The Similars (The Similars #1)(75)

“But why?” I know I sound desperate, and desperately sad. That’s because I am. “Why would Underwood—I mean, Gravelle—do that? Why would he clone Oliver and the others? And what did he do to Ollie that drove him to suicide?”

“You won’t find that out from the holograms.”

“How do you know that? I might. I certainly have to try. Maude, I need your help. I did what you asked. I haven’t told Levi what we found out.” I let out a sigh that leaves me empty. “Please?”

“All right,” she relents. “What do you want me to do?”

“Walk to the research building. Explain to the guard that you’re there per Fleischer’s instructions, but accidentally left your key in your room.”

“So play Madison Huxley to the best of my ability?” Maude supplies.

“Yes. The real Madison Huxley left for Texas three days ago. It would never work if she were on campus. She could have real plans to visit the building. But this will work. It has to.” Something occurs to me. A new wrinkle. “You can do it, can’t you? Act like her? What about your accent?”

“What accent?” Maude replies, all traces of her British inflection gone as she impersonates Madison. I’m momentarily taken aback. She’s good.

“I’ll follow in five minutes. If I’m there with you from the get-go, we’ll look suspicious. I think if you’re alone, you’ll have a better chance of getting in.”

“What if security lets me in and you’re not there yet? You should be right behind me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to wait.”

“I’ll be there,” I say resolutely. “But if I’m not, pull the holograms. Read the data. Take notes. Memorize it. Whatever you have to do. You ready?”

“Ready to pretend to be her? I suppose so.” She sighs.

“See you there. And Maude…”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

She nods before slipping off into the dark. I wait for only a few seconds before following her. I will watch from the trees while she talks to the security guard. Then I’ll join her. I take in a sharp breath. I hope this will work.

Suddenly my plum rings. I go to silence it, but then I see who is buzzing me. It’s Jaeger Stanwick. I accept and his face appears on the plum’s small screen.

Pru’s dad’s gray hair is long and unkempt. His eyes look glassy and exhausted.

I stop in my tracks. “Jaeger,” I whisper. “Is Pru okay? What’s happening? What’s wrong?”

“I lied before,” he says quietly. “When I told you Pru was recuperating at home. She was—that wasn’t entirely untrue. But now… I couldn’t risk you asking questions before. That’s why I wrote you that note, to try to make you understand. We couldn’t share our plans with you, not yet—”

“What plans?” I ask, feeling so frustrated I could scream. “Is Pru okay? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Pru’s mother and I, we’re part of an underground organization called the Quarry,” Jaeger says. “It’s a pro-clone group started nearly a decade ago to fight for clones’ rights. Mr. Park is also a member, as are a handful of other politicians and activists. The Quarry’s membership has grown in numbers exponentially recently.”

I take that in, trying to comprehend. Pru’s parents are in an underground organization? I had no idea. “What does this have to do with Pru’s attack?”

Jaeger sighs. “I’m afraid whoever attacked her may have had a bone to pick with me and what the Quarry stands for.”

My mind is racing with this new information, but all I can think about is Pru. “So, her attack didn’t have anything to do with the Similars? Where is she? Can I speak to—”

“Augustus Gravelle harbors an agenda that isn’t entirely dissimilar to the Quarry’s. It runs parallel to what we believe—that clones should be treated equally and fairly. His agenda is more about domination than clones’ rights. But that’s not important right now. When Prudence recovered from her attack, she was insistent on joining the Quarry. It was premature, in my opinion. I had always planned on her finishing her education first. But I have been preoccupied. Her mother, you see—” Jaeger’s voice cracks at this. “Prudence made contact with Gravelle and traveled to his island a week ago to try to form an alliance with him. She and I lost communication a few days ago, and I’m afraid… I’m afraid she may be in danger.”

I feel my throat constricting. Pru is on Castor Island? Meeting with the Similars’ guardian?

“What are we supposed to do?” I ask, all too aware that Pru is in danger and I’m supposed to be meeting Maude right this minute at the research building.

“I would go after her, only Prudence’s mother… She’s dying, Emmaline. I’m afraid she doesn’t have much time left. Days, possibly weeks. I need your help.”

“Oh, God. I can’t right—I have to run,” I stammer, looking one last time at Jaeger’s grief-stricken face before clicking off my plum and running at a sprint down the path. I’m overwhelmed with a million questions, but I have to focus. It’s the middle of the night. I’m not going to be able to help Pru at this very moment—but the information in the hologram room might be a step in that direction.