– Epilogue –

Katja was tired. Her journey to Canada had been a massive struggle, causing her both worry and pain as she traveled alone. She couldn't help constantly looking over her shoulder and hurrying from place to place in case Helena really was close behind, and it took its toll on her physically. She hated having to stop to catch her breath and cough up blood. It was harder than she thought to not have her sister there to help her recover from her attacks.

Beth was proving difficult to get hold of. Katja decided to call her again from the airport before her flight, and the cop had ignored the call. Katja sent her a text instead.

'On my way. Will contact you when I'm there.'

The German had already looked into hotels and found a reasonably priced one to check into once she arrived in Canada. The flight was long and uncomfortable, but all Katja could think about was meeting Beth. In a few hours, Beth would meet her at the airport, and they could start to move on from all of this.

Katja found herself to be waiting for a long time after getting off the plane.

'Have arrived,' she sent to Beth as soon as she was able to. The German then took to wandering around, scanning the crowd for the all too familiar face for a sign of Beth...agitated, Katja called the number and held her phone to her ear.

Beth did not answer.

'Must see you,' Katja sent instead. This was getting ridiculous. Beth told her she'd be here, so where was she?

It soon dawned on Katja that Beth wasn't coming, and after attempting to call again, she knew she couldn't waste time waiting. Katja left the airport quickly to make her way to the hotel, sticking to the shadows to avoid detection as best she could.

Katja was starting to worry. As she settled into her hotel room and sent more texts to Beth, her mind wandered back to her sister. She was missing Rat terribly already...and she wasn't taking too kindly to Beth ignoring her like this.

Katja rummaged through her belongings to take out Beth's file, which she had made a point to take with her. As she did this, it occurred to her she'd failed to supply samples from Leigh, Rat and Aila, but there'd been no time to try and persuade them. Katja hoped the samples from herself, Danielle, Janika and Aryanna would be enough for the mysterious scientist she was so desperate to meet.

Katja made a note of Beth's address. She would go to Beth herself if she had to. Anything to get this over with so she could go home to Rat quickly.

And so began Katja's mission to grab Beth's attention. She'd hired a car to drive around the area, parking it outside of Beth's apartment. She was considering getting out to knock on Beth's door, but at that moment, Beth showed herself.

Katja stared at her from behind the windscreen, stunned. She flung her arm to the car door, ready to force it open and call Beth over to her, but then thought better of it, flashing her headlights at Beth instead. Beth seemed to notice, and Katja felt a wave of irritation hit her. What was Beth playing at? Why was she being so difficult?

Something caught Katja's attention. Someone else was approaching Beth – a man – and Katja drove the car away quickly, worried at the risk of being seen. The German swore under her breath. This was starting to feel hopeless.

The next time Katja saw Beth, her patience had worn thin. She'd followed Beth again, taking note of the fact the man was following her too. Upon inspecting Beth's file, she realised the man was Beth's partner.

Why was he stalking Beth like this? Was it connected to the Maggie Chen shooting? Or did he suspect something? Either way, time was running out, and Katja felt a strong urge to let the bold and rash side of herself take charge once more.

She waited until Beth came back into view after standing and staring at something with a pair of binoculars, and headed for her car. Katja lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, stepped out of her hiding place, and bolted.

She forced open the back door of Beth's car and threw herself into the seat, barely listening to the terrified gasp and look of horror coming from Beth when she jumped around in fright.

"Beth," Katja said instantly and desperately, brandishing the pink clone phone before her. "Beth...vhy don't you respond to me?"

Beth stared at Katja with wide eyes. Katja trembled angrily when the cop pushed open her door and flew out of the car. "Beth!"

"Just keep away from me!" Beth cried as she rushed away from the car.

Katja removed her sunglasses to stare after as she got out of the car as well. "Beth, it's Katja!" the German told her in a raised voice. She heard Beth mutter something under her breath as she placed her hands on her head in distress. "Vhy no meeting, Beth? Vat happened?"

Beth could barely respond as she turned to face Katja. She hurried back to the car in panic as Katja hurried over to her. "I brought zee briefcase! Ja? Zee samples for your friend, Beth. I vas careful like you said!"

She didn't understand why Beth shrank back from her hair, holding her hands up as if Katja meant her harm. She couldn't possibly have forgotten about all of this, could she?

"Just stay back!" Beth warned her.

Something wasn't right. Something was off. "I'm Katja. Katja Obinger, Beth," Katja told her desperately.

"Yeah," Beth responded urgently. "I get it! The German! OK? I've seen your birth certificate!"

"You asked for it – for proof!" Katja reminded her. Before she could question Beth's odd behaviour, the familiar yet horrible sensation of blood about to escape her overcame the German, and she leaned over to cough violently into the tissue in her hand. Beth watched in horror until Katja straightened up to look back at her. "Please," Katja said weakly. "I need to see your scientist friend, Beth..."

Couldn't Beth see how desperate the situation was? What had happened to her since they last spoke to make her decide she didn't want any further part in this?

"I can't help you," Beth said bluntly, jumping back into the car and slamming shut the door.

Katja stared, dumbfounded, before rushing to jump in the back.

"Get out the car!" Beth bellowed without turning to face her.

"Vhy are you doing zis?" Katja demanded. Was it because Beth was being watched? Was she just trying to be careful? "Your partner," Katja added thoughtfully. That could be it, couldn't it? "He vas following you..."

Beth hesitated, a look of realisation apparently settling on her face. "You were the one in the black car?" she asked in a slightly calmer voice. "The one that flashed your lights..."

Katja nodded, a subtle frown appearing on her face. "Ja."

Beth just shook her head. "You need to go."

"You're police, Beth," Katja said quietly. She reached out to lightly touch the detective on the arm. "Ve need you-"

"DON'T!" Beth warned her angrily, yanking her arm away at Katja's touch. Katja let out an uncharacteristic gasp of surprise at the sudden movement. "Get out," Beth hissed at her.

Katja stared at her.

Oh no. This was all wrong. Everything about this was wrong. Katja's frown deepened.

This couldn't be...could it?

"Just one," Katja spoke, never taking her eyes off the other clone's face. "I'm a few. No family too. Who am I?"

No verbal response came. The face of the other clone before Katja only stared back, brow furrowed in confusion and fear. A cold understanding washed over Katja.

"You are not Beth."

-TO BE CONTINUED-