You Never Know
Chapter Five
Nancy gazed back at her, a strange blank expression on her face. "Amy…I'm sorry. I'm very sorry."
Amy was close to tears. She didn't know what to say…what to feel. She knew she wanted to feel anger on her mother…but she just couldn't. All she felt was sadness. Betrayal…
"Mom…all this time…you were working with Project Crescent? All this time? And I thought…I thought…" Amy's voice broke, tears stinging the back of her eyes.
Nancy shook her head. "No, not until…well, recently. I didn't have a choice, Amy."
Amy just stared at her.
Nancy took a deep breath. "They've always known, Amy. They've never really believed the clones died from the explosion. They've always known. And so…they created a second Project Crescent. When the Amys reached the full bloom of their abilities…they knew it was time to bring you back to the labs…I hope you understand."
Amy bit her lip, fighting back the tears and trying to clear her head. "So…you worked for the second project?"
"I didn't want to Amy. They gave me no choice." Nancy said sincerely.
Amy chuckled grimly. "Oh, so you're going to help taking over the world too? Nice job, Mom."
"Amy!" Nancy said sharply. "You know I would never do that."
"Oh really? Then what are you doing now?" Amy snapped, feeling the anger for the first time.
Nancy looked as if she were about to burst. "Amy, will you listen to me? I never wanted to work for this…this damned Project, okay? The reason I'm here is because I plan to end it, you understand? I want to terminate Project Crescent…again!"
Amy was speechless for a moment. So Nancy was here because of the same reason why Amy was here.
"Mom…" Amy started, wondering if she could believe her mother's words. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I never knew." Nancy replied sadly, her voice softening. "I never knew there was a second project until Mary Jaleski came to warn me. I wanted to tell you…but I didn't have the chance."
Amy nodded, her anger subsiding. Maybe…maybe her mother was telling the truth. In fact, Amy felt bad for doubting her own mother…
"How are we going to do it?" Amy asked.
Nancy's face was blank. "Do what?"
"Terminate the project. How are we going to do that?" Amy reminded her.
Nancy sighed, leaning on the wall. "I don't know. I've been trying to think of a way…a way to end this project without actually hurting anyone…especially you and the other Amys."
Amy's mind raced. She figured that even if she and the other clones managed to escape, the project would still continue—since the scientists already have the DNA that they need…Amy turned to her mom.
"Mom, why are they going through all this trouble to get the twelve clones? I mean, they already have the DNA structure they need." Amy asked.
Nancy smiled ironically. "For the simple reason of not wanting to wait another twelve years for the clones to develop. Of course, they will if they have to."
Amy nodded thoughtfully, wondering why she hadn't thought of that. So that means it doesn't really matter of the clones were there or not. The Project will still continue…
Amy suddenly realized something. "Mom, the Project isn't the problem. The real problem is the organization. As long as they exist…there will always be a Project Crescent. Even if we terminate this one…they will just create another project."
Nancy smiled at her daughter. "What makes you think the organization is responsible for this?"
Amy's mouth dropped open. "Aren't they?"
"The truth is…I don't know. But I know this much, the Project and the organization aren't exactly getting along. In other words, I don't think the organization is working with the Project at all."
Amy's mind was blurred with confusion again. "But…if the organization isn't behind all this…then who is?"
"I don't know, Amy." Nancy said sadly. "I really don't know."
A thought suddenly struck Amy. "Hey mom, why are you holding that gun?"
Nancy gave her a wry smile. "Why, for protection."
"Who do you need to protect yourself from?"
"From the other scientists, from the other Amys…you can't trust anybody around here." Nancy said solemnly.
Amy agreed. "I know, Mom." Suddenly, Amy remembered something. "Hey, where's Tasha?"
"They're probably going to let her go by now. Don't worry about her." Nancy answered. "Which reminds me, you better get back to where you're supposed to be. They might be looking for you."
"Oh, yeah." Amy sighed and tried to clear her thoughts. "See you later mom." She turned to leave.
Nancy watched her daughter leave wistfully. Just when Amy was out of earshot, Nancy whispered almost inaudibly.
"I love you, Amy."
Mary Jaleski parked had the car in the building's parking lot. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.
Somehow, she gathered her courage and spoke to one of the Project' guards. "I'm Mary Jaleski, one of the agents. I think you know me by now." She showed her ID card and pulled Eric Morgan into the building with her.
The guard frowned at Eric. "Who is that boy with you?"
"An acquaintance. Will you just let us in?" Mary asked irritably.
The guard shook his head. "I can't let the boy in unless he got an ID."
Mary bit her lip impatiently. "He has an ID. Right, Marcus?" She turned to look at Eric.
Eric looked blank for a moment. Then he seemed to get what Mary was implying. "Right." He said quickly.
"His name is Marcus Summers. He'd been working with me since last year." Mary explained, trying to sound sure and bored. "Now will you let us in?"
"Sorry, Miss. I need to see the boy's ID." The guard insisted.
Mary tried to hold back a scream. This guard is sure making this hard for her. She rolled her eyes. "Marcus, do you have your ID with you?"
Eric bit his lip, not knowing what to say. He tried to act older and maturer. "No," he frowned at the guard. "Is this necessary? I've been in this building a million times before. Will you just let us in? What do you think I am, a thief?"
Mary hid a smile. Eric can sure act. "Exactly." She agreed, frowning at the guard. "We're in a hurry, okay? Or do you want the director to know this? We're late!"
The guard looked torn. Then he sighed. "Fine, but if that boy makes a mess, you're responsible, Miss Jaleski."
"Now, I don't know why you have the nerve to talk to me like that." Mary snapped. She turned to Eric. "Come on, Marcus."
Mary grinned to herself as they went into the hallway, congratulating herself for being so composed in a situation like this. But a knot was forming in her stomach. Could she really do this? Could she go against the Project and risk her own life to save the Amys?