Into the deep

CHAPTER 13 — Turning on the machine

Getting in the machine was the easy part. It was really cold, but Manny told me not to worry — it would get warm.

I had to be in the machine overnight. I was really worried. All I knew was that it was a sleep test — I didn’t know what for.

“Hey Manny… can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, Becky. Anything.”

“Who’s the girl that looks like Katie? Is she a clone?”

“Well… Becky, that’s complicated. But I’ll tell you this: they have our DNA. That’s why they’re always drawing blood from you. They do it to all of us. In case we die — or in case they have to kill us — they can copy us.”

“So… a clone?”

“Well… yeah. But go to sleep now, Becky. We have to start the test before they punish us. We can talk again in the morning. I promise.”

“Subject is asleep,” he said. “Beginning testing now. Zero out of five tests done.”

“Starting with powers check. See how powerful, and what percentage her powers are at.”

He checked.

And what he saw scared him.

“She’s more powerful than everyone in here combined,” he whispered to himself.

“She could take over if she wanted to. She must not know that though… she would’ve told me if she knew.”

“One out of five tests done.”

He went to start the second test. But something went wrong.

I started shaking. Violently.

It looked like I was in pain.

He shut the machine down immediately.

I heard a voice from across the lab:

“MANNY! Why did you turn off the machine?!”

“I’m sorry, sir! I had to! It was hurting her — she needs a break!”

“I don’t care! Turn it back on!”

“Sir, if she dies, all of this would have been a waste of time!”

“I don’t care if she dies — we can make another!”

“Sir, please. Just let me do this how it’s supposed to be done.”

“Fine. But if anything else goes wrong… you finish the test. NO MATTER WHAT.”

“Yes sir… I understand.”

He came to me.

“Hey Becky,” he whispered. “Wake up.”

“Oh… hey Manny. Are the tests done?”

“Um… no. I had to shut everything down. It was hurting you. I couldn’t lose you.”

“Thank you, Manny.”

“You’re welcome, Becky. Come sit with me. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah… I mean… I feel a little out of it… but not like… in pain. Just weird.”

“Do you want the snack I gave you earlier?”

“Yes please.”

“Here.”

“Thank you… I like you, Manny. You’re very sweet.”

“To you, always, Becky.”

“Hey… Manny… I have to tell you something. But later. Let’s try the test again.”

“Okay, Becky. Don’t be scared. Everything is okay.”