Chapter 2:
Late afternoon
Disney Land, Jungle Cruise Adventure
Tru has gone on the Jungle Cruise adventure alone, since Harrison opted to try out the "Pirates of the Caribbean" adventure. Seated comfortably in a riverboat, the late afternoon sun shines its soft rays on her chocolate brown hair. The big smile drawn on her face and the relaxed look in her eyes expose her delight in navigating areas that represent different continents and excitingly treacherous perils.
"This ancient shrine located on the Irrawaddy river is where Buddhist monks have been performing their ritual prayers and offerings for centuries." The Jungle Cruise Guide tells the passengers on the riverboat.
Tru snaps a picture of the shrine, enjoying its magnificence and delicate design.
"This sure is a beautiful piece of architecture, and it's only a replica. Can you imagine what the real thing must be like?" A handsome young gentleman seated next to Tru in the riverboat starts a friendly conversation.
"Glorious, I'm sure!" Tru responds as she turns her head slightly to address him. Her heart beat starts racing when she notices how charming he is. Something about his eyes and voice tone makes her trust him even without knowing him.
"Have you ever been to Burma?" He asks.
"I have now! This is like playing make-believe, only more realistic."
"Make-believe? It seems like a very popular game these days!" His tone implies that he's hiding something. "So I take it you haven't been to Disney Land before either."
"No, I'm from New York."
"Must be exciting for you, then. Are you here alone?"
"No, I'm with my brother Harrison."
"Brother?" The man grins uncomfortably while glancing at her sideways.
"He's taking the Pirates of the Caribbean ride right now. Coming to Disney Land was his idea, actually. Although I rejected it at first, now it seems like a good idea after all. I feel like I've been around the world. There's a little bit of everywhere here."
"You can even go to space. I hear the 'Star Tours' ride is a winner."
"Space is fascinating, but only when I'm looking at it from Earth. I'm not the astronaut kind of girl. Being on a plane was painful enough for me. Harrison, on the other hand, is a big Star Wars fan. He loves science fiction."
"He does, doesn't he?" The young gentleman nods and secretly grinds his jaws together in anger.
"Now ladies and gentlemen, we are streaming up the river Nile, please beware of the hippopotamus filled waters." The Guide says as noise and loud laughter starts rising.
A few minutes later, Tru cries out a sudden squeal when a large fake hippopotamus raises its head and opens its mouth in the water right next her. Her sudden reaction causes her to lean unintentionally toward the gentleman she was talking to. Embarrassed and amused all at the same time, she bursts out a laugh and apologizes.
"It's ok," he assures her with a smile. "It kind of took me by surprise, too!"
"My God… I can't believe I was startled by a plastic hippopotamus! I'm surrounded by dead people all the time, and this is what frightens me?" She says laughing.
The man looks at her with dazed astonishment. Tru realizes that she has just scared him off by giving him the wrong impression. But before she has a chance to explain, he starts talking.
"Listen… there's something I need to tell you. My name is…" he keeps on talking but the Tour Guide starts speaking on the microphone again, hindering his voice from being heard. Tru grins and shakes her head gesturing how she cannot hear him.
"As we float on the South American Amazon River, we cannot help but be dazzled by the tropical rainforest on both sides. The magic and the wonder of the world's largest river add a sense of danger and mystery to it. Needless to say the alligators do as well." The Guide excitedly states.
"I'm sorry, what? I couldn't hear you. What's your name again?" asks Tru.
"My name is Paul Ballard. I'm an FBI agent. I need you to come with me to the station when this ride is over." He shows her his badge.
"FBI… no no no no, you got it all wrong." She nervously stutters as she tries to explain what she does for a living: "I didn't mean… what I was trying to say… I… the dead people… well, you see… I work at the City Morgue, which is why I am surrounded by dead people. You can call my boss, Davis. He'll confirm and he'll send you my papers."
"You work… at a morgue!" he repeats slowly.
"Well, yeah… but I also go to Med school. I'm gonna be a doctor." Tru confirms. "I'm sorry; I realize I might have scared you. I'm Tru.... Tru Davies" She reaches out her hand for a shake.
"Tru! Well, Tru, it takes a lot more than that to scare me, and I'm afraid you're not who you believe you are."
"What do you mean?" She asks nervously thinking that agent Ballard might know something about her ability to relive days.
"You're real name is Caroline." He confidently tells her.
"I'm afraid you got the wrong person here."
"And Harrison isn't your brother. He's someone who had your mind programmed by a secret illegal organization called the 'Dollhouse' to be whatever he wants you to be and do whatever he wants you to do."
Tru starts laughing, "Are you pulling a late April fool on me?"
"I'm serious. I've been investigating the Dollhouse for two years now." He takes out a picture of Caroline that was sent to him by Alpha and shows it to her. "Someone sent me your picture."
Tru freaks out. "This isn't funny anymore. Where did you get this picture? Are you stalking me?"
"No," he confirms, "I'm saving you."
Agent Paul Ballard then shows his badge to the Guide and shouts: "FBI, I need you to pull over by the shore."
The guide is hesitant. "I can't pull over, these boats are operated automatically."
Agent Ballard pulls out his gun. People on board of the boat scream and shout. Tru is terrified. Paul grabs Tru's arm and forces her out of the boat. They both jump in the water and swim to the bank of the river. As they get out of the water, Tru runs into the fake jungle as fast as she can away from him.
"You're crazy!" She shouts "Stay away from me."
Ballard chases after her "Wait… please. Let me explain before they find us."