Replication Read online

  “No. I’ll stay here. Text me when you know anything.”

  Dad gave her a hug and left. Abby tried to focus on the film, too shocked to think straight.

  Minutes after the movie ended, Abby’s cell phone trilled. She had a text message.

  MRTY OUT OF SRGRY. IM OUT FRNT.

  Pro number one.

  Abby crossed the gym at a run and found her dad’s Silverado idling at the curb.

  Marty was awake—alive. Pro number two. He had his own hospital room with a security guard posted outside his door. The room was small and didn’t even have a window. She’d have to bring him some flowers. He had an IV and a transport monitor hooked up to him. He looked pale and tired. She wheeled the IV pole back a little, sat on the edge of his hospital bed, and threaded her fingers between his. “Sorry I slapped you.”

  Marty squished his head into the pillow and grinned. “I forgive you, Abby Goyer.” His fingers brushed her arm sling. “Are you hurt?”

  “Why’d you do it, Marty?”

  His dark eyes seemed to sparkle. “It was the right thing. It was my purpose … for this day.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because Jesus would have done it.”

  Abby huffed. “Jesus didn’t have the option of giving anyone a kidney, Marty, especially a criminal like Dr. Kane.”

  Marty licked his lips and spoke softly, like his throat was dry. “In Luke’s book, Jesus said to ‘love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’ I have done so for Dr. Kane. That was my purpose for him.”

  Abby couldn’t believe Marty had already memorized a Bible verse and lived it out. Tears flooded her vision. All her life she’d known what to do and say. But JD had been right, she was a self-righteous snob. She might know all the right answers—fortune cookie answers, Dad had always called them—but she had never known how to live them out. She’d always played life safe, regulated by rules and laws, never bothering to take a chance on someone who had broken those rules or didn’t deserve compassion. Yet along came Marty, sacrificially loving a villain like Dr. Kane as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  In Marty’s eyes, everyone deserved compassion.

  Ever since she’d met Marty, Abby had been trying to save him, but she was the one who’d truly needed saving. Forgive me, Lord. I didn’t understand how to love like you.

  “Do not cry, Abby Goyer,” Marty said.

  She sniffed back her tears, not wanting to worry Marty when he should be healing. “Well, you have blessed Dr. Kane in an amazing way, what is your purpose now?”

  “To take care of my brothers. Will they let me? The police?”

  “I think so.” On the ride to the hospital, Dad had told her that the FBI was preparing a place nearby, and that he had told them that Martyr would be the perfect person to help the boys adjust. As she had since this morning, she prayed the situation with Martyr and Dr. Elliot would be resolved.

  Dad had also made a deal with the FBI last night. He gave them a pile of evidence he’d been collecting for the past few weeks, and they let him off for his involvement on the Farm. He’d even found footage of Dr. Markley working there—enough to prosecute Dr. Kane for conspiracy in her murder. Abby was still amazed, and proud, that her dad had been collecting evidence almost from the time he’d started at the Farm.

  Not only did the FBI let Dad off, they asked him to be in charge of the new Jason home. The government needed someone who understood the boys, as Dr. Max and the others had disappeared.

  And I’d just about gotten used to Fishhook High School. Now she’d be homeschooling herself for the rest of the semester so she could help Dad. It would be strange for her to live in a facility for clones. Not that she minded much.

  Despite all the talk and action around the Jasons, no one seemed to be asking too many questions about the most unique clone of them all, JD Kane. He had a mother and a social security card, after all. Still, Abby wondered what would happen. For possibly the first time ever, she wanted to see him.

  “There are two other labs,” Marty said, interrupting her thoughts. “But Dr. Kane didn’t tell me where they are.”

  Two more labs! The idea made Abby queasy. She watched the fluid in Marty’s IV bag drip down the tube, wondering if there might be other Jasons trapped somewhere. “Let the police handle it, okay?”

  Marty reached over to the hand that held Abby’s, and fingered the steel cuff on his wrist. “What’s this?”

  She shrugged, not wanting him to freak out about the tracking device.

  “I heard the women talking. They said it’s because I’m a criminal, so the police can know where I am if I escape. Abby, is it a taser or another tracker? Like the one in my ear?”

  “You’re not a criminal. You’re special. The government just doesn’t want you to get lost.”

  Marty’s eyes narrowed. “How can I get lost in this little cell? I can’t even get out of bed.”

  “They gave the bracelets to all the Jasons. It’s because of the move. There are so many of you, they are worried one of you might wander off and they’ll never know. This way, everyone will make the trip safe and sound.”

  “How’s my tough guy?” A nurse dressed in purple scrubs walked into the room, met Abby’s gaze, and stopped, her sneakers squeaking on the white tile. “Oh, you’ve got a visitor! I need to check your lungs, but I’ll come back.”

  “Thank you!” Marty called after her. He tugged Abby’s hand until she looked back at him. “What trip?”

  “To a new home. They’re preparing a place for you to live. All of you. A safe place. They’ve asked my dad to be in charge, and they want you to help them.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Because you’re the leader.”

  “Iron Man is the—”

  Abby squeezed his hand. “No, Marty. Iron Man told them you’re the leader. The boys asked for you. They need you.”

  “You’re coming too?”

  Abby smiled. “Yeah. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually looking forward to homeschooling.”

  “Abby Goyer?”

  “Yes?”

  Marty’s eyes ensnared hers; his pupils seemed huge. “Now that we will have time, can we slow down a bit and eat?”

  Abby frowned, confused by the intensity of his expression and the simplicity of his request. “You’re hungry? I don’t think you can eat anything for a while.”

  Marty tilted his head a bit, rustling the pillowcase. “You said that a girl and boy ate for a while before getting married. I would like to eat with you.”

  Abby burst into laughter. “Not ate, Marty, date. It’s when two people spend time together doing fun things, going places.”

  Marty’s cheeks lifted in a smile. “Can we date?”

  “When we all get settled in the new place, yes, we can date, if Dad says it’s okay.”

  “And you’ll tell me how the baby got into Aliza’s stomach?”

  Abby’s cheeks burned. “Nooo. I know I said I would, but … Marty, I think that’s a question my dad could answer better for you.”

  She only wished she could see the look on Dad’s face when Marty asked.

  DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR REPLICATION

  1. Martyr believes his purpose is to die in order to help save those living outside from toxic air. Why would the scientists tell the Jasons such a lie? And when Martyr learns the truth, why does he care so much about a new purpose for his life? Have you ever wondered about your own purpose?

  2. When Abby comes home to find her apartment empty, she weighs the pros and cons. Why do you think Abby does this?

  3. Describe Dr. Max’s relationship with Martyr. Why is he willing to offer the clones some forbidden things like pictures of the sky and ice cream but refuses to take Martyr to see the sky? Is this type of kindness dangerous for the clones? How does knowledge of the outside world affect Martyr?

  4. When Abby and JD are debating issues of ph
armaceutical testing on humans, JD calls Abby a “religious type” and Abby surmises that JD is a “liberal extremist.” How are such conclusions harmful to a healthy debate?

  5. How does the way the Jasons were forced to live and the simple questions they ask about the sky, color, marriage, God, etc. make you think about the freedoms you have each day and how you view the world?

  6. What do you think about the lies that Abby and her father tell the police in order to throw the scientists off Martyr’s trail? Could they have handled the situation another way? How? Can you name some of the consequences that came from their lies?

  7. In a facility with fifty-five boys with the same DNA, where scientists force obedience and conformity, the boys have very different personalities. Why do you think that is? Have you ever been stereotyped based on your age or how you look? How do you seek out individuality and purpose in your life?

  8. Abby and her father react differently to Abby’s mother’s death. For instance, Abby tries to find beauty in ashes. Have you ever tried looking at devastation in a positive light? How might such a practice be helpful? Is there a way it might be harmful?

  9. Abby claims to have standards as to who she dates and that JD doesn’t measure up. Then later, Abby is the one who kisses Martyr, breaking her own rules. Have you set any standards in regards to dating? If so, have you ever broken your own rules? Why might having standards be a good thing?

  10. The police take Martyr and Abby to the station, and Martyr is put into handcuffs. How might such bonds be considered a metaphor for his life?

  11. Abby tells the police that Dr. Kane is the real criminal. How has Dr. Kane stolen the lives of all those living on the Farm? As different as he and Martyr are, how might environment influence actions more than DNA?

  12. Dr. Corrine Markley gave the Jasons something no other scientist did, and Martyr remembered her for it. What was so powerful about Dr. Markley’s presence on the Farm? Was it simply the fact that she was female? Or was there something more?

  13. Why do you think JD injected himself with the syringe after having seen what an injection did to Dr. Elliot? Do you think JD wanted to die?

  14. Abby and Martyr both have a tendency to try and be heroes. How are they alike and/or different in their motivation and methods? In the end, Martyr donates one of his kidneys to Dr. Kane. How is Abby’s interpretation of this act different from Martyr’s? How does Martyr’s explanation of his choice change the way Abby views herself?

  15. Do you feel that the possibility of human cloning is an ethical option for scientists to investigate further, or do you feel that the cost of such experimentation is too high? What are the pros and cons of human cloning? (For more information on both sides of this controversial issue visit www.cloninginformation.org and www.humancloning.org.)

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I have so many to be grateful for.

  To God, who continues to amaze me and teach me new things each day, for loving me and allowing me to write books.

  To my husband, Brad, for putting up with this time-consuming writing thing of mine, and for liking Replication best of all my stories.

  To my sister, Beth Britton, for taking me to pick apples that day in upstate New York. There would be no Replication without that little adventure.

  To the members of the CYAW critique group, who helped me make this story stronger, specifically Mary Hake, Stephanie Gallentine, Gretchen Hoffman, Amy Meyer, Shelley Pagach, Diana Sharples, and Claire Talbott.

  To Shawn Grady and Greg Bremner, my firemen, for teaching me about fires and procedures to make those scenes as realistic as possible.

  To Jeff Gerke, for publishing By Darkness Hid and distracting me from my plans of publishing Replication with a different house. Because I got so busy with edits for Jeff, Replication eventually went into a drawer until I pulled it out again in the summer of 2010.

  To the Oregon Christian Writers organization for putting on such great summer conferences where conferees like me can find publishers and an agent.

  To Kathleen Kerr for liking my ideas and wanting me to be a Zondervan author.

  To Amanda Luedeke for liking what I write and wanting to work together.

  To Jacque Alberta for championing my book and for being a brilliant editor, who helped make this story the best it could be.

  To the fantastic team at Zondervan. Thanks so very much for taking a chance on me.

  And to my readers, for sticking with me on this science fiction adventure. I promise I’ll write more fantasy soon. ☺

  About the Author

  Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to a love of books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Visit Jill online at www.jillwilliamson.com.

  Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

  HALFLINGS

  A Halflings Novel by Heather Burch

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  A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in the mission they undertake, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

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  Beyond the Reflection’s Edge

  Book One

  Sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd has a great life … until his parents are murdered. Left only with a mirror and notes from his investigator father’s last case, Nathan goes into hiding at the home of his father’s college buddy, and there meets Kelly. Together, the teens gather evidence—but the killers want the mirror, and danger threatens at every turn.

  Eternity’s Edge

  Book Two

  With the secrets behind the mirrors unlocked, Nathan and Kelly set out to save three colliding Earths from certain destruction. But they are not the only ones on a mission: an intergalactic stalker is fighting for control, forcing Nathan and his friends to journey through mystifying realities.

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  Starlighter

  Jason Masters always believes the stories of a dragon-ruled planet were pure myth, but when his brothers go missi
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  ZONDERVAN

  Replication

  Copyright © 2011 by Jill Williamson