“What’s wrong?” Lillian ran toward the screaming couple in Albert’s room. When she got to the doorway, she stopped dead in her tracks and put a hand to her mouth. “Holy … shit. Holy … fucking … shit.” Her face turned ashen. All the dead bodies before hadn’t inoculated her against the shock of finding Albert in his current state. She took in the noose and the sword as Albert’s lifeless form dangled before them. “Gods … he did … all the suicides.”
Edith opened her door, saw the commotion in front of Albert’s room, and closed her door again.
Delores walked down the hall with her hand already on her mouth. She could tell that whatever was in the room was grisly. She swooned into Lillian’s arms when she saw Albert.
“What’s all the commotion?” Ernest left his room wearing pajamas. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He walked over to his daughter and took in the sight. The Havershams had stopped screaming, but they were still gripping each other tightly. “I guess he didn’t want to face George.” Ernest shook his head. “A coward’s way out. Océane, there’s another dead body in room 4333. Send the cleaning crew.”
“Selon les instructions de l’invité du premier étage, je vais envoyer une unité de récupération et déposer le corps dans la cage d’ascenseur. En attente,” Océane said.
“I was going to … talk to him about a tennis match.” Constance pulled her husband out of the room and stood in the hallway, trying to collect herself. “Are we really going to let Océane send the janitor for him, like he’s … trash? He’s one of us, isn’t he? He’s one of the survivors.”
“Not anymore.” Ernest shrugged. “The only difference between him and all the people Océane already disposed of is that many of them were good people. Say a prayer for him if you like. But there’s no up or down in La Belle Île. He killed himself. Now, there’s less for us to worry about.”
Lillian put her arm around her father and squeezed.
Roy carefully eyed Ernest but said nothing.
Somewhat recovered from her shock, Delores began to cry and fled to her room.
~~
Anna’s Diary August 19, 2197
Our first day searching up the tower was fruitless and went slower than I’d hoped. It might take a while to go floor by floor, even with Mrs. Salazar’s help. George is so full of good ideas, tomorrow I’ll see if he can come up with something to speed things along. I don’t want to leave Ernest and Lillian for too long. Speaking of George, he now seems smitten by Delores. Just the other day, I observed how he so lovingly gazed at Edith. More evidence that his hormones need some expression. Unfortunately, there aren’t many women to choose from right now. When we return to Earth, I’ll encourage him to ask out one of the pretty girls at his school. Until then, I suppose a harmless crush won’t do him any harm. Even if the subject of the crush is an older widow. Poor Delores. The good news is that her spirits have never seemed higher now that we’re on our expedition. She’s even cracking jokes, making George and I laugh. Thank goodness for that, Diary.
Ernest’s Diary August 19, 2197
It’s unfortunate, but there’s another to feed its growing hunger.
Lillian’s Diary August 19, 2197
Mr. Dmytruk was an awful, creepy man, but … he didn’t have to do himself in that way. It was fucking gruesome! I don’t think I’ll ever recover from this trip. If we ever leave.
George’s Diary August 19, 2197
I have a feeling about Delores. I think she’s her … the Other Edith. She’s so funny, and silly, and friendly. If I’m right, she’ll come to me again. I’ll be ready. Whatever the changeling is, she’s not evil. I can feel it in my bones. I want to have another chance with her.
Kapnos’s Diary August 19, 2197
So rarely have I/we returned to my/our failures. But the skyrmion burst carved humanity down to the slightest sliver. And … I/we am/are drawn to George Zaal. I/We will try again. Wish me/us luck!
~~
It was the middle of the night. The hallway light entered his room. His door opened and silently closed. He lay dressed under the covers, pretending to sleep. His mother was sleeping in the next room, having barricaded herself in with abandoned luggage and furniture. But George had left his door accessible. They were on the one-hundred twenty-third floor, and there was only one person he was expecting. After waiting a second in hopes that she wouldn’t be able to immediately disappear back out the door, he sat up and waved on the lights.
“Oh … good evening, Mr. Zaal.” Delores stood blinking in the middle of the room, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “I’m so glad you’re awake. I came here to express what a pleasure it’s been working with you on our expedition so far. I’m constantly impressed by your intellect … and your charm.” She slowly pulled the fingers of the glove on her left hand loose. “I’ve seen the way you look at me. I -”
“Stop … just stop.” George got out of bed. He wore his shirt, tie, and trousers. He held up his hands. “I know you’re not Delores.” When she paled and retreated to the door, he waved his arms at her. “Wait … please … wait. Ever since you caught up to us on the stairs, I’ve seen the glint in your eyes. The skip to your step. Your face is more … vivacious than Delores. You’ve had a sense of humor all day. I wasn’t sure, but I hoped it was you. Who are you?”
Delores paused with her hand on the door handle. She looked back at him, her eyes searching. “You … you are not horrified?” When he smiled, she continued. “I am Delores physically, which means, I am her in a way. I am also everyone I have ever been. I am also myself.”
“So … you’re my mother? And Edith?” George thought about his sister’s story. “And you’re … me … too?”
“They … and you … are all a part of me.” She nodded and took her hand off the handle. “I haven’t shared this with anyone in decades. This is strange. Things have been difficult for me lately.” She took several deep breaths. “I’m a social creature, George. I thought I was alone, but you saved me … by saving yourself.”
“Things have been difficult for all of us … um … what do I call you? What is the ‘myself’ part of you?” He took a few steps closer to her and stopped. His expression hopeful.
“I am Kapnos.” Kapnos offered a shy smile. “Are you angry with me? I didn’t want to lie, but most people are not understanding. I have been hurt … many times.”
“I’m not angry with you, Kapnos.” George turned things over in his mind. “I think … you’re amazing. I like you. I mean … you are the same person I thought was Edith. I can see that person in your eyes … in your sense of humor. Why did you follow me and my mom?”
“Because you saved me from seclusion. When the event happened, I thought I was all alone. But then I found the ten of you. I …” She paused, her smile widening. “I like you too, George Zaal. I like you very much.”
“So, what do we do about this?” George reached out his hand. When she took it with her gloved hand, he squeezed.
“Whenever I shared my secret in the past, the person had questions. Lots of questions.” Kapnos moved closer to him. He was much taller than her; she pressed her breast into his side and looked up into his deep, brown eyes. “You may ask, if you like.”
“I have a million questions, but I only have one right now.” He circled his hand around her back. He could feel her bra strap under her bodice. Was he crazy? Was he really going to ask this? He didn’t even know what she was. It doesn’t matter. I’ve already done it with her. It didn’t turn me into endoplasmic sludge or anything. “I’m a horny teenager and …” He smiled apologetically. “I mean, you know I’m eighteen. And I only bring it up, because it seems like from what we did when you were Edith that you’re horny, too. And when you were her, we talked about how I found Delores’s body attractive. And here you are. And I’m rambling, but … mmmmpppphhhhhhhhhh.”
Kapnos stretched on her tippy-toes, grabbed his tie, and pulled him into a kiss. Thank the gods for horny teenagers. Her inner voice thrummed with joy and exultation as their tongues intertwined. They kissed for a long while standing in each other’s arms.
When they finally broke the kiss, George lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “You still kiss like Edith.”
“I kiss like me.” Kapnos giggled. “You still kiss like George.” She pulled off her gloves and tossed them to the floor. “Are you sure that you’re happy with me, George?”
“Delores is pretty, but you’re beautiful.” He stopped next to the bed. “Do I need a condom? We can probably find one. There was a store down on floor one-oh-five.”
“You don’t need a condom with me. Not ever. I can’t get pregnant.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “Unless … the woman I copy is pregnant.”
“Really, how does it work?” George shook his head and smiled. “Never mind. I said I had only one question. I just want to be with you again. I missed you.” He tossed her onto the bed playfully and watched her boobs lurch under her bodice as she bounced on the mattress.
“Would you like me to be Edith again? I can go to the bathroom and change.” She caressed his erection through his trousers.
“No … I like you as Delores.” George pulled off his tie and folded it over a chair. He unbuttoned his shirt. “How do you get clothes that fit? I’m pretty sure my mom doesn’t own the outfit you wore when you … um … copied her.” He took off his shirt and hung it from the chair.
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