The Clone Mansion

Fixing Things Broken

My heart speaks before my mind can think of what to say. "Lylyhn wait! I'll tell you."

Her golden hair follows her as she turns to me. "Tell me what?" I detect a hint of defiance in her voice. She knows she has me cornered.

This moment was critical, my next move will determine the future of my love life...and Grant's. I don't usually root for people, but I find myself wanting Grant to get his happy ending too. After spending some time in his shoes, I have a newfound respect for the man. He's more complicated and kind than I gave him credit for.

Unfortunately, I don't see this ending well. I've made a mess of everything. I fear things are broken beyond the point of repair. I have a strong feeling I'm going to end up alone and I deserve it. I've been awful. This whole process has taught me that falling in love isn't always good, it can make you do some seriously messed up things. You can get blinded by it.

I take a few deep, even breaths before speaking. "Everything."

Lylyhn's arms cross over her chest. "I'm listening."

Here goes nothing. "Dillion has been blackmailing me."

Her mouth gapes, her hands fall to her sides. "What do you mean?"

Time to white-lie like never before. "He has a chip in your brain that can control you when used."

Yes, I'm still lying. Yes, I know it's wrong. I can't make myself tell her the truth yet. I can't make her hate me. I'll tell her eventually, when I find the right way to say it. For now, I'm easing her into it. I want to let her process this before I tell her anything else.

"HE HAS A CHIP IN MY BRAIN?!!!"

I nod. "Yes."

"GET IT OUT!!!" She screams, grabbing her head.

Knowing I have control of the chip makes me feel calm. She's right though, I should get it out of her head sooner rather than later. "Dillion promised me he would."

She looks relieved. "Good, he'd better. Why does he have a chip in my head? What is blackmailing you to do?"

I sigh. The voice in the back of my mind is screaming at me to be honest and I really want to, but...

"He wants to impress Wishes. He's been making me go on dates with her, kiss her, all these awful things. He thinks it'll make her realize she wants him instead of me. He said something about 'getting it out of her system.' I don't know."

Lylyhn is not happy about this explanation at all. "Is he insane? He's literally pushing her into your arms!"

When she says it like that, I feel ridiculous.

She doesn't stop there. "How dare he make my man kiss another woman! He's going to pay for this! Nobody touches my brain and nobody touches you!" She huffs. "He's going to learn that I don't share."

Welp, it's a good thing I didn't tell her who I am. I think she'd actually murder me. "Don't worry, he's going to get exactly what he deserves."

My heart feels as though it's about to break out of my chest. I've never l felt this level of anxiety. I'm about to loose it all if I'm not careful.

"Let's run away." I blurt out.

Her eyes are huge as they meet my own. "What?!"

How am I supposed to explain something I didn't even know I was going to say? "You and I, let's leave this dump. We can get the chip out and go, start fresh."

I swallow hard as it sets in that this is what I really want. I want to start fresh with her.

"Okay." She says softly.

I get frustrated remembering Grant. He's not going to let this slide. There's so much I want to, need to say, but I just smile.

"Let me go talk to Dillion about when he's taking this out, okay?" In reality I'll be taking the chip out myself, but I want to check in on Grant, he was pretty upset the last time we spoke.

She nods. "I'm going to take a bath, this has been a lot."

I hug her tightly before leaving for the clone mansion. It's a little scary, but I'm walking back into the mouth of the dragon. Luckily, I can count on Grant to bail me out if the clones try to trap me.

I'll think of an excuse to tell Grant. I'll think of something to explain why Lylyhn and are leaving. Ugh, but what?

Maybe I can distract him long enough for Lylyhn and I to escape. It's going to be difficult, but I have to at least try. I have not and will not back down from a challenge.

I approach the mansion gates and use my handprint to get in.

I'm immediately bombarded by a ton of clones I've never seen before. Something is wrong. I know all my clones, so where did these ones come from?

My question is answered by someone saying. "Granthies how nice of you to join us."

My heart goes cold. "Dillion? Want to introduce me to your friends."

Grant smirks in a way that looks exactly like himself. "Oh, don't worry Granthies, you guys are about to get very well aqainted."

I'm about to ask him what he means by that when he yells. "Get him men!"

The next thing I know I'm tied up and locked in a cold, dark cell.

Panic arises when I comprehend where I am. I'm in our torture room. This is not good. I need to find a way out of here and fast.

As my mind is scrambling for a way out, I hear the doorknob twisting open.

Grant comes in with two of the clones I've never met. "Hello Grant. You have no idea how long I've waited to do this."

The pure hatred in his eyes terrifies me. "What did you do?" I say, distraught.

He shrugs. "You weren't supposed touch her."

I attempt to steady my shaking hand. "The chip." I pray my attempt at softening his heart works. He still cares about her, he won't let her get hurt.

I realize my attempt is futile when he burst out laughing. "You can't do anything, I have the control, I switched yours out with a decoy." He waves the control in front of me. "So, sit back and take your medicine."

I try again to convince him to let me out of these restraints. "There's a reason I banned creating more clones. Trust me, it's not easy to control them."