Exposed by Andrea Maller

were cloned nearly nineteen years ago. It’s not possible.”
         “Oh, but it is. The one on the left admitted it to my son, Jake.”
         “What are you planning to do with them? We can’t keep them strapped down in restraints forever.”
         “We’re going to find out how Charles did it. You’re right about not keeping them forever, though. We’ll insert a locator chip in them. In case they do manage to escape, we’ll always be able to find them.”
         “You’ve gone mad, Howard.”
         “All in the name of science, Leonard. You will help me, of course.”
         “Don’t I always?” Leonard said matter-of-fact.
         “Make certain those restraints are secure. I’ll set up the IV. We can’t have them die before we find out how he did it.”
         “You are joking, Howard. You’re not planning to hurt them, are you?”
         “Of course not. Have a sense of humor, Leonard.”
         After ensuring a proper flow, they went into the lounge to get some coffee. They filled their mugs and raised them in a toast.
         “To science,” they said in unison.
         They drank their coffee in silence, then Howard headed back to the lab where Alyson and Cassie were being held prisoner.
         “Don’t they look like little angels when they’re asleep?” Howard said out loud.
         A groggy Alyson woke up to see Mr. Parker standing over her with a syringe.
         “What the hell are you doing? You’re insane! Let us go!” Alyson demanded, trying to wiggle loose.
         “In good time. After I’ve gotten my answers. I must know how he did it. How did he succeed? What did he do differently? How did he manage to clone a human? And not once, but twice. You are going to help me get those answers.”
         “You’re crazy! We’re not going to help you do anything!”
         “We may have been created as some science experiment, but we’re not an experiment anymore. We’re human beings just like you,” Cassie said.
         “Maybe more human.”
         “Alyson’s right. You are insane.”
         “How long do you think you can keep us here? People are going to notice we’re missing. Our friends and family will be looking for us,” Alyson said.
         “They’ll think you’re just a couple of teen runaways. Nobody will pay much attention.”
         “You really are crazy. Jake will be looking for me. Remember Jake? Your son? He does love me, you know.”
         “I remember very well. I also remember he broke up with you the moment he found out what you are. How do you think I found out that you’re a clone? He told me.”
         “He would never betray me like that. He was just in shock from the news. I was in shock from the news -- and it was my news!”
         “Don’t believe him, Alyson. He’s just trying to get to you.”
         “Well, he’s doing a very good job, because it’s working.”
         “That’s right, Alyson. You hold on to your faith in Jake. See where that gets you. Just so you know, he never would have asked you out at all if it wasn’t for me.”
         “What are you talking about?”
         “Oh, he was attracted to you, but he never would have pursued you if it wasn’t for my urging,” Mr. Parker said very smugly.
         “So he was shy. A lot of guys are. Just because you encouraged him doesn’t mean anything.”
         “You just don’t get it, do you? I didn’t encourage Jake. I set everything in motion. He was sent to spy on you. Although I never expected to hit the mother lode. I was only trying to find out information about your father’s experiments -- and I’ve certainly done that, haven’t I? You’re living proof.”
         “You’re lying! Jake loves me. He would never do what you’re accusing him of. I know him. His feelings for me were real. I could tell if he was just...”
         “Oh sure, he developed