فصل 36

Chapter 36: Feeding Time

Taylor and Jade Dragon were still awake, huddled in one corner of the cell as the door opened. The same three guards from before walked in accompanied by two Lung Li.

“It’s feeding time, sweetie,” the captain said. “Do you have the information?” “It’s about time you got here,” Taylor said.

The captain looked at her dully. “What?” “I’m not Taylor, Captain. I’m Tara. I came down to see if I could persuade Taylor to help us and she did something to me. She’s out there pretending to be me.” “And I’m Admiral Hatch,” the captain said.

The other two guards laughed. The Lung Li stood motionless.

“Take the child,” the captain said.

The two Lung Li grabbed Jade Dragon. She started screaming.

“Leave her alone!” Taylor shouted. “You’re hurting her!” “Take her,” the captain repeated.

One of the Lung Li shoved a needle into the child’s thigh and she immediately slumped over. The other guard slung her over his shoulder, then the two Lung Li took her out.

“Now for you,” the captain said.

“I’m not Taylor!” Taylor screamed. “Just look at me!” “I just saw Tara,” the captain said. He leaned close. “Do you have our information?” “I told you, I’m Tara!”

The captain’s eyes narrowed to angry slits. “You’re playing with your life.” “And you’re playing with yours,” Taylor said.

“Enough of this,” the captain growled. “Take her.” Taylor pressed back against the wall. “I can prove I’m Tara. If you touch me, you’ll pay.” The guards hesitated. Disobeying one of “Hatch’s kids” was like disrespecting an EGG. Or worse.

“Don’t listen to her,” the captain ordered.

Taylor looked up at the camera. “Dr. Hatch, they’re going to kill the wrong girl. Taylor switched places with me. I can prove it and this fool of a captain won’t listen.” She turned to the captain. “We both know they record everything. If something happens to me, Dr. Hatch will feed you to the rats next. I guarantee it.” This time the captain hesitated.

“Just give me five minutes to prove who I am. Your life is worth at least five minutes, isn’t it?” “How will you prove it?”

“Get Quentin and Taylor. Q will know the difference between the two of us. He can verify who I am.” The captain looked at her for a moment, then turned to the guard on his left. “Get Quentin. And Tara. Bring them both. Hurry. We have a feeding schedule.” * * *

Five minutes later Quentin stormed into the cell, with Tara and the guard following behind him. It was clear he’d been woken up. “What is it?” Quentin asked angrily.

“This girl claims to be Tara.”

“You interrupted my sleep for that?” Quentin snarled.

“She says she can prove it and that you would know.” Quentin looked at her. “What do you want, Taylor?” “I’m not Taylor,” Taylor said. “Taylor is standing next to you.” “Oh, please,” Tara said. “That’s just lame. You really are desperate.” “Quentin, ask her something only we would know,” Taylor said. “Like what we had for dinner at the mall. You know, before we came to Taiwan.” Quentin suddenly looked confused.

“Just ask her,” Taylor said.

He turned to Tara. “How did she know about the mall?” Tara looked confused. “I don’t know.” “What did we have for dinner?”

Tara paled. “Oh, come on, you’re not really going to play her game. You know me.” “You didn’t answer,” Taylor said. “So what was it? What did you have for dinner? Easy question.” Tara looked panicked. “I . . . I had . . . we had . . .” Taylor lifted one eyebrow. “Yes?”

“I’m not doing this,” Tara answered.

“It’s a simple question,” Quentin said. After a moment he pressed her. “Well?” “I . . . I don’t remember.”

“Really?” Taylor said. “Because I remember that the calzone we all had was pretty good for a food court. And the capellini that Q ordered on the side was just as good.” Taylor looked at Quentin. “Ask her what ‘calzone’ means.” He looked at her. “What does ‘calzone’ mean?” Again Tara couldn’t recall. “C’mon, this is a trick. She’s doing something to me.” “Yes, it is a trick,” Quentin said. He turned to the guards. “Take her.” They grabbed Tara.

“Quentin! Stop it!”

Taylor breathed out in relief. “Finally.” Quentin stepped up to her. “How did this happen?” “I went to visit her alone to see if I could talk some sense into her. But apparently she’s learned some new trick. The next thing I remembered I was lying on the ground next to the little girl.” “She’s lying!” Tara shouted.

“That was stupid to come alone,” Quentin said. “Don’t do it again.” “Believe me, I won’t. I thought I could save us some time. I thought you’d be proud of me.” “I am proud of you.” Quentin turned to the guards. “Take her to the bowl. You’re already late for feeding time.” Tara turned white. “Quentin, I’m Tara!” “Yeah, and I’m Michael Vey.”

The guards began dragging Tara away. Tara screamed. “No! Stop! Stop!” “She was right about one thing,” Taylor said. “That was lame.” “You have to be careful,” Quentin said. “These Electrodorks are clever little monkeys.” He put his arm around her. “Are you okay?” “Yeah. For almost dying.”

“That was too close,” he said. He went to kiss her when, from down the hall, Tara shouted, “Quentin, my tattoo. Look at my tattoo.” He stopped.

“My tattoo!” she shouted again.

“Hold up,” Quentin said to the guards. He looked at Taylor. “Show me your tattoo.” “You just want to see my ballerina,” she said coyly.

He didn’t smile. “Yes, I do.”

Taylor forced a smile. “I’ll show you later. In private.” She rebooted him. “Shall we go?” Quentin blinked a few times, then said, “Of course. I’m tired.” They started to walk away when the captain said, “Sir, did you want to check the tattoo?” “My tattoo!” Tara shouted. “You’re the one who chose it. Look at my tattoo.” Quentin looked at Taylor uneasily; then he walked over and pulled the collar of Tara’s blouse down over her shoulder, revealing a tattoo of a ballerina.

“It’s me,” Tara sobbed. “I’m Tara.” He turned back to Taylor. “Show me your tattoo.” Taylor folded her arms at her chest and grinned. “Like you said, we Electrodorks are clever little monkeys.” Just then there was a blast of electricity and all three guards hit the floor. Then Tara and Quentin fell to the ground, doubled over in pain.

Taylor looked at Michael and smiled. “It’s about time you got here.”