A pair of steely arms pinned my own behind my back and a well-placed boot heel drove me down into the dirt. Before I could protest, my mouth and eyes were full of wet dirt. I heard shouting above me, and writhed against whoever was pinning me down.
Someone was bellowing, “You didn’t tell us she was a clone! How could you compromise our safety?”
“She could turn into an Eater!” came a new voice.
“Someone tell me what’s happening?” Another voice I didn’t recognize.
The cacophony of confusion around me mirrored my own. I hadn’t done anything wrong; why were they responding this way?
“Get her into the main house. I want eyes on her at all times. And if she starts to morph, put her down.”
That was Rory speaking now, and with a sharp pain up my shoulder blades I was hauled to my feet. I sputtered the dirt from my mouth and blinked repeatedly.
“Will someone tell me what I’ve done wrong?”
My voice was high-pitched and annoyed. At least I didn’t sound hysterical. I saw Adam and Marilyn standing to my side, both looking chagrined. Rory thrust his face at mine, his bulk now definitely intimidating me.
“You wanna tell me who ye are exactly?”
“I’m a scientist. I’ve been out here in the forest tracking the wildlife along with my team. And yes, I’m a clone. But why does that matter?”
He stood back, and I noticed he was holding a tranquilizer dart similar to the ones we’d had in the observation station.
“Clones are the only ones morphing into Eaters. We’ve figured that much out so far. We call them that because that’s exactly what they do. Hunt Originals and leave nothing behind. Ye could be one of them. How do we know ye’re not?” He was in my face again, almost sniffing me.
“I swear I don’t … morph. Ask Adam or Marilyn. They know me.”
And from behind me, another voice I recognized. “Ask her where her boyfriend is.”
I knew that surly tone: Luke. I whipped my head around, my eyes wide. He sauntered forward into the fire light, carrying a dart gun trained directly at me. Everyone was silent, waiting for my response.
I swallowed. “My … boyfriend is a clone, too. He … he’s a doctor in the city. We live together.”
“Why isn’t he with you?” Rory’s eyes had narrowed and he was pacing around me as if I were an animal in the zoo, not to be trusted. His gun was trained on me, too. Sensing this was a very delicate topic, I kept my mouth shut. I was never very good at lying. My lack of response was all Rory needed.
“Ye bonded with an Eater? Ye’re an idiot, woman, to come here. They morph back into human form out here in the forests, and ye could be one!”
I flinched backward again. “I swear to all of you, no one knows I’m here. And I’m not an … Eater. I don’t morph into anything. I haven’t compromised anyone’s safety. Look, just let me go. I’ll go back to the city. I won’t say a word to anyone….”
My tone was desperate now, but people were backing away from me as if I had a communicable disease. Rory ignored me and spoke to Luke.
“Take her into the main house. Watch her closely. If she shows any signs of turning, put her down. Don’t hesitate.”
Luke nodded and shoved me forward. Adam and Marilyn implored Rory to let me go, that I wasn’t a threat. Their pleas fell on deaf ears, and I was marched up the stairs and into a house. The interior vaguely resembled our observation station, but this was clearly a residence.
Luke nudged me down onto the floor. “I never trusted you, you know. I’m not surprised you’d show up here and put us all in danger.”
“What’s in those dart guns, Luke?” I asked, ignoring his open hostility.
“Lethal poison. They were the only weapons we could find out here at another observation station nearby. And if we can catch an Eater in human form, we have a chance to take it down. They’re vulnerable out here in the jungle after they morph back into humans. So you better believe I’m keeping an eye on you tonight.”
His voice was full of hubris. He’d found his niche here, that was apparent. I didn’t argue, and stayed as motionless as possible on the hard floor. A few minutes passed, the silence tense. I looked around. It was cozy in here, and normally I’d feel right at home. Whoever lived here had put effort into making the house warm and welcoming. I looked longingly at one of the beds along the wall.
“You’re not going anywhere, Doctor,” came Luke’s warning, and I returned my gaze to the floor.
Rory came charging in then, his feet clumping heavily on the wood. “Ye don’t let her out of your sight, mate. She shows any signs, any … ye know what to do.”
I raised my head to look at Rory directly, hoping to shame him a little with my gaze. He returned my look, unflinching. A little smile twisted his mouth. “Get comfortable, lass. Ye’re not going anywhere.”
Eventually my legs went numb and I needed to pee. I was also ravenously hungry and getting thirsty. But I didn’t tell Luke that. He had sat down but remained ramrod-straight, his gun never wavering. Someone would spell him soon, wouldn’t they? I hoped so, but kept my mouth shut.
Now and then someone would come in with a request to get an item, or grab some food, but it was an obvious excuse to stare at me. The camp was on tenterhooks, thanks to me, and I felt entirely responsible. The clone with a boyfriend who morphed into a … What had they called it? An Eater. It was an apt name, I had to admit. I rested my head back against the wall, and shifted my weight. Luke didn’t snap to attention this time, and I thought maybe he was getting tired. As if in answer to my prayer, another young man I hadn’t seen before entered the cabin.
“Luke, I’ll take over for the rest of the night,” he said.
I sighed in relief. Luke stood up, glared at me once more, and mimed pulling the trigger on the gun before stalking out. I rolled my eyes at the man who had taken over, but his face was grim in reply. I offered my hand.
“I’m Mina. And I’m not an Eater. And you are … ?”
At this, a ghost of a smile appeared. He flicked a lock of brown hair out of his hazel eyes and knelt down. His grip was firm but gentle. “I’m Dr. William Sheridan. But you can call me Will.”
“Hi, Will. I’m really sorry to have caused anyone here more problems than they already have. But I’m pretty confused. Maybe you can explain things to me a little. I’d really appreciate it. And also, I need to pee.”
He nodded, and helped me up off the floor. “The bathroom is over there. But be quick.”
I wobbled toward the small room off to the side of the house. I looked back. “And do you think I could get something to drink?”
He sighed. “I’ll go see what I can find. But don’t expect to get any royal treatment around here for at least a little while longer. If you can make it to dawn without morphing, you might be OK.”
I nodded, understanding. In the bathroom, I released my bladder with great relief, and looked around the neat little water closet. There was a picture on the wall of a family. I wondered where they were. I was washing my hands when I bent over in a sudden wave of nausea. I made my way back to the toilet in time and vomited what little was in my stomach. Fear knifed its way through my gut. I had just thrown up. Was that a sign of changing? If they thought I was morphing, I was dead. That much was clear.
I pushed aside the horror of that thought and held my breath, hoping Will hadn’t heard. I flushed the evidence away, and unsteadily made my way back out to the living room. Will was sitting where he had been before and showed no signs of knowing I had just puked. I kept my face neutral as I sat back down. Dawn was just beginning to show through the window, and I breathed a little easier. Maybe I was coming down with malaria. I’d been inoculated, but maybe it wasn’t foolproof.
“You look pale. And it’s dawn. Maybe it’s OK for me to find you some food. Just … don’t move yet. I’ll go find out.”
I tried to smile in response and managed to thank him. Maybe I was just in shock and in need of food. Still, my stomach was roiling and cramping. I didn’t have a fever, though … I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Try not to think about anything, I told myself. You do that, and all hope is lost.
Will returned with a plate of fruit and bread and a glass of water. I surprised myself by wolfing it all down. I waited, and it stayed down. My eyes now too heavy to keep open, I was slumped against the wall when Rory returned with Will standing beside him.
“Let her lie down on a bed.” His grudging tone interrupted my doze. Will merely nodded in reply. Rory didn’t look at me again, and left quickly.
“Here, let me help you up.” Will’s eyes were gentle but distrustful of me, so I didn’t make any fast moves. I took his hand and shuffled to a small bed made up with inviting quilts. I sank into them with a sigh, and before I passed out I heard him say he’d check on me in an hour.
Another jolt of nausea woke me up out of a deep sleep, but I managed to keep my food down this time. The dim light filling the room told me it was early morning, but they’d let me sleep a few hours. The sounds of a busy camp reached my ears, and I wondered how many people were here, and what they were planning. Will entered the room holding a bag and a coffee cup, and seeing I was awake, offered me the mug. It was full of black espresso, and I gulped it down. At least there was that, I thought.
“Rory told me to examine you. Even though it doesn’t seem like you’ll be morphing, we need to be sure.”
A thought occurred to me, and I blurted it out in fear. “Are all clones morphing into Eaters? Around the world, even?” I was sure at any moment I would start becoming what Jack had become.
“Well, we’re not sure, so we’re assuming the worst. That’s why we’re keeping such a close eye on you and it’s why I need to examine you now. So please, just relax and lie back.”
Will sat down on the edge of the bed and gave me a comforting smile. I could tell he still didn’t entirely trust my humanity, but he seemed kind. He opened his bag and continued, “Actually, everyone gets examined. We’re better off safe than sorry. It’s OK, I’m a medical doctor. Lie back.” He repeated his instruction, and I sighed, but complied. He took out some devices I recognized from Jack’s clinic and from the Facility. He scanned the length of my body, and I zoned out. I was so tired. If they’d just let me sleep a little longer …
“When was your last period?” he asked suddenly. I sat up.
“Huh?”
“Since you’ve been … well, alive. Have you menstruated?”
I thought for a moment. “Well, no, actually. I haven’t thought about it. But I guess that’s normal, being in a new body, not on a cycle. Right?”
His eyes examined the screen of his device closely, and he held it over my stomach again. His gaze flicked up to mine, and I saw the surprise there.
“What?” I felt my heart pick up its pace. What now?
“Um, Dr. Brice. I think, well I can’t be sure just now but, you’re probably … pregnant.”
The room receded and all I could hear was my own pulse thrumming. Pregnant? I fell back against the pillow, the nausea overwhelming me this time. Oh, you stupid woman. You stupid, stupid woman. Will was leaning over me, patting my cheeks.
“Dr. Brice? I’ll get you some water.”
He left my view and returned quickly with a glass. I gulped down the sweet fluid, my mind racing.
“Look, if they know you’re pregnant, that could cause you some real problems here. We don’t know much about clones to begin with, and it would seem you’ve … bred …with an Eater. That’s a big unknown. So I’m not going to say anything for now. Not to anyone. Trust me.”
His cool fingers were on my forehead, and I nodded. “But what will happen?” It was a question that implied so much, and I knew he wouldn’t have the answers.
He smiled sympathetically. “I’ll monitor you as best I can. You’ll be comfortable. I’ll tell Rory you caught a spot of malaria. It makes sense. A few people have already come down with it out here. So don’t worry if you have some nausea or other symptoms.”
I told him I’d already thrown up once.
“Yes well, it’s to be expected. I’m sorry to have given you such surprising news in the middle of this hell. It should be a happy time for you.”
He smiled again, and instructed me to stay in bed for a while. I could tell he felt useless out here in the forest, and I gripped his hand in thanks. “You’ve been really kind, Doctor. Thank you.”
He gave me another smile, and, taking his bag, turned to leave me.
Pregnant. I was pregnant with Jack’s child. I stifled a half-hysterical laugh. I wished I could tell him. He’d be delighted. Us, a family. My hand traveled down to my abdomen. I felt nothing there, but a rush of protectiveness overcame me. I’d do whatever I had to. This kid would be safe, no matter what. I imagined Jack’s smile at the news, and then realized I wouldn’t be able to tell him. Maybe ever. The tears came softly at first, then in a torrent. I stuffed the pillow in my mouth so no one would hear.