PART SIX: CLONED AND DANGEROUS

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CHAPTER TEN

     Chase drove silently, going over the plans in his mind.  Beside him, Sandee drummed her fingers on the dash, keeping in tune with a hip-hop song on the radio.  Eric and Allison sat in the back seat.
     Once we locate the beach house, we’ll scope out the area with Eric’s super vision and my hearing, Chase thought, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.  Eric can detect any security devices and I’ll listen for sounds inside the house. It would be easier to get past locked gates if Allison would use her strength.
     He glanced in the rearview mirror at Allison.  His concentration deepened and without even trying, his keen ears picked up what she was saying to Eric, “I feel so guilty.”
     “Don’t go bashing yourself with a brick load of blame,” Eric said gently.
     “But if anything goes wrong, it’ll be my fault.”
     “You’re sticking by a promise.  I’d do the same thing.”
     “Would you?” she asked, sounding close to tears.
     “I’d sure try.  It’s not easy doing the right thing, and sometimes you wonder if you’re missing out-“
     “Like when you didn’t ask that girl for her number?  The one from Moon Grove Park … what was her name?”
     “Tracy.  I’ll probably never know her last name.  I’m going out with Starr, and I’m not someone who promises one thing, then does another.”
     “I wish I were,” Allison said.  “Just for a few hours.”
     Chase wanted to assure Allison everything would be okay and not to feel guilty.  But he felt some guilt of his own for eavesdropping on his friends, so he shut out the rest of their conversation.
     Allison will be okay, Chase told himself.  She has Eric to calm her worries. Eric and Allison had been really tight from the beginning, which was unusual when you considered their different backgrounds. Allison came from a wealthy family in Seattle and had been lavished with an expensive lifestyle, while Eric grew up in a bustling family of foster kids in rural Texas.  Eric didn’t have much monetarily, but he was rich with a loving family  -- the one thing Allison’s credit cards couldn’t buy.
     When the clones moved into together, Allison had nicknamed them, “Clone Cousins.” At times they acted like real family, but Chase suspected it wasn’t enough for Allison.  She still yearned for approval from the parents who raised her, which was why she couldn’t use her clone strength anymore.
     “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Allison had explained.  “But I had such a great visit with my parents. Mom showed a new respect for me, maybe because I stood up to them and insisted on living here.  Father proudly introduced me to the colleagues and Mother treated me better than ever  like a friend. But then-” Allison sighed.  “At Mother’s birthday party, I gave her a beautiful card with a tender message inside. I was surprised when she hugged me and even kissed my cheek.  She said she only wanted one birthday gift from me.”
     “A promise,” Eric said bitterly.
     “Yeah.  She warned that if I did anything scandalous, it could hurt my father’s reelection campaign. She said there was something unusual about me.  ‘I don’t know what it is, but you’ve always been different.  And that must stop.  Promise me you’ll behave normally.  No weird stuff.’”
     Chase remembered how Allison’s voice cracked when she added, “She meant my strength.  How could I refuse?  Not after things had gone so well between us.  So I made the promise.”
     Chase felt a rush of anger, mostly at Allison’s mother, but at Allison, too, for letting her mother manipulate her. 
     But would I have done any differently? he asked himself.  If a promise would bring back the happy life he had with his parents, he’d barter with the devil.
     Paper rustled, snapping Chase out of his thoughts.  He glanced over at Sandee who was consulting the map.  “Almost there,” Sandee said.  “Make a left at the next street.”
     He clicked on his turning signal, and turned left onto a narrow street bordered with tall fences, security lights, and sprawling oceanside mansions.  Welcome to Mega-Money City, USA, he thought to himself.  These homes had names not numbered addresses; Surf and Sand Villa, Breaker Bungalow, Sea Crest Castle.  The mansion Geneva said her husband was leasing from an oil-tycoon friend was called Sunset Serenade.
     “Geneva said there were three towering palm trees by a gazebo,” Allison called out from the back.  “That’s the place.”
     Chase slowed the car and studied the split-level house that rose like a fortress out of the ocean.  Decorative lights shone on a flagstone walkway, leading to brick steps and a wraparound porch.  A sign over the lighted arched entry announced: Sunset Serenade.  A smaller sign underneath warned off trespassers.
     “Get ready, Eric.  It’s showtime,” Chase said as he shut-off the car lights. “We’ll stay here for a minute to check things out.  Then you and Allison should park a few house down under that huge willow tree and keep watch while Sandee and I go inside.”
     “I’d rather go in with you,” Eric said.
     “You’re more help as a look-out and I’ll hear if you give a warning. The fewer of us inside, the less risk.”
     “Chase and I don’t need help.  I can bust into any place,” Sandee boasted.  “After I ditched my foster home, I learned how to get around fences and locks.  Sneaking into buildings to keep dry or lay low was just part of surviving.”
     “You did what you had to, Sandee,” Chase said, giving her hand an encouraging squeeze.  She put on this tough front, but he’d seen her softer side, and felt protective of her.  He hoped she’d never have to live on the street again.
     Eric was already taking off his glasses, so Chase went to work, too.  He tuned into his enhanced hearing, and concentrated on Sunset Serenade.
     The rush of the ocean came in strong, filling him with a rolling sense of life.  A tide of sound washed over him, drowning all other senses. He dove deeper and sought out other noises. Cars, airplanes, laughter, shouts, TV’s, songs, and barking.  His range was too broad, so he shut out distractions and focused on the hulking dark house across the street.  Sounds dimmed until his own heartbeat merged with odd artificial beeps, perhaps from the security system.  There were no voices or guard dogs. He panned out his hearing further, picking apart each separate sound. A refrigerator hum, a leaking faucet, and several ticking clocks. 
     “Geneva must have been wrong.”  Chase blinked, and took a long breath as if he was coming up from deep water. “The house is totally empty.  No Dr. Victor or saber-tooth.”
     “Maybe they’re in that back building.” Eric slipped back on his glasses.  “When I tried to see inside, my eyes started to hurt. There must be oil paintings blocking my way.”
     Eric cloned eyes could see through anything -- except oil paint. Looking at painted canvases or murals zapped Eric’s energy.  Chase felt his own energy fading from the strain of listening so intently.  His head throbbed and every cell in his body burned with fatigue.  Enhanced powers came in handy, but cost a high physical price.
     “Chase and I will check out the back,” Sandee said.
     “Be careful.” Allison pushed her blond braid over her shoulders. “I hope you can find K.T.”
     Chase gave her a puzzled look. “Who’s K.T.?”
     “Kitty’s Twin.”
     “Figures you’d give it a name,” he teased.  “We don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl saber-tooth.”
     “Poor beast,” Eric put in with a scowl.  “It’s terrible how Dr. Victor is creating animals just to have them killed.  “We have to stop him.  I sure hope this is the right place.”
     “It matches Geneva’s description,” Allison said.
     “If you believe that witch.” Sandee narrowed her black eyes. “This whole trip could be a set-up.”
     “Why would Geneva do that?” Allison asked skeptically.  “She’s more afraid of her husband than we are.  He bullied her for years and nearly killed her along with Varina.  She doesn’t have anything to lose by helping us.  We can trust her.”
     “Trust is weakness,” Sandee said as she opened her door and turned to Chase. “But friends help each other, and that’s the only reason I’m here. Let’s get this over before I change my mind.”
     Chase and Sandee left the darkened vehicle, moving quick and cautiously, staying in shadows and keeping low.  It was a cool night, and Chase’s leather jacket protected him against the salty ocean breeze.  Sandee had the foresight to dress in camouflage; army fatigue pants and shirt, black boots with silent rubber soles, and she’d tucked her hair under a dark cap.  Only her silver ankle bracelet glinted in the dark.
     Sandee pointed to the wrought-iron fence. “There’s the gate Eric warned us about.”
     “I don’t see any wires, but Eric said it was rigged with an alarm and he’s usually right. You see another way in?”
     “How about the side of the house?  We can climb on those garbage cans to get over the fence.”
     “Good idea.”  Chase kept his ears tuned for any odd sounds, ready to retreat fast if they were detected.  But he only heard the murmur of ocean waves.  The house was eerily silent.
     “Take my hand and I’ll boost you on that garbage can,” Chase whispered. 
     Sandee grasped his hand.  She seemed to hold on longer than necessary, but then she let go and was sailing over the fence.
     Once Sandee was on the other side, Chase hoisted himself up onto a sturdy can and vaulted over.  Then they made their way around a tennis court and swimming pool to the secluded brick building.  Chase guessed it was a pool house; a private place for swimmers to change their clothes.  He wasn’t surprised to see an elaborate mural of mermaids riding dolphins painted next to the door.  That explained why Eric couldn’t see inside.
     Chase’s footsteps made muffled thuds as he walked around the shadowy pool.  Cautiously, he peered across the dark water, to a serene garden and then back to the pool house. He paused to listen, and heard no movement or breath of sound.  Sandee moved in sync beside him, alert and tense.
     “Ready?” Chase pointed to the deserted building.
     “Yeah.” Sandee nodded. “If it’s locked, I can get it open.”
     “I don’t doubt that for a second.”
     Chase held his breath as Sandee reached for the door.  Her hand closed around the knob and she twisted. There was no resistance -- the door opened easily. “It wasn’t even locked-“ Sandee said at the same time a blaring alarm exploded through the night like a demon’s wail.
     The house and grounds burst alive with flashing lights and screeching alarms.  Chase glanced inside the building and saw only stacked pool chairs and chaise lounges.
     “Nothing!” he gasped.
     “We were set up!” Sandee exclaimed, starting to run.  “I told you we couldn’t trust her.”
     Through the pandemonium, Chase dimly heard Eric’s worried voice, wanting to know what happened, warning them to get out of there.  But Chase didn’t need to be warned. He and Sandee were already running. 
     With the main house ablaze with lights, they couldn’t leave the way they came.  Police sirens whined in the distance, coming closer, closer.
     “We’re trapped!” Sandee’s eyes were wide with terror.  “I can’t deal with cops!”
     “Don’t panic.  We’ll get out of here.”
     “We have to! No way am I letting my foster parents drag me back to Colorado!”
     “Come on.” Chase grabbed her hand.  “Let’s try the back.”
     They raced beyond the pool house, ran across high grass, then stopped abruptly at a steep cliff.  There was a back way … but it was a deadly drop straight down a rocky embankment.
     “Look for a path,” Chase said quickly.
     “I only see a cliff!””
     “Beach homes usually have paths to the beach,” Chase insisted, scanning the grass and bushes for a trail. He pointed to a distant grove of eucalyptus trees. “The path must be through those trees.”
     Obviously, there was a path because dark figures holding flashlights stepped out from the trees.
     “Security guards!” Sandee cried, digging her fingers into Chase’s arm. 
     “Stay low,” Chase urged. “They haven’t seen us.” 
     “Not yet maybe, but they will! I’m getting out of here!” Panicked, Sandee whirled around and fled. 
     “No!” Chase cried, picking up voices coming from the front of the house.  There was no way out.  They would be caught, charged with trespassing, and arrested.  They couldn’t tell the truth without revealing they were clones and risking being turned over to the government for study. 
     Never!  Chase thought with resolve.  I’d rather go to jail!  At least Eric and Allison would be free to stop Dr. Victor.
     “Chase!” Sandee called.  “Hurry!”
     “Where?” he asked hopefully, ducking into the darkened shadow of the pool house.  They hadn’t been spotted yet, but with uniforms behind and in front of them, it was only a matter of minutes.  They could hide in the pool house, but it was an obvious place to look, and they’d be found.
     But Sandee moved away from the pool house.  She paused at the edge of the pool.  She stood there a moment, wringing her hands, and jerking her head around anxiously.  “There’s no other way!” she cried.  “I can’t go back to my foster parents!”
     Then to Chase’s astonishment, she lifted her arms and dove into the water and disappeared into the depths of the dark swimming pool.
     Chase groaned. Swimming at a time like this?  Was Sandee insane?  Or maybe she knew exactly what she was doing.  What was more sane than hiding in the one place where no one would think to look?  Sandee’s cloned super lungs gave her the ability to breathe underwater.  She had no gills and appeared normal in every other way.  But enhanced DNA someone allowed her to create oxygen in water. Scientifically it was impossible.  But Sandee’s freaky skill would allow her to conceal herself in an unlit pool for hours.  
    Unfortunately, Chase didn’t have the option.
    With officers closing in from all sides, there had no way out. He was seconds away from being caught. So he made a quick decision and took a deep breath of air.
     Then he plunged into the pool.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

     The bedroom door was cracked open.  As I walked down the hall, I could hear Geneva’s even breathing.  It was after midnight and I should be asleep, too, only I was too stressed to relax.  Whenever I thought about Chase, anxiety knotted in my stomach.  It was torture not being able to help.
     Instead, I was stuck babysitting Geneva.
     She had fallen asleep hours ago.  I wasn’t as lucky and kept wondering what was happening at the beach house.
     Chase, I wish I could be with you, I thought. Why do you keep shutting me out instead of opening your heart?  I know we have to work out some things, but I care for you so much it hurts.  I’ll always be there for you  if you’d just let me.
     I peeked through the doorway and studied Geneva.  Her black hair spread out on her pillow and her lips parted slightly. I was amazed at how peaceful and innocent she looked. It was incredible to believe she used to be my enemy.  There was nothing threatening about her anymore, and during our time together, I’d found myself wishing she were my real aunt.
     But I didn’t have a real aunt, uncle, father or mother.  No true relatives at all.  It was strange being a clone, not born of a mother’s natural body, but created in a laboratory.  A generic substitute instead of a brand name. I didn’t feel any different, especially when I was with my “cloned cousins” who were like me. We all had to deal with the “ultimate teen identify crisis.”  I’d come to terms with this reality, although sometimes I wondered who I really was. If heredity defined a person, then I would grow up to have an interest in science like my DNA copy Jessica Hart.  My reddish hair would darken slightly with age and my lips that seemed too large now would settle into a nice bow-shape.
     I could choose my own future, yet how much choice did I really have if DNA was a leash pulling me forward in a predestined direction?
     Or maybe environment played a bigger part in identity. Uncle Jim had been a wonderful parent, teaching me right and wrong and encouraging me to trust my instincts.  He offered guidance, but never told me what books to read or what music to listen to. “Think for yourself,” he advised.
     And I did.
     Sometimes I thought about the mystical way I was connected to Jessica Hart.  Technically, she was neither parent nor twin, but I liked to think of her as a mother.  We shared the same DNA and would look identical if we were the same age.  Many times, I’d heard her voice in my head, expressing love and concern.
     But that voice had been silent too long.
     Maybe if I concentrated really hard, I could reach Jessica.  With this hope quickening my steps, I changed into my nightgown and climbed into bed.
     Jessica, I called out mentally, if you can hear me, please let me know.  I need you.
     I waited.  And waited.
     Talk to me, Jessica, I silently urged. Why won’t you say something?  Are you mad at me?  Is everything okay?
     I stared up at my ceiling, the spackled craters of hard white paint reminding me of the remote surface of the moon.  I felt isolated, outcast to another planet.  I put all my energy into willing Jessica to contact me.
     I missed how she called her “Little Princess” and the comforting sound of her voice.  I’d only heard her in my head, except for one special message on a cassette.  I listened to that tape enough to know every fiber of her voice.  She’d given us the tape for safekeeping of the Enhance 25-X formula.  Only the tape had been lost anyway  partly due to Geneva Victor.  The Victors assumed it was gone forever, because they didn’t know my secret.
     Sleep was impossible.  I couldn’t relax.  My eyes wouldn’t close and the knot in my stomach tightened.  My sense of aloneness was a physical ache.
     So I got out of bed and wandered through the house aimlessly, peering into Uncle Jim’s empty office and idly touching family photos on the wall.  I ended up in the backyard, where two loyal friends welcomed me.
     Renegade and Kitty nearly knocked me over as they slobbered me with wet kisses.  I petted and hugged them, telling them to be quiet.
     It didn’t seem possible, but Kitty looked as if she’d grown larger since this afternoon.  Her yellow eyes shone bright and her fur was both rough and soft.  Her purr rumbled contentedly. 
     Renegade barked and shoved his nose in my hand; clearly jealous of the attention I paid Kitty.  I laughed, then scooted between them on the porch step.  My loneliness faded…but the knot in my stomach persisted.
    What was Chase doing right now? I wondered. Had he found Dr. Victor and dismantled the laboratory?  Had Kitty’s twin been rescued?  I stared into Kitty’s golden eyes which gleamed bright even at night.  Did Kitty share a DNA bond with her twin like I did with Jessica?
     When the air grew chilly, I hugged each animal one last time, then went back into the house.  I was surprised to see a light in the kitchen.
     “What are you doing up?” I asked Geneva, who sat at the table with a bag of graham crackers and two glasses of milk. 
     “Couldn’t sleep.”  She dunked a cracker into milk.  “I saw you were up, too, so I poured you some milk.”
     “Thanks.”  I pulled out a square cracker and followed her example by dunking it in the milk.  The graham cracker softened and melted in my mouth. 
     “Are you okay?”  Geneva gave me a concerned look. “Did you have a bad dream?”
     “That would require sleeping, which I haven’t been able to do.”
     “Worried about your friends?” she guessed, and I nodded.
     Sitting across from Geneva felt nice, as if we were family.  It had been thoughtful of her to pour me a glass of milk.  Impulsively, I reached across the table and squeezed her hand.  “I’m really glad you’re here.”
     “You are?”  Her brows rose, as if my words surprised her. “It’s been fun, hasn’t it?  Vic would be shocked to see how well I’ve adapted to the domestic scene.”
     “It doesn’t matter what he thinks.”  I sipped the milk.  “He only used you.  He never really knew you.”
     “Neither do you.”
     “I know enough.”  I smiled at her.  “When you stood up for me against your husband, I saw the real you.  And I liked that person a lot.”
     “You wouldn’t like my bad side.  I’m self-centered and accustomed to having things my own way.”
     “That doesn’t make you a bad person.”
     “Are you sure?”  She frowned, as if troubled.  “You’d be smart not to trust me.”
     “No worry there.”  I smiled, amused by this insecure side of Geneva.  “If I really trusted you, I’d tell you what really happened to the formula.  I have a lot of secrets.”
     “Secrets aren’t safe with me.  I’d sell them to whoever paid the most.”
     “You don’t mean that.”  I yawned and leaned back in my chair, feeling comfortable and relaxed. “You’ve just been around your husband too long.  You have a good heart.”
     “Please, stop. Don’t say anything else.”  It was odd, but she actually looked upset.  She kept staring at me, as if I’d suddenly grown three heads.
     But all I’d grown was sleepy.  I could hardly keep my eyes open.  Geneva’s face swam in my vision, and it seemed funny to think I’d fall asleep in the kitchen when I hadn’t been able to sleep in my bed.  Or maybe it wasn’t funny … but strange.
     Something wasn’t right.  The ceiling seemed to spin and I thought I heard footsteps. 
     “Gen…Geneva?” I peered at her fuzzy image.  I wanted to ask what was happening, only talking was too exhausting.  I needed to go to my bed.  Keeping my eyes open took all my energy.
     I tried to push myself up, only I stumbled back into the chair.  Everything whirled.  Objects, colors, shapes merged into a spinning kaleidoscope.  A bulky figure stepped into my fragmented vision. A bald man, his expression dark and menacing.
     Dr. Victor.
     I blinked and the nightmare multiplied.  Dozens of Dr. Victor’s came toward me.
     Then my world went black.

CHAPTER TWELVE

     Chase sank deep into a watery hell.  This is crazy! He told himself, but he wasn’t thinking clearly.  He’d never be able to hold his breath long enough.  And the minute he popped out of the water, the security guards would grab him.
     He started to swim back to the surface, but stopped at the sound of voices.
     “So where are the intruders?” a man was saying skeptically.
     “I didn’t see anyone.  I checked the house, the tennis courts and the garden,” a woman replied.  “No one here.”
     “Another false alarm,” the man grumbled.  “That’ll make the third this week.  Don’t people have better things to do than call in false reports?”
     “It keeps us employed, so stop griping. We still have to check the pool house.  If it’s empty, we’ll report this as a false alarm.”
     Go away! Chase wanted to scream.  His lungs ached and he fought to keep calm.  He didn’t dare leave the water.  But he couldn’t hold his breath much longer…
     He felt a tug on his arm.  Sandee.  It was reassuring to have her near, and he was glad to know she was okay.  Could she see him? It was too dark for him to even make out his own hands.  It was like floating in a black tunnel, only there was no air.
     Up above the pool he glimpsed two small bouncing lights and guessed the security officers were going to the pool house.  Could he hold his breath until they left?   
     Sandee was saying something to him, but he didn’t understand.  He couldn’t concentrate.  Air, air, need air.  He could survive being arrested.  He could survive jail.  But he couldn’t survive without air.  Chest exploding, head pounding, lungs aching, he had to swim up.
     But Sandee was pulling on him.  Bubbles came from her mouth, as if she was trying to communicate.  He pushed her away, but she persisted, coming closer.  Her lips touched his and he struggled against her.  How could she try to make a move on him at a time like this?  Crazy, insane, needed air.  Dizzy, feeling weak, can’t think…
     Sandee grabbed him and forced her mouth over his. She pressed firmly, not letting go.  His chest eased and air, blessed air, filled his lungs.  His mind spun with realization.  Sandee was blowing air into his mouth.
     It didn’t make sense, but instantly his head cleared.  He held tight to Sandee, relieved and amazed.  This was incredible.  Sandee was incredible. Her air was soft and sweet and he was overwhelmed with gratitude.
     They couldn’t talk, so Chase sharpened his ears and searched for the voices of the officers.  He picked up the woman first.  She was saying something about locking up, about getting together for a drink later.  Then there was the sound of a gate slamming.
     They’re leaving! Chase thought with relief.  He gestured to Sandee with an “okay” sign and then he pointed up.  He felt her nod.  He inhaled one last deep breath from her sweet lips, then pushed away.  He burst through the water, gagging and gasping, but tingling with energy and amazement.
     He’d been underwater for at least ten minutes.  Wow!
     Sandee popped up beside him, her expression masked in darkness.  The silent house was also cloaked in darkness.  No more alarms, lights or danger. 
     Chase’s wet shoes made soft sloshing noises as he hurried away from the pool.  He shivered and glanced protectively at Sandee who moved beside him.  “Are you cold?” he asked with concern.
     “I don’t get cold.”  She stared into his eyes, as if searching for something.  Then she frowned and looked away.  She increased her pace and moved ahead.
     What was that about? Chase wondered.  Is she mad at me for something?  He shrugged and blamed it on the aftershock from their brush with danger.  Sandee would be fine once they were safely inside the truck.
     “Are we glad to see you!” Eric said when Chase opened the car door.
     Eric offered to drive, and Chase didn’t argue.  He was exhausted and dripping wet.  Sandee was wet too, but she didn’t complain.  In fact, she hardly said a word.  Chase did most of the talking, describing the empty pool house and the near arrest.  But when it came to the part about sharing Sandee’s air underwater, Chase hesitated, then let Eric and Allison assume he’d only been underwater for seconds.  Thinking about his lip-lock with Sandee made him uneasy, even guilty.
     What made him uneasier was the fact that Geneva had led them to an empty house.
     She’d double-crossed them, proving herself to be a Victor to the rotten core.  They never should have trusted her.  And now she was alone with Varina.
     “If you’re worried,” Allison told Chase, “we can call home on my cell phone.”
     “It’s nearly two in the morning,” Eric pointed out.  “Varina will be asleep.”
     “So I’ll wake her,” Chase said, already taking the phone and dialing.  The phone rang and rang, until the answering machine picked up.
     Eric gave Chase an encouraging look.  “So Varina is a heavy sleeper.  Just because she doesn’t answer the phone doesn’t mean she’s in trouble.”
     “I know,” Chase said.  But his anxiety grew, and he tried calling again and again.  Each time the machine picked up.
     “This is all my fault,” Allison said, pushing her bangs from her eyes.  “I should never have promised not to use my strength.”
     “Strength wouldn’t have helped us find something that wasn’t there,” Eric pointed out.  “The house was empty. I don’t think Dr. Victor was ever there.”
     “But he could be in our house,” Chase said uneasily.  Then he urged Eric to drive faster.
     The drive home seemed long.  There was little talking and everyone seemed lost in their own worries.  Chase noticed that Sandee was especially quiet, her expression blank and unreadable.  She’s as anxious as I am, Chase guessed.  Only she’s too proud to show her feelings.
     He didn’t want to embarrass her, so he said nothing.
     An eternity later, they were home. Before the car even stopped, Chase was out of the car, and running up to the front door.  The door opened easily.  Unlocked.
     “Varina!” Chase called as he ran down the hall, repeating her name over and over.  But there was no answer and the room she’d been sleeping in was empty. 
     Fears became reality, and like a crazed person, he opened doors all through the house, calling Varina’s name.
     But the house was empty.
     “Gone,” he choked out, turning to find Eric and Allison standing beside him.  “Geneva, too.”
     “Stay strong,” Allison said, placing a comforting hand on Chase’s shoulder. “We’ll find her.”
     “You bet we will,” Eric added fervently.  “I’ll get online right away and hack into every corner of the Victor’s lives.”
     Allison nodded.  “She’ll be all right.”
     Chase swallowed hard, knowing he couldn’t give in to despair, that he had to keep his cool.  He’d found Varina before, and he could do it again.  He wouldn’t sleep till she was safe.
     “We have to act quickly,” he said in a crisp tone.  He glanced around and realized that Sandee hadn’t joined them.  “Allison, will you get Sandee?  We need to make plans.”
     Allison nodded and left the living room.
     “And while she’s gone, I’ll check on Kitty,” Eric said.
     “Sure.”  Chase frowned, and tried to shut out his emotions so he could think clearly.  But it was hard not to imagine Varina her hurt and scared, crying out for help.
     I’m coming, he thought.  Stay safe, Varina. 
     He heard footsteps and turned to find Allison standing in the hall with an odd expression on her face and a small piece of paper in her hands.
     “What is it?” he asked impatiently.  “Where’s Sandee?”
     Allison shook her head, her dark eyes wide with astonishment, and handed him the paper.
     I came too close to getting caught tonight.
     I’m not risking my freedom no more.
     You don’t need me around anyway. 
     Don’t find me.  Please.  Sandee
     “Her bag is gone,” Allison said quietly.  “She didn’t even stick around to find out if Varina was okay.  She just left.”
     Chase flashed back to their lip-lock and how she saved his life.  Had she mistaken his gratitude for something more? Is that the real reason she left?
     He put confused feelings aside and faced Allison with a cool resolve.  “Sandee’s right, we don’t need her.  We’ll find Varina ourselves.”  More footsteps and he looked up to see Eric rushing into the room. 
     “She’s gone!” Eric exclaimed.
     “We know,” Allison replied sadly.  “She left a note.”
     Eric glanced at the note, then shook his dark head.  “Not her.  The backyard is empty.  The Victors didn’t just take Varina, they took Kitty, too!”
     Chase felt an icy chill, and stared bleakly at his friends. If this were a game of chess, the Victors had triumphantly captured the queen and declared, “Check!”
     But the game wasn’t over.
     Watch out, Victors, Chase thought as he prepared to plot the next move with Allison and Eric. We’re more than helpless pawns.  We have determination and strategy and we’ll win the ultimate checkmate … or die trying. 

         

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