Chapter 2: Letha

After looking through the magazines that my Father provided for me. I chose the haircut I wanted and he got someone to cut it for me. My long black hair is now short and a little spiked up but not too much. It kind of looked natural and I love it! "You look lovely, 46," said my Father.

I smiled happily and said, "I really love it, Father! Thank you so much! But I also have another request. Can I change my name? I really don't like being called 46."

He chuckles, "Yes I suppose 46 is not much of a good name. How about Emily?"

"Hmmm, nah. Emily doesn't seem to suit me."

"Well, maybe you would like to choose your own name?"

"Okay."

"Well, I must attend to my other duties, my child. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask your caretaker, Mrs. Evers."

"Okay, Father, but if you don't mind? Can I take a look around?"

"It's best that you stay in this room for now. There are some areas here that are restricted. In the meantime, you have books and television in here to keep you from boredom. Now I must go."

"Okay, Father."

I watch him leave the room as I look through the shelves of books, trying to decide which one to read. I pick out a book called Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. I said to myself, "This looks good." I went to my bed to sit down and open the book to read it.

After reading the first two chapters suddenly I hear scuffling going on in the ventilation shafts. I curiously look up trying to figure out what could be moving around up there. It's too big to sound like a regular animal. It must be a human up there. I close the book for a moment to stand up and try to follow the sounds up there.

Until suddenly the gate to the shaft swung open and Edward Nygma jumped out of it. He looked at me and smiled as he said, "Ah, it's you! I didn't think I would see you again! Oh, you cut your hair? It looks nice on you."

"Oh, why thank you, Edward."

He gasps in surprise as he said, "You can talk? I'm surprised you are able to pick up English so fast. I mean you are an artificial human being right?"

"Um, yeah. My father created me."

"Your father?"

"Dr. Hugo Strange."

Edward frowns at the mention of Hugo's name. "Dr. Strange, huh? No offense, but I really don't trust that man. He's got a dark side to him that you don't see."

"Dark side?"

"I can show you proof that he's not a good man, and my guess is that he probably created you for experimental purposes."

I got annoyed, "How can you say that?! He's been kind to me when I woke up!"

"Oh, he's nice to you for now, but just wait till he uses you for his experiments like a guinea pig. Hey has he even given you a name, yet?"

"Uh, no, but they were calling me 46."

"Heh heh, of course, they gave you a number. So you don't have a real name then? Hmmm, let's see."

Edward walked around me to observe every inch of me. He said, "I don't know if you realized this." He lifts up my arm and runs his hands to feel it, "But you're really quite fit. You've got some muscles on you."

"Why is that surprising?"

"Well, you're an artificial human being. You're practically a newborn. And yet you know how to speak English, you pretty much know what everything is, you look extremely healthy, but I'm willing to bet you don't remember your name nor your past. If I didn't know better, I would say you're more of a clone than just a regular artificial human being."

"A clone of who, though?"

"I don't know... For now, I will call you Letha."

"Letha?" I said the name again to hear how it sounds to be called that, "I like it. Letha it is then. But Edward, why do you say that my Father will use me as a guinea pig?"

"I'm assuming he hasn't shown you his other experimental subjects?"

"No, wait so there are others like me?"

"Yes, but most of them don't look human. Look I'm trying to find a way out of here. Would you like to help me?"

"Why would you want to get out?"

He chuckles, "Letha, this place is no way to live your life. Being experimented on is not fun."

"Are you one of Father's experiments?"

"No, but I am a prisoner here on the waiting list to be experimented on, so will you help me?"

"What will happen to me if I do?"

"Well...You could stay with me. I mean I'm also going to have to count on you to help me out to find a decent place to live."

I smile and said, "Okay then yeah, I'll help you. Hey does this make us as friends then?"

"Yes if you want to be my friend."

"Okay, Also I'm bringing this book with me." I pick up the Harry Potter book, "This is a really good read."

He laughs and said, "Yes it is. Alright then, let's get back into the vents, there's a way to get out of here from the roofs, but we must stay quiet, understand?"

I nodded and he smiles as he said, "Great. Here I'll help you get in first." He grabs a chair to place it underneath the opening. He grabs the book I was holding and toss it up into the vent. "Alright ready?" I nodded, "Okay one, two, three, upsy daisy!"

He grunted when he pick me up and help me get inside the vent. He said, "Oh my you're heavier than you look, shortcake!"

I said, "Heeeey, I'm not that short."

"5'1 is short, Letha."

I pouted. "Okay now help me get up there." He said as he outstretches his arms towards me. I grabbed his arms and pull him into the vent. After he closes the shaft he said, "Alrighty then, let's get out of here, Letha."