It was only after he had locked up and left with some extra items in his pocketspace that everything Sparkles* had said began to sink in.
“They’ve replaced us.”
“No one needs to see two of you walking around.”
The biggest question was why? Why was there a replacement band? He knew from Sparkles* that Inertia Corps was dealing in DNA and cloning projects but he had always assumed it was for medical purposes, like growing organs to benefit transplant patients. How could they grow an entire person? And why them?
What else had Sparkles* known before that he hadn’t told anyone? And the fact that they now had to get Cassandra out of there…again? He was beginning to rethink that long ago time when Sparkles* had shown up with her in tow and proclaimed her to be a new member of the band.
Was there more to the band itself that no one else had known??
Parv crossed into a busier section of town. He pulled the edges of the jacket’s hood forward, trying to hide more of his face. He had enough to think about right then without someone mistaking him for his double. Even worse would be if he managed to run into this “replacement Parvis.” He knew he had his own shortcomings but what if this double was quicker on the uptake – and knew to dispose of the original? Maybe that was another reason to go to Inertia Corps, too, to try to get more information and neutralize the danger.
He had no idea how that would be done. He counted on Sparkles* to have already figured it out. Really he was counting on him for a lot of things, like even believing this was happening. But he had known that look in Sparkles*’s eyes the moment he’d appeared on the screen. This was real, this was dead serious, and it was not to be doubted. Even the resentful feelings that arose when he mentioned kicking Parv out had subsided in lieu of the rest of the message.
Inertia Corps headquarters came into view. Parv sucked in a breath. Maybe he would see Kogie or Leo nearby, waiting for him to join them; maybe they had merely left their flash drives behind. Come to think of it, that would have been a good idea. It was evidence they wouldn’t have to squirm out of later if it was found on them.
On him. Because he had tucked his into his pocketspace for no real reason. He gritted his teeth and eyed a sewer drain he was about to pass. If he tossed it in maybe it would go unnoticed. No, nevermind, might as well just keep walking. He sighed and tried to look casual again while looking for the door Sparkles* had indicated. He ended up behind the building. He walked past two delivery bays and a ramp leading up to a cement walkway. At the end was a gray metal door graffitied with a silver asterisk. Subtle, but Parv was glad it was something recognizable. There was a keypad, but his memory wasn’t coughing up a passcode this time. Sparkles* had said he would know when Parv arrived there…Maybe he was going to do the unlocking.
Parv glanced around for anyone as he had at the studio. Cameras here were a given, and once again he hoped that Sparkles* had that covered already. He reached to touch the keypad.
The door slid open. Okay then. Ten paces. Door on the left. It had a simple latch handle to turn. He opened it a crack and peered inside. Just an empty white hallway with a few more doors, no security guards and no Leo or Kogie. Parv stepped inside and drew his guitar out of pocketspace along with an amplifier fitted into a backpack frame. He would wait until it was necessary to make some noise.
I found a message from Sparkles* but no sign of Kogie or Leo yet. They didn’t answer their phones, either. I’ll try a few places but I’m starting to suspect they’re maybe out of range. =\
I don’t think anyone would be there but what do I know? I’m stuck inside four walls with limited contact outside of here.
=( I’ll find a way help you, I promise!
I’m not sure where to look for them, though… I don’t have a phone to call them. At least if I can get into the studio there will be a phone. And a list of their numbers because I might not remember them off the top of my head.
The Goddess sent you home, right? Did she tell you where to go?
Yes, and I think she meant to give me a hint, but I lost everything I had on me when I went through the portal! I’m on my way to the studio right now to try to find the rest of the guys. Maybe she told them stuff, too, and we can piece it together, uh… together!
I remember the lives leading up to this one. The Eᴄʜᴏᴘʟᴀɴᴇ being destroyed too... Then this life, growing up in 1nert1a with Echo One, Two, Three, and Four. They escaped and left me alone. I was furious...
Would it ease your fury if I told you they ended up trapped? They never had any intention of leaving you alone.
