Project Gremlin

In which Sophie dresses up to gain attention from her crush.

The next morning Emily was surprised to see that Sophie was wearing a buttery yellow shirt with brown stripes. It was the only thing in Sophie's wardrobe that wasn't gray. Emily was even more surprised to see that Sophie had clipped part of her hair back. Emily strongly suspected that it was because of the boy, and she didn't really like that idea, because Sophie was only twelve. Emily noticed Sophie creeping into the front yard but she decided to not bug Sophie all the time, and she went through her morning routine quickly.

Nothing strange happened at breakfast or on the bus. It was at school that, since Emily and Sophie had no subjects, except for science, which was taught by Mr. Sweeney, together. It was the last subject though, and Emily usually spent lunch time at the library, reading books.

Sophie never showed up.

"Where have you been?" their dad demanded as soon as Sophie finally stepped through the door frame of their house. His face, usually so soft, was bent and twisted into hard lines.

Their mom rubbed her temples. "We almost called the police."

Sophie raced across the room and threw her arms around their parents, hugging them tightly.

"Did something happen, Sophie? The school called and said you left early."

Sophie cringed. "Nothing bad happened. It's just been a strange day," Sophie buried her head into their mom's side. "I love you guys."

"We love you too," Their mom whispered, confused.

"What's going on, Soybean?" their dad asked.

"Yeah," Emily chimed in. "What's wrong? You've been acting strangely since yesterday."

Sophie trembled at the nickname 'Soybean'

"She's just trying to get out of trouble," Amy declared, bouncing in the room. There was some truth behind Amy's words — who would want a punishment? But yet, Emily could sense that something was wrong, very wrong. Sophie was acting like she had just learned that they were going to die soon, as if Sophie was never going to see them again. Emily regretted going ahead in the museum, if she had stayed, everything would probably be normal, and Sophie might have never met that strange boy.

"Amy, how many times have I told you not to eavesdrop?" Their mom asked.

Amy shrugged. "How long is she grounded for?"

"Three months," their dad answered. Amy shot Sophie a triumphant glance.

"It doesn't matter," Sophie replied, still hugging their parents. "I'm sorry for worrying you guys. I won't do it again, I promise."

"Well, maybe two months," Their mom decided, rubbing Sophie's back.

Amy pouted. Sophie smiled at Amy's pettiness. Emily rolled her eyes.

Sophie ran over and wrapped Amy in a hug.

Emily and their parents gasped. This was definitely weird. Sophie and Amy were like frenemies, and they weren't really the touchy-feeling type.

Amy jerked away. "Why are you being so weird?"

"I'm not being weird. I just wanted to tell you I love you. I love all of you." Sophie turned to Emily's and her parents, who were watching the strange scene with their mouths open. "I couldn't have asked for a better family."

"What happened to you?" Amy asked.

"Nothing," Sophie turned away. "I'm going to my room now."

Their dad cleared his throat. "You're not off the hook yet, Soybean. We still need to talk about what happened today."

"We will," Sophie agreed. Emily could see that that was a lie too. So Sophie was going to her room. She had told Emily and her family that she loved them. Was Sophie going to run away?

"Later." Sophie finished.

Sophie finally descended the stairs, with her backpack slung over her shoulder. So Emily's suspicion was correct. But would Sophie even do such a thing? Run away from her family?

"Where do you think you're going?" demanded their dad who was glaring at Sophie's backpack.

Amy giggled. "Aren't you in enough trouble already?"

"Sophie Elizabeth Foster, you tell us what's going on right now!" their mom yelled.

"I'm sorry. I have to." Sophie stared at them, clutching something in her hand.

"Fine. I promise I'll explain everything if you just sit down and listen to me." Sophie gave in. Emily noticed that she cringed right after she finished, and detected the lie. Sophie fingered the object. Now Emily could tell that it was a disk. A disk. . . sleeping gas?

"Please, please know that I love you. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I have to go now, but I will never forget you."

Tears clouded Sophie's eyes. Emily held her breath for as long as she could, but she could only hold her breath for seventeen seconds. Emily's head spun as she breathed in, but the sedative didn't work on her like it did for Emily's family. Emily hurried and closed her eyes, making her body fall limp. She could hear Sophie and the boy talking, and then they left. Twenty minutes passed, and then a few people — two to four — with blurry faces walked in.

Emily's mind was hit with memories — only they weren't her own. It took all of her willpower not to flinch each time new memories appeared in her mind. She got the impression that these people were Washers, the people that the boy had mentioned to Sophie before they left. Washers. . . then they probably could wash minds clean. So then Emily had to pretend that all these memories were her own.

Oh well, Emily mused, this will be interesting.