Spliced
Page 4
I could’ve stayed, of course. Would be simple enough to shift into a new identity. But to tell the truth, I was ready for a change. And I needed some answers. Hell, I needed to figure out the questions first.
If I moved, I’d have to consider the eventuality of needing to find a job. But then I thought about what Ella had said. Perhaps the combination of shapeshifting, invisibility and persuasion would make it simple to steal anything. From anyone, anywhere.
Of course, that oversimplified things. Stealing, for me, wasn’t just about the payoff. It was about righting the wrongs. Avenging my father somehow. I know he made mistakes too, but he didn’t deserve to get crucified the way he did.
I grabbed some takeout for Frog and me, from a restaurant on the way to the park. We settled on a bench by the lake, and I scanned through the paperwork I had retrieved from Gerard’s safety deposit box. The articles of incorporation for InnovaGen. The messy signatures on the dissolution forms. I came across a few documents mentioning a company called Genitech, which it seemed was formed to research the enhanced condition. A quick web search on my phone revealed they were headquartered just outside of New York City, in a place called Clifton, NJ. I had to find more answers about my condition, find others like me. I mean, there’s got to be some other solution to the dangerous nature of intercourse, other than total abstinence. From the conversation with Ella, I realized I had a lot more to learn.
“How would you like to live in New Jersey, Froggy Girl?” She looked at me and wagged her tail half-heartedly.
“Oh come on! It’ll be an adventure.” I tossed her a hot dog, which she gulped down in three bites. Her enthusiasm improved threefold.
Adventure? Maybe. But surviving a year in New Jersey on my briefcase of money? That would be a miracle. Middle class, here I come. I stowed away my phone and gathered up the paperwork, about to leave, when I heard a voice.
“Excuse me, do you have the time?”
I looked up from the paperwork to see a woman with the most breathtaking natural beauty I’d ever seen. Her hair was silver and black, a longer version of a pixie haircut, and her eyes were a gorgeous azure blue. As amazing as she looked, though, it was the feeling I got that surprised and delighted me most. It was as if I became deeply relaxed, like every cell in my body had been buzzing up until this point, and it now hummed like the engine of my car. Simply put, it just felt right.
Frog wagged her tail with a fervor I thought was only reserved for me. She jumped on the bench to get more on the level with the woman, and then licked her face.
“Time?” I repeated what I thought she said, still mesmerized by this beautiful stranger. I’d never seen Frog act so friendly towards someone neither of us had met before.
She petted my dog and the hint of a smile appeared for only a second. Then she turned to me. “You have a cell phone, can you tell me the time, please?” She appeared to be getting frustrated with me, and I had to do as she requested, else risk losing the opportunity to get to know this woman who ignited such a total feeling of calm within me.
I fished my phone out of my backpack. “18:42.”
“Thank you.” She hesitated, looking at me curiously. Then she turned to leave.
“Wait! Can I walk you home? It…it can get dangerous here at night.” Was that entirely true? Not really. The park was on the north side, in a richer area. But I had to say something.
A small, knowing smile appeared—the absolute cutest thing. “I’m fine, thanks for the offer.”
I stood, afraid she was going to disappear. In a panic, I blurted out a thought in the back of my mind. “How did you know I had a phone?”
At that question, her eyes grew big. “Oh! I…I just assumed. I mean everyone has one, right?”
The awkward chuckle that followed made me wonder what her story was. She seemed to be shy, like this whole interaction was causing her discomfort.
“Except you,” I said and smiled my best flirtatious smile.
“Right, uh, thanks again,” she said, before running off. Yes, she actually ran away from me, and her clothing didn’t appear to be of the workout variety. I wondered if my breath were offensive or something.
“What’s your name?” I called after her. But she just kept running.
Who was that amazing woman? And why did she make me feel so at peace?
Of course, I had to meet her then, right when I was about to leave. Though I knew it was highly improbable, I got the distinct feeling I would see her again. Soon.
Thank you for reading Spliced!
Spliced is a prequel to the first book in the Enhanced series, A Fated Exception. Check out the cover:
Click here to grab your copy of A Fated Exception
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