What did they do to him!? That’s your first thought as you see the shallow husk that was once you. His movements are dull and robotic, as you witness when he shakes your hand. You look at his eyes, and you see nobody inside. You stand back, only to notice how he studies everyone like an alert dog.
It’s hard to see this from the outside. You weren’t the most sociable one, but at least you’d smile. (Oh, wait. He does. And it’s horrendous – like silicone “skin” glued to a T-800.)
“Ignore him,” Claire tells you. “He’s usually like that.”
Am not! you say to yourself, pouting at her. It's an instinctive reaction to her annoying nature.
“Hey!” In contrast, his is awfully off – like a terrible actor missing his cue. No wonder Claire ignored him out of pity.
“You’ll have to forgive him,” Marie says in his defense. “He’s been feeling off these past few days.”
“I see.” You can tell from her response that she’s deeply concerned, despite trying to dismiss it.
“Please ignore that.” You focus on her husband, who has called for your attention. “Say, could we talk in private? I asked Christina if it could be another day, but she told me it was important.”
“Is that so...?” Marie looks at you warily, then at him. “Will it be here?”
“We could do it on my car,” you suggest. “Can your daughter accompany us? It’s related to her.”
“We could do it here,” he retorts, and you fear that will foil your plans. “It’s getting late – Claire and David must be tired, don’t they?”
“I’m not,” your (former) little sister argues.
“I’m not either,” your replacement states, though his lack of enthusiasm suggests otherwise.
“I’d prefer complete privacy,” you insist. “I don’t think it’ll take too long.”
“We could talk at Starky’s if you want to,” Merry suggested, prompting a reaction from Claire.
“Hey! I thought everyone was supposed to stay home after dinner! How come Dad and Tina can leave, and I can’t? I thought you’d get pissed that--”
“Claire!” Marie barked. “Sorry about that, miss. I hope you excuse me; I ask my children to be here by dinner so we can share, as a curfew of sorts.”
“Exactly,” Tina added. “Though Mom can be pretty strict if we don’t arrive on time. It’s meant to keep us accounted for.”
Though the explanation wasn’t necessary – you recall the time you and Jimmy arrived well after dinner, during your freshman years, and how she chewed you for being worried – you hum and nod, and even make a comment inspired by Claudia’s own response. “I see why your daughter was so worried. I feel you shouldn’t be so strict with Christina, though.”
“I need to set an example, miss. In fact, I feel I need to set an example now. I won’t take more of your time.” As she turned towards Claire, you see Marie’s face freeze into a stern rictus; her arms resting on her waist, her words bring back memories of that night. “Claire? We need to talk.”
“Mom, I was just saying.”
“Claire? We need to talk.”
“But...!” You can barely contain the excitement – Claire rarely gets punished, and witnessing this feels like a small victory. You immediately look at David, at your replacement, to see his reaction.
Even that doesn’t move him. You see how he observes Marie take her daughter away for a “serious” talk without a hint of emotion. No cocky smirk, no raspberry gesture, nothing. Just the lost look of a dog wondering why they’re taking the little mistress away – perhaps, the animal would think, to the same place all bad dogs are taken, never to be seen again...
--
That image was so disturbing that, once Leslie and Merry finally accompany you – him at front, her at back – you can’t help but protest. “What the hell was that?”
“I thought we were here for business,” the crook wearing your father’s face counters while pointing at Luke. “Is this the guy you told me about?”
"Yes, and yes,” you respond, “but answer me that first. What the hell’s wrong with my replacement?”
“I suppose I should’ve told you,” Merry intervenes.
“Not in front of him,” Leslie demands. “How much does he know?”
“He saw me sealing the kid inside her. I may have had to tell him about the green pen to convince him.”
Leslie grunts, rubbing his face. “Whatever - that’ll make things easier. Turns out, that’s the little issue with the clones – they don’t act exactly like the originals. It’s like something’s missing from them.”
“Missing?” You snort. “Claire can be annoying. My replacement should’ve been mocking her. I was honestly thinking you were abusing him or something.”
“Why would I?” the crook questions. “Your dupe may be dead inside, but at least he’s behaving admirably. Marie – your mother, I guess – is worried that he’s not coping with school, but he’s been doing well academically.”
“What do you mean by coping?” you ask, possessed by Claudia’s fine way of speaking but your own brand of dislike.
“She thinks your clone’s getting bullied and doesn’t want to tell her. I haven’t seen him talk to your old friends either. And that’s driving your little sister nuts.”
“But then, why M...?” You take a deep breath, as you’re unsure how to answer. “How does my mother behaves normally?”
“That’s because we awakened the real one, kid. To check how she deals with losing days of her life, though it seems she’s more worried about your dupe.”
“Sorry,” Luke says, startling Leslie. “I seem to be lost. I know Claudia--”
“His name’s David, by the way.”
“I know, but he expressed his desire to remain as her.”
Leslie snorts, flashing a nasty grin. “So, you liked her? Should’a known you’re a faggot.”
“Les!” Merry leans from her seat and smacks her companion on the shoulder. “Have some respect! After all, you’ve worn a woman’s skin before!”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t planning to strut on her flesh. Or this, on that regard.”
You try to control your emotions as Merry tries to defuse the situation. “Leslie, we made him an offer and he accepted becoming her. Whatever he decides to do after that isn’t our business.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He leers at you, snickering. “Gotta admit, you’ve got good taste. Must be enjoying carrying those gigantic boobs all day.”
“Like I said before, I haven’t been a dainty lady these past few days.”
“Oh, so you’re acting like the fair lady to everyone, but a skank in bed?”
You jeer back at him. “Not in that way, Leslie.”
“But didn’t you say you haven’t been a ‘dainty’ lady or some stuff? I thought the point of putting on a hot chick was--”
“What I’m referring is that I’ve been shoving my fingers so deep down my vagina that I’ve experienced Heaven, not that I’ve slept with every man I’ve met! I’m trying to get acquainted with her life, not do a speed run!”
Luke snorts. “Good one.” He sees how everyone but you are perplexed, forcing him to explain himself. “About the speed run bit, I’m saying. She’s for the long run, trying to experience her life to the fullest. Not just the sexual parts.”
“Oh,” Leslie says, and you know his next expression isn’t true. “I get it. So you’re acting like her, then.”
“I’m living her life – my life, I should say.”
“Good to see you’re enjoying it. But can’t you dress like a normal person?”
“Any problems with how I dress?” you retort, and you notice how Merry’s trying to stop you. “I enjoy the sheer feel of this fabric on my skin; maybe if you tried it with Betsy, you’d realize why it’s so exhilarating.”
“So it’s like a fetish to you.”
You don’t see it that way – you like the elegance of a Victorian dress and care little for what people say – but he has a point. “In a way.”
“Alright then. Can’t complain if that gets your nipples hard.” Leslie turns towards Luke, focusing his attention on the newcomer. “Anyways... The kid told me you know someone selling the pens?”
“Pretty much. I agreed to be their distributor.”
“Have you seen them work?”
“It’s the reason why I know about them,” you tell him. “He showed them to some shared acquaintances.”
“I supposed they’d understand and enjoy them while keeping the secret. I wouldn’t show them to anyone else.”
“I see... Merry – that’s my gal back there, wearing the kid’s sister – says she told you about the other two pens.”
“Exactly, but that’s the first time I’ve seen them. My distributor only showed me the black and brown ones.”
“How much they’re sellin’ for?”
You cross a knowing look with Merry, and you see her biting her lip. Luke, of course, entertains him while at it. “They were asking for something worth fifty thousand dollars.”
Leslie whistles. “Fifty grand!? They must have ‘em in bulk to sell them at that price.”
“I plan to sell a few, but at sixty-five. Gotta have a premium, y’know.”
“Yeah,” the crook says, satisfied. “Yeah. That sounds like right. But you’re not gonna sell them to me at that price, ain’t it?”
“You want more?”
Merry fiercely clings to Luke’s claim, perturbed by the revelation. “Les? What’s that about getting more pens? I thought you said we’d retire after this. You know my plans.”
“Yeah, but until that broad graduates...” You grip the steering wheel tight, your face twisting into a snarl, but your eyes travel to Merry’s. “Besides, this changes everything. We could change how heists are done in Tyneside. We could own the fucking underbelly of the city!”
You feel Merry’s pained glance at you. “I thought you were honest.” With a sniff, you see her draw the black pen, and without remorse, she zaps Leslie. “I was wrong.”
“Damn,” Luke tells her. “That was cold...”
“Let’s find somewhere to hide,” the woman wearing your sister’s skin demands. “I want to see what this asshole has in mind...”
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author