Sleepers Part 1

Breakers Episode I

Chapter 1

His fingers moved restlessly on his leg. Amy watched them twitch in fascination. Levi leaned against the wall beside the door to the room. He was essentially blocking the only exit without standing in front of it.

Striking a match from his collection, the stick flared to life with the flame. The smell of burning sulfur twitched at her nose. The action would have annoyed her if she wasn’t so interested in the other occupant in the room. The moment the fire was struck, the young man’s twitchy fingers moved faster. He must be a fire bug as well.

The door opened as Mr. King swiftly entered the room. Forest was quick behind him, quirking a brow at Levi and his lit match. Instead of putting it out, he snickered in challenge. Not even when the flame reached the skin of his fingers did he snuff it. He didn’t flinch. The fire went out on its own after being unable to burn past the already ruined flesh of his fingertips. She didn’t even think he could feel most of the underside of his hands. He had burned them too many times to count over the years. Not because he wasn’t cautious, but because he enjoyed it.

Her gaze moved to the other boy's hands. Besides the thick callouses on his thumbs, she sees no ruined flesh. Maybe he had more restraint than Levi. Taking in the feverish eyes of the boy as he watched the flame of the match proved otherwise.

“This is an interesting turn of events. What is your name boy?” Instead of answering, he leaned back into his chair and smirked. “I can’t imagine Astrid only made one of the pair and not the other. Where is your other half?” Again they were met with silence. She expected Mr. King to lash out, but surprisingly he chuckled. “I will find her. When I do, she’ll suffer for it.”

“Then start digging.” His words were followed by a manic laugh. The twitch of cheek muscles was the only sign Mr. King gave before the calm settled around him again. It was a minor slip of emotion. One she was sure wouldn’t happen again.

“What are you saying exactly, boy? Speak clearly, I don’t play games.”

“She’s dead. Too much of a liability.”

“A liability?”

“She proved unstable. Both of us would have been discovered if something hadn’t been done.”

“I see.” Mr. King’s gaze fell on Amy. She gritted her teeth but said nothing. She had proved herself valuable. There was nothing to fear. She was not her clone, nor was she unstable. Though she knew Levi believed her to be. If her clone’s pair could kill her was there a chance that Levi could do the same? Her immediate answer wasn’t a yes. That unsettled her. “I will have you shown around for today. Tomorrow prepare yourself. Those who don’t prove useful are dealt with.”

“What makes you think I will cooperate?”

“Perhaps I should send you to be with your creator. It matters not to me.”

“No need. I’ll play nice as long as I have a reason too.” The boy’s eyes fell on Amy. If she expected him to quickly look away like all the other clones, she was mistaken. He met her gaze head on, not wavering at all. His face was devoid of all emotions and his eyes cold. She couldn’t read him at all.

“We will see. For now, you’ll room with Levi until a dorm can be readied for you.” That was the end of the discussion. Mr. King pressed the buzzer under his desk, calling for them to be escorted out. There would be no further talks today.

A guard entered. He headed right for the newcomer, but the boy was out of his seat before he could lay a hand on him. Walking out the door, he stopped. Turning his head, he gave a smirk as he spoke.

“It’s Jacob, not boy.” With that, he was out the door before the rest of them had time to react.

Levi was the first to follow him out, not waiting for the guard to go first. Amy glared at the backs of the two of them as she walked out after him. Mr. King’s chuckle rang out behind her until the door cut off the sound as the guard closed it.

Amy growled low. This new boy, Jacob, was a problem. His appearance now made Levi more dangerous. Not to anyone other than herself though. The seed had already been planted in his head, she was sure.

She wanted to scream, to rage, to attack him. She could do none of it. His presence had effectively placed a noose around her neck. If she reacted, they would get rid of her. Jacob himself proved the pairs could function fine without the other. The same could not be said of all the other pairs. They were near symbiotic in their bonds. One pair never survived the death of the other. They always waste away regardless of any intervention to prevent it. Now she no longer had the safety net of Levi’s life to ensure her own continued existence. He had become her leash. The knowledge was unpleasant.

Her only chance was to figure out a way to win him over. Make him want to pair her. If she did, then there was no longer a need for Levi. That brought a twisted smile to her face. The same safety net she no longer had, he didn’t either. She could survive without him. A ready-made replacement.