Closure

10. Questioning

Michael looked the metal door. I was alone in a padded room. My only forms of company included a haunted-looking toilet with a sink to go with it, and surprise: another metal bed. I stood in front of the small window, facing Michael on the other side.

"I'm sorry to lock you in like this, but we can't have you escaping. I hope you'll understand," he apologized before he walked away. He seemed honest.

Doctor Davenport's voice echoed in my head: "The heart of a true scientist must never feel compassion."

Could Michael be my way out? I pondered the thought when suddenly I realized that I wasn't wearing my clothes from the party. I was in one of those napkin garments you get at the doctor's. Uh... I didn't like this.

I looked around the room. I didn't see any cameras, but that didn't ease my paranoia. I paced around the room. I checked the toilet. It was grimy. Disgusting.

I looked at the sink and turned on the water. It came out in slow drops, and took about five seconds before it dripped at a steady rate. I turned it off.

I went to the bed. It was small, a single bed for a single body. I cautiously laid on the flat mattress, knowing I'd have back pain by tomorrow.

Wait.. how would I even know when tomorrow is? It could already be tomorrow. Or it could be midnight. Or noon.

My heart beat faster, my head throbbed with this awful feeling of not knowing. I didn't know what time it was, where I was, or how I got here. I just wanted answers.

Calm down, Tanner. I tried to ease my mind. There was no way I'd let myself lose my sanity within these padded grey walls. I'll make it out. I'll make it out. I don't know how or when.. but I know I'll make it out.

Think Tanner, think! They can't just keep me in here without me doing anything. They're mad scientists, they want entertainment. What if this room is a test? A test to see what I'm capable of. Maybe they want to see if I can find a way out before I crack.

The room looked pretty empty. Like I said, there was no furniture besides the bed, sink and toilet. The bed was made up of its metal base and poor-quality mattress.

I jumped off the bed and lifted the mattress. It was almost weightless. Underneath it, I found what looked like a folder with papers sticking out. I took it and let the mattress fall back in its place.

I sat on the bed and opened the manilla folder. My name was on the first laminated page. My picture was on it too. It was the same one as my school ID.

The words read:

TANNER GREENE
Age: 18
Sex: M
Birthdate: 4/3/XX
Abilities: ???
Special Info: 1st successfully created clone
Escape: Stolen by Gilbert and Amaya Greene a few days after birth. Has been living as their "son" for last 18 years.

I swallowed the knot in my throat. I mean, how was I supposed to feel? I got kidnapped, woke up in a lab, and found out that my parents aren't my real parents. At least they acted like it. I'm glad I spent 18 years with them instead of this twisted lab with a manic scientist.

I flipped back to the cover, but there was no title. I inspected the back but there was nothing there either. I opened the folder again and counted the pages. There were three. If I was on it, the next pages must have information on the other clones as well!

I inspected the second page and my jaw dropped.

DARCY REED

Before I even read her information, I went to the third page. My suspicions were confirmed. The last clone was none other than Anne May.