Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 136 by Clarke Neil

Author:Clarke, Neil [Clarke, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magazine, science fiction, science fiction magazine, short fiction, short stories, short story
Publisher: Wyrm Publishing
Published: 2018-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

September 11, 2035

#private mode#

I want this part of my diary hidden. I need privacy. I . . . don’t know whom I should believe.

We just got back from Australia, and today I got a message from Elle. She found me on the class chat group. She’d heard about my illness and wanted to know how I’m doing. I told her I’m fully recovered. She sent me some photos of she and Jessica. In one they were standing on a suburban lawn, smiling, expressions bright. Elle hadn’t been exaggerating. Jessica looked like my twin!

Behind them was a steepled church. It seemed familiar, though I couldn’t say why. Suddenly a name echoed in my mind: St. Michael. I asked Elle if the church was named St. Michael’s, and she started. “God,” she said, “how did you know that?”

I don’t know how I knew, but coincidence can’t explain it. Jessica and I are somehow deeply connected. Maybe she’s my older sister. My biological mother? Neither of those seem right. I want to ask Dad what’s going on, but then I wonder: How did I recover from that serious illness so suddenly? Does Dad not want me to meet Elle? Was he feeding me some drug or poison on the sly? But how could he have known about Elle? I never told him. Maybe he’s been secretly reading my diary. Maybe he’s been reading it all along. Three years ago, when Lili told me Dad was not my biological father, he knew I would start asking questions, and he showed me those photos to quell my doubts. If he was able to prepare beforehand, fabricating some digital photos would be easy. If Dad has been lying to me all along . . . The thought of it could drive me mad!

September 12, 2035

#private mode#

I couldn’t get to sleep all night. I didn’t fall asleep until dawn, and then I was up at nine.

In the afternoon, Elle and I continued our voice chat. “Do you know who your father is?” she said. I didn’t know how to answer this. Dad was . . . Dad, my father.

“I mean, do you know about his work?”

Dad never goes to work. I know there’s a big computer in his study, but I don’t know what he busies himself with. On the screen, all kinds of data and diagrams constantly stream and pulse. He says he trades in stocks and foreign currencies. I’ve always been impressed with his ability to provide for us by just sitting in his study and trading. As far as I can remember, our little family has never wanted for money.

I summarized all this for Elle. She asked if I had a photo of Dad. Of course, I have many. I opened my hand device and opened a batch. Most were of he and I together. I sent a few to Elle. She immediately looked surprised.

“What?” I said.

“I’ve met your father. He’s . . . he’s Jessica’s father!”

What I felt then was like vertigo. Gasping

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.