Anna To The Infinite Power Read Online Free PDF Page A

and freeze them away as a source of replacement organs for transplants. Imagine, if you need a new heart, there it is, and your body can’t reject it because it comes from an identical twin.”
    As Sarah Hart went on excitedly, Anna asked herself, What am I? Who am I? It was all too much to understand. She needed time to think about it. A very special person, her mother had said. A unique experiment. New ground.
    And all those words meant clone.
    The numbers began to pour into her head, nice neat rows of them to arrange and rearrange, to work up and down and across, to crowd out words. Lots and lots of numbers and no words.
     

5
     
    Rowan sat in class, facing Ms. Dupont, the new music history teacher, yet not seeing her because his thoughts were on Anna. It was mind- boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling. His mother had had to explain all of the physical details before he could even understand exactly what a clone was. And what was even more mind-boggling was that his father didn’t know anything about the experiment. Nothing!
    “And you mustn’t tell him,” his mother had said. “I’ll tell him in my own time and in my own way. But for now, it’ll be our secret--yours, mine, and Anna’s. I’ve already told her she’s not to say anything.”
    “I can’t understand why he wasn’t in on it in the first place,” Rowan said.
    He thought she looked a little guilty as she said, “The requirements were quite rigid, and I understood they were having trouble finding people. And we were perfect--one of us had to be a physicist, the other, something in the arts, preferably music. I was even doing lab research on the same kind of replicator Anna Zimmerman was working on. And the idea was so exciting. Then I sounded out your father. Well, you just can’t imagine how opposed he was, even in theory. In the end, I simply forged his name to the paper we were both supposed to sign.”
    Rowan gave a low whistle. “I’d say that was going a bit far even for the cause of science.”
    “I know. Believe me, I’ve had more than one moment when I’ve regretted doing things that way. But I was a bit younger then and very dedicated. I felt there were some things that were more important than individuals, particularly this experiment, because it could mean so much to the future of humanity. I really believed then that I knew what was best for everyone, including humanity. Now I’m not so sure about anything.”
    “I wonder what Dad will say when he knows.”
    “But why should it make any difference to him? Anna will be the same Anna he’s loved and accepted all these years. The fact that she isn’t his natural child doesn’t make her different or any less important. He’ll still love her, just as you and I do.”
    “Don’t include me!’ Rowan exclaimed. Although his mother looked shocked, no one could have been more shocked than Rowan at his outburst. Never in his life had he voiced his feelings about Anna. And now he didn’t have to feel guilty. After all, she was Anna Zimmerman, a stranger, not even a relative, let alone his sister.
    “You can’t mean that, Rowan.”
    “Oh, yes, I can. I don’t love her. Why should I? She’s never had any feelings for anyone except herself. I’ve never known anyone more selfish. She’ll steal if it suits her, lie if it suits her. Not only do I not love her, I don’t even like her.” Instantly Rowan hated himself. Why did he have to spout off like that? If he couldn’t love Anna, that was his problem. Why worry his mother?
    “Rowan, I’m sure you’re exaggerating because of what you’ve just found out. I know it’s a big shock, but think of Anna. It’s a shock to her, too. We have to do everything we can to help her accept her identity.” She pondered for a moment, then added, “She wasn’t supposed to be told until puberty. But when this happened--and it was all because of your carelessness, Rowan--I felt she had to know. But I don’t suppose it really matters.