The Clone Mansion

Lights Out

It was strange to see Grant dressed up. He was wearing a sky-blue suit with a black tie. Grant pretended he didn't care, so dressing up interfered with his image. I had to admit to myself that I was impressed. I kind of related to him on that aspect. We both pretended to be someone we weren't; he a lowlife nobody and me a crazy scientist. I wondered if keeping up the facade was as exhausting for him as it was for me. I desperately needed a break that I would never get, this was my lifestyle now and I couldn't and wouldn't change that.

Grant sighed. "I'm only here for the free alcohol."

Grant was a big fan of the bottle, but he hadn't been drinking much lately, I wasn't sure why. I had my doubts that he really came just for the booze. I think he was curious. Deep down he wanted a glimpse into our beautifully chaotic world. I couldn't blame him, it's an exclusive event that nobody in their right mind would miss out on. The alcohol was an excuse. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he wanted to be good. This new girl was changing him for the better. I wondered if he knew that. I had my doubts, I think he'd run if he realized who he was becoming. Being a better person was never on his agenda and likely never would be.

"I can't believe you came for me Grantheis! You can get rid of this replacement now." Wishes growled.

The gorgeous girl under his arm looked uncomfortable. Her bright blue eyes shifting nervously between Wishes and Grant. She pulled Grant down and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and tightened his arm around her.

"We're going to go explore this place now. So, if you'll excuse us..." Grant walked past Wishes.

Wishes ran after him. "You and I can explore Grantheis. You just gotta loose her."

Grant stopped and glared back at her. "Don't talk about her like she's not in the room. I'm not going to lose her until she realizes she's too good for me."

The girl hit Grant playfully and they were off. I watched as her long silky blonde hair trailed behind her.

"Perfect" I thought to myself.

Wishes threw herself on the floor. "What am I going to do now?"

I smiled deviously. "Don't you worry baby, Dilly's got it all under control."

She jumped up. "What do you mean Dilly Disaster?" She called me another one of the little nicknames I had acquired over the years. I started collecting them like souvenirs.

"I want you to take her place Wishey."

Wishes began playing with her dress, adjusting it carefully to avoid eye contact. "You're helping me get Grantheis? Really Dilly?"

It took all my willpower to keep my composure. My plan was working perfectly.

I cleared my throat. "I love you Wishey, I just want you to be happy."

I saw a tear form in the corner of her eyes. "I can't believe I am going to finally be with my Grantheis."

"Follow my lead, and yee shall get your wish." I smiled mischievously.

Wishes looked at me with more admiration than she'd ever looked at me with before. My heart felt fuller than it had in a long time. There is something so special about making someone you love happy. Giving Wishes what she thought she wanted made me feel like such a hero. It would feel so much better if what she wanted was me instead of Grant though.

I told her my plan to win Gratheis over for her, and we walked out of the empty room I'd taken her to. She stopped me in the doorway.

She grabbed my hands. "I'm sorry I ain't love you like Grantheis Dilly."

My stomach filled with the bad kind of butterflies. It took me a moment to respond.

"I don't want you to love me like you love him, I want you to love me differently. So, you don't have to apologize for nothin'." I barely used our code language when I talked, I was too weak. I put my hands on her shoulders and smiled.

You love me more; you just don't realize it yet. I thought silently.

She nodded and we headed down the hallway, hand in hand.

I snuck her into the breakroom and closed the door behind me. "Okay Wishes, are you ready to get your human?"

She smiled and looked at her hands. "I'm ready Dilly."

I flipped the switch and every single door in the mansion clicked shut in unison. Then, I flipped the next switch, and all the power went out in the clone mansion.

"Head to room 276, and the plan will commence. Remember everything I told you?" I spoke a little louder than usual. Pitch darkness always seemed quieter.

I heard the soft tone of Wishes voice. "Okay. Yes, Dilly I remember it all, thank yee."

I walked out of the room and heard the sweet sound of her voice. "Grant, did you really cut the power?" She laughed. A part of me liked Grant's new girl. A part of me hoped they'd find their way back to each other.

"Me? When have I ever done something like that?" Grant teased. "This could be kind of fun though." They were silent a moment and then I heard her giggling.

I walked slowly up to Grant's girl and grabbed her hand. I began to slowly walk her away from Grant. "Grant, where are you taking me?" She asked, her voice gentle.

I did my best Grant impersonation. "Don't you trust me?"

"I don't know, I hear you're a very dangerous man."

I walked her into a private room and closed the door. "Where are we?" She asked, still seemingly unaware that she was alone with me and not her precious date.

I kept my Grant impersonation going. "A secret room."

She chuckled. "You took me into a secret room in the clone mansion? Is that supposed to be romantic?"

I smirked. "Depends, do you want to know my secrets?"

"Tell me now." She responded eagerly. I told her everything he didn't want her to know and she excused herself.
........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Grant." Wishes whispered, pretending to be Grant's new crush.

"Where are you?" Grant walked down the hallway, one hand on the wall to compensate for his lack of vision.

Wishes smiled. "I'll hold my hand out, keep walking towards my voice."

He continued walking, picking up speed. "If I find you, do I get some kind of reward?" Grant teased. If only he knew the surprise he'd be getting shortly.

"Depends how quick you find me." She teased back.

Grant finally made it to her, and she pulled him into the room. He closed the door on his way in.

He took a deep breath. "How'd you get here?"

Wishes laughed. "I'm magical."

"That you are." He pulled her close against him.

Wishes leaned into him. "So what were you thinking for your prize?"

Grant smiled. "A date, with you."

I watched on the night vision camera as Wishes lit up in the darkened room. "That can be arranged."

"Good." Grant leaned in to kiss her but just as their lips where about to meet I hit a button that allowed me to speak overhead to all the rooms. Grant immediately jumped back.

"Umm, Dilly speaking. I just wanted to tell you fellas that I found the light switch." I saw wishes run so,
I turned on the lights.

Now things were going to get interesting. I needed to get Grant alone now so I can do the part of the plan Wishes doesn't know about. I silently prayed I wouldn't get myself killed in the process.