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Cruel Twists of Fate
2012
Lori drifted in and out of consciousness as the blood continued to spill from the wound in her neck. Her thoughts were becoming skewed, memories mixing together to fill her mind. All of them were spurred by her momentary glimpse of her attacker's neck. The barcode was a catalyst to a million long forgotten events in her youth.
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Six.
"Daddy, what's Manticore?"
"It's a research facility, Honey."
"Why does the defense department want it?"
"Because the research has to do with our country's defenses."
"Why are you working there?"
"Because I work for the defense department, and they want a military liaison."
"Oh."
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Ten, searching through files in her father's study. What was she looking for? Oh yes...It was a paper she'd written for her 'governess'. She'd asked her father to read it. Where was it? Oops!
A stack of papers fell to the floor. She dropped to her knees to pick them up.
Pictures of children. Why did her father have pictures of children? She flipped through them. They were younger than her by a couple of years. There was an X5 written in the top corner. X5? One picture showed the back of one girl's neck...a barcode, 332960073452.
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"Father, what kind of research does Manticore do?" Eleven now, catching onto the lies her father was trying to tell.
"Honey, don't worry about it."
"Don't! Don't tell me there's nothing going on. I want to know! Why do you have pictures of children? Why are they marked like produce with barcodes? Why are their head's shaved bald? What's an X5?"
"You don't want to know, Lori."
"I do! And, if you don't tell me I'll find out on my own."
He grabbed her shoulders, shoved her back against the study wall. "You leave it alone, do you hear me, Lori! Never mention this again, to anyone! Never talk about Manticore, or my job, or those children! Ever!"
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Twelve.
Back in her father's study. Looking for answers this time. Answers to her questions. What is Manticore, really? Why was her father so rabid about her leaving it alone?
His computer? Perhaps there was an answer there. Sitting down. Booting up. Passwords. Always her birthday. No brainer.
Searching files. What was this? One marked with her mother's name? Recorded phone conversations, health reports, pictures. What did it all mean? Did she really want to know?
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Twelve.
"Why didn't you tell me, Father?"
"Tell you what?"
"About those children. Those...those horrible men making them into monsters. How could you do it? How could you torture children?"
Wide eyes, fear on her father's face. "I told you to leave it alone, Lori."
"Why? Why are you afraid? Maybe its because of what you did? Maybe its because of what you did with Dr. Sandeman. Were you ever going to tell me...tell Mother?"
He was shaking now. "You...I can explain."
"Save it. I don't care."
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That night. Reading in her room. Phone rings.
"Hello?" Her mother answered it in the hallway. A scream...a sob. Her bedroom door opens. "Lori, honey, your father....He committed suicide. He's...He's dead."
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