Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

But was it fair to deny them the option to decide for themselves? The men might quietly long to rejoin normal society. They could certainly fit inside the capacious knapsack, although Haden might have a tough time getting down the ladder. They had both treated her well. It would be wrong to simply abandon them.

She didn’t need to share the specifics of how she planned to flee. She could wait to tell them how the escape would be accomplished until they agreed to join her. If they chose not to accept the offer, she didn’t have to mention the duplicate or the knapsack. They wouldn’t even know she had escaped–they would assume she had changed her mind.

The stingbulb continued to slowly grow. Kendra wondered at what point it would begin to look human. So far it looked like a big purple yam. Settling back against the bed, Kendra rested her eyes, assuring herself that she would not doze. How could she sleep with the prospect of a desperate escape looming? But it sure felt nice to close her eyes! Before long, the silent house, the dim room, the eventful day, and the late hour conspired against her, and she slipped off to sleep.

Kendra was aroused by a crunching, cracking sound like green wood splitting. Still an irregular shape, the stingbulb was now larger than Kendra. Fingers had broken through the purplish husk of the fruit and were peeling it away. Kendra crawled over to the oversized fruit and helped widen the hole as quietly as she could manage.

Soon Kendra sat back and watched an identical copy of herself squirm out of the fibrous husk. The duplicate was even wearing the same clothes Kendra had been wearing when she was pricked!

"I’m Kendra," Kendra informed the newcomer.

"I can’t see you," the duplicate said.

"Can’t you see in the dark?"

The duplicate paused before answering. "Nope. I should be able to. I can remember seeing in the dark. Now I can’t."

"I guess my powers aren’t transferable," Kendra mused. "Apparently not," the duplicate agreed. "What am I to do?"

"I’ve been imprisoned by an evil lady," Kendra said. "I need you to pose as me."

The duplicate thought about this for a moment. "No problem."

"You know you’re a fruit," Kendra said.

"I’m perfectly aware of what I am."

"Where did you grow?" Kendra asked.

"Far from here. I couldn’t think very clearly back then. I love this body!" She flexed her fingers, then took a deep breath. "So many sensations!"

"Can you remember being a fruit?" Kendra wondered.

The duplicate furrowed her brow. "Vaguely. Nothing was as sharp or immediate as it is now. There was an awareness of light and heat, a sense of growing, of being nourished by the mother tree. And later a sense of being separated from the tree. A tenuous connection remained until I exited the husk. By that connection the mother tree nourished me from afar so I could grow into a replica of you."

"You even have my clothes. How is that possible?"

"Who knows? Magic, I guess. The same way I started thinking like you from the first instant I sampled you."

"Weird," Kendra said.

"So all you want me to do is imitate you?"

"I guess I have a few more instructions."

"I exist to follow them," the duplicate pledged.

"First, don’t divulge any sensitive information to the

Sphinx, Torina, or anyone. Keep the secrets you know at all costs. Second, learn what you can about their plans, and then try to escape and notify me." She recited Grandpa’s cell phone number. "The Sphinx will take you away from here in the morning."

"I remember."

"Keep your eyes and ears open. Take whatever opportunities you can to harm the Society of the Evening Star."

"I will. You can count on me. Are you going to invite Haden and Cody to join you?"

"What do you think?"

The duplicate shrugged. "Seems like you think you should."

"Right," Kendra said. "When I return, after I’m inside the knapsack, I’ll need you to put it through the window bars and toss it to the ground."

"Gotcha."

"You’ll only follow my instructions, right?" Kendra verified. "The others would love to find you out and change your allegiance."

"I’ll only obey you. I’ll do a good job. Unless you mess up, the Sphinx will never know I’m an impostor."

"Unless they try to get you to use my powers," Kendra said. "You’ll have to make up excuses."

"Leave it to me."

"What time is it, anyhow?"

"I can’t see, remember? Isn’t there a clock on the desk?"

"Oh yeah," Kendra realized. "It’s almost 3:30 A.M. I’d better hurry." She went to the door. "I’ll be right back."

Tiptoeing into the hall, Kendra crept over to Haden’s room. She tried the door and found it unlocked. Easing it open, she slipped inside and crossed to the adjustable bed where Haden snored softly. She shook his bony shoulder. "Haden, wake up," she hissed.

Haden bunched up his covers and rolled away from her. She gave him another shake. Huffing and sniffing, Haden sat up. "What is it?" he asked.

"It’s Kendra."

"Kendra? What time is it?" He was gazing in her general direction, but his eyes weren’t quite looking into hers, a reminder that although she could see, he could not.

"Late. Haden, I think I have a way to sneak out of here. I’m wondering if you want to come with me."

He considered the proposition for a moment. "You’re serious."

"Yes. I discovered a sure way to escape. Something safe and reliable."

"When?"

"Now or never."

He cleared his throat. "I’d better stay. I would just slow you down."

"You really wouldn’t slow me down. Don’t stay behind for my sake."

He scratched the side of his nose. "I never expected an opportunity like this." He patted his chest, frowning. "All things considered, I think I’d better stay. I’m not sure where else I’d go, what else I’d do. I guess I won’t be able to complain about being held captive anymore."

"You’re sure?" Kendra checked.

"Yes, I’m sure. I wish you the best. Do you need my help?"

"Just for you to keep quiet about this," Kendra said. "My lips are sealed. Good luck."

"Thanks, Haden."

"Did you invite Cody?"

"Not yet."

He looked troubled. "Okay. Okay. Even if he goes, I had better stay. That is my final word."

"Who knows," Kendra said, backing toward the door, "maybe it won’t work out. But I think I have a solid plan."