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  The newscaster turned to interviewing Rory Gallach, the leader of the Origin Council. I hadn’t seen him in person for years, not since the horror of the Eaters had driven me into the forests, but he’d turned out to be a good politician. His fierce Scots blood, hailing from a Highland village on Continent Two, which was once Europe, had created in him a fair and strong representative.

  “We want to assure the people of Origin that our new venture into weapons development is in the best interest of all citizens.” With that statement, his rough Scottish brogue still as thick as ever, the camera cut away from his hulking presence and returned to the symmetrical face of the newscaster.

  “Join us tomorrow night for an in-depth look into the Facility’s new manufacturing plant, and we’ll give you, our viewers, a look at these new weapons.” With that, the broadcast ended, and my body was thrumming with anxiety. Jack stood up, his feet sinking into the eggshell carpet, and wearily scrubbed his face with his hands.

  “I’m beat, kid. Bed time, I think.” He looked down at me, a slight frown on his face. “Don’t stay up watching this stuff. I know how you worry. Just … try not to think about it too much.”

  “I’m going to take a bath,” I replied, hoping the ritual would soothe me. What else could I do? I wouldn’t be getting comfort from Jack tonight.

  In the marble tub, with the bubbles and heat of the water making me sweat lightly, I tried to tell my muscles to relax. I was scrubbing my skin fiercely, watching tiny bits of dead dermis roll away. My legs were itching for a hard run. I’d been an avid runner in my previous life, and the Facility had genetically manipulated my body so that I could run with an endurance and speed that surpassed any Olympian. That I was so hopped up on tension and ready to beat it out of myself with a grueling sprint through the trails that surrounded Origin indicated to me that the news story and Jack’s somewhat nonchalant response were going to weigh on my mind for the rest of the night. Finishing up in the bath, I dried and plaited my very long, black hair and made my way to our bedroom. I stopped to peek into Lulu’s room, and she was sound asleep. She didn’t sleep with any toys or blankets like most kids did, instead preferring to be on her own even in slumber. Her dark lashes were long against her pale skin, a rosy flush in her cheeks. She would be a true beauty in no time, I thought to myself, and wished she wasn’t growing up so fast.

  Jack was already asleep too, sprawled across the king-sized bed. He’d left the window open, and before ordering it closed, I stood and looked out at the panorama of the city. It was constructed in an oval shape, the rail system criss-crossing it with a perfect design. I turned away from the vista and watched my husband in his slumber. He no longer cried out in his sleep, as he did after his time as an Eater, but maybe he was still suffering from the terrors he’d been through. Lately he slept with an almost death-like stillness, and that frightened me more than the screams.

  I lay down next to him, my eyes wide open. Weapons development, and a husband who barely spoke to me anymore. My daughter was an endless source of joy for me, but even she was moving away from me. Growing up. I rolled over, the silk of the sheets slick against my freshly exfoliated skin. I thought again that maybe Jack was having an affair, and I needed to find out for sure. And if he was? I asked myself that question and didn’t want to face the answer. I’d be beyond heartbroken. I’d be dead inside for the rest of this newly engineered life, because without him I was nothing. It was many hours before I slept.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jack was gone by the time I woke up to get Lulu ready for her second day of school, and I tried not to read too much into it. His clinic hours were erratic. Lulu was a ball of energy, excited about seeing her new best friend, Caitlin, and the class pet rabbit, Bouncy. I gently reminded her not to try to communicate with it, because her teacher would be watching her more closely than the other kids. She nodded sagely at this and assured me she wouldn’t draw attention to herself. At the school the Super Moms tried to corner me and start in with their usual condescension, but I was dying for a run before going in to the observation station and cut our interaction short. My team always understood I needed that time to think things through and clear my mind, so I hopped on the train that would take me to the trails. I looked around the sleek bullet that transported all the Originals to their respective jobs and for the millionth time marveled at how young and healthy the citizens were. I rarely saw anyone infirm, or looking old, and the diversity of ethnicities was always a joy to behold. The freshness of the planet was a gift the Travelers had given us, despite turning out to be maniacal murderers.

  I threw the thought of sociopathic aliens out of my mind, raring for my run. I cued up my music playlist and put the earbuds in, ready to sprint down the escalator steps to the trail. Once the train reached the platform, my mind was already far away among the silent trees that lined the jogging trail, the people strolling along with their exotic pets just background noise. I didn’t stop to stretch, because I never really needed to in this amazing body. I picked up my pace almost immediately, hoping for at least a light burn in my lungs. It would be a while before my limbs started to register any fatigue, so I ramped up my stride even more. The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers filled my nose, and I began to breathe easily and deeply. No smog here in Origin, and no smells of garbage or rot like I had always tolerated when living in Manhattan. I deftly ran over a hilly mound with some treacherous roots sticking up and thought back to the day I had first encountered Jack here in Origin. I had been newly cloned, alone and afraid. I had been told by the Director that Jack hadn’t been cloned, too, and was bereft at the thought of having lost him forever. Then on a run, I tripped and fell down an embankment on the trails and hobbled to the nearest medical clinic. And there Jack had been, like some miracle. We haven’t been apart since. Except for his time as an Eater, I reminded myself. Out here on the trails, I’d encountered Jack in his Eater form, and his hunting partner had killed my neighbor, Adam. I had watched as it gobbled him down, drinking his blood, and had made a telepathic connection to the monstrous Jack in that moment. I believed he had spared me because of some deep-seated memory of love.

  Shaking my head, I picked up my pace as if to outrun the intrusive thoughts. I needed to stop worrying and remembering so much. Instead I turned my thoughts to my work with my team and with Charlie. Today I’d be working with her on some basic signs, and I’d try linking up my mind with hers. If I could communicate with her in my special way how to grasp the sign language better, our process would go much faster. I heard the tones of my communication device going off inside my tunic pocket, so I slowed my pace to answer. I took my earbuds out, my breath still even and only slightly labored.

  My “hello” was the command to pop the projection screen up, and the face of my friend Eva, bright and elfin, filled the box.

  “Hey, Eva, what’s up?” I said, stopping to sit on a bench.

  She had been my acclimation specialist, helping me after I’d woken up as a clone. And later, she had been among the researchers to help Jack come out of his Eater form. She continued to work at the Facility in a research capacity, now that the Director was gone and they all had greater freedom to pursue their scientific passions.

  “Hey Mina! I’m calling to check up on your work with the bonobos out in the field. As you know, we have to keep an eye on your work, although please know you’re completely in charge of your research.” She reassured me, knowing I was a little skittish about the Facility overseeing my work.

  “It’s ok, I know you still need an overview of our work.” And I meant it. I knew they only had the animals’ best interests at heart.

  “We just brought in a young female and we’re teaching her sign language. It’s only been one day, but so far she seems really keen on learning. Our years of habituating the community have paid off.” I wiped some sweat from my brow, and the movement was not lost on Eva.

  “Out on one of your runs, eh? You gotta admit, we gave you an awesome b
ody.” She grinned, and I agreed. I was always grateful for that gift. I cleared my throat, slightly nervous about what I would ask next. Eva was the best person to ask though, and I steeled my nerve.

  “Hey, Eva, what’s this I hear about weapons development in the Facility now? I’m confused, I thought the Origin Council wasn’t going to ever go in that direction?” I watched her face closely; she always had a “tell” when she was hiding something the Facility might be involved in. Her hesitation and slight frown confirmed my suspicions. The news story had been accurate.

  “Well, it’s just common sense, Mina. There’s no plans for actually using the weapons, and they’re really cool! You should see what we’re coming up with …” she trailed off when she saw the irritation sweeping my face. I could feel myself getting ready to lecture her about the dangers of attracting the Travelers’ attention, but she hurried to assure me it was “just technology.”

  “I know you’re paranoid. We all are, and you’ve got to trust that we’re just doing what any peaceful civilization would do, especially now that we know we’re not alone in the universe. And other governments around the world are investing in weapons tech, too, so …” She stopped, noting my sour mood. I decided I wouldn’t try to lecture her but make my way into the observation station and get to the tasks I had just described to her.

  “Ok, I’m gonna get to work. But … please. Just be safe with all this. And keep an eye out.” I pointed to the sky, and Eva nodded with understanding. We said our good-byes, and I made my way back to the train. I not only wanted to work with Charlie and my team after being so stressed out, but I needed to ask Nick for his help. I’d had an idea while discussing technology with Eva to find out if Jack was being unfaithful.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I drove into the station slowly, enjoying the feel of the car engine beneath me. We kept our vehicles back at the train platform, as we were the only people coming out to this part of the jungle. We’d followed the trail that our previous driver, Cayman, had made. I felt a pang at the thought of his horrible demise but watched the sunny patches sprinkling in through the cathedral of the tree tops. I was going to enjoy this day, no morbid thoughts. I’d be the one to pick Lulu up after school. Although she was mature enough to manage the rail systems by herself, Jack and I were protective and wanted her to have as normal a childhood as possible. I smiled at the thought of how she was likely blowing her teachers away with her intellect and insight. I stopped the car in front of the station and climbed out, enjoying the slight soreness in my limbs. I breathed in the scent of moss and wet earth, and stood for a moment to listen to the sounds of the jungle. Birds calling, insects chirping. It was the sound of peace, and for a moment I didn’t want to move. But Charlie awaited, and I needed to get started.

  I climbed the steps and a splash of rain fell on my arm, signaling a torrent about to come. Inside, my team had already rounded up Charlie from her community with no trouble. Marilyn had put a pink bow on her head, and I allowed it. It was actually pretty cute.

  “So Lulu survived her first day, and more importantly, so did you,” Nick said, moving away from the console to give Charlie a fig. She had just given the correct sign for “fruit” and was now being rewarded. This caught my attention right away, and I hurried over to the chair she sat on. “How many signs does she have so far?” I asked, and Marilyn piped up in response. “We think five. But with you here now, it will go faster. So did Jack survive the stress of the first day, too?” I could tell she was digging for gossip about my marriage, but I ignored it. Elizabeth was her usual quiet, studious self. She wouldn’t interfere into my personal life.

  “He was fine with it. We both were, but she’s going to miss you guys,” I said, and they all smiled. They truly loved my kid. I swiped my fingers over the tutorial console set up for Charlie’s lessons, and decided to try some more complicated signs. I looked into the brown eyes of the bonobo, and she seemed to smile back at me. I reached out my hand, and she grabbed it. She was strong, like her chimp cousins, but sensed she needed to be gentle with these naked, white apes. She gave me a hoot, and I laughed. Casting my mind out like a reel, I searched for the click of a connection with Charlie’s, and without much effort, there it was. I was in her mind, and she was in mine. It wasn’t an earth-shattering experience, it was as natural as sneezing or walking. At least to me. And I’d never really given it much thought beyond that. That science still hadn’t come up with an explanation for my abilities didn’t bother me; I was sure it would someday. But for now, it helped my work, and had in my previous life, too. My team easily accepted the fact that I had a rapport with nonhumans they didn’t entirely understand, and the hours passed quickly. I was able to move Charlie through ten signs successfully before we all broke for lunch. I was ravenous, as usual, and went to my bag hoping to find a note from Jack. There was none, and my heartbreak returned. Nick noticed my silence, and came to sprawl on the cot beside me. In between bites, he asked me what was wrong lately. Looking around to make sure the girls were still out of the station, I replied, “I think Jack is going through something, and he won’t tell me what. I want to find out what’s wrong, but … he’s not talking. I was thinking, well, since you’re the technology expert in our group, you’d know where I could pick up one of those tracking devices.” I held my breath, waiting for Nick to judge me harshly for wanting to intrude on Jack’s private life. Instead, his youthful, open face was creased with worry and soft with concern.

  “What do you suspect?” he asked, shifting on the cot. I was seated at his feet, my meal already demolished.

  “Well, I don’t know. I just know he’s keeping weird hours sometimes, taking strange phone calls. This device, it can go in his food and attach to his stomach wall, and I can track it on my computer, right?”

  Nick tried to remain professional in his response, but I could tell he thought this was out of character for me. And it was. “Right, you just put it on their food, and it’s harmless. It stays in there safely for a number of days, sometimes weeks. It’s tiny, so it’s unnoticeable.”

  I nodded. It sounded perfect, and I was desperate to know what was going on with Jack.

  “But, I really doubt he’s doing anything you should worry about. The guy is so in love with you, it’s ridiculous.” Nick said, trying to bolster my confidence. It was sweet of him, but I knew Jack. I knew his behavior wasn’t normal.

  “So where do I get this device?” I asked, unfolding my lithe limbs and rising from the floor. We needed to get back to work with Charlie, as we didn’t want her to be away from her troop for too long. They needed her more than we did. The troop’s family dynamic was beautiful to behold and I didn’t want to do anything to interfere. Marilyn and Elizabeth had come back into the station, Charlie cavorting between them. Nick got up off the cot and said he’d give me the address for the store before we left that evening. He glanced at my face once more, his tilted, almond eyes sad. I knew he was worried Jack and I were doomed, and I had to hope he was wrong.

  I linked my mind back up with Charlie easily, and the rest of the day passed quickly. My team knew not to question my methods or abilities and instead trusted the process. Soon it was time to take Charlie back to her troop, and I offered to be the one to walk her back to where they might be foraging. I needed the time to clear my head before getting on the train and picking Lulu up from school. The Super Moms would be there, ready to pounce, and I needed to have my best deflections at the ready. Taking Charlie’s hand, we walked out into the moist humidity, a clap of thunder off in the distance reaching our ears. She was unconcerned but instead wanted to stay close to me. I looked down at her brown head and admired her healthy musculature. She stopped to examine a termite mound but looked up from it to watch my face. We were standing on a slight hill, and the tree next to us was alive with movement. She made the sign for “sad,” and I wasn’t surprised. She was picking up on my emotions because of our connection. I nodded and signed back in the affirmative. She scratched her
head, then returned her attention to getting back to her troop. I heard them calling from the distance and let her hurry off, swinging up into the trees as she went. My husband couldn’t or wouldn’t interpret my emotional state, but here was a juvenile bonobo who got it. I smiled at the absurdity of it and made my way back to my car. I’d gotten the address of the shop from Nick, but I’d need to go in secret when I had time away from Lulu and my job. But I’d go soon, that much I knew.

  On my way to retrieve Lulu, I stopped at the coffee vendor situated at the top of the train platform. Originals liked their gourmet brews, and I’d become dependent on the delicious drink. It was reminiscent of my time in Manhattan. A small projected screen was playing alongside the barista, and while I waited for my espresso, I watched the news blurb about territorial infighting breaking out on Continent Four, which had been America. Apparently, they’d held a special election to address some new issues within their continental Council, and there were signs of election rigging. It had escalated beyond slinging of harsh words and had devolved into rioting and looting. Feeling my gut tighten, I swiped my ID card to pay for the beverage and looked at the picture of me that showed alongside the scanner. It had been taken when I’d first awoken as a clone in the Facility, and my bewildered and slightly shocked expression now mirrored the one currently on my face. If there was fighting elsewhere in the world, how long before it reached our Continent? Back on the train, going toward Lulu’s school, I sipped the hot, slightly sweetened roast and tried not to think about potential war. I needed to be attentive to Lulu, and I hoped the Super Moms would be off doing something else. They were rarely in the presence of their children; they had nannies to attend to all those mundane duties. I smoothed my braid and checked my image in a little pocket mirror. I ran my tongue over my vivid white teeth, silently thanking the genetic engineers at the Facility for having given me a perfect smile. It masked my trepidation, and I kept on my brave face as I got off the train and approached the stone columns at the entrance of the school. More little bodies milled around, connecting with their parents or nannies, and I saw Lulu in the crowd glued to the side of another little girl. Her hair was wispy and blonde, her frame slight. She reminded me of Elizabeth.