Lost Names and Illusions

Chapter 1

The next day, Jamie managed to run away from the peering eyes of the guards and headed towards Wendell’s house. It was six o clock in the morning. She knocked on the door loudly. At first, there was no response, but then after a couple of seconds, she heard footsteps.

“Password?”

“Blue roses.”

The door glided open for her and she rushed in. “Is it ready Wendell?”

“Yea,” Wendell rubbed his eyes and yawned. That is when Jamie noticed his attire. He was in his lab coat with no shirt on, shorts, and socks. His hair was a real mess and his glasses were crooked. There were bags underneath his eyes too. It looked like he was getting this ready all night. “This is a bit early don’t you think?”

      “Latoya’s shift is at 7.” Jamie explained and then giggled at his sleepy face. She took his face into her hands gently, wiped the hair out of his face, and straightened his glasses. “Let’s go Einstein.”

      He grinned. “Whatever. Follow me.”

      Wendell led me to his lab and stopped walking when we reached two chambers with one filled with water. He started to press a couple of buttons and the empty chamber opened. “Just take a step into it and try not to tense up.”

      Jamie got inside and the doors closed automatically. White smoke emerged from the floor of the chamber. She relaxed her muscles and closed her eyes. Wendell watched her and pressed a couple buttons. The water inside the other chamber started to harden and mold itself into her image almost like a child playing with play dough but with much more elegance. The eyes formed, then the mouth, and so on. It was only when the body was fully formed did Wendell determined that the process was complete. Then, he pushed down a latch and the smoke disappeared. Her chamber opened and Jamie stepped out feeling a bit dizzy.

      “What was in that vapor?” She held the side of her head as she balanced herself by grabbing Wendell’s arm.

      “Harmless chemicals. It took longer than I thought it would. I will have to fix that so the smoke does not make you feel all weird,” Wendell pressed another button, “regardless, it was a success. Here comes your double now.”

      The second chamber opened with no more water. A nude Jamie walked out. Jamie blushed.

      “Umm… Wendell.”

      “Yes?”

      “Why is she naked?”

      “I do not know how to replicate clothes Jamie,” Wendell’s cheeks flushed red and looked away. “Just take her and give her your clothes. Tell her how to act because she is a clean slate.”

      Jamie took her double’s hand and took her to Wendell’s bedroom. Her double looked at her with blank eyes.

      “Okay my name is Jamie. I need you to pose as me.”

      “So who am I?”

      It was really weird hearing herself talk. It was like having a twin sister almost. “Well you are my artificial double. I guess I will call you…umm…Cindy. But when in public, you will be referred to and respond to Jamie. You can call yourself Cindy to Wendell. I am going to need you to go back to the large complex we live on and pretend to be me. All you really need to do is stay in my room unless my father asks you to do something. Got it?”

      Cindy nodded and Jamie started to undress. She gave her the clothes she was wearing which was a silver dress and flat shoes. Jamie then proceeded to dress in her nurse attire and tied her hair back. The two emerged from Wendell’s room.