We trudged through the convoluted path Adam had shown me, but didn’t speak much. Every time we heard a birdcall or animal grunt, we collectively jumped. Elizabeth kept her eyes down. Nick attempted to get more information from me, but I was reticent.
“Why didn’t that thing kill you back there?” he asked.
I had been wondering the same thing, and turned to look at Nick. Should I tell him I knew it was Jack? I decided against it. They’d been through enough trauma. Why make them afraid of me or my restored ability to mind-meld with non-humans?
“I think it’s because these Eaters, they’re all clones, like me. It probably sensed I was like them,” I offered as explanation. Indeed, this seemed the most probable reason, rather than Jack recognizing me and sparing me based on a remembrance of love—although I hoped that was true. I had a feeling hope was all I’d have to live on for a while.
Nick persisted. “Why are they doing this, though? I mean, what is it accomplishing?”
I understood his question. He was a scientist too. I lifted a low-hanging branch and waited for the two of them to cross under it. A light drizzle began to fall. Startling us, Elizabeth finally spoke. “They’re culling the herd.”
I stopped, my shoes sticking in mud. A bird called overhead but I ignored it. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. A sort of … evolutionary process.”
My voice was awed at the realization. I stood close to Elizabeth, hoping she’d continue. Her eyes darted around the deep green, as if expecting some new terror to appear. “We’re no longer the top of the food chain. And we have no way of fighting back. No weapons. The population might as well be wildebeests, and these … things are the lions.” I waited for her to continue, sensing more was coming. “I don’t know by what mechanism they’re able to morph from human into … whatever they become, but it’s clearly genetic engineering.”
I was stunned into silence by her keen observations, but Nick was openly flustered. “So how do we fight back? We can’t just sit around waiting to get eaten!”
I shook my head slowly. Rory and everyone back at the camp probably had arrived at the same conclusions. “I think there’s a plan, but they’re not telling me what it is,” I explained. “I’m a clone, therefore I may be a danger. They already suspect I’ll go to the Director, tell her everything. I have to be on my best behavior. But you guys— you can find out more.”
Nick nodded, picking up his pace. “Marilyn must know everything. I’ll talk to her.”
I heard the lift in his voice, and knew theirs would be a happy reunion. I quelled my jealousy. The forest grew darker, and we slogged on. I felt relief when I saw the camp in the clearing. They had built new shelters since I had left earlier. And now I was returning, one person short. I dreaded explaining that to Rory. I saw Adam’s face, a rictus of terror. I shook my head to clear it. Nick put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll tell them you got away. There was nothing you could do.” His eyes were kind.
“Thanks, Nick,” I said.
I heard a squeal, and Marilyn bounded toward us across the grass.
“You’re here! You made it! Guys, look!”
Several faces turned to see the new arrivals, but quickly turned back to their tasks. Marilyn embraced Nick first, and I watched their hug linger. Then she hugged Elizabeth amid a flurry of questions.
“Where’s Adam?” came a rough voice behind me, and my stomach fell. Rory. I turned, opening my mouth to begin explaining, when Nick came to my rescue.
“They were attacked. At the train station, waiting for us. There was nothing any of us could do. Dr. Brice barely got away herself.”
Rory glared at Nick, and I sensed he had been hoping for a confrontation upon my arrival. Luke was nowhere to be seen, thank God. I couldn’t deal with him right now.
“Make ye selves useful, if ye’re to be staying here. Ye’ll find plenty of work to be done.”
His fiery gaze settled on me, and I lowered my eyes.
“Ye’re friend here says you barely got away. I’ll take his word for it. But the kid’s death is on ye.”
With that, he lumbered away.
“That was Rory. He’s in charge around here. Keep your heads down and don’t get in his way,” I told my friends, and Marilyn snaked her arm around Nick’s waist in a touching display of protection.
Elizabeth seemed dazed, barely registering the encounter. I’d ask Will to look her over. My hand went to my pocket, feeling the bottle of pills still there. Somehow, my baby and I had survived. Looking at Rory’s retreating back, I noticed the dart gun in his belt. And I had an idea.