Chapter 3

"Pretending to have a seizure," a new voice came into play. "Very creative. But being guided through tunnels, and bypassing the tunnel's security cameras? I'm impressed. Welcome back to Section Five, Jewel."

~***~***~

Jewel was on the cell's cot. Her hands behind her head as she stared at the cell's ceiling. Welcome back to Section Five kept playing through her thoughts.

The door to her cell opened, and the owner of the new voice came in. The door closed behind him.

"Carter? Any relation to the new sheriff I've heard so much about?" He asked.

"You have my file. Find out for yourself, Dr. Stark," she replied. "You'll keep me here whether I talk to not."

Jewel rolled away from Stark.

"How did you know my name?" He asked. Jewel didn't answer. "You seem depressed for someone who's about to spend the rest of her life in one of the greatest facilities on Earth, especially with your scientific abilities and breakthroughs," Stark commented.

"Yeah, some life. The developments made here are amazing, but it's no life for a kid."

"You can leave any time you want."

"No, I can't. They've got guards posted outside my cell. Even with your help, I'd never make it out of the building. And where would I go? I can't go back to L.A. or go looking for my dad. They're the first places G.D. would look."

"There's something here that's taken everything away from you, isn't there?" She asked. "Something you know very little about."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Now, now, Dr. Stark. Didn't your parents ever teach you that even a white lie is still a lie?" She turned her attention to Stark who looked at her with intrigue. "Your obsession with this thing that doesn't want to be studied cost you your family, your job..."

Stark held his hand up to stop her. "We literally just met, yet while I have a file on you that would be just as tall, you seem to know more about me than I know about you."

"Your point?"

"We've never come across someone containing this much knowledge. Former Director Warren King even said that you predicted the future. The Artifact as you called it, wasn't even here when you said that it was on its way. You also weren't this open the last time you were here."

"Well, think about it this way... what?"

"Something is happening. Tell him-"

"No. I'm not going to tell him that," she said.

"Tell me what?" Stark looked at her with concern. Maybe she was crazy, as the videos he'd seen suggested.

"There are two of them."

"Two of them?"

"Two of who?"

"As in clones?"

"No."

"Susan Perkins. The woman who committed suicide and was buried yesterday," Jewel explained. "Apparently there are two of them. They look exactly alike, respond to the same name... My dad will be asking to use the new molecular bio-scanner today to see what he's dealing with."

"We just got that this week, and you've been isolated since your return. How did you know it was here?"

"I have my ways... You can go now. Doctor Fargo is looking for you."

She watched as Stark left her cell. The door closed behind him as quickly as it'd opened. She looked toward the cell's ceiling, having never left her back during that whole conversation. One hand cradled her head while the other felt behind her ear. There were stitches present.

She wasn't a person anymore. She was government property. Microchipped like a dog. With her connection to the artifact, she was every scientist's dream whether they knew it or not.

"Can you put the locator chip and cameras on a loop, please?"

"No. You doubted my ability to help you."

"I've never doubted your ability to help me. I only made myself think that way in order to create a false sense of security with Stark. Can't have him stopping me from going back to the smart-house, now, can I?"

~***~***~

Stark looked out the glass wall of his office, fastening a button of his suit. While he was proud of his new-technically-old position at Global Dynamics, he was confused by Jewel.

"How could she have known what I lost as a result of my Artifact research?" Stark thought. "All I know about her is what I've learned while talking to her, or reading her file, which wasn't much. She's not from Eureka, yet she was able to navigate the town's underbelly, avoiding the security camera's the entire time."

"Nathan?" A familiar voice drew him from his thoughts.

"Allison," he said. "I swear I was just about to call you."

"What are you doing here? You're not-"

"Afraid so."

"You're moving back to Eureka?"

"Moved, actually. Yesterday. Same office, same house. Surprise!" He was disappointed that Allison hadn't reacted he hoped she would. "I probably should've called sooner."

"Probably."

Stark took notice of the man who was standing beside Allison. It was Carter in his uniform. They introduced themselves to each other

"Nathan Stark."

"Jack Carter. So, you two used to work together?" Carter asked.

"I mainly work with her son Kevin, but Allie and I had our moments," Stark answered.

"Anyway, I was looking into something and wanted to know if I could use your bio scanner-molecule-thingy."

"Of course, anything I can do to help." Stark replied. Amazing. It happened just like she said it would. "Sheriff, it's been a pleasure. Allison, it's good to see you."

Stark stepped away from them when he heard Fargo call for him.

~***~***~

Jewel stood in the bunker where she hid the last time she ran. There was a door in front of her. Rusted.

"Am I invisible to the cameras and sensors inside?"

"No one will know you're here."

"Perfect."

She didn't even open the door. She walked through it. A fairy-like light led her to a stairwell. She followed it up the steps and to a small room. It was more of a closet space.

Suddenly, there were voices coming from downstairs. Jazz music was playing softly. The house introduced itself as S.A.R.A.H.

"Fargo? Is that you talking like a girl?" Carter asked.

"No, it's the Smart House," Fargo attempted to lie. "It's a state-of-the-art model home designed to anticipate its owner's every need and desire. Of course, it'll take some time to learn all of your personal preferences."

Jewel remained hidden where she was in the closet for hours. Music blasted over the house speakers.

"What happened?"

"It seems the smart-house has experienced a power surge in the night. Your locator chip came back online. I would recommend returning to the facility."

Jewel's heart began to race.

"It's only a matter of time before the house is surrounded by G.D.'s security and government agents. Lead me away from here through the forest. Erase any sign that I was here?"

"Yes."

"Okay, wait until Dad leaves. Then, I'll go grab the bracelet I left here last time... They really have no idea what you are or are capable of, do they?"

"No. They don't. But they'll do anything they can to find out."

"You're afraid, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. I'm afraid I won't connect to anyone the way I have with you."

"You're afraid you might kill me."

"I see it happening in the future, but not with you."

"S.A.R.A.H., door," she heard Carter say. He was leaving.

"Take me away from here."

~***~***~

In a flash, Jewel was returned to her cell. Her bracelet was on her wrist. She stood in the middle of her cell, facing Stark's back.

"We have the best security system in the world here at Global, and yet, you've managed to bypass it twice. Once I would say is a computer glitch. But twice, doesn't feel like a coincidence with you," he said without turning around.

"How did you know I'd left my cell?"

"I didn't. Not until the computers in my office went haywire. Your locator turned on, and I knew exactly where you were."

"Tell him."

"Tell him what? Your fear?"

"And you didn't send anyone to pick me up?" She asked.

"I was going to, but then I heard a voice telling me you'd be back. That was five seconds ago."

"I see. And has it spoken to you before?"

Stark chuckled and shook his head. "I believe, as a doctor, I'm the one who should be asking those questions."

"So, how did the scan go? The mystery woman is the real Susan Perkins and the one they buried is an exact copy, right? Her husband, Walter, did a dissertation on stem cell replication."

"Who told you that?"

"The voice that told you I was coming back five seconds before I did. It's the same one that's been talking to me for as long as I can remember," she answered. "It's afraid, Doctor Stark."

He turned to look at her. "Afraid? Of what?"

Jewel walked around Stark so she could sit down at a desk that was brought in during her day-long absence. "It fears the next person it tries to connect with will die. It's like a cornered animal with all of your tests. One of these days, the wrong test will be performed, and someone will die as a result."

"Tell him that their ghost is Walter Perkins."

"Tell my dad," Jewel said, seemingly to no one. "He'll want confirmation after he checks his theory out with Fargo."

"And your sister is on her way here."

"Well, that'll be a nice surprise for him."

"It's talking to you right now, isn't it?" Stark thought as he walked away.

"Yes, it is," she replied, causing Stark to freeze mid step.

~***~***~

Walter Perkins was located at the town's school where he was contained in a device that would eventually rehabilitate his condition from being stuck between seconds. Until he was stable, he was going to be held in Section Five.

It was a rough day for Carter, and all he wanted to do when he returned to his new home was rest.

A knock on the door was a tad upsetting for him until S.A.R.A.H. opened the door to reveal Jo standing beside Zoe.

"Remember that thing you told me could wait until tomorrow? Turns out it couldn't wait till then," Jo said.