Chapter 1: Introduction
The first time Evelyn saw the cloning facility, she was standing in a dimly lit room, the air heavy with anticipation and the faint scent of antiseptic. She had never felt so alive, so on the edge of something monumental. The room was sterile, yet there was something raw and primal about the idea that she was going to create a duplicate of herself. A part of her, but not her. A part she could control, a part that would satisfy her desires without the messy complications of emotion.
Evelyn had always been a woman who marched to the beat of her own drum.
Her auburn hair cut short, her green eyes sparkling with an intensity that matched her personality. She was a powerhouse in the boardroom, a force to be reckoned with in the bedroom, and yet, she felt an emptiness, a dissatisfaction that gnawed at her like a ravenous beast.
She had come to this place, this secret facility hidden in the heart of the city, on a whim. A late-night internet search had led her to a website that promised paradise, a solution to all her problems. She had scoffed at first, the idea of cloning ludicrous, something out of a science fiction novel.
But the more she thought about it, the more intrigued she became. The surgery was simple, they said. A small sample, a few weeks of incubation, and voila, a new you. No strings attached, no consequences. Just a clone, identical in every way, but without the baggage of memories and experiences.
Evelyn stood in the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor, her eyes scanning the equipment, the tubes, the tanks. She felt a thrill, a frisson of excitement that sent a shiver down her spine. This was it. The answer to her prayers.
Or so she hoped.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"
Evelyn turned to see Dr. Harris, the man who had orchestrated this whole thing. He was a tall, lanky figure, his lab coat crisp and white, his eyes behind his thin glasses reflecting the room's harsh fluorescent lights.
"Second thoughts?" Evelyn arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. "Why would I? I'm about to have a clone of myself. A younger, more... uninhibited version."
Dr. Harris chuckled, a sound that held a hint of nervousness.
"Well, you'd be surprised how many people change their minds at the last minute. It's a big step, after all."
Evelyn walked over to one of the tanks, her heels clicking against the floor. She placed her hand on the cool glass, her breath fogging up the surface. Inside, there was nothing but a dark liquid, swirling and turning.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harris cleared his throat. "The procedure? No, you won't feel a thing. We use a local anesthetic. And the clone...
well, it won't have any memories or experiences, so it won't feel anything either. Not yet, anyway."
Evelyn nodded, her reflection in the tank's glass showing no sign of the turmoil inside her. "Not yet," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Dr. Harris's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he gestured to a chair in the corner of the room. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable? I'll get everything ready."
Evelyn sat down, her back stiff, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
She looked around the room, her eyes taking in every detail. The hum of the machines, the flicker of the lights, the sterile smell that seemed to permeate every inch of the place. It was both comforting and unsettling, a stark reminder of what she was about to do.
Dr. Harris was a whirlwind of activity, his hands gloved and his eyes focused on the task at hand. He didn't speak much, allowing Evelyn the time and space she needed to think, to process.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned to her, his eyes meeting hers. "Ready?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling beneath her crisp blouse. She nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of anticipation and dread. "Yes, I'm ready."
Dr. Harris smiled reassuringly. "Good. This won't take long. Just lie back and relax."
Evelyn complied, reclining on the examination chair as Dr. Harris approached her with a small tray filled with medical instruments. He swabbed her arm with antiseptic, the cool sensation sending a shiver down her spine. She watched as he prepared a syringe, his hands steady and precise.
"You know, I've always wanted the perfect friend," she said, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and excitement. "Someone to share secrets with, someone who understands me completely. Someone like... me."
Dr. Harris paused for a moment, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. "Ah, I see. So, this isn't just about... fulfilling desires. You want a companion, someone to confide in."
Evelyn chuckled, a sound that was both rueful and amused. "Desire is a part of it, yes. But I've always been a bit of a loner, you know? Always the one in control, the one calling the shots. I thought it might be nice to have someone who gets me, who I can be myself with."
Dr. Harris nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can understand that.
Having someone who truly understands you can be... liberating." Dr. Harris finished his sentence as he gently inserted the syringe into Evelyn's arm, his touch practiced and reassuring.
Minutes later, Evelyn felt a wave of dizziness washing over her. She closed her eyes, her breaths growing deeper and more rhythmic. As she drifted off, she thought, *This is it. The beginning of something new.*
When Evelyn-Alpha opened her eyes, they were met by the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. She blinked once, twice, her vision slowly adjusting to the sterile environment. She was lying on a bed, her body covered in a soft, white blanket. She tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy, sluggish, as if they were made of lead.
"Hello?" she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the empty room.
Dr. Harris entered, smiling, the light from the hallway reflecting off his glasses. "Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling?" He approached the bed, his steps careful and measured, his eyes scanning Evelyn-Alpha's vitals on the nearby monitor.
Evelyn-Alpha frowned, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at him. "I don't know. Weird. Who are you?" She tried to sit up, but her body protested, her muscles aching as if she had been running a marathon.
Dr. Harris chuckled, a sound that was both amused and reassuring. "I'm Dr. Harris. I assisted in your... creation. You can call me Harris." He held out a hand, his smile never fading.
Evelyn-Alpha looked at him for a moment, her brow furrowed in confusion.