All We See or Seem by Leah Sanders

missed him.
    ****
    â€œThat went well.”
    â€œShe’s sharp, doctor. A natural — quick to comprehend and a good little actor. They usually have to have it explained several times... I know what’s done is done, but are you certain it was for the best to make her suspicious so soon?”
    â€œThe decision has been made. The replacement is already in production. She’ll serve her purpose, and then we’ll transfer her to the research facility.”
    â€œI can’t help but feel bad about deceiving her.”
    â€œDon’t. It’s like tricking a dog into going to the vet. You’ve gained her trust. Now you can guide her where we want her to go. She’ll depend on you for reliable information.”
    â€œYou’re right, of course, doctor.... All set for Act Two?”
    â€œAfter you, my dear.”

 
    Chapter Nine
    Â 
    The party was a bust. Aaron had no idea how his parents could possibly know so many excruciatingly boring people. The only excitement the evening held for him was the anticipation of how the next person he met would outdo all the others by achieving new heights of monotony.
    After enduring an exhausting hour of tedium, he started to search for an avenue of escape. His mother, seeming to sense his desire for flight, had posted a vigilant watch over the stairs. Aaron would never be able to sneak by undetected.
    His father, on the other hand, had made himself comfortable near the back door leading into the kitchen. Aaron considered it as an option for a moment, but he knew what his father’s response would be. “I feel your pain, son. I really do. But if I have to endure it, you sure ain’t getting out of it. Besides, you remember the old adage — That which does not kill you only makes you stronger. ” Aaron didn’t know which would be worse, the party or the lecture. At any rate, the back door was not his best exit strategy.
    There were the French doors in the sitting room that led out to the veranda, but to get there he’d have to run the gauntlet of senators’ wives — all of whom were certain they knew of the perfect eligible young woman for him. Another escape route hardly worth the trouble, sounded like a torture straight out of the pages of one of those Regency novels Mom loved so much.
    For such an impressive house, there were surprisingly few exits. The front door was out of the question — his mother had a full view of it from her post by the mahogany staircase. That left only Dad’s office. The buffet table was strategically situated next to the entrance. If he acted nonchalant, like he was going for the hors d’oeuvres, Aaron might be able to manage a stealthy spin move and duck in under the radar. He just prayed it wasn’t locked.
    Yes, he had promised his mother he would be sociable, but he had put in a good hour, and even Bobby — Mr. Social — had disappeared after only twenty minutes. Knowing Bobby, Aaron realized his escape plan had probably been worked out days in advance. After all, Bobby had been to several of Mom’s parties, and all of them more recently than Aaron’s latest subjection. Why hadn’t Bobby warned him to get out quick? Well, that was just Bobby. Not a whole lot mattered if it didn’t affect him directly.
    Aaron began his journey to the food table, careful to seem purposeless as he sauntered with his hands loosely in his pockets. He smiled and made casual conversation with a few of the guests as he passed them.
    â€œEnjoying yourself, Senator Abel? — Looks like you need a refill, Judge Williams — Secretary Tavish, I didn’t know you were back in town!” His parents’ circle of friends had included politicians and high-ranking officials ever since he could remember, so Aaron had long since developed his own art of polite and diplomatic avoidance.
    Finally, he arrived at his destination. He lifted a small plate from the side