss me. I had traveled to Palmyra. I had made myself available. He had to make the next move.

  His hand slipped up to the back of my neck. After studying my eyes, he let his gaze dip to my lips. He wanted to kiss me. I could see it in the intensity of his stare. Which was why I wanted to scream when he let his head fall backward. “I’m sorry. I just can’t do this to you.”

  I closed my eyes, willed my heart to slow. “Can’t do what?” I sighed. Just like that the intimacy I had craved ended before it had even gotten started.

  “I have to leave,” he said softly, not really answering the question. “Tomorrow morning, I’m flying to Costa Rica.”

  “You’re leaving,” I deadpanned. “And I’m guessing you don’t want me coming with you.”

  “It’s not necessary,” he said, as if I’d just be in the way.

  “You want me to stay here then? Surely there’s something I can do here to help.”

  He absentmindedly rubbed the small of my back. “You’re welcome to stay here. But…”

  “But what, Jonas?” My voice climbed an octave. I sat up, immediately feeling the chill when I broke the contact.

  “Please don’t overreact, Red.”

  “Overreact?” I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I pushed up from the blanket and swallowed hard against tears that threatened. I would not let Jonas see me cry. Ever. “Jonas, I have never had to beg someone to want me around. I’m not about to start with you.”

  “It’s not like that.” He got to his feet and stood in front of me.

  “Oh yeah? Then tell me what it is like.”

  My question was met with a blank stare. He started to answer several times. Even with the minimal light from the fire, I could see the panicked expression in his eyes.

  “Forget it,” I said. “I’m so out of here.” I bent over and grabbed a flashlight from the supplies he’d brought, then turned on my heel and stalked off into the trees.

  “Come on, Red. Don’t go.” When I didn’t stop, he tried again. “Briana! Can’t we just enjoy this night before I go?”

  But I was already gone.

  ~~~~~

  I lay in bed that night wondering if I had overreacted. Especially after I’d called the pilot of the chartered jet that had delivered me here days earlier. He said he would be here first thing in the morning to take me back to California, and from there I could catch a flight wherever I wanted to go. I would be spending the last bit of savings I had on these flights.

  I tossed and turned most of the night. How could I have ever believed that that cold-hearted, sorry excuse for a man had even a hint of feelings for me? I drilled a fist into my forehead. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

&
nbsp; At four a.m., I took a shower and packed my small bag. I didn’t want to stay on this island a moment longer than I had to. When my ride arrived, I’d be ready.

  At five, I decided to take a walk around the island one last time since my chartered jet wouldn’t be here for at least another hour. I hadn’t spent much time in the school building and dorm where Sandra’s mass-produced clones lived, but something drew me there now.

  The building was quiet. I entered an upstairs room where some of the children were starting to stir in their bunk beds. I was saddened by the sight of so many children—at least fifty of them on this floor alone. Some sat in their beds, rubbing their eyes. Others were already up and easing into clothes for the day.

  Was this what Jonas’s childhood looked like? I wondered.

  It couldn’t have been exactly like this. Sandra hadn’t mass-produced the clones back then the way she had in recent years.

  And watching the small children in front of me, I couldn’t help but wonder how these kids learned to be… human. I imagined them in classrooms learning math, science, English, history—being prepared for a life at Wellington Boarding School. But who would teach them basic human traits? Love? Empathy? Kindness? Could they learn those human traits here in what looked like an orphanage? I wanted to stay, to help, to find a way to fit in on Palmyra. But I couldn’t stay where I wasn’t wanted—where Jonas apparently didn’t think I fit in.

  I turned at the sound of a child crying. A young, blond-haired boy was lying on his bed. I stepped closer, and as I did I got a closer look at his face.

  “Boone,” I whispered.

  It couldn’t be. It didn’t even make sense. But as sure as I was standing there, the boy in the bed was an exact replica of my twin brother—my brother who had died almost nine years ago. I looked around. Several other boys identical to this one were getting dressed.

  My mind raced with possibilities. Why would replicas of my brother exist on Palmyra Atoll?

  I thought of Jonas. Did he know? Why would he? He knew nothing about me. I’d shared with him nothing about my life outside of my time at Wellington.