approached our room and crossed to the computer screen to speak with Helmann.
“I want her unharmed, Fritz,” said Helmann. “Do I make myself clear? Hans has made enough mess of things today. God knows my instructions were simple enough.”
Fritz’s eyes darted nervously to where I’d been moments ago. Then he gasped and stood for a moment in silent shock as he spotted the operating table, now empty of me.
“What is it?” demanded Helmann.
“She is … she has … that is,” Fritz hesitated.
“Yes?”
Fritz took in a deep breath. “She has vanished.”
Both men were silent for several seconds. Then Fritz cleared his throat.
“Hans can easily bring her back, sir. We know where to find her, and we also know the location of all her living relations.”
“That’s hardly the point. Fritz, did I not warn you she would be a chameleon?” Helmann’s voice sounded infinitely patient, but with anger pulsing just beneath.
“Father, I assure you, precautions were taken. She received the Neuroplex injection before Hans brought her from her home.”
“Then the error must lie in your new medication .” Helmann’s tone was icy, accusatory.
“The Neuroplex has been thoroughly tested. I even used it on myself. The effects last for two days,” said Fritz. “Unless, perhaps, in coordination with the anesthesia …”
We must leave! Christian sounded worried.
Not yet , I replied.
Hans strolled briskly into the room, joining Fritz beside the computer screen. He also looked confused by my absence.
“She managed to escape,” said Fritz.
Hans bowed deeply to his father. “We beg forgiveness, Father. Fritz assured me it would not be possible—”
The angry man cut him off. “Fritz’ conclusions were premature.”
Hans spoke in deference. “I shall retrieve her at once.”
“You’ll retrieve her when I command it! You’ve bungled things badly enough for one day.”
“Perhaps we could send an apology?” said Fritz. “Indicating Hans’ mis–step?” Fritz’ voice faded under the force of his father’s withering glance.
“She is to be left alone for the time being,” said Helmann. “Fritz, I want a thorough temperature–sweep of the building. Begin with the stasis chamber.”
“Yes, sir,” said Fritz, exiting.
Helmann turned to Hans, frowning. “I am most displeased.”
Hans bowed as if to leave.
“You have disappointed me today, Hans. Your methods were inexcusable.”
My methods were effective! I jerked in surprise as Hans’ thoughts reached me, powerful within my mind.
“Forgive me, Father,” Hans spoke aloud in a contrite voice.
The two men departed the room.
Now! Christian said to me. Let us depart.
They took an egg from me, Christian. I have to get it back.
I could feel Christian’s indecision. I heard echoes of his thoughts, full of words like “deplorable” and “depraved.”
Not today, Mademoiselle. To retrieve it, one of us must solidify. It cannot be you as you will at once experience the effects of the ether. And it cannot be me—I dare not release you.
Christian, Helmann is going to make a child—a child that’s half me! It’s hideous! I can’t let them do this!
This is not the day, ma chère cousine , they are sweeping the building to see if you remain. We must leave.
I wept tearlessly as Christian carried me back to Las Abuelitas, toward home and a measure of safety.
Chapter Twelve
----
VIALS
· WILL ·
I don’t know how long I ran for, but everyone had gone to sleep by the time I got back inside the apartment. When I came solid, drowsiness pulled me under like a riptide. I passed out on my bed and slept ‘til ten the next morning.
At the small table, Mickie and Sir Walter hovered over his computer tablet, watching Helmann’s “Brave New World” video again.
“ Yet these souls will perish, whether by our hand or another’s, they have, even the youngest of them, less than a century before they will be gone and forgotten. Such a waste.
“I want her unharmed, Fritz,” said Helmann. “Do I make myself clear? Hans has made enough mess of things today. God knows my instructions were simple enough.”
Fritz’s eyes darted nervously to where I’d been moments ago. Then he gasped and stood for a moment in silent shock as he spotted the operating table, now empty of me.
“What is it?” demanded Helmann.
“She is … she has … that is,” Fritz hesitated.
“Yes?”
Fritz took in a deep breath. “She has vanished.”
Both men were silent for several seconds. Then Fritz cleared his throat.
“Hans can easily bring her back, sir. We know where to find her, and we also know the location of all her living relations.”
“That’s hardly the point. Fritz, did I not warn you she would be a chameleon?” Helmann’s voice sounded infinitely patient, but with anger pulsing just beneath.
“Father, I assure you, precautions were taken. She received the Neuroplex injection before Hans brought her from her home.”
“Then the error must lie in your new medication .” Helmann’s tone was icy, accusatory.
“The Neuroplex has been thoroughly tested. I even used it on myself. The effects last for two days,” said Fritz. “Unless, perhaps, in coordination with the anesthesia …”
We must leave! Christian sounded worried.
Not yet , I replied.
Hans strolled briskly into the room, joining Fritz beside the computer screen. He also looked confused by my absence.
“She managed to escape,” said Fritz.
Hans bowed deeply to his father. “We beg forgiveness, Father. Fritz assured me it would not be possible—”
The angry man cut him off. “Fritz’ conclusions were premature.”
Hans spoke in deference. “I shall retrieve her at once.”
“You’ll retrieve her when I command it! You’ve bungled things badly enough for one day.”
“Perhaps we could send an apology?” said Fritz. “Indicating Hans’ mis–step?” Fritz’ voice faded under the force of his father’s withering glance.
“She is to be left alone for the time being,” said Helmann. “Fritz, I want a thorough temperature–sweep of the building. Begin with the stasis chamber.”
“Yes, sir,” said Fritz, exiting.
Helmann turned to Hans, frowning. “I am most displeased.”
Hans bowed as if to leave.
“You have disappointed me today, Hans. Your methods were inexcusable.”
My methods were effective! I jerked in surprise as Hans’ thoughts reached me, powerful within my mind.
“Forgive me, Father,” Hans spoke aloud in a contrite voice.
The two men departed the room.
Now! Christian said to me. Let us depart.
They took an egg from me, Christian. I have to get it back.
I could feel Christian’s indecision. I heard echoes of his thoughts, full of words like “deplorable” and “depraved.”
Not today, Mademoiselle. To retrieve it, one of us must solidify. It cannot be you as you will at once experience the effects of the ether. And it cannot be me—I dare not release you.
Christian, Helmann is going to make a child—a child that’s half me! It’s hideous! I can’t let them do this!
This is not the day, ma chère cousine , they are sweeping the building to see if you remain. We must leave.
I wept tearlessly as Christian carried me back to Las Abuelitas, toward home and a measure of safety.
Chapter Twelve
----
VIALS
· WILL ·
I don’t know how long I ran for, but everyone had gone to sleep by the time I got back inside the apartment. When I came solid, drowsiness pulled me under like a riptide. I passed out on my bed and slept ‘til ten the next morning.
At the small table, Mickie and Sir Walter hovered over his computer tablet, watching Helmann’s “Brave New World” video again.
“ Yet these souls will perish, whether by our hand or another’s, they have, even the youngest of them, less than a century before they will be gone and forgotten. Such a waste.
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