"Simon, I presume?" a man asked, entering the room & awakening Simon who had been dozing lightly.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Simon stood up and straightened his clothes,"That would be me."
"Great. Come with me," the man said bluntly, leading him through the door, down the hall, on an elevator, & eventually into a waiting car.
It seemed to Simon an eternity before the vehicle came to a stop. One of the men opened the back door for Simon, not saying a word. Glancing around, he found he had been taken into a remote area, out in the middle of nowhere. An old farmhouse stood a few yards away.
"What're you looking at?" the second man said gruffly,"Get in the house."
Simon walked swiftly to the front door, leaving the men behind. Ok, now calm down, he told himself, There's no reason to be so nervous. They want you to be here. They need you... Calm, cool, collected...
So then why is my hand shaking so much I can't open the door? he mused.
"Turn and push," one of the men said, coming up behind Simon,"You can't tell me you've never used a door before."
Simon looked down,"I, uh, just wasn't sure if I should go in. I thought maybe I'd get in trouble and..." Great, he scolded himself Way to be tough...
"How polite. Didja hear that, Rod? The kid was waiting for us."
Rod smirked,"Wonderful manners, Clayton. Been watching a little too much Martha Stewart, eh kid?"
Martha Stewart? Who the hell's that? Simon didn't say a word as they stepped into the house. Rod and Clayton... Wonder if they're the heads of operation.
"Woah. Talk about not judging a book by its cover!" Simon exclaimed, as he took a full look at the main foyer,"It's a heap of trash from the outside and a palace on the inside!"
At this exclamation, the two men actually smiled,"Yeah, pretty nice digs, huh?"
Simon nodded,"You're tellin' me. And I get to stay here?"
"For the most part..." Clayton said,"In between maneuvers."
Simon didn't even care what the 'maneuvers' would be. He was too enthralled with the idea of living in such an awesome place.
"Do I get my own room?"
Rod shook his head,"Sorry kid, but as fancy as this house is, it's not so big."
"You'll be rooming with someone else," Clayton said,"He's about your age. I think you'll get along."
"There's another guy? Doing the same stuff that I'm going to?" Simon asked.
Clayton shook his head,"Nah. He's just more of a... a, uh, accessory. You're the main man."
The main man... I like the sound of that. Simon decided.
"Elaina!" Clayton bellowed. Moments later, a young woman scurried into the room.
"Yes?"
"Would you mind showing Simon here to his room?" Clayton asked,"Rod and I have some business to attend to."
Elaina nodded,"No problem. Taylor could probably use some company."
The two walked from the foyer down a hallway, and paused at the doorway.
"Now Simon, Taylor was not in agreement with this operation, and may be hostile," Elaina whispered,"He was brought here yesterday, and is still quite unsure. He may view you as the enemy, so try and get on his good side, ok?
Simon took a deep breath,"Uh, yeah, sure."
Elaina opened the door and stepped back, letting Simon walk in first. There, sitting on a bed with his knees pulled up to his chest and a wrist propped up on several pillows was Taylor. Simon's 'roomie' for who knows how long.
"Uh, hi," Simon said cautiously. Taylor looked up, a spark of fear in his eyes. He said nothing, but rather stood and walked over to the stereo.
Oh shit! He looks exactly like me... Simon thought What the hell? Simon could see that Taylor was somewhat surprised at the sight of Simon, for his mouth was hanging open slightly.
Noticing that the two boys were not jumping into conversation, Elaina spoke,"Taylor, meet Simon. Simon, Taylor."
Taylor remained glued to his spot, not even making eye contact. Simon looked at Elaina to see if she had any suggestions. She frowned and whispered,"Simon, would you mind stepping out of the room for a moment?"
Simon nodded and swiftly exited.
"Who's he?" Taylor said listlessly, placing a CD in the stereo,"My evil twin?"
"His name is Simon, and I'd be very pleased if you made an attempt to make him feel welcome," Elaina said gently.
Taylor shot her a dark look,"I'm 'sposed to make him 'feel welcome'? Hell, I've only been here a day, and I'm supposed to play Mr.Happy-Happy Tour Guide?"
Elaina cleared her throat,"I'm really sorry that you had to be brought here in such a crude way, but it's-"
"But what?! It's all for the better?!" Taylor exploded,"Tell me how taking me away from my family, my life is better."
"Now Taylor, calm down. We didn't bring you here to hurt you..."
Taylor scoffed. They kidnap me and bring me to who-knows-where and she's telling me to calm down
"Ok, so you didn't bring me here to hurt me. But why DID you bring me here?"
Silence.
"I wish I could tell you, but to be honest, I don't entirely know," Elaina said finally,"I've just been told the basic bits and pieces."
"Well, gee, thanks for the info," Taylor said sarcastically. The night had been one of restless, painful sleep and he was in a uncharacteristically bitter mood.
Elaina ignored the comment,"Simon is new to the project, but he's a very important part, as you are."
"Was he kidnapped like I was?"
Elaina shook her head,"No. But he's as unsure as you are, so please..."
"Fine, whatever," Taylor said dismissively,"And could you bring me some more pills? My wrist's burning."
"Of course, in a few minutes," Elaina said, feeling a sudden pang of sympathy for the young boy,"And..."
"Yeah?" Taylor prompted.
Elaina shook her head, opening the door,"Nevermind."
"All right, Simon. Taylor and I had a little talk," Elaina said,"It should be ok now."
Simon entered the room once again as Elaina headed down the hall. He sat on a chair that was positioned on the opposite side of the room from where Taylor was sorting through a stack of books.
Breaking the silence, Taylor spoke,"Create clones for a living?"
Simon looked up, startled that Taylor spoke,"So my vision's not just wacked out, huh?"
"Nah, guess not..."
Simon bit his lip,"This is freakin' weird."
"Tell me about it. I feel like I just walked into the middle of "The Parent Trap"." Simon said.
Taylor nodded,"Except this isn't exactly a posh, girls' summer camp..."
"Really? Coulda fooled me..." Simon joked, recalling the movie his mother had 'forced' him to watch when he was younger... Not long before she left...
"So, what's your story?"
"Well, let's see. Where do I start?"
"How 'bout the beginning?" Simon quipped.
A small smile crossed Taylor's face,"You're a genius, you know that?"
"I've been told from time to time..."
~Chapter 23~
~Chapter 21~
~Chapter Index~
~Home~
