Last Days (Last Days Trilogy #1) (10 page)

Reverend Bailey’s vision of the typical scientist was shattered when Marcus met him in the Westing lobby dressed in his usual black tee shirt and Levis. Rev. Bailey was again disappointed by Marcus’s attitude, which didn’t match his carefree attire; and even more so in Marcus’ refusal to allow him past the lobby.

“So you can see,” Marcus said, “There’s nothing I can tell you.”

“You can let me see him,” Rev. Bailey suggested.

“Impossible. He’s in utero.” Marcus raised his brow, and shrugged.

“Horseshit,” Rev. Bailey snapped. “We both know that man is growing at a year a day.”

“Nonsense,” Marcus said. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I have company.” Marcus turned to leave.

“Why did you even bother to come down here?”

“You asked for someone in charge. I’m it.” Marcus raised his hands as he walked away.

“You can’t keep an event this important from the public. I will know when it happens.” Rev. Bailey yelled. “The Christians of the world deserve to know! You cannot suppress the Second Coming from....” The elevator doors closed. “Asshole,” he mumbled and turned to the main door.

After being buzzed into the main apartment hall, the pager on Marcus’ hip went off. “Shit,” he mumbled.

Overwhelmed by the sudden aroma of turkey, he smiled at Reggie in the tiny kitchen. “Hey, sorry,” he said.

“Did you get rid of him?” Reggie asked.

“I hope.”

“You should have invited him up.”

“Yeah, right. Smells good.” Marcus walked past the two-foot artificial Christmas tree on the coffee table and continued into the kitchen. “Reg, before we eat and unwrap gifts. They want me in the lab. Want to go?”

Reggie turned off the stove. “You’re going to let me see Devante now?”

“Yeah,” Marcus said. He took her arm. “I wanted to prepare you first. But…”

Reggie paused at the door. “Prepare me for what?”

“Holy shit!” Reggie’s voice carried from the main lab into the observing office where Marcus stood with Rose.

“That was all?” Marcus asked.

“Yes,” said Rose. “A two beat per second increase in heart rate.”

Marcus nodded. “Text me if anything else happens. We’re having dinner and...”

“Holy Shit!” Reggie yelled even louder.

“I’d, uh, better...” Marcus pointed, and then walked into the lab. Reggie stood ten feet from the case. “Reg.”

“You... you failed to tell me.” Reggie exclaimed, pointing to the case.

“I wanted to.” Marcus grabbed her hand. “Here, get a closer look.”

“Oh, I can see just fine.”

“Come on.” Marcus tugged her.

“He’s done now, isn’t he?” Reggie asked.

“Yes. As you can see, he’s finished. We’re just waiting.”

Devante was no longer an inchoate form. He was complete, with legs, arms, toes, fingers, eyes, even body hair sprouting on his chest and chin. Eyes closed, he looked like a naked man sleeping. A clutch of his long brownish hair dangled over his brow in his suspended state. A small beard graced his chin.

“This, Marcus, is spooky.”

“It’s just what I told you. All of this is scientifically impossible. We’re breaking ground here.”

“He looks way taller than six-foot-one.”

Marcus nodded. “Actually, we estimate his height at, ready for this,” Marcus swallowed, “six foot ten and a quarter. Give or take a quarter inch.”

“Shit.” Reggie reached her hand toward the case. It hovered above it as if in hesitation. “Christ was a...” She paused as she examined the naked clone. “...big man.” Reggie whistled. “Well, at least there’s no question whether Christ was circumcised,” she giggled.

“I can’t believe you said that.” Marcus moved opposite her across the case.

“What will he be like when he wakes up?”

“I don’t know. Scientifically, a shell, unable to walk, talk, communicate. Theoretically, he has no prior knowledge. Religiously, he has no soul.”

“So, he may never wake up. He could be a shell of a man forever?”

“Could be,” Marcus answered. “At least he wasn’t born on Christmas.”

“Unless he wakes up tonight,” Reggie said.

“Christmas is past, Reg,” Marcus said. “
Our
Christmas doesn’t count.”

“But it is.” Reggie nodded. “It’s January sixth, Marcus, today’s the feast of the epiphany. Otherwise known as... little Christmas. Or celebration of...”

Marcus leaned over and peered into the case, then to the heart monitor, which was signaling a new heart rate. He whispered, “...the revealing of Christ.”

Marcus’ smile appeared blurred through the glass as he sipped his wine. He and Reggie sat on his living room floor. He reached over her bent legs to the gifts covering the coffee table. “These are all great.”

Reggie leaned back against the sofa. “Well, everyone bought you the same thing.”

“So what. I’ll wear them all.” Marcus fingered the stack of black tee shirts as if they were his treasure, then finished his wine. “Reg.” He shifted his body to face her. “May I tell you something?” Marcus stared at her for a moment, spellbound at her oblivious expression. “You know what?” He hesitated. “Never mind.”

“Marcus?” She pulled his arm back. “You have something to tell me. Go on.”

He shifted his eyes down to her hand as it grazed his. “All right.” he said, plucking up the courage, inching closer, and speaking softly and seriously. “This whole thing. You coming here. Making a little Christmas for me. It means a lot.” He raised his eyes to the ceiling absently, then back at her. “We’ve known each other for a long time and have seen each other through some hard times, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, we have. You’ve always been there for me, Marcus.” Reggie smiled.

“Yes. And you have always been there for me. But...” His voice dropped. “Never like now. Throughout this entire experiment… when everyone else backed off, when everyone else cringed, you stayed strong, and got stronger the more I lost support elsewhere.”

“My protective instinct, I guess.”

“I was hoping it was something else,” he murmured.

She leaned closer, giggling. “What’d you say?”

“Okay,” Marcus exhaled. “From the onset....” he began.

“You’ve been thinking about this, haven’t you? You have it all worked out in your head.”

“Reg, please.” Marcus ran his hand down his face and smiled. “From the onset you’ve played a vital role. You helped in every way you could. You did more than a friend should. And you knew and understood what I was going through. You withstood my boring ‘talking it through’ phases.” He paused. “And, something happened.” He drifted, confused, and then began to ramble. “Maybe I always looked at you differently, Reg. But for the past year or so, every day, I’ve begun to look at you
really
differently. As an amazing friend, and a remarkable woman. You’re irresistible, funny. Not to mention beautiful.” He leaned over to her. “And there’s nothing I’d like to do more now than to cross the boundaries of friendship... and kiss you.” Marcus moved back abruptly, eyes wide.

Long moments passed.

“I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Marcus... Do it.”

Marcus quickly looked back. “I’m sorry?”

“Do it. Now. Step over the boundaries. Kiss me.”

“How?”

“However you feel. Honestly Marcus, you’ve asked me for more... like when we were ten. Remember?”

“Yeah, but, Reg, this isn’t two kids playing doctor.” Marcus swept his hand over the top of his head. “This is way different.”

“Marcus.” Reggie lowered her eyes. “You were my first kiss.”

“Yeah, but that was only to see if you would pee your pants.”

“So what’s the big deal? I want you to kiss me.”

“Really?” Marcus slid her way, his chest brushing against her knees. Slowly he lowered his lips to hers. “I’m nervous.”

“So am I, so forgive me if I get giddy.”

“Forgiven.” He tilted his head to the left, hesitantly bringing his lips closer. A slight giggle escaped them both as Marcus tilted to the right, parting his lips with a smile.

In a quiet moment, Marcus could hear each beat of his heart, and touched his lips to Reggie’s. Her lips opened slightly before he pulled back.

Marcus panicked when he heard her soft ‘Oh.’ “What?” he asked.

“You made my stomach flutter,” Reggie whispered. “And my heart. Feel.”

Marcus moved his hand to her neck and felt her pulse. “Rapid.” He smiled.

“You.” Reggie shifted her eyes to his. “Marcus?” she said, breathless, “let’s try that again.”

With a smile he leaned into her. Just as their lips touched, he felt a vibration on his hip. It wasn’t sexual, but he wished it was. He pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” Reggie asked.

Marcus looked down at his cell phone. “Oh my God.” He jumped up, his eyes blinking wildly over the room. “Reg... Reg!” Marcus sputtered. “The clone... Devante... he’s moving.”

The observatory office was empty as Marcus and Reggie banged through the doors, but Marcus could see Rose, Tom, and John standing in the other lab. He looked to the monitors. Not a single one showed the amniotic case. He clicked frantically on the keyboard checking the monitors until the camera readjusted and the artificial womb came into view.

“Oh my God!” Marcus exclaimed, clicking on the ‘Record’ button so as to capture all activity. He yanked Reggie into the lab.

Once inside, he demanded, “How long has this been happening?”

“Started right before I texted you,” Rose replied.

Marcus opened his top drawer and extracted a handgun. When he noticed Reggie’s consternation, he said, “Don’t worry,” and pulled out a black case. Flipping the case open, he exposed four long tubes. He selected one of them, put the case away, and inserted the tube into the gun. He stuck the gun in his belt. “Just being prepared, Reg.”

The din of rushing water in the artificial womb crowded out all other sounds in the room as Devante’s huge body thrashed about making waves in his case, arms flailing, legs kicking. Marcus and his team surrounded the womb.

Tom looked at Marcus. “Should we free him?”

“His eyes aren’t open yet,” Marcus observed, then motioned his head. “Go over to the womb computer and be ready to release the amniotic fluid through the flow valve. When he wakes up, if he wakes up, we don’t want him to drown.”

“Got it, sir.” Tom backed up, eyes glued to the case, and moved to the computer a few feet from the womb.

“John,” Marcus called. “Go get the crash cart in case he goes into cardiac arrest.” Marcus peered up to the heart monitor. “His heart rate is through the roof.”

“Yes, sir.” John raced toward the door.

Marcus spun, pointing his arm. “And grab two extra vials of atropine!” His eyes returned to the womb. “Rose, you and Reg prepare the lift because I don’t think...”

The thrashing stopped. The bubbles in the amniotic fluid slowed down in volume and intensity.

Moments passed in silence.

“Did he die?” Rose asked.

“Release him?” John stood ready by the computer.

Marcus looked at the monitor. “He’s still alive. Hold up.”

“Marcus,” Reggie whispered. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” Marcus said, as he, Reggie and Rose stepped closer. “He’s still again. Maybe it was just a...”

The three leaped back in unison when Devante’s eyes opened widely. The creature didn’t look around – just straight up.

Then he slowly lifted his arms.

As the glass boundary began to creak with stress, Marcus grabbed Reggie and yanked her back.

Another creak. Marcus shouted, “Get down!”

Spinning, he clutched Reggie into his body and tackled her as he dove onto the hard floor. The glass walls of the case collapsed up and out with water bursting forth. Marcus and Reggie slipped along the floor, spinning with the rushing current of amniotic fluid.

Then debris began to rain down. The fragments of the glass walls sailed in every direction, bouncing off the ceiling and floor.

Marcus, helpless in the slippery liquid, looked to Tom. Tom was at the computer, his hand on the flow valve, and his eyes on the screen. Tom panicked and whirled around as if sensing something. A huge fragment of glass somersaulted toward him. The sharp end of the chunk penetrated his mid-section, forcing him back into the computer table with a crash, his feet flopping in amniotic fluid. Tom’s hands on the terminal completed the circuit and lit him up like a Christmas tree. His body shook violently.

After a few long seconds, the flashes of electricity dwindled, the water flow abated, and the glass settled. The room plunged into quiet, save for some last lights and sparks flickering and dying.

Marcus and Reggie lay on the floor, rattled, soaking wet. Marcus lifted her up. “Reg, you okay?”

Reggie nodded.

John froze in the doorway as he returned with the cart. His eyes took in the horrific mess. “What... what... happened?”

Marcus slipped as he stood to his feet. “I don’t know.” He grabbed Reggie’s hand to lift her and heard sobs from Rose. “Rose, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Scared.” She rolled to her side and faltered to her feet.

“Devante.” Marcus looked over his shoulder.

Through the flickering lights he could see Devante laying on the stand, motionless where the case once was. “Reg,” Marcus whispered and touched her shoulder. “Stay near the wall.”

“You think I’m moving?” Reggie said.

Marcus tried to smile as he ran his fingers down her cheek, and then turned to check on his assistant. “Tom, are you all right?”

At that moment the power went back on and the lab lit up. “Oh shit. God, no!” Marcus wailed. He rushed over, slipping and sliding, and collapsed to his knees next to Tom. He lay on his side, stomach soaked with blood, smoke rising from his head. Marcus turned him over and found lifeless eyes staring back. He didn’t need to feel for a pulse. Reggie called to him.

“Marcus. Look.”

Pivoting his head, Marcus watched as Devante sat up.

Devante’s legs were thick, muscular and well-toned, matching his overall huge physique. He bent his long legs and slowly stood. His eyes were wide open. Although focused and barely shifting, they did not seem to be fixated on any one person. His nude body beaded and shimmered with the amniotic fluid. His long wet hair dangled, some of it sticking to his stern and emotionless face. He edged off of the concrete pedestal that once held the womb, and stepped over the broken glass. He walked steadily and slowly, eyes straight ahead.

Marcus couldn’t blink; he didn’t dare. But Devante didn’t look at Marcus; his focus went to Tom’s body. The crunch of glass and splash of bare feet against the damp floor were the only sounds in the room as Devante lowered before the dead assistant.

Oblivious to his creator, who crouched nearby, Devante reached out his wide hand, gripped the large piece of glass protruding from Tom’s stomach, and extracted it, as if he were removing a sliver from a child’s finger. He tossed it aside absently, and placed his hands on Tom’s head.

Then Devante whispered a sort of incantation. To Marcus, the whispered words seemed at once deep and solemn and strangely dark.

“My awakening... shall be yours.”

Slowly, Devante slid his palms down Tom’s face. As soon as Devante’s fingers crossed over his lips, Tom blinked. Then Devante moved his hands to the wound, wide and seeping, and covered it, with fingers spread. Within seconds, Tom’s injury had disappeared.

Tom moved, alive. Simultaneously, Rose stumbled, spun and began to flee the room.

“Stop!” Devante commanded. “Do not leave this room.”

Rose skidded to a halt, and turned around.

“No one will leave this room. Not yet.” Devante stood, as did Marcus. The two of them locked into a stare and then Devante scanned the shambled lab and each of the faces there.

Tom got to his feet, steadying himself on a table. “Marcus?” His voice trembled.

“You people brought me here and yet you act surprised?” Devante questioned calmly as he stepped across the room toward Reggie. “Why are you all frightened?”

Marcus stepped into Devante’s path trying to block him but. Devante quickly sidestepped and stopped before Reggie. “All but you. You are not frightened.”

Reggie looked up into Devante’s oddly blue eyes. “No, I’m not.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“No.” Reggie seemed captivated by the giant’s stare until her eyes reflexively moved down his body. She looked away.

The corner of Devante’s mouth crinkled in an amused breath, almost laugh-like. He turned away from Reggie. “I need clothing. Where are the clothes for this body?” he asked.

No response. “Rosemary, get me coverings. Now,” he said louder.

Marcus stepped over to Reggie and put his arms around her protectively.

This time there was no mistaking Devante’s chuckle. “Chivalrous. Honorable,” he remarked with a hint of cynicism, then moved away.

Moments later, he announced, “I apologize if my arrival disrupted the intimacy, you, Dr. Leon, have pined for since childhood.”

Devante turned as if bored and moved away.

Marcus tried to show no reaction to what the creature said. Yet, his facial expression conveyed concern.

Devante met Marcus’s glare. “Do you not wonder how I know your desires?” he asked.

“No,” Marcus answered.

“Do you?” Devante turned to Reggie.

“I think your brain was a giant vat while you slept and you sucked it all in.” Reggie said.