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sphere as the first drops of rain begin to fall.
     

Chapter Five
     
    The grand foyer is the epitome of opulence. The white marble floor looks slick in the light that reflects off of it. Two staircases curve down from the second floor. Old paintings line the walls of the entrance, giving the house an antique feel. The biggest painting is that of a large ship. The dark sky gives the appearance of a storm and the high waves toss the ship to the side like it weighs as much as a piece of paper. I think about the aftereffects the storm will have on the ship. I wonder if the vessel will be damaged or lost at sea, forever searching for the place that was once its home.
    “Wait here,” says Alec. He walks down the hallway and disappears around the corner. I hear muffled voices and within a few minutes Alec reappears. “Follow me.”
    We enter, what appears to be, a very large office. I estimate about fifty people could fit in here comfortably. I look around the room and see ships everywhere. Paintings of ships, model ships, and even a ship made from metal that holds some type of bottle. A large wooden desk sits in the far left corner of the room and an older gray-haired man occupies the chair behind the desk. He types away at his computer and does not acknowledge our presence until Alec speaks.
    “Enforcer-656, Sir,” says Alec.
    “Ah yes,” the man says. He points to a chair in front of the desk.
    “Have a seat.” Alec walks back to the door and positions himself against the wall beside it. Standing straight with his hands behind his back, legs spread apart, and shoulders back, he looks as though he is in military formation. I walk toward the desk and slowly sit in one of the two chairs.
    “I’m Killian,” the man sitting behind the desk says. “I am the leader of the Enforcer sector.” I recognize his face and name as the man who was talking with Dr. Kendall when I woke. Since he is no longer a hologram, I am able to get a better look at him. His neat gray hair is cut short. Not a single hair is out of place.  The wrinkles on his face tell me he is probably in his fifties. I can tell he was a handsome man when he was younger. I look at him and I see myself. We have the same bright green eyes and the same nose. It is weird to me. It’s like he is my father and in a way, I guess he is.
    “Do you understand why you are here and what you are?” he asks.
    “Yes,” I say in a low tone that is almost inaudible.  
    “Good,” he says. He opens his mouth to speak again, but is interrupted when the doors are thrown open.
    I turn around and see a girl who looks just like me, save shorter and lighter hair, walk in the room. I stare at her looking for differences in us. Her hair is straight and stops at her shoulders, while mine is wavy and cascades down to the middle of my back. She wears way too much make up on her face and would probably be much more attractive if she toned it down a notch.
    “Bailey, I would appreciate it if you would knock before coming in my office,” reprimands Killian. She glides over to the other chair and sits down in it.
    “Is this her?” she asks, as she brings her face close to mine until it is just a few inches away. She stares at me intently. “Oh my gosh! The resemblance is amazing!” She laughs, looks at Killian, and then back at me. “I can’t wait to prank my friends. They are going to think it is me at their lame parties, but it won’t be.”
    “That is not an option,” responds Killian. “She is a clone and must wear red at all times. If not, the punishment is severe.” With that statement, he looked at me. A lump forms in my throat. I do not want to be punished. I have seen how the pure bloods punish. Memories of the boy writhing on the floor in pain come flooding back.
    Bailey crosses her arms, pouts her lips, and slumps in her chair. “You never let me have any fun, Dad.”
    Killian hands her a silver band, an aleuron, like the ones the Enforcers wear. “Here is your