Echo

They

One Hour Later

I got to the place we were going to meet. It was a lttle pizza place in the corner. I didn't even know what the girl looked like. So I just sat down by the window hoping she would just notice me. A couple minutes later a girl sat in front of me. Before I could say anything she started to cry. I walked to her side and hugged her. It was slightly awkward for me. I don't really like hugs. She smelled like sweet lavender. I actually kind of enjoyed it. After about 10 seconds she put her head up and I walked back to my seat.

"Sorry. I just thought they had gotten to you and I would never see you again. I'm so glad you're okay." She smiled softly. She had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

"Yeah, I'm not... um... I'm not her. My name is Echo," She looked up at me straight into my eyes. I felt like she was staring into my soul, no, farther... deeper. A moment later she looked away. She didn't seem surprised.

"Oh," she bagan. Then she looked worried, "Wait, is Celest okay? How do you have her burner phone?"

"I was going to go home on the subway and I saw her jump onto the tracks. She was going to kill herself but I saved her. She dropped her phone when she ran away. I have a question for you; why does she look identical to me?" I wanted to know what this girl knew. "Oh, um... what's your name?"

"My name is Allison, you can call me Alice," She paused for a moment. "Do you know anything about it? Celest told me everything she knew. She knew almost everything."

"I know Celest and I look like each other because our descendants were part of a stupid science experiment. That's all I know," It was so hard to read this girl it seemed like she knew I was trying to read her and was blocking herself.

"Celest has known about the experiment for a couple years now. She was born with a few abilities. She heals much faster than a regular person. She can heal in less than half the time it takes us."

"I... I can do that too." I couldn't believe it. My mother had always told me that it was crazy how fast I could heal.

"She also has super quick reflexes. I'm guessing you do too by the look on your face."

"Yeah, I guess this is slightly overwhelming." I looked away. I was a bit angry at my mother for not telling me sooner.

"I bet I was  more overwhelmed when Celest told me. It felt like a dream. People have been trying to kill Celest. They are trying to erase all the evidence they have of the experiments. They have killed 5 girls already along with their mothers. There is 3 girls left; Celest, a girl named Naomi and you of course."

"Why did she even tell you all of this? Won't they kill you or something for knowing?" I took a sip of my water, intrigued by what Alice was telling me.

"Celest and I are in love. She tells me everything. We protect each other. Celest told me that they also get rid people who know about the experiment. If they don't know enough they threaten the people they love the most. That's how they work."

"Thats terrible, inhuman. How does she even know all of this?"

"She is very smart," Alice came in closer, "She always knows everything. She did her research. She's met up with lots of people. Celest is a special girl. You are too."

"Do you know why she tried to kill herself?" Pain shot through Alice's face. "Sorry I ask."

"No, it's okay. She wanted to protect me. They are getting too close to us. She thought that if she wasn't here the people looking for her wouldn't make a connection with Celest and I. She also didn't want to die by the hands of monsters."

"I understand. We should look for her," I stood up grabbed the burner phone and my coat. "You coming?"

 We went back to my apartment, it was empty. Good. I uploaded everything from the phone to my computer. I am very good with technology and all that stupid stuff. We found  3 addresses on the phone; one was the place Celest and Alice squatting at, the next was a sources house and the other was unknown so we both headed out into the ghetto part of the city.

"You think she's okay?" I asked Alice.

"Of course she is. She's been running for years now, right?" Alice nodded and lookd out the window.

We arrived at an old broken down apartment. All the windows had been broken but one. We headed to that room and opened the door. I heard a scream beside me as I looked at Celest who was slouched up against the wall with her eyes open. I quickly hugged Alice without taking my eyes off the body. She shook in my arms causing me to hold the girl tighter. I couldn't hear anything. I was too focused on what was in my arms and what was in front of me. She had sliced her wrists vertically. Now all I saw was blood. Crimson blood. I can't take this! I didn't let go of Alice as I walked away from the room and into the car.

We didn't speak the whole ride until we got home.

"You're staying with me tonight," I demanded. She didn't say anything so I took her inside and sat her on my bed. I kneeled down and looked up at her. Her eyes looked dead. They weren't staring at me, she was were staring at nothing. I took her hands in mine.

"I won't let her die in vain. We will figure this out. I promise," I layed her down and slid the covers over her body. "Good night Alice." I switched the lamp off and left the room closing the door behind me.