The Similars

by Rebecca Hanover

  I can’t take the weirdness any longer.

  “Jaeger? Have you met Levi? He and Pippa are, well… They grew up together.”

  “We’re quite close,” Pippa says. “We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

  “Just like you and my father,” I say to Jaeger. “Or nearly, anyway. You were in the Ten together, weren’t you? Along with Jake’s parents, and Oliver’s mom and stepdad… Speaking of. There’s a classmate of yours. A member of the Ten, actually, who I’m curious about. John Underwood.”

  I glance at Levi out of the corner of my eye, certain Maude told him about Oliver’s birth certificate. It affects him too; after all, it’s where half of his DNA came from. From Jane and from Underwood.

  Jaeger shrugs. “Nice fellow. Kept to himself. Maybe Colin remembers more.” He breaks off a piece of roll from his bread plate and starts chewing.

  My dad sets down his soup spoon. “We talked about this, Emmaline. That was years ago. Decades in the past—”

  “But surely you remember something about his expulsion.”

  As soon as I say it, it’s like a bomb has gone off in the room. It can’t be a coincidence—or perhaps it is—but at that exact moment the room goes silent. Everyone has heard me.

  “How do you know about that?” Headmaster Ransom asks quietly from his table.

  “Doesn’t everyone?” says Frederica Leroy. “It was a huge scandal. Underwood was disgraced. Damian told me all about it.” She pats her husband’s limp hand.

  “We remember,” says Bianca in a strained voice, sharing a look with Ransom. Again, I’m perplexed by this sudden closeness in their relationship.

  “We were dismayed to see Underwood go,” says Ransom. “He was so sharp. Came here on a scholarship. We hate to see any student make a misstep, particularly those who would not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend Darkwood. Sadly, he passed away. Thirteen years ago, I believe.”

  “How did he die?” I ask, feeling all eyes on me.

  “Car accident,” Ransom answers. “Tragic.”

  “I didn’t know he died, Damian.” Frederica turns to her husband. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks accusingly.

  “Jesus, Mom!” Tessa suddenly explodes. “Would you stop talking to Dad like this high school drama is important? He’s going to prison next week. For fifteen years. This is his freaking Last Supper, for God’s sake!”

  Every eye is on the Leroys. Before anyone knows what’s happening, Frederica reaches out and slaps Tessa across the cheek. Tessa gasps. Theodora cringes. Damian recoils.

  Ransom stands, flummoxed. “I’m sure this must be a difficult time for you and your family, Tessa. And perhaps our timing here tonight was ill-advised—”

  “Don’t ever talk to me that way again, Tessa Caroline Leroy,” Frederica says, ignoring Ransom.

  “I don’t know why you’re so mad at me. Not when she’s the one who did this!” Tessa points to Theodora. “She betrayed our family. After we invited her into our home. After we accepted her. That’s right,” Tessa says, addressing the whole room. “We didn’t try to pay her off, or get rid of her, like the Huxleys did to Maude.” Tessa eyes Madison, who scowls. “We told her she was welcome to join our family. We knew people might judge us. But we believed it was the right thing to do.” Tessa turns now and faces Theodora directly. “I thought you cared about me. We talked like we were sisters. And then you did this to us?” Tessa’s fighting tears. “You went into my father’s office, you broke into his computer, and found those files. You gave them to the FBI. And then you helped him”—she points at Jaeger—“write a story about our family. An exposé that millions of people read.”

  I’m floored. Theodora was the one who exposed Damian Leroy for fraud? She was the one who tipped off the authorities? Gave the FBI the information to indict him?

  “I didn’t break in,” Theodora says evenly. “Those files were on his tablet for anyone to see.”

  “That’s your excuse?” Tessa hiccups. “That you didn’t do anything wrong…?”

  “He’s a criminal, Tessa. I know he’s your father, but he cheated thousands of people out of their money. It was wrong.”

  “And I suppose that’s for you to decide. Who gets caught and who doesn’t. Who’s guilty and who isn’t.”

  My stomach sinks.

  I turn to Levi. “That was her task, wasn’t it?”

  “In part, yes,” he answers under his breath.

  “Why? Why does Gravelle want to do this? Break up families…”

  “He wants to right wrongs. Recalibrate the scales of justice to their proper positions.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Levi shakes his head. “Not now, Emma.”

  “Then when?” I demand. “Stop brushing me off.”

  “Emmaline?” my father says. His face is tight, anxious. “I thought we discussed this over the holiday. I thought we came to an agreement. But clearly,” he adds, eyeing Levi, “I was wrong.”

  “Wrong about what?”

  “You assured me that you and Levi were not friends.”

  “We aren’t,” I respond quickly.

  “It doesn’t look that way to me.”

  “I moved our place cards so we wouldn’t have to sit next to each other. How much clearer could I be?” I grumble.

  “What your daughter means to say”—a trace of a smile plays on Levi’s lips—“is that we don’t like each other.”

  No, we don’t like each other, I think. What we feel, or what I feel, anyway, is far more than that juvenile word could ever convey.

  “I’m sorry, Levi. This is a family matter between me and my daughter,” my father says. “I cannot emphasize this enough, honey. You know I completely support clones and believe they deserve the same rights as everyone else. But for other, personal reasons I don’t care to get into here… It is not a good idea for you to spend time with Levi or any of the other Similars.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I snap. “Levi has made it clear that we mean nothing to each other. That he has other…people he’d rather spend his time with. It’s fine, Dad. I will stay far, far away from the Similars. Indefinitely.”

  The Hologram

  The rest of the dinner passes with a strained tension. My father and I don’t utter another word to each other. Nor do I talk with Levi or Pippa. Ransom starts making his way from table to table during dessert, thanking us all for coming. I notice that he hugs Bianca and shakes Bob’s hand before leaning in to consult with them. I have a feeling this isn’t idle chitchat. Compelled to hear what he’s saying to Madison’s parents and eager to escape my table, I head to the Huxleys’ table under the guise of pouring myself some water from a pitcher on the nearby sideboard. Madison is deep in conversation with Angela, complaining about how hard it is to choose between so many Ivy Leagues. Maude is discussing stock market trends with Angela’s mother. I strain to tune out Maude and Madison and focus on Ransom and the Huxleys.

  “It’s nearly complete,” I catch Ransom saying to them. “Months. Possibly even weeks. I couldn’t be more pleased with the data thus far.”

  “And it’s all being completed in the research lab?” Bianca asks under her breath.

  “Yes,” says Ransom. “We are almost ready. Thanks to your generous donation, of course.”

  The Huxleys made a donation? To what? I wonder.

  Before I can overhear more, Madison appears next to me.

  “I know what you did,” she says simply.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.

  “The injective. The science building. I remember it all.”

  “So what? You did the same thing to me, to all of us, at the midnight session. Looks like we’re even.” I walk off, a lot less calm than I am trying to project, leaving Madison glaring as Ransom clangs on his glass for everyone�
�s attention.

  “It’s been a pleasure hosting all of you here tonight. Thank you again for coming. Please, make your way back to your dorms and hotel rooms safely. I look forward to the rest of our weekend eagerly.”

  I try to catch Jaeger as we collect our coats and head out into the cold night, but Pippa blocks my way to say good night, her voice strained. Jaeger shakes my father’s hand, promising to keep him posted on Pru’s continued recovery. I want desperately to ask him about his note, but when I make eye contact, he shakes his head.

  Levi and Pippa start down the path back to the main campus, followed by Jaeger. I excuse myself from my dad and catch up with Jaeger. “Please. Tell me what your note meant! Why do you want me and Pippa to stop searching for Pru? Where is she? Is Prudence—” I force myself to say the words out loud. “Is she dead?”

  Jaeger sighs like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Pru is not dead. She is doing much better, in fact.”

  I’m stunned. She is? “Then where is she? Why isn’t she back at school? Why hasn’t she buzzed me?”

  “It’s not safe for her at Darkwood. Not after she was attacked. Her mother and I want to keep her home where we’re sure she won’t be in danger. Rest assured, Pru is recuperating nicely, and she sends her love. But we would prefer that she and her health not be the center of conversation on campus. You should get back to your father.” He leaves me standing on the paved walkway. I watch as the Huxleys, the Leroys, Maude, Theodora, and all the others stream by.

  It’s only me and my father now.

  “I’ll walk you to your dorm,” he offers. “I’m leaving in the morning. I hope you understand that I can’t stay for the rest of the events.”

  “Fine,” I say quietly. We begin to walk, efficiently, quickly.

  “I have no choice but to be firm on this issue, Emmaline. The Similars aren’t good friends for you.”

  I wheel on him. I can’t hold in my fury any longer. “With all due respect, Dad—if you even deserve to be called that, given how distant you’ve been—you can’t tell me what to do. Make whatever recommendations you like, but I will make my own decisions about whether or not I associate with the Similars.”

  My father stops in his tracks, looking bewildered. “You agreed with me at dinner just thirty minutes ago. Are you in love with him?” he demands.

  “What?” My voice catches. I can hardly breathe.

  “Is that what this is about? Was that some kind of lovers’ quarrel back there?”

  “Jesus, Dad! No.”

  He says quietly, “I’ve been contemplating whether to have you stay at Darkwood or come home. Continuing your education here with the opportunities it affords you has been the better choice, I was sure of it. But now… Dammit, Emmaline. This isn’t going to end well.”

  We stand there in silence.

  “I’m sorry, Dad,” I finally say. “I know you never wanted to raise me alone. I know it’s not what you signed up for. You thought Mom would be here. But she isn’t.” I force the tears back, not wanting him to see me cry. “I know you never would have agreed to this if…if you’d known what it would be like.”

  His voice is gentle. “Agreed? Emma, honey, agreed to what?”

  “To being a dad. To being my father,” I say.

  “Is that what you think?” he asks quietly. “That if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have had you? Emmaline. You were—you are—the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  I shrug my shoulders, toughening up like I always do. “Then why were you so cold when Ollie died this summer? My best friend dies and you practically ignore it. No offense, but I think I’m good on my own.”

  I continue to my dorm, and he doesn’t call after me or follow me. In the morning, he’s gone.

  * * *

  The rest of February is gray and gloomy. After the Ten dinner, I have little contact with any of the Similars, even Maude. Ever since our discovery of the holograms in the research building, I’ve felt closer to her. But she remains radio silent. I don’t talk much to Pippa either, and she sits exclusively with the Similars in the dining hall. I’ve gotten used to eating with my textbooks, but I still miss Pippa. My friend.

  Even with as much work as I have for my classes, I can’t get the holograms out of my head. I’d give my right arm to get back in the research lab, but as far as I can tell, there’s a security guard stationed there twenty-four seven. So I hole up in my room outside of class hours with only Dash to keep me company.

  As February drifts into March, it starts to feel like at least half the school is not just avoiding the Similars—they’re outwardly shunning them. Even though there’s been no arrest, in the absence of an alternate theory, everyone still thinks Levi attacked Pru. And after the Ten dinner at Ransom’s house, word got out that Theodora was behind Damian Leroy’s arrest. There are pockets of kids who remain loyal to the Similars, but, overall, skeptical curiosity has turned to downright suspicion and hostility. As more reports of discrimination against clones surface on our feeds from the outside world, support for DAAM has increased. Madison rotates different anti-clone petitions on a sign-up tablet in the dining hall, and they overflow with signatures. I am devastated and angry. I consider starting an organization to counter DAAM, but I don’t know if the Similars would want me to. They are so fiercely independent. I’m not sure they’d want me to speak on their behalf.

  I miss spending time with Levi, even though it’s painful to admit it. I remind myself that he has Theodora. And even if he didn’t, we aren’t an “us,” and we never will be.

  I fall asleep every night clutching Oliver’s key in my hand, trying and failing to figure out what he was telling me in his note and what it means that Underwood was Ollie’s father.

  One morning, I’m headed to my first class of the day when I hear Mr. Park is leaving Darkwood. At first, I don’t know why I’m disconcerted. Mr. Park and I aren’t close. He shooed me away when I tried to ask him for help. And yet, a voice in the back of my head reminds me that he knew—knows—about Seymour’s primate experiment. For that reason alone, I seek him out.

  By the time I make it to the American history classroom, Mr. Park’s cleaning out his desk.

  “What happened?” I ask quietly as Mr. Park slides books into a canvas sack.

  Mr. Park looks up and stares at me like I’m an alien.

  “I’m leaving,” he says, then goes back to packing. “Isn’t that obvious?”

  “Did they fire you?” I ask.

  Mr. Park frowns. “I can’t disclose my reasons for leaving Darkwood. They’re personal.”

  “Fine. But before you go—please, Mr. Park, I need your help.”

  Mr. Park raises his eyebrows. “I’m trying to catch a noon train. But go ahead.”

  “I know,” I say flatly.

  “About my train?” He sounds puzzled, but doesn’t look up from his sorting.

  “About the Similars. About their capabilities. How they’re stronger, more resilient than other people. And I know it all stemmed from Albert Seymour’s primate experiment. Is that what you were getting at when you mentioned it in class? Did you want us to find out about the Similars?”

  Mr. Park finally looks up from his desk. “I have only wanted one thing since the Similars arrived at Darkwood: to protect them,” he says simply. “Now that I can no longer do that, I’m leaving.”

  I don’t know what to make of that—how could I?—but it’s clear from his tone that he isn’t going to volunteer anything more.

  Still, I press. “You know how the keys work, don’t you? You know about the holograms. You know about all of it.”

  “And if I do?” he asks, guarded.

  “Then you have to tell me,” I insist. “Oliver left me his key and a note. Maude and I, we found the room with the holograms. She figured out how to unlock each key.”

 
“Sounds like you don’t need me, then.”

  “Yes, I do! Oliver’s father was John Underwood. And I know that means something, because Underwood was Seymour’s half brother. And Underwood was expelled. But… What else? There’s got to be more to Oliver’s message than that, Mr. Park.” I know I sound desperate; I don’t care. I am.

  Mr. Park sighs. “The keys don’t simply store data, like GPS tracking and test scores. They’re receivers. They can hold recordings from their owner.”

  “The key is a receiver?” I repeat. Receivers are like the flash drives of the past. They store data, and they can transmit it. “Why don’t any of us know about this?” I demand.

  “There was a scandal, years back. Students took advantage of the keys, recorded inappropriate information. The administration stopped advertising this feature, but I believe the keys still hold that capability, if you know how to use it.”

  “So what do I do? How do I unlock Oliver’s key to get the message he left for me? If he even left a message for me there?”

  “You’d need to know his passcode.” Mr. Park returns to his sorting.

  I take in a breath. “Okay, imagine I could somehow figure out Oliver’s passcode. You’re skipping about fifty steps. What do I do with it?”

  “How did you break into the hologram server?”

  “Maude helped me.”

  “Then I suggest you enlist Maude’s help again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Emmaline,” he says. “I need to catch my train.”

  * * *

  I corner Maude between classes and tell her everything. About the security at the research building. About my conversation with Mr. Park.

  “A receiver,” she repeats. “Brilliant. Give me Oliver’s key.”

  I spot Levi coming down the hallway. “Not now. Tonight. Come to my room.”

  I try to focus on my classes for the rest of the day, but it feels like an eternity until Maude’s gentle knock sounds at my door that evening. “Come on in,” I say. Then, in case anyone is within earshot, “Thanks for coming by to study.” I close the door behind her, then take Pru’s chair and wedge it under the doorknob. “We don’t want anyone walking in on us.” It’s study hours. It’s not like I have other friends who would want to borrow my notes or cram for our upcoming calc exam, but still.