Clone Two

by Patti Larsen

  Duet rises, Poppy's hand in hers as they turn and go after the others.

  “Nice train,” Duet says. “I like trains.”

  “Me too,” Poppy says with a little skip. “But I'm happy to be here now.”

  Beckett holds me back, the dog going with Poppy and Duet.

  “Is there...” He pauses before plunging on. “Is there something wrong with her?”

  A flash of protectiveness dies as fast as it rises. I sigh and nod. “They saved her,” I say, keeping my voice low, “but she was badly hurt when she arrived.” From wherever we came. “Her mind is as damaged as her body.”

  “Does she know why you're here?” Beckett's hand brushes mine as we walk and I long to hold it, swing my arm like we haven't a care. How odd, that need.

  “No,” I say, “but she says Clone One is in New York City. So we're going the right way at least.”

  “She's sure?” He sounds concerned. “Can you trust her?”

  It's almost insulting but I try not to take his attitude the wrong way, not after everything we've been through. “With my life,” I say.

  He looks at me, nods. “Okay,” he says.

  The Teks have food waiting, though it's fresh vegetables and fruit, no meat.

  “We can no longer consume flesh,” Ever tells me, half-apologizing but I'm very grateful for their inability.

  No one complains. In fact, everyone fills themselves as if they've never eaten fresh greens before. I have to tell myself it's likely, aside from Vander, that's actually the case.

  Dinner over, Ande and Socrates disappear with a handful of Ever's engineers, on their way back to the train.

  “I can't w-w-wait,” Ande rubs his hands together as he and his friend march off. “N-n-nothing will catch us when I'm d-d-done with her.”

  The rest of us remain, leaning back in our chairs at the large dining room table in a neat and tidy room, window open to the breeze. It's the most normal I've felt since I arrived, though it makes me wonder all over again what normal actually is for me.

  I catch Duet staring at Poppy when the girl isn't looking, but Poppy doesn't seem to mind so I don't chide my sister. How easily I've fallen into the role of older sibling though, if our numbers are to be believed, she is perhaps greater in age than I am. But her simple, moody personality makes it easy for me to feel protective of her and those around her when she acts inappropriately.

  I can't help but think my attitude is the fault of the one she calls Antoine.

  “I had no idea your kind existed.” Brick smiles at Ever who smiles easily back.

  “You don't have Tek where you come from.” It's not a question. Ever gestures at me. “Trio's reaction was enough of an indication. I wonder if perhaps we are an aberration, not a typical mutation of the Sick at all.”

  “You have weapons?” Brick's attention is casual, but I feel like he's digging for something.

  “No,” she says. “We are a peaceful people.”

  “But you have technology,” he says. “Enough to build that gate.”

  “Yes,” she answers. “To protect us only.” Ever shrugs. “We've chosen passivity in this terrible world of premature death and endless killing.”

  He looks momentarily speculative and I'm about to speak up, to tell him to mind his own business, when he grins and falls quiet.

  The crew drifts off, in ones and twos, guided by the Tek for tours of their safe haven. Even Chime grudgingly goes with Brick when one of Ever's people offers. When only Beckett, Poppy, Vander and I are left, Ever settles back in her seat. “It's been a long time since we had newcomers,” she says. “I hope we did all right in making your people comfortable.”

  Beckett has relaxed, I can see it in his face, his posture. “You've been kind in an unkind world,” he says. “Thank you.”

  Duet looks up from staring at Poppy. “You want the disk?”

  I stare at her, not sure what to make of the odd question. But Ever is nodding.

  “I almost forgot, after all this time.” She stands, goes to the far wall where a desk sits. So this is her private residence. I feel even more honored by her generosity. When Ever returns, she holds a thin plastic sleeve in her cybernetic hand, a mirrored disk resting inside.

  “Duet arrived with this,” she says. “I don't know what's on it, we've never examined it.”

  My sister stares at it. “The task.”

  “Is it on here, Duet?” I hold it up, show it to her.

  She grunts and turns away, picking at what remains of her vegetables.

  “Perhaps we could find a computer,” Ever says, then bites her lip. “Though I doubt there's a working one remaining. They've been stripped for components.”

  Disappointment makes my head throb, but I force a smile, she's done so much already. “It's fine,” I say. “We'll find one when we leave.” The idea I hold the answer in my hands, to all the questions I've been asking, maybe the catalyst to my memory's return, makes me wish we could go right now.

  One further question does rise in my mind. “You said it was a long time ago.” I nod at Duet as part of the inquiry so she knows I'm referring to my clone. In my estimation I've been here for only a matter of perhaps a week. “How long?”

  Ever thinks about it, gaze falling on Duet. “We don't track time the way we used to,” she says. “But I would guess... I was just recovering from the Sick when Duet arrived. It's my blood they used to save her.” She smiles at my sister fondly. “Perhaps seven years ago?”

  Seven years? My heart skips a beat. “That's impossible.” How is that possible? It feels wrong, like I should remember differently, but can't.

  Ever shrugs gently. “I'm sorry if it's not the answer you were looking for.”

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  I sit on the edge of the bed and bounce gently, wondering at the luxury of a mattress to sleep on. I've spent so many nights on the hard ground or inside the train car the idea of closing my eyes under clean sheets and cradled by softness is amazing.

  Duet stands in the corner, watching me, shifting from one foot to the other. After dinner, Ever took Poppy and Beckett for a tour, telling Duet to show me to my room. She's stood there ever since, the dog at her feet, not saying anything.

  It's odd how comfortable I feel with her, despite her silence, as if this is the normal way of things for us. Perhaps she's more like she used to be than I know, less damaged by the delivery than by her cloning. And yet, I can't bring myself to believe the man I now know as Antoine would send her here, wherever he's sent us from, if she wasn't able to fulfill the task.

  My mind goes to the disk now safely tucked in my jacket. I need to find a functioning computer. Jeremiah's would have done the trick, which means there must be more out there. I'll salvage one at the next station we come to and finally find out what this is all about.

  The thought warms me up, but makes me anxious, too.

  Someone knocks softly on the half open door and Beckett peeks inside.

  “Can we talk?” His gaze flickers to Duet who continues to stare at me.

  “Come in.” I pat the side of the bed, inviting him to sit, but he just watches my sister.

  “Alone.”

  Her head whips around, eyes locking on him. “Beckett,” she says.

  He starts, glances at me. “Yeah,” he says. “I'm Beckett.”

  She grins suddenly. “I always thought you were handsome.” Duet giggles into her hands before her face falls into stillness.

  Beckett looks spooked and I'm feeling the same way, though I've always felt I knew him from somewhere. “Duet,” I say, “do you know him?”

  She shrugs. “Tell him to go,” she says, as if he's not standing right there.

  “I can't,” I say as gently as I can. “He wants to talk to me.” How can I make her understand she needs to be the one to leave? I don't want to upset her and it seems anything I say could set her off somehow.

  I'm saved the burden when Poppy bounces inside.

&nb
sp; “I have a bed too!” She jumps on mine, throwing herself over the top of the old quilt with a huge laugh, the puppies bounding in after her. “A bed!”

  Duet is suddenly laughing too, on the bed, right beside Poppy, Shine and Shade nipping playfully at her shoes. “Fun,” she says.

  “It is.” Poppy sits up, frowning a little as she looks back and forth between Beckett and I. “What?”

  “Duet, maybe you can take Poppy out and show her some things.” I smile at my sister who beams back.

  “I can.” Duet surges to her feet. “I can show you everything.”

  Poppy slides to the floor, sticking her tongue out at me while the puppies look up at her, waiting for their next adventure. “You could have just said,” she says.

  I wink as she goes to Duet and takes her hand. Beckett scowls, but I ignore him, seeing Duet's shy smile as Poppy grins up at her.

  “Come on then,” Poppy says.

  “Okie dokie.” Duet follows the girl out, their arms swinging as Poppy hops her way to the door, Duet trying to mimic her, the puppies scampering through their legs with happy barks.

  The dog looks up, his tail thumping once before he rises and goes after them.

  Alone, just as he wanted. Why then does he still hover as though something's not right?

  “Now will you sit?” I glance out the window at the darkening sky, feeling a deep sigh rise inside me. Content, that's what I'm feeling. How strange.

  Beckett pauses one more moment before perching next to me, hands between his knees. “We need to talk about her.” He stares at the doorway, concern on his face. “About Duet.”

  A huge surge of protective denial rises inside me as answering adrenaline pours into my system. I want to hit him, holding back only because he looks so worried.

  “She'll be fine,” I say, defending her even though I was thinking myself maybe leaving her with the Teks was the best idea. “I'll take care of her.” I will now. Because he thinks I can't.

  “I'm not so sure.” He won't meet my eyes and my mind calls him a coward.

  “No matter what you think of her,” I say, words more heated than I planned, “and damaged or not, I was told to find her. It's part of the task.”

  He doesn't grow angry, just nods. “I spoke to Ever about her,” he goes on as if he didn't just acknowledge what I said. “She says Duet is unpredictable, Trio. That she has been violent.”

  Some of my anger leaves but not all as I slump, my shoulders aching from the rush of tension now leaving me. “So have I,” I say. “And so have you.”

  “I know,” he says. “It's just... you can think straight. Her, not so much. What if she...” He leaves it there though I know he's thinking about Poppy and only Poppy.

  How little his priorities have changed. Fortunately we share that particular one.

  “You saw how Duet looked at her,” I say. “She adores her.” I pause, consider, then speak before I can stop myself. “I've always felt like I know her, Beckett. Like we've met before.”

  He meets my gaze at last, his troubled. “Where?”

  “I don't know.” I manage to smile, my anger gone again. “But I feel the same way about you.” His eyebrows go up. “And after what Duet said... I wish I understood.”

  Beckett thinks about it a moment before he shrugs. “You're right,” he says, “she has to come with us. I just hope she doesn't do something we all regret because she's not whole.”

  I reach out, stroke his cheek, turn his face toward me. “Do you feel whole?”

  He shakes his head, blue eyes so deep I want to dive into them and drown.

  “Neither do I,” I find myself whispering. “None of us are, Beckett.”

  When he kisses me, I'm ready for it, but not for the press of his mouth, the desperate pull of his arms, though I answer every single craving of his because they are mine, too.

  I welcome his hands as they find my skin under my shirt, explore his back and chest, the hot flesh so sweet, so familiar under my hands as his lips dive down and lock on my neck, traveling over my collar bone as he pushes me back, mouth devouring the skin just above the line of my t-shirt.

  We both jerk upright at the sound of the alarm, though as I scramble to pull my shirt down, to follow him as he dives out the door, I silently curse the interruption and wonder exactly where my memories of his body would have taken me.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty

  We reach the street, find ourselves in the midst of a crowd of Teks heading for the gate. I run beside Beckett, heart in my throat as the siren sounds over and over again, louder as we approach the barrier.

  Ever is at the control station when we pant our way to her side.

  “Howls,” she says, stress cracking her voice. “They attack from time to time, trying to get in.” She doesn't say it but I know our arrival must have attracted them. We've put our new friends at risk and I can only hope the Howls stay on the outside of the barrier.

  “But they can't get through.” Beckett looks relieved, that expression fading as Ever looks up, biting her lip. “Can they?”

  “They do at times,” she says. “This section of the city is completely walled off, but not all of it is as secure as we'd like.” Ever steps back from the console. “At least they are predictable in their attacks. They typically come to the gate.”

  Intelligence barely above Shambles, the Howls must see the barricade as a challenge or something, especially with something new and enticing vanished behind it. “What can we do if they break in? Do you have weapons?”

  “No,” she says as her people gather, holding hands in a line, looking up at the top of the gate as if waiting for the Howls to break in. “We hide.”

  “Wait, what?” Beckett grabs her arm. “You don't fight back?”

  Tears rise in her eyes, tinted green. “We don't,” she says. “We can't harm them.” She wipes at the moisture as she goes on. “They usually leave again when they can't find anyone and we seal the gap back up, better than before.”

  Beckett shakes his head, clearly upset. “Well, I won't just stand by if they get in here,” he says. “And neither will anyone else on our crew.” He meets my gaze, a challenge in his and I find myself nodding.

  “We won't prevent you from fighting them,” Ever says. “But we can't join you.”

  Beckett mutters something under his breath before turning and running for the train. I stay with Ever, scanning the crowd for Duet and Poppy. I finally spot them, coming toward us and feel relief they are okay, the dog and puppies at their heels.

  I turn to speak to Ever just as something strikes the small door behind her with a massive boom. I only have time to grasp her and turn her sideways, pulling her to the ground as the metal groans in agony and collapses inward, a stream of screaming Howls pouring into the opening.

  The calm takes me immediately as the Teks scream and scatter, Ever sobbing beside me. I'm up and on guard, but the Howls ignore me, rushing past as if they don't see me, heading for the thinning crowd of Teks.

  Beckett appears at the stairs to the train, his bow in his hands, and arrow nocked. I watch him take aim, the fear on his face, turn to see what he's focused on. A Howl runs right for Poppy and she's just standing there in shock.

  I watch Beckett pull the string back, almost cry out as one of the Howls leaps up toward him, knocking him off balance, the arrow releasing at the same moment, way off target.

  Only to alter course as he shouts in fury, the sharp head diverted to plunge through the throat of Poppy's attacking Howl.

  Duet dives for Poppy, lifts her into her arms, turns and runs while the dog goes with them, barking and attacking Howls as he goes, protecting the puppies as Shine and Shade tear after Duet with their tails between their legs. I spin back to Beckett who is beating the Howl who diverted his arrow with both hands, his fists and its face a bloody pulp.

  The crew is there suddenly, fighting back while the Teks flee and I am finally able to shake myself free of my watchfulness and dive in
to battle.

  When the last one falls under my thrashing feet, his chest collapsed from the fury of my kick, I see Socrates and Ande at the console with Ever, the metal door back in place, some kind of welding mechanism throwing sparks as it re-seals the hole.

  I rush to them, see someone at my side and know it's Beckett before I stop and stare.

  Ande drops the welder as Ever pulls a knife from her pocket and slowly cuts the skin of her wrist. Green ichor rises, begins to drip from her to wick away across the ground toward anything metal. It's creepy and horrible to watch, but no more so than when she presses her wrist to the door and her blood flashes out to seal around it, the glowing fluid lighting the steel for a moment.

  “Let our blood be our salvation,” she whispers.

  Beckett surges forward, grasps her shoulders, shakes Ever like he's shaken me in the past. “What is wrong with you?” His blue eyes almost glow themselves, he's so angry. “They would have killed all of you and you refuse to fight?” He backs off, panting, but not from the run to the gate. “In this world, you either fight or you die. You must know that.”

  She shows no indication she's upset with his treatment of her. “We are logical,” she says. “But we are passive. There is no future in fighting, in bringing death to others.”

  I spot Chime and Brick nearby, hear him listening and wish I could find a way to back him off. Something about the way he watches her makes me furious.

  Beckett's jaw grinds, hands rising and falling as if he's having a conversation in his head he chooses not to speak aloud. When he finally turns away, I breathe a moment of relief.

  Until one of the Teks comes forward with green tears on her scarred and mostly metal face.

  Ever's shoulders sag. “How many?”

  “Two,” the girl whispers. “Caught in an alley with no way out.”

  “The Howl?” Ever touches the girl's steel shoulder gently.

  “One of them... killed it.” She doesn't sound like she's judging, more sad for us than anything.

  “You lost two of your people?” I meet Ever's gaze, heart constricting for her.