The Human Experiment

Who's Who

Chapter 9

           It wasn’t human. If the eyes hadn’t been enough of a giveaway, the smile would have been. It was a mockery of human expression. Completely synthetic and off. The stranger’s mouth was stretched so wide that the ruby painted lips had thinned to mere lines. The teeth were two utterly straight rows of sparkling white that looked more like a growl should accompany the act. The skin was pulled back so tight that unnatural wrinkles were folded into the face. A skin suit over a counterfeit human.

           “Could you stop trying to smile at me DAX. It’s creeping me out. You are DAX, aren’t you?” The macabre grin dropped from its face turning the features neutral. The odd thing was that when she said its name, the acknowledgment seemed to make it content. Waves of the emotion radiated from it. Those feelings were a tangible pulse that thickened the air.

           “We finally meet.” It was a weird statement. Although it was accurate. She had been near death and unconscious when Ian had seen the A.I. Seeing that DAX had shown itself as a buxom blonde woman this time instead of the young boy had her skittish. It could appear as anyone at any time. They’d never know when the A.I. was there if it chose not to show itself. 

           “Why are you here?” The A.I. c****d its head at her inquiry. The silence stretched between them until it decided to speak.

           “Observing.”

           “You were watching us?”

           “Perhaps.” It wasn’t an answer really. However, it was most likely the only one it would give.

           “Why did you pull me away? I’m going to get trapped here if I don’t stay with the others.” DAX giggled at her. The sound had no joy in it, but she was sure it was trying to show amusement just the same.

           “To warn you of course.” The fine hairs on the back of her neck lifted.

           “Warn me about what?”

           “Not what Scarlett but who.”

           “Okay. Who?” A small smile tugged at DAX’s lips. It seemed to be enjoying itself. Truthfully, she might have been too if they had met under other circumstances.

           “Be careful of the company you keep Scarlett.” DAX turned and began walking away.

           “Wait!” Calling out had been useless. With each step it took the human physique faded. Pausing it cast a look over its shoulder at her.

           “You’ll never be trapped.” It winked at her as it completely disappeared as if it had never been there. Her head spun as she tried to grasp onto a single train of thought. She was failing miserably. Deciding to leave it for now she moved to head back to her group. Her steps were stopped as someone grabbed onto her spinning her around.

***

           “Ian you’re missing someone.” Everly’s voice cut through the noise of the crowd. Looking over to the others he noticed a dark-haired man had joined the group. Luca was there as well as Lydia. Scarlett however was gone. Grinding his teeth his eyes searched through the people surrounding them. His gut churned as he failed to locate her. He moved back over to the other two in hopes she was standing behind them.

           “Where’s Scarlett?” Luca and Lydia began looking around them apparently not having noticed her departure either.

           “Ian, where is she?” Lydia asked with panic in her voice. Her dark green gaze searching frantically as she began to shake.

           “We’ll find her Lydia. Calm down.” Fury filled her eyes as they clashed with Luca’s steel colored orb.

           “Don’t tell me to calm down. We need to find her. She won’t be able to protect herself. She’s the only one of us that’s completely vulnerable here. What if the killer’s got her?”

           “I’m sorry but did you say killer?” The question came from the new face among them. Ian looked him over weighing him as a possible threat. The band that flashed on the man’s wrist caught his attention. Could this be the owner of the current construct?

           “We don’t know that someone killed that woman. It could have been a construct turned deadly.” He directed his words to Lydia even if his eyes hadn’t left the stranger. The man’s deep olive skin paled as he listened.

           “There was a death?”

           “At least one that we know one.” Luca was the one to answer this time as he maneuvered himself between the stranger and Lydia.

           “That’s not possible.” He sounded unsure of his statement which grew Ian’s interest.

           “What makes you think that?” A guarded mask fell over the man’s features as he turned to address him.

           “The system is built to be safe. It wouldn’t act against its programing.” That was the most confident thing the stranger had said yet.

           “Who are you?” Luca and Ian had been so wrapped up in interrogating the man that they forgot Lydia. She made her presence known as she asked her question while coming out in front of Luca. Ian had dismissed her as a danger up until that moment. Her features were fixed in a look that had him taking a step back. He had no doubt that she could remove the man’s heart from his body. She’d probably feast on it while it was still beating and smile as the stranger watched her devour him.

           “I’m Vincent and who are you gorgeous?” The guy was too stupid to live. Ignoring the three of them he focused his attention back to Scarlett.

           “Everly, can you pinpoint Scarlett’s position? I can’t see her in this mess of people.”

           “Hang on she just popped back up. She’s on the west end of the crowd. Right outside them.” He headed in her direction as quickly as possible.

           “What did you mean she popped back up?”

           “She was standing next to all of you and suddenly she blipped out of the system. You need to hurry Ian. She’s not alone.” His heart pounded inside his chest. He should have never taken his eyes off her. Lydia was right to worry. Clearly the two fae, whatever those were, could handle themselves. He was protected by the system for the most part. Scarlett had nothing outside of the members of their party.

           “There I see her.” He stumbled at the sound of Lydia’s voice. Glancing back, he was surprised to see she and Luca right behind him. Both looked fearsome as anger radiated off them. He could see why though. Heat poured through his veins. There was a man trying to manhandle her. Picking up the pace the three of them began shoving people out of the way trying to get to her. The guy was trying to drag her away. Pride swelled in his chest as he watched Scarlett give him hell. She wasn’t going without a fight. He knew though that she wouldn’t last for much longer. They needed to reach her by then. Her life could very well depend on it.