Daughter of Nothing

by Eric Kent Edstrom

  The steel door behind Nurse Smith’s desk stood ajar. Jacey realized Vaughan must have come from inside.

  “Were you in the medical ward this whole time?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “The door’s open.”

  “Oh. Yes. I was in here.”

  He led her into the large main ward and shut the door behind them. The lock slid to with a click. Jacey trembled with cold until Vaughan pulled a blanket from the closest bed and drew it over her shoulders.

  “Sit,” he said and lowered her onto a cot. It sagged as he sat next to her. With a trembling hand, he brushed sodden hair from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “You’re going to be okay.”

  Jacey studied Vaughan’s face. So perfect, so kind. There were no signs of injury there. “I searched this whole building. I can’t believe I didn’t find you.”

  His face twitched for a second. “You were in here?”

  “I snuck in, looking for you and the others. I don’t know how I missed you.”

  Vaughan stiffened, and his jaw clamped tightly, but then he smiled. “I don’t know, either. I was just back there.” He pointed to the door leading to the back section of the ward.

  That was where Jacey had found Sarah. But she had searched the other rooms, had found discarded uniforms in them. She shook her head. It didn’t matter. Vaughan was alive and well.

  A crack of thunder shook the whole building, and Jacey jumped, startled. Vaughan caught her up in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

  “Oh no. I forgot about Humphrey!” She pulled free and stood.

  “What?”

  “Dr. Carlhagen is going to overwrite Humphrey. We have to stop him.”

  Vaughan stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t have time to explain. They’re right back there.” Jacey started toward the door. She didn’t know how long she’d been in the pit, but certainly long enough for Dr. Carlhagen to get Humphrey into the strange wheel machine.

  Vaughan caught her shoulder and spun her around. “Slow down. Dr. Carlhagen isn’t going to do anything to anyone.”

  “How do you know?”

  Vaughan glanced at the rear door of the ward. “He’s dead.”

  All the fear and horror of the past few hours drained away, taking with it her strength. She stumbled forward into Vaughan’s arms.

  “You killed him?”

  “No, I think his heart gave out. He was so shocked to see me here.”

  Jacey let out a long, shaky breath. With Dr. Carlhagen gone, none of the Scions had to endure what Sarah or the others had. Tears came anew, but these were filled with relief.

  “Don’t cry.” Vaughan’s voice was low, calming. “Everything is okay now. He can’t hurt anyone.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe it’s finally over. The mind games he played . . . He had Livy put in the pit, then gave me a choice to either see you or exchange places with her. And he was going to overwrite Humphrey.”

  Vaughan gave an odd smile. “Since when have you cared so much about Humphrey?”

  Jacey studied his face. Had his lip twitched just then? It had been so fleeting, but it seemed . . . dismissive.

  Vaughan didn’t know what she knew, though. It broke her heart to have to tell him. Taking his hand she led him to a cot and sat down. “I have to tell you something.”

  “All right, let’s hear it.” He seemed impatient.

  Jacey scratched an ear and gave him a sidelong look. She remembered that Dr. Carlhagen had said Vaughan’s head injury had changed his personality somewhat. Knowing that made what she had to tell him that much harder.

  “Dante did not meet his father.”

  Vaughan blinked, but not with surprise. If anything, he seemed nonplussed. “Who did he meet?”

  “A person Dr. Carlhagen called a Progenitor. This is going to sound crazy, but the people who sponsored us here at the Scion School didn’t do so out of the goodness of their hearts. They paid Dr. Carlhagen to make us and prepare us for—”

  He didn’t seem to be paying attention. He was staring at her neck.

  “Vaughan? Listen to me. Dr. Carlhagen has a machine back there that transfers knowledge from one mind to another. That’s what this whole facility is for. On our eighteenth birthday, our Progenitors will come here and have their minds transferred into ours. That’s what Dr. Carlhagen was about to do to Humphrey.”

  It seemed to sink in then, for Vaughan gaped. “That’s . . . crazy.”

  “It’s not. I swear it. But it gets worse.” She squeezed his hand and swallowed. “We’re not the Progenitor’s children. We are copies of the Progenitors.”

  “Clones?” Vaughan’s jaw dropped, and he pulled her to him. Jacey relaxed into his embrace as his hands stroked her back, so warm and strong. “Oh, that’s terrible. Dr. Carlhagen is a devil. When he held me prisoner, he used to come into where I was locked up and taunt me with all the things he was doing to you. He told me that I could never have you.”

  Jacey stiffened. Nothing he’d said rang true. She pulled away and studied his face. “Are you feeling okay?”

  His intense eyes hovered before hers, seemed to consume her. He cupped her cheeks in his huge hands. “I love you.”

  Before she could absorb what he’d said, he pressed his lips to hers. She had never been kissed before. The sensation overwhelmed her, and her lips responded automatically.

  He pressed harder, his hands dropping from her face, his arms sliding around her back. He pulled her to him, and her arms encompassed him, her hands going to the back of his head to pull him closer. Her shivers gave way to a hot flush.

  His lips moved from hers to her cheek, to her throat. He leaned forward, pressing her onto her back, his hands sliding down her side to her hip. His hot breath burned her ear.

  His presence encompassed hers, the warmth of his body, the intensity of his desire. After everything she’d lost, here was something she could hold onto, safety from the storm.

  “Vaughan,” she whispered. “I—”

  He silenced her with a kiss, this one even more urgent. He hooked a finger in the waistband of her panties and started to pull.

  She drew in a deep breath and pushed him away. “Stop.”

  She grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand free. Breath heaved in and out of him, and his nostrils flared like a wild animal’s. Swallowing hard, he leaned slightly away from her.

  “This is what we were accused of doing, Vaughan,” she said. “In the bell tower.”

  “What difference does it make?” he said. “Dr. Carlhagen can’t punish us anymore.”

  “Dr. Carlhagen is not the only one who can punish us.”

  Vaughan frowned, not understanding.

  “Everyone judged me,” she said. “They held you blameless and called me a whore.”

  “And what of it?” Vaughan said. “Who are they to judge? And why is this wrong? Where else does the next generation come from, if not from the love between a man and woman?”

  “Weren’t you listening? Neither of us sprang from such love,” Jacey said. “We are soulless aberrations.”

  She looked away, unable to bear the intensity of his stare. “I can’t do this with you. I won’t continue the evil that Dr. Carlhagen started here. I won’t bring forth another generation without love.”

  “What are you talking about?” Vaughan said. “I love you. I have always loved you.”

  Tears streamed from Jacey’s eyes as she pulled the blanket back over her shoulders. “But I don’t love you. Not that way.”

  He laughed. “That’s ridiculous, girl. Of course you do.”

  Girl?

  Since when had Vaughan ever called her girl?

  “Maybe your concussion was worse than Dr. Carlhagen thought.” She stood, wrapping the blanket more firmly around herself.

  “Who else could you love? Don’t tell me it’s Elias. Or is it Sensei?” He stood and started to pace. “Yes, that’s got to be it. Mario Rosa. But no ma
tter, he’ll soon be gone.”

  Jacey’s jaw fell. Vaughan’s face had transformed, mouth turning down in a horrid scowl, his voice thick with disgust.

  She took a step back. “I couldn’t possibly love Sensei. He’s old.”

  Vaughan spun, grabbed ahold of her shoulders. “Who is it then?” he screamed. “Who is it?”

  She swallowed as a name rose to the top of her mind. She would never utter it, though. To do so would be to make it true, and it couldn’t be true.

  “No one. Not you. Certainly not Sensei.”

  Vaughan’s face went white. “It’s Humphrey, isn’t it?” Spittle flew from his lips.

  Jacey hesitated a split second too long.

  “Impossible!” Vaughan screamed. “You despise him. You told me yourself you could never love him.”

  Jacey had never had any such conversation with Vaughan.

  But she had with Dr. Carlhagen. At the first dinner with him and Humphrey.

  It seemed a hundred shaddle spiders crept up her spine as the reason for Vaughan’s odd behavior became suddenly clear. She took a step back from her friend, the boy she’d known her entire life.

  But that boy was gone now, possessed by Dr. Carlhagen’s twisted mind.

  Jacey invented a lie as she spoke. “I know I said that, but that was in the bell tower after we heard Dante. You and I talked of so much then, and Humphrey and I weren’t close yet. We’ve gone through so much now. I don’t know if I love him. But I’ve come to respect him.”

  “Respect what? His weakness? His vanity?”

  “His courage,” she said. “He took the blame for having the radio so that it wouldn’t come back to you.” She took a step back, sliding free of Vaughan’s hands. She took another.

  Vaughan’s eyes dilated. His face contorted such that his eyes bulged. Impossibly, his aspect transformed to resemble Dr. Carlhagen’s. “I won’t allow it, Jacqueline. You are mine.”

  He took a step toward her. She retreated a step.

  “Mine!” he shouted again.

  Jacey spun and ran toward the door at the back of the ward. If she could just—

  His hands caught her shoulder and pulled her backward. She nearly fell, but at the last moment she let the blanket fall. It tore free in his hands, freeing her.

  She slammed into the door, fumbled for the handle. His scream of rage filled the room, and his footsteps pounded closer. The handle turned, and she shoved her way through, into the corridor that connected to the white transfer room. She slammed the door closed and pressed her back to it.

  Vaughan’s fists pounded on it.

  Her breath came in huge gulps, hands blindly searching for the latch. Vaughan’s weight was greater than hers. He shoved the door open an inch, working his fingers around the edge. Jacey struck them with her elbow. He howled and released the door. She pressed it shut and fumbled with the lock.

  Not fast enough. Vaughan slammed into the door. Her bare feet, still damp from the pit, slid on the tile. Frantic, she searched down the hall for some escape. To her left, Belle’s wide eyes stared from the window of the first door. Beyond that, Sarah’s. Across from them was another face, one she was immensely relieved to see.

  Humphrey, alive and well.

  All three pounded on their doors, shouting to be let out. Humphrey had never been the most skilled fighter. Neither was Belle. And Sarah . . . the last time Jacey had spoken with her, the girl had been out of her mind.

  A large figure appeared from around the corner. Nurse Smith.

  “What is this, running around half-naked? Come in to dally with Humphrey have you? Who is that at the door, you soulless wench?”

  “It’s Vaughan,” Jacey cried. “Help me shut the door. He’s gone mad.”

  Nurse Smith shrugged. “You can all have each other for all I care, after what you did to me.” She turned to go.

  “Wait! At least let Humphrey out. He didn’t do anything to you.”

  The nurse gave a sharp laugh and headed back around the corner and disappeared. Jacey hurled a curse after the woman.

  She had no choice. Gathering herself, she leapt away from the door. She lunged for Humphrey’s door and grasped the handle.

  Vaughan crashed into her, pushing her to the ground. She turned the door handle just enough to unlock it as she fell. Vaughan pinned her down, pressing her face against the tile. “I have waited too long, Jacqueline. I will have you.”

  His final statement was punctuated with a grunt as Humphrey’s foot caught his ribs. “What’s wrong with you? Leave her alone.”

  Vaughan fell off Jacey, groaning and holding his side.

  Jacey heaved in her breath as she scrambled to her feet. Vaughan straightened, too. “Oh, it’s you. The boy who couldn’t become a man.”

  “It’s not Vaughan,” Jacey warned. But Humphrey didn’t know about the knowledge transfer. “He’s not himself.”

  Humphrey clearly didn’t know what she was talking about. Vaughan used his momentary confusion to attack. Jacey turned away, not wanting to see the complete destruction of Humphrey. There was a cry, a shout, and a thud as a body fell, but when she did look, Vaughan and Humphrey were wrestling on the floor.

  In a flash, Jacey realized that the transfer had dulled Vaughan’s fighting skills, which made Humphrey and him a closer match.

  Jacey scrambled to Belle’s door and opened it. “Help us, Belle. Vaughan’s gone crazy.”

  Belle jumped out, but instead of helping Jacey and Humphrey, she leapt to Vaughan’s defense. She threw her shoulder into Humphrey’s side, knocking him away. “Let him go!”

  Vaughan sprang to his feet, eyes aflame.

  Jacey backed away.

  Belle continued to press Humphrey back, slapping at his face.

  Vaughan took slow, menacing steps toward her, lips curled in a grin. “I hate you as much as I love you. Funny thing is, I haven’t been able to tell those feelings apart for seventy years.”

  Jacey’s back pressed against Sarah’s door. The girl screamed and pounded on it. Jacey found the handle, twisted it until it unlocked. The door swung in, and she fell onto her back.

  Sarah slipped past, wearing a white gown.

  “Sarah, help me.”

  “It doesn’t feel right,” Sarah said, moaning. “It’s not right. It doesn’t feel real.” She disappeared down the hall.

  Vaughan took no notice of the mad girl. His eyes bore into Jacey’s. “Perfect. Now we can have some privacy.”

  A scream came from the hall. Belle.

  Vaughan stepped into the room and started to close the door.

  Humphrey barged through and jumped on Vaughan’s back. He rained blows on Vaughan’s head.

  Jacey crab-walked away from the melee. She stood, searching the room for a weapon, some way to help Humphrey. Her eyes fell on the IV bag. She took up the hose, drawing her fingers down to the needle. She pulled it close and darted toward Vaughan, stabbing out.

  She caught his leg. He roared and straightened, throwing Humphrey off his back and into the wall over the bed. The IV needle fell free. Vaughan was too strong. Even if she got the needle in, he’d be able to remove it before the drug took effect. Jacey threw herself against him, pushing him out of the room.

  They crashed into the door on the opposite side of the hall. Vaughan’s head struck the door, and he fell to the floor. Jacey retreated to the room with Humphrey and pushed the door shut.

  “Humphrey! Are you okay?”

  No answer. He lay half on the bed, legs dangling from the edge. Blood welled from his scalp. Jacey searched for the door lock, but realized it was on the other side just as she heard the click. Vaughan peered in, but his head was cocked as if he was listening for something.

  Jacey caught it then, a strange thumping sound from overhead. It had to be coming from outside, but it didn’t sound like thunder. The pulse was too regular.

  Vaughan stumbled down the hall and out into the main ward.

  Jacey went to Humphrey, lifted his legs o
nto the bed, and put him on his back. She searched the cabinets and found a towel, which she pressed to his head wound. He was still breathing, but she couldn’t rouse him.

  The edge of the hospital gown poked from beneath him. She pulled it out and put it on, thankful to have any clothes, no matter how thin the fabric.

  Jacey peered out the window. Belle lay on the floor, pushing herself up on her hands. She shook her head; droplets of blood fell from her nose.

  “Belle! Help!”

  The pale girl’s head swung around. Instinct made Jacey duck so that Belle wouldn’t see her. Jacey knew that Belle would never let her out if she knew who she was. Staying low, she continued to pound. She cast her voice lower, mimicking Vin’s voice. She hoped that Belle didn’t have any grudge against the former leader of her Nine. “Let me out, Belle.”

  Jacey rapped on the door again. “Please!”

  The latch rattled. The door swung in.

  Jacey stood, grabbed Belle’s hand, and pulled her into the room. “Sorry for tricking you.”

  Belle’s eyes went wide, and she spluttered. Jacey didn’t wait for her to get the words out. She charged past and raced for the exit.

  The medical ward doors stood wide open, and a gale blasted in, carrying fat raindrops that stung Jacey’s face. The thumping grew louder as she stepped outside.

  The single light shining over the dojo entryway cast a misty glow across the quad. The trees leaned hard over, straining against the wind.

  And in the middle of the quad, legs brace wide apart, stood Vaughan. He waved his arms over his head, signaling to the circling aircraft, lights flashing.

  She sensed someone behind her. Belle.

  Jacey tensed, but the pale girl didn’t attack. “What the hell is that?”

  Jacey wiped a hand across her face in a futile effort to clear her eyes of rain. “It’s a helicopter.”

  34

  Hamlet, Thou Art Slain

  Rain plastered Jacey’s hospital gown to her skin, but she hardly noticed. Her attention was on the flying machine.

  Socrates had mentioned that such things were possible. The Scions had occasionally seen lights in the night sky and the long white clouds left behind in their wake during the day.