Old Intro Copy

This is a first draft of an old intro I had back in the beginning. Boy, did it change a lot. 

                                  Preface

    I had never given much thought to the atrocities humans had committed in the past. Being in highschool I was worried more about passing biology than thinking about things like that. However when confronted with such a thing. It causes you to think, what is considered fare and equal? 

The Declaration of Independence gives all men the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But when the very definition of "man" is  questioned where does that leave us as a society? And how do we determine the explanation of mankind?

    The old adage of 'if I knew then what I know now' was bearing it weigh upon my chest. In 1991 the first human was successfully cloned. Then in 1992 more cloning was done, without public knowledge. By the end of the year thousands had been cloned. Cloning humans was illegal but the government had no proof of these experiments.  Rumors spread through out the world that clones did exist and lived among us. 

In 2008, when the ban on cloning was lifted and some of the clones identities were forced out into the public and the world we lived in changed.

   A new view of what was considered "human"  brought about hate, anger and a new form of blatant bigotry from many people. 

The views of some blurred the lines between what was wholesome & just to what was legal. While a new law made it illegal to murder a clone, it left a loop hole for the use of clones organs to be used in medical experiments and to preserve "real human" lives.

  

   How do I fit into all this? I was born human, or at least the old fashioned way. I had no real views on what a clone was, or do I thought.

 

Having been born in a small town I knew very little of clones. I didn't feel for them as a people or against them as clones. But that all changed my sophomore year in high school. When I  met him Liam Kingsley, a clone. 

Xerox's Fight

 It was the first day with my new license. I'd gotten to school early to talk with Teagan about changing her back to my science partner.

 “You superannuated native!”

 “What'd you call me you little Xerox?”

 Instantly a bit of guilt hit me for having given Liam the nickname. I knew the second voice was Carson and having heard him say the word Xerox the other person must be Liam. A fight was about to break out and Carson didn't walk away without making someone bleed. Reaching the hallway, I saw Liam being blocked by Carson, Nick and Ryan.

Before I could reach them, Carson hit Liam in the jaw. Liam took the punch, then seconds later he punched him back, knocking Carson to the ground. Nick went forward pushing Liam into the lockers behind him. Liam slid down them to the floor. I was surprised that he fell. It didn't look like Nick had hit him hard enough to make him fall. Ryan helped Carson up and the three of them raced out. By now I was standing in front of him while he stumbled to stabilize himself.

I looked at Liam, feeling a little ashamed that he couldn't take a shove from Nick. Just then a few drops of blood spattered to the ground. Realizing Nick hadn't just shoved him. Panic set in.

 “You're bleeding!”I shouted.

“When Nick pushed me against the locker, he cut my arm with something.” Liam was calm.

I lifted up his arm and I saw a long gash. Nick had sliced through Liam's long sleeved shirt into his skin. I'd never seen a cut that long before. It split open and I could see tissue exposed. Neither of us had seen a knife, but looking at the gash what else could he have used?

“We have to get the nurse. It's a gash. You're going to need stitches.” Still feeling the panic of the moment.

Liam objected. “I can't go to the nurse. They'll call the paramedics and I'll be off to a chop shop.” I didn't understand his reference to the comment chop shop, but I also didn't have the time to find out what he meant. I took my sweatshirt off that had been around my waist and wrapped it around his arm.

I insisted again, “You have to get stitches!”

Story List

Character Development/ Story List Exercise.

Versitle Playlist

                 This playlist in more of a generic list I use while writing.
                    It's so versatile it works for most of my characters.


Playlist:

Awake & Alive...................Skillet
All that I Am........................Rob Thomas
American Idiot....................Green Day
Beautiful Lie.......................30 Seconds to Mars
The Bird & The Worm........The Used
Breathe In ..........................Frou Frou
Brighter...............................Paramore
Kryptonite...........................3 Doors Down
I Want You To Want Me.......Letters to Cleo
Feel Good Inc.....................Gorillaz
Broken Strings....................James Morrison
I Don't Give A Damn About My Reputation......Joan Jett

Eliane Kingsley

Braking his leg is what forced us to move. You'd never think any of this would be  because of the registry, but changes needed to be made, drastic ones. The kind that forced us to change our entire purpose for having him.

At the age of eight, Liam had fallen off his bike, because of the angle he'd been at it resulted in him braking his fibula in his right leg. I knew from the sharp and urgent cry he sobbed, it was broken. I'd never heard him cry like that before. He tried to wipe the tears away and not show any discomfort he was in, but was unable to hold any of it back. The pain was intense and my only thought was get him to the E.R.

Eminently he was taken in. While I filled out papers and called Martin to let him know what had happened the nurse took him to radiology department. Twenty minutes later I was seated by his side as the doctor reviewed the x-ray.
After a moment he looked at me, "Yep it's broken." Abrasively and he continued, "I don't see any reason to fix it, in fact I recommend donating his organs so a more deserving person can have them."

Shocked and utterly horrified by his comment I retorted, "Over a broken leg?" I paused a moment, "I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem?" Instead of looking at me directly he flipped through Liam's file.

"The problem is when people like you go and experiment with what's natural and disrupt the basic laws of nature."

"There's nothing wrong with him, it's a broken leg. And as for you telling me I've experimented with nature, you can shut the hell up!"

"Mama, if you're going to get irate I'll have to call security and have you escorted out. This is my patient and according to the laws I have the right to decide if he's fit enough to resume a healthy lifestyle. And as section 236 of the Clone Registration Act indicates I have that authority to make that decision."

His tone was belittling and arrogant as a smug smile spread across his face.  Instead of saying another word I sat there quietly, thinking what I should do. I'm sure he saw it as my way of cowering, but I could have cared less what he thought of me. He was saying all of this in front of my son. I'd run across his type before, outspoken- uninformed- and heartless toward human clones. People who didn't see them as human, like an empty shell that was disposable.

"I'll get you the forms." and he left us in the examination room. Instead of waiting for a set of forms I would never sign. I grabbed Liam.

"Where are we going?"

"Well, we're not staying here, there's no way I'll let them do anything like that to you. Let's go!" Once we reached the car I called Marten.

"You did the right thing, I'll be home in a few minutes, keep him from moving until I can set the leg."

Getting Liam to sit still was easy, it hurt too badly to move and the walk out to the car from the E.R, just about started the tears all over again. I felt so heartbroken  that I couldn't do more for the pain, a few ibuprofens, seemed to help, but really didn't do much to relieve all of the pain.

Marten picked up a few supplies for a cast and a set of crutches. Wrapping his leg beautifully, considering it had been years since he'd set a broken bone.

After a few hours, making sure Liam was completely comfortable, with a few Oxicontins and a remote. I walked back to my room. Now completely alone and the situation under control I was able to cry. Marten came in and held me.

"Did we do the right thing?" It's bad enough now. Can you even image what it might be like-"

He cut me off, "There wasn't any other way and you getting him out of there was the right thing to do. Now we know."

Sheriff Keith Parker

The bitter-sweet chocolate lingering on my tongue brought an engaging smile to my lips. With each repetitive motion the pieces crumbled inside my mouth becoming smooth while rejuvenating my senses. Everyone knew I enjoyed the occasional chocolate bar, but no one knew how necessary my desire for chocolate had become.

Not only did I crave a daily piece, but I couldn't go without it. Having become a requirement for me to cope with the days demands at the station or home for that matter. Lucky for me I had two places to stash a treat I could get my hands on unnoticed. At the station I had a top desk drawer and in the cruiser the glove compartment held anything that wouldn't melt from the desert heat.

Only on one occasion had I left a candy bar in the scorching heat of the cruiser, instead of throwing it out I chucked it into the station's fridge. Sure, it discolored the chocolate, but to me the taste wasn't any different. Chocolate was chocolate and I craved it, like some of the junkies I'd arrested. Being sheriff in these parts didn't go without a bit of trouble. Following bored and delinquent kids was part of my daily tasks. I'd grown up in the valley and could understand how boredom lead to alternative entertainment.

Not until the day I took notice of  Sharleen had I even remotely cared about any future. We'd grown up together, but like a switch being flipped, the day she walked past me in her ponytail and cheer uniform I opened up my eyes to the possibilities of her being more than just a friend. I wanted her for myself.

I thought we would end up together, but those where childish fantasies, when Joe moved to town, my life crumbled, along with every dream I once thought would happen and didn't. For me watching her life change while mine was still in shambles forced me to find my own happiness. Two years after her marriage to Joe I married Shannon. I was content with the life I'd built, by then I was working for the police station. Shannon wanted children and so to pacify her I gave in.

By the birth of my second son Sharleen gave birth to her first child, a daughter. Like a rocket, Joe walked out on Sharleen and his three month old daughter. Although I wanted to believe she was getting what she deserved, I couldn't. I felt sorry for her. My marriage vows kept me from comforting her.

Instead I looked over her daughter from a distance. When I could, I did small things for Riley, Sharleen's girl. Once while on a multi-grade field trip with my own son Riley had fallen and scraped her knee. I helped clean her up and even got the opportunity to wipe a tear. She was beautiful. At that moment I wanted her to be my daughter, not Joe's, he didn't deserve her.

Her sweet six year old voice echoed my regret, "Thank you, Mr. Parker," melting my heart. I've watched her grow up, even when she's struggled, like last year with her little adventure, I did what I could to keep her from getting a record.

Sharleen's done a good job raising her. Although we've not had many conversations together. The one we did have, Sharleen came down to the station after Riley had served her last hour of community service.

"Thank you, Keith." she said. The quiet tension between us was broken once Riley walked in, she looked at the two of us confused. Sharleen distracted her, "Riley, thank Sheriff Parker for helping."

Riley looked at me, "Thanks, for making me do community service," in a sarcastic and bitter tone, standing there with her arms crossed in front of me.
Sharleen looked at me, " Really, thanks. Giving me a smile that lit up her eyes, that's when I knew Sharleen was still as sweet as she'd always been.

And the Winner is...

First I want to thank you all for playing and for helping spread the word about my blog. Supporting me with my dream has been amazing. So, THANK YOU for being part of it.

Just so you know I'll have more contests and more fun prizes in the future. (I've already planned the next one. It's really cool.)

By now I'm sure you just want to know who won. So...The winner is

SHARXGIRL!

Congrats on your win. Entering twice really was what made you win.

Recommnedations from a Teenage Book Queen

So I have finally hacked into this blog...relax! I am just kidding. I got special permission from Tamara with an important mission; recommend some of the amazing books that I thought many of you would all enjoy.

Many of these books are YA and I have of course read them all, and many of them featuring tons of genres and twists that make you crave more.On with the books:

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead:

These books introduce a world of vampires in a new and modern way. This book has kept me guessing from page one and I highly recommend it for those who have a fix for action, romance, and of course kick-ass vampires.This is one of those books than you just can't stop reading till you have run out of pages!

Shiver Series by Maggie Stiefvater:

I got the first book while on vacation and I ended up curled up on the couch for hours. It is an easy read but has unexpected characters that take on an unexpected challenge. These books will have you 'howling' for more. (If you didn't really get my joke, it features werewolves.)

Jessica's Guide for Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey:

I absolutely love love loved this book! With it's second installment on the way I have been dying to read it again. It is funny, romantic, has some amazing characters, and is amazingly written. For those of you who like their leading ladies with a little bite then I suggest you check this book out.

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey:

This book had some serious chemistry! It is funny, romantic, and leaves you guessing throughout every page! I love this book and have read it about 4 times! This book was almost an extra helping and features some of the mystery from the original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story in order to help create the plot.

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson:

I first read this book on my iPod touch and I instantly fell in love. It is based in the time of castles and wizards but is romantic and is told in multiple points of view. It is very loosely based on Sleeping Beauty and has the most gentle of men. If you like books that include damsels not wanting to be saved by the knight in shining armor all the time and evil warlocks then you need to check this book out.

Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson:

I absolutely adore these books! They feature some incredible kids with even more incredible abilities. This series has a strong plot, is funny, modern, and includes some characters to die for! (I should know, I am currently in love with one.) If you like your heroines with a feisty temper then you should already be looking this book up!

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce:

This book was one I had check out before. When I finally caved in and bought this I was so glad I did! This book had so much action, it was funny, and it had a twist that had me gasping out loud! I highly recommend this for people who enjoy those horrifying twists, killer fights, and sisterly love (you know, the kind that makes you fight werewolves).

Hush, Hush Series by Becca Fitzpatrick:

I have fallen for one of the fallen. I've never really been interested in stories about fallen angels, but boy did I change my mind after this! It is incredibly funny, has a mysterious story, and has you on the edge of your seat...metaphorically. These characters are incredible and I can't wait for the final book coming in October!

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate:

These books were pretty good. I mean I haven't read  them 5 or six times like some of the others listed above, but it was worth it! It is insanely mysterious, with even more insane characters, and will have you begging for them to get together! Seriously, I was getting annoyed with these two. But these books are such a good read and will have you warring with yourself to pick a side, Cam or Daniel?!

Choker by Elizabeth Woods:

I admit it, this book had me a little creeped out. But in a good way....that probably doesn't make sense. This book was good but had some seriously weird parts that have you trying to figure out their motives and who was actually capable. I am leaving you hanging here but I recommend this book if you like mysteries, wanna find out what the heck I am talking about, or enjoy books that need to be read in broad daylight or you'll have to sleep with the light on...not that this book does that to you...

Heist Society Series by Ally Carter:

I have saved the best for last. I read the first chapter of this then forced my parents to search the city and pound those bookstores while they were out one night. I have only one word to describe the first book: incredible. Okay I will give you more; this series is funny, featuring some of the most wonderfully sneaky characters, and has some serious cons that will make you wanna watch The Italian Job, but the best thing is that these master con artists that go up against some of the most ruthless foes, are teenagers. Ages fifteen to about twenty-one. So for all you that have ever dreamed of robbing a bank or being like Mark Wahlberg (it's an Italian Job thing) then you have to get this book! Did you know there was a con called The Princess Bride...but you need a man with six fingers.

So, that is just some of the amazing and amazing books that I have read at least twice. I have many recommendations to come and encourage you all to check these out if you ever need a good read. Happy reading!

- Teenage Book Queen

Fighting with Riley

    Usually Riley and I could joke or fiercely tease each other. But with my comment, I'd hit a nerve and hadn't meant to. She dropped the stop watch 
right there in the dirt and walked away. 
  I jumped to my feet. Before she could open her door and stepped in front of it. She was mad. Her eyes narrowed at me; her jaw clenched and arms folded across her chest. I held her by her shoulders with hopes I might apologize.

    “Riley, I was just kidding, I didn't mean anything by it.”

    “I know, you never do, but I'm not in the mood for it today.” She said, hitting the screen door against my back. I pushed the door closed as she continued to pull on it. Her stubborn attitude, against my hopeful resistance playing out in front of us.

    Knowing I'd have to act fast or things between us would spiral out of control. I changed the subject.

    “Okay – then how about we go out? We'll leave the attitudes at home and have dinner together.” She looked at me confused. I knew I was putting myself out there, giving her another chance to dismiss the connection we had for each other. Every time I tried I hoped it would be the moment that she gave in and let her guard down.

    To my surprise she smiled at me, “Okay, I'll go with you.” The feelings that flooded my soul were amazing. It was like no other high I'd ever felt before. Nothing compared to this feeling, a cheesy smile from my face gave away all my emotions.

Win Riley's Nail Kit

If there's one thing  Riley White is passionate about it's her... black nail polish.

ReGenerationSeries.Blogspot.com is having a free contest!

         File, polish, and custom design your nails however your heart desires.

Included in Kit:

Sinful Colors nail polish- Let's Talk Purple, Black on Black, All Mighty Blue, and Bleeding Heart Red.

Kiss Nail Artist pen- One black and one white fine tip art pens.


Fing'rs Edge Royal Punk Nail Decals-assortment of nail decals.


Pink Diamond -smoothing block, to smooth away those rough edges.

Ms. Manicure File when Ready- Three mini salon boards.

Ms. Manicure Strike to Smooth- 12 mini emery boards- for on the go.

itunes gift card- $10.00 toward your favorite songs, so you can tap your newly polished nails to music.

London SoHo New York City lights Mini Beauty Case- Small black beauty case to keep everything in.

Rules:
1. Enter on the ReGeneration blog or on my facebook page. To earn a second entry, share and post it on your wall for another chance to win.
2. Become a follower here or click the like button on my Facebook page.
3. All you have to do is post the name of your favorite band in comments.

It's that easy.

The contest will end Thursday, May 19, 2011.
The winner will be determined by a contest generator and announced
on May 20, 2011.
(I won't be playing favorites.)

Good Luck! I hope you win.

Glass Cases- Guest spot!

 

Sarah LaPollaSa is a associate literary agent at Curtis Brown, Ltd in New York and a writing enthusiast. She likes talking about books, publishing, pop culture, and promoting up-and-coming authors. Hence, her blog "Glass Cases" was born!

ReGeneration Post

In case you haven't seen the highly snooty NY Times "review" of Game of Thrones, or read the even snobbier "defense" of said review this week, then I suggest reading those now, but only if you feel like getting enraged. Both pieces can be summed up with the phrase "only classless nerds and boys like fantasy. Obviously, we all know better.

Today's story is not fantasy, but it does fall into another overlooked and under-appreciated genre - science fiction. Not only that, but it falls into the third category of young adult, which to the philistines who refuse to educate themselves outside their own worldview, might as well be "kid stuff." Again, we all know better.

This is all to say that I am very happy to bring you some teenagers, some futuristic worlds, and some clones with today's excerpt from the novel, ReGeneration. It's set in 2031, twenty years after human cloning first became possible. Even though human cloning is no longer illegal, not everyone accepts them, including high school sophomore, Riley White.

The author, Tamara Kelly is a mother of five (!) and somehow finds time to work on a new novel and, she adds, a few novellas "here and there," she says. After you give her story a read, check out her blog at ReGeneration Series. Enjoy!

ReGeneration
By Tamara L Kelly

Despite it being the first day of school, I was already in the principal's office. Mrs. Ward had seen my shoes and assumed they were against the school dress code. School uniforms sucked! Even though I went to a public school the district had changed their policies a year ago and forced us all into wearing “school appropriate clothing.”

It never failed that I ended up in the office, at least five or six times a year. I had all but memorized the school guidelines by now, especially the part about uniforms. It didn't specify what kind of black shoes were acceptable.

So, my thick healed, lace up Docs should have been fine. I was wearing the required navy blue skirt, white-collar shirt and had the tie loosely hanging around my neck, like a noose. My hair had been died to a black color, from the pink it had been during the summer, and a band-aid was over my left eyebrow, where a new piercing was concealed.

I sat in the hallway, now picking at the black nail polish on my fingers waiting for Principal McFarlin. In the rush to polishing them and my mind having been focused on the article I hadn't been as steady as I had earlier thought, slopping some of the enamel onto my skin and cuticles.

“Riley you're already in here?” Principal McFarlin barked across the hallway from his office. He was leaning to the side of his chair peering out the open door.
“Mrs. Ward sent me in.” I said, a lack of emotion resting on my face.

He motioned for me to come into his office. His dark stained wood veneer desk was neat and orderly, with only a small stack of papers to the right and a new name plate on the front edge. I slouched down in the chair in front of his desk, picking up the name plate and twisted it in my hands, while reading it out loud.

“Principal Marlin McFarlin?” I looked up at him. “Seriously! Marlin?” I snickered. He calmly grabbed the name plate from my grasp, placing it back on his desk, then nudging it just so, making it line up with the edge of his desk. Principal McFarlin was your typical middle-aged man with a receding hair line and a thinning spot towards the back. In-spite of me being in his office he was a decent principle. He'd actually listen to the student before administering punishment and sometimes he could be persuaded by something you said, which was what I was hoping for now.

“I thought it would take longer to see you in here Miss White. What did Mrs. Ward send you in here for?” He stood up stepping closer to the door, peering out at the front desk. It was obvious he was distracted by something else. “Torturing small underclassmen?”

“Whatever!” I turned in my chair to face him.”That really wasn't my fault last year.”
He looked down leering at me “So you say, but I'm sure that Sarah Copper would think otherwise, since you were the one to have started the name calling.”

“Mrs. Ward is looking for anything to get me written up. I guess my shoes aren't acceptable for the dress code,” it sounded harsher than I meant to, but I didn't want to talk about Sarah Cooper and her life as a pathetic and miserable wench.

“You can change into your gym sneakers.” he said. He stood to the side, towering over me, now giving me his full attention, probably attempting to intimidate me. I, however, wasn't about to back down.

“Mr. McFarlin, the dress code doesn't specify the type of shoe. Only the color.” I stood firm on my argument. He was about to speak when the main doors to the school opened adjacent to the office. Through the glass window of his office I saw a boy with brown hair and brown eyes walked in. He looked just as normal as any other boy in the school. I didn't notice anything different about him. He was wearing the school uniform, his tie was perfectly straight, his shirt was pressed, and his shoes were perfectly polished.

His hair parted and combed to one side. If you asked me it looked more like the uniform was the style of clothing he preferred, a preppy look. There were two adults with him, probably his parents. I didn't really get a good look at them, considering I was more intrigued to know if this was the boy, we'd heard so much about? They walked forward to the front desk where Mrs. Ward stood waiting on the opposite side. She motioned to Mr. McFarlin.

“Okay Riley. Get to class.” He dismissed me forgetting the topic completely and letting me off the hook. I wasn't sure if it was because of my argument or because of the current situation distracting him, but I would take it any way I could.

While reaching for my bag, “Marlin” walked out to the new arrival waiting for him. With all the fussing occurring at the front desk; papers being pushed in front of them, lots of looks from school staff and students, and knowing most of the time Principal McFarlin didn't handle the new student enrollment forms, I could only assume this was all for Liam Kingsley, the clone.

Frenemies

Even Riley White has a frenemy in high school. I wrote a poem about the conflict that Riley feels towards Bianca.

Frenemy

The things you say,

are mean and rude.

All you have

it a bad attitude.

I tried to befriend you,

but you can't let it go.

We could've been friends,

I want you to know.

I hoped that one day,

you'd grow to be kind.

However I see,

you're not of that mind.

You're bitter and snide,

selfish and brooding.

I wanted your friendship,

that's all I'm eluding.

I tried to reach out,

and give you a chance.

But I see that it's pointless,

to extend you a branch.

One day I hope,

you'll let it all go.

Becoming the woman

with a heartful of soul.

Sabrina Roberts

For starters, I want you to know I don't like talking about others it's not very Christian like behavior, but when you just asked me- how I know Riley? I thought back to how we'd met and became friends; both happened at different times.

Riley's never liked me much. Forgive me for saying that, but it's true. We've known each other for the last four years, basically since our first math class in junior high. For some reason we've always been destined to be in every math class together, no matter the semester or year.

I can't remember how many times I'd walk in and find her sitting towards the back of the classroom waiting for it to start.  One thing about Riley, is that she's typically on time, she hates to be late, to anything. A movie, class, or an appointment, she's always there, on the dot.

But I'm more like Teagan when it comes to keeping track of time, neither of us are as structured as Riley. Which of course bugs Riley to death. Anyways, about Riley...

Not until Teagan moved in, did we really start hanging out together. I mean, we'd talk in class together and say hello to each other in the hallways, but other than that, we never attempted to hang out together. You probably know some friends like that, right?

Once, when we where talking about music I started mentioning some of the Christian rock bands I liked. She instantly grew disinterested, and instead started listening to Mrs. Gilbert's lesson on Algebraic Identities. From then on, I could tell she would never seen me more than the Reverend's daughter. I think she see's me as a snob, or a goodie two shoes; I don't know what's up with that.

But, the thing is, I like being around her. She's smart, probably smarter than me, but I'd never tell her that. She'd let it go to her head and I'd never hear the end of it. She's helped me out in math class a lot and with out her, I'm not sure I would have passed. Oh, and believe me when I tell you how harsh she can be at times.

But, maybe I shouldn't say those things- yeah, I'll keep quiet on that one.

With Teagan around, Riley's more accepting, which is saying a lot to how she use to be. She's much nicer, trust me - big difference. I know I shouldn't say things like that, but I guess when it's just between us, I'm allowed to talk like that, right?

Well anyways, who knows what the future brings, as long as we trust in god and do the best we can, everything will work out for the best.

I really liked talking to you, you're easy to talk with. Thanks, for being such a good listener.

See ya later?

Liam Kingsley

  While most Father's had dens or offices, mine had a lab in the back room of our house. On more than one occasion he'd remind me, "I'm a man of science, not philosophy." My mind lingered over this while I sat waiting with him for test results in his sterile lab. He broke the silence between us. 
  “Looks good. I can see there's some change. We'll keep you on the current dose. It shouldn't be any worst then the last time.” he said, picking up the syringe in front of us.

   I couldn't help but tense up. He tightened his grip on my arm pressing it down against the cold wood desk. Making sure to inject slowly. A stinging sensation rose up my arm and continued up to my shoulder, on it coursed with each heart beat. Finally the stinging lessened, then realizing he was done.

   “I know this is what you don't want to hear,  try to relax. It will go smoother.”
  "Easy for you to say, " I commented.
   "I'm sorry, " he paused, "I wish there was another way."

   Like it really mattered. I was the one going through all this. I guess it could have been hard on him too, but he seemed so unconcerned about the whole thing. However that was just on the outside. I knew my father well. It was bothering him just as much it was my mother, he just hid it better.

   “Can I go lay down?” I asked.

   “You okay?”

   “Yes. I just want to lay down before I start feeling ill.” I stood up, already feeling zapped of energy.

   “I'll check on you in an hour, you should start feeling it then.” A faint look of regent shown on his face. I walked back to my room, sat on the bed and continued to listen to the stereo I had left on. I thought of Riley and wondered what time she would be leaving today for Henderson.

   I thought about her often, especially being stuck in bed with nothing to do made my thoughts of her more prominent.  She was all that consumed my mind. I'd thought she was beautiful from the first time I'd met her, in spite of her obnoxious remarks. I closed my eyes and tried focusing on the music.

   The room was getting hotter as the time passed slowly, it seemed like the songs began to get longer and longer until I realized it was just me. The toxin was working. Nausea was beginning to set in and I was becoming disoriented.

   “Mom!” I though I yelled out loudly, but she didn't come. Mustaring up every ounce of energy I had left, I yelled again.“MOM!” 

   She came through the door, with a bowl, wet towel, and a cup of water. “It's already working?” she turned toward the hallway, “Martin!” She put the cup next to me on the nightstand. Placed the bowl down to my side and checked my forehead, it was dewy and a bit sticky with sweat. Her hand was cool to my touch and it felt good to have it on my skin soothing me. She placed the wet washcloth on my forehead.

   “Thanks.” I looked up at her for a moment.

   She forced a smile, “Gladly.” Although she said it she wasn't glad about any of this. But I was grateful that she had left the choice up to me for us to try this.

   “He's already feeling sick?” Dad asked, but it sounded more of a statement then a question. He checked his watch. “That was fifteen minutes sooner than the last time.”

   “Did you up the dosage?” Mom looked concerned.

   “No. This is good,” She gave him a you've got to be crazy look. He continued, “his body is accepting it, chances are the next time it will be faster still.”

  I laid in bed in and out of consciousness for the next few hours. Fading back and forth in and out of reality. Minutes passed like hours and soon I found I had no concept of what time it truly was. My mother came in with a concerned look.

   “Riley's here. She wants to see you before she leaves. Are you well enough to handle it?”

   “Yes.” I sat up as best I could. Not really sitting up at all.

   “Go on in.” I heard her guide.

In her head

What a Character!

Riley White

Having lived in Overton, Nevada her entire boring life she's working towards obtaining a scholarship and get the heck out of this Podunk town.  Sophomore year becomes interesting when the town's first human clone moves in. Being a teenager in the year 2031 is hard enough, but having a clone in town is adding pressure onto an already difficult time in her life.

Liam Kingsley
The first human clone the Moapa Valley has seen. His father is Dr. Kingsley a renowned scientist in cloning research. His first day at school proves to be troubling when Riley nicknames him Xerox and the entire school joins in.

Jax Flores
Riley's best friends. He has a tendency to get into trouble from the boredom of living in a small town, he loves technology and movies and even knows how to hack into computers, but has kept that to himself.

Teagan Linfield
Loves drawing, sewing and dreams of designing clothes, She just got to know Riley last year when she moved to the area.  Her fashion apparel isn't always what's in, but has a flare for style all her own.

Sabrina Roberts
Lived in town for years. Her father is a local Reverend and she's "the rev's daughter." A tough stereo type to brake. Riley and her don't always see eye to eye, but in the end their friends.

Principle Marlin McFarlin
Probably the least bias of all adults in Riley's life, he's known for listening to the students and gives them a chance to tell their side of a story. Underneath it all, he likes Riley and finds her entertaining.

Sharleen White
Riley's single mother who's in over her head raising her daughter. Sharleen feels two steps behind and trying to keep up with her "too smart for her own good daughter" is proving to be constant struggle.

Dr. Martin Kingsley
A founding father of human cloning and Liam's dad. He started as a pediatrician, but after the death of his first son gave up his thriving practice and began working for Cel-Tech Corporation in scientific research.

Elaine Kingsley
Liam's mother, who's overly protective of her son, but it's not without good reason. Liam has limits as a clone. Going to the hospital for any emergency is always a roll of the dice when it comes to his rights as a human clone.

Madden Kingsley
Liam's cute little five year old brother. Riley doesn't know much about him, when ever the subject of Madden comes up Liam brushes her off or changes the subject.

Sheriff Keith Parker
Born and raised in the Valley, even attended the same high school as Sharleen White. He's always looking after Riley and her renegade crew. Riley thinks he has it out for her, in-spite of her not knowing he's the one who helped the charges from the tractor indecent go away.

Jax Flores

Jax's Movie picks

Movies that ROCK!
Matrix(only the first)
Transformers (again, only the first)
The Terminator
Blade Runner
Children of Men
Star Trek (2009)
Alien
Lord of the Rings (all Thee)
Jurrassic Park
Avatar
Close Encounters of The Third Kind
The Shawshank Redemption
The Godfather
Pulp Fiction
Se7en
Inception
The Silence of the Lambs

Teagan Linfield - Riley's B.F.F

Riley usually didn't wear much else than black when it came to picking out clothes. I would have loved to have seen her in a light pink, or even a rich blue once in a while, but she rarely wore anything out side the black, white, or gray color chart. School uniforms also made it difficult to express ones clothing style.

In fact I would have to agree with my friend, School  uniforms sucked! I loved creating new clothes, starting with the design, and moving into sewing them. Typically I took an already produced piece of clothing and accented it, giving it my own flare. It didn't matter if it was a pare of jean, hat, or even socks I'd changed all of these a time or two in order to create my fashion designs.

Most people didn't know, but I especially loved to analyze clothing choices of random people and change it in my mind. Finding a better style that would fit their body type or color choice. Most of the time it was ways to make their own outfit pop and give it a little zow!

I was currently working on a project, a jacket for Riley. I'd gotten at a second hand store with the intention of slicing it up. I'd cut the back of the black denim, sewn in a back casing and added a pink ribbon with eyelets crisscrossing the pink ribbon . It had turned out better than I'd anticipated and so feeling confident with my design choices, I was inspired to change the selves too, bring in the same pink into the cuffs.  It was amazing and the best part is that I'd made it better than the sketch I'd jotted down in my book.

Riley would love it, I knew she would. Even if it wasn't completely black I figured I'd work in a little color into her wardrobe. Pink always looked good with her skin color and I figured she wouldn't notice minimal color palette with little here and there and then in no time at all I'd actually get her to have more than black in her closet.

I guess some might have considered this manipulative, in reality I really did have her back, however-with a little flare of color. I felt like she'd gotten into a funk when it came to her clothes, but then again I was obsessed with clothes. I understood her "goth" style was a statement, I liked her in it, but sheeze!  Add some color to it once in awhile. Black, white, and gray is okay, but really adding some color here and there could really make it pop. (Now, if I could only get her to give up the rouged Docs.)

Introductions: Riley Meets Liam a Human Clone

   Teagan whispered, “I'm glad it's you as

my partner and not the freak in front of us.”

Making me curious, I looked up. Liam Kingsley

was directly in front of me. Noticing his partner

was Bianca, A grin spread across my face. Of 

all the people he could be partnered with,

she was well suited for him, she was the most 

manipulative person I knew. I didn't really 

care for her, she was self absorbed and snotty. 

It was rewarding to see that she would have 

to deal with being teamed up with the local 

freak.

    

   I leaned in closer to Teagan, “He'll have fun with

Bianca. That's going to be entertaining to watch.”

Teagan laughed a little too loud, catching 

Liam's attention. He turned, looking at us. He 

didn't blink, instead he just stared at me. No 

emotion showing on his face. The longer 

he looked at me the more uncomfortable I 

became.

   Instead of looking away or ignoring

him I stared back at him, my eyes hardening, 

my jaw clenching as my stomach tied in 

knots. Yet he didn't look away. Worried

Bianca or Teagan might say something. I 

spoke up.

   “What are you looking at Xerox!” I uttered.

   Glaring at me, “That's not very original.”

   “And you would know about being original?”

I bated. Unwilling to back down.

   “I take it you'd be the vociferous tellurian?”

He redirected. 

Confused by his words I couldn't find anything

to retaliate with.

   “Miss. White?” I looked up, Mr. Mathews 

 the math teacher was looking directly at me from 

the front of the classroom. He stopped the lesson.

  “As interesting as your conversation may be, 

can I please get your attention up here?” He 

warned me. Liam turned to the front giving 

Mr. Mathews his full attention. I continued 

looking towards the front, seeing Liam's

annoying brown hair blocking my view.

   Teagan wrote a note on the paper in front of

her. She tapped her pen on the cold black lab

table, pointing to what she'd written.

   In her bubbly penmanship; What did he call

you?

   I shrugged my shoulders mouthing, “I don't

know.” I was sure I saw him smiling towards 

the front. Infuriating me even more.

   When class ended I left Teagan behind,

heading back to my locker. 

I had a travel size dictionary there. It

bugged me not knowing  the term he'd called 

me.

   Vociferous: Conspicuously and offensively

loud; given to vehement outcry. “a vociferous

mob.” I flipped a few pages going back to the

T's and looked up the other word he had 

called me.

   Tellurian: an inhabitant of the earth.

   So basically he had called me a loud mouth 

person. I didn't know what upset me more, the 

fact that he had stumped me or the fact I 

had to look up the insult to understand it.

The Valley Gazette

Overton's Newest Residence Are In

The newest residents of the Moapa Valley are the Kingsleys of Maine. Dr. Martin Kingsley - a retired Pediatrician and renowned controversial stem cell scientist is the valley's latest addition to our local community.

He and his wife Elaine, with their two children, Liam-15, a registered clone and Madden-5 who is not on the National Clone Registry, are looking forward to the slower pace the city of Overton brings.

Although the doctors experimental scientific back ground may play a part huge part to local advocates, who protest human cloning.

Dr. Kingsley worked as a New York Pediatrician, until the death of his first child;  switching to scientific research with the Cel-Tech Corporation,  who's known for focusing on stem cell research. As we are all aware Cel-Tech Corporation was the first to successfully reproduce a  human clone in their medical facility.

Bridget Simpson a diligent activist against human cloning who has seen the atrocities of human cloning first hand, speaks out on the cloning process. She stated, "Human cloning is going against the natural state of  human reproduction, it's not sanctioned from God. The United States government is making a huge mistake by allowing this to continue, " over the government limiting the human cloning process. In 2011, the United States government placed restrictions on the amount of  human cloning produced,  after Cel-Tech announced their first success in human cloning.

Due to the resent verdict of Barker vs the state of Virgina. On February 19, 2031, a federal law evoking illegal actions for killing human clones.  Barker's statement at trial was; "In order to keep the order of God, I was cleansing the human race of vermin and mongoloids."

With so much conflict surrounding the Kingsleys it's this reporters view that Overton will never be the same whether you're for or against human cloning.

Riley Inspired Playlist

Part of writing in trying to understand my characters and getting into their head. One way that's worked for me is using music to set the tone.

Riley White's Playlist:

Love Like Winter.............AFI
Hand In My Pocket..........Alanis Morsette
Come on, Come on..........A Fine Frenzy
Teenagers.......................My Chemical Romance
Breaking the Habit..........Linkin Park
18th Floor Balcony.........Blue October
All Around Me...............Flyleaf
Wings of a Butterfly.......HIM
White Flag......................Dido
The Last Night................Skillet
Not As We.....................Alanis Morsette
Crawling in The Dark....Hoobastank
Face Down....................The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Bring Me to Life...........Evanescence

Riley White

 Having lived in Overton, Nevada her entire boring life she's working towards obtain a scholarship and get the heck out of this Podunk town.  Sophomore year becomes interesting when the town's first clone moves in. Being a teenager in the year 2031 is hard enough, but having a human clone in town is adding pressure onto an already difficult time in her life.

                       ReGeneration

   Despite it being the first day of school, I was already in the principal's office. Mrs. Ward had seen my shoes and assumed they were against the school dress code. School uniforms sucked! Even though I went to a public school the district had changed their policies a year ago and forced us all into wearing “school appropriate clothing.”

   It never failed that I ended up in the office, at least five or six times a year. I had all but memorized the school guidelines by now, especially the part about uniforms. It didn't specify what kind of black shoes were acceptable.

   So, my thick healed, lace up Docs  should have been fine. I was wearing the required navy blue skirt, white-collar shirt and had the tie loosely hanging around my neck, like a noose. My hair had been died to a black color, from the pink it had been during the summer, and a band-aid was over my left eyebrow, where a new piercing was concealed.

   I sat in the hallway, now picking at the black nail polish on my fingers waiting for Principal McFarlin. In the rush to polishing them and my mind having been focused on the article I hadn't been as steady as I had earlier thought, slopping some of the enamel onto my skin and cuticles.

   “Riley you're already in here?” Principal McFarlin barked across the hallway from his office. He was leaning to the side of his chair peering out the open door.

   “Mrs. Ward sent me in.” I said, a lack of emotion resting on my face.

   He motioned for me to come into his office. His dark stained wood veneer desk was neat and orderly, with only a small stack of papers to the right and a new name plate on the front edge. I slouched down in the chair in front of his desk, picking up the name plate and twisted it in my hands, while reading it out loud.

   “Principal Marlin McFarlin?” I looked up at him. “Seriously! Marlin?” I snickered. He calmly grabbed the name plate from my grasp, placing it back on his desk, then nudging it just so, making it line up with the edge of his desk. Principal McFarlin was your typical middle-aged man with a receding hair line and a thinning spot towards the back. In-spite of me being in his office he was a decent principle. He'd actually listen to the student before administering punishment and sometimes he could be persuaded by something you said, which was what I was hoping for now.

   “I thought it would take longer to see you in here Miss White. What did Mrs. Ward send you in here for?” He stood up stepping closer to the door, peering out at the front desk. It was obvious he was distracted by something else. “Torturing small underclassmen?”

  

   “Whatever!” I turned in my chair to face him.”That really wasn't my fault last year.”

He looked down leering at me “So you say, but I'm sure that Sarah Copper would think otherwise, since you were the one to have started the name calling.”

   “Mrs. Ward is looking for anything to get me written up. I guess my shoes aren't acceptable for the dress code,” it sounded harsher than I meant to, but I didn't want to talk about Sarah Cooper and her life as a pathetic and miserable wench.

  

   “You can change into your gym sneakers.” he said. He stood to the side, towering over me, now giving me his full attention, probably attempting to intimidate me. I, however, wasn't about to back down.

   

   “Mr. McFarlin, the dress code doesn't specify the type of shoe. Only the color.” I stood firm on my argument. He was about to speak when the main doors to the school opened adjacent to the office. Through the glass window of his office I saw a boy with brown hair and brown eyes walked in. He looked just as normal as any other boy in the school. I didn't notice anything different about him. He was wearing the school uniform, his tie was perfectly straight, his shirt was pressed, and his shoes were perfectly polished. 
   
   His hair parted and combed to one side. If you asked me it looked more like the uniform was the style of clothing he preferred, a preppy look. There were two adults with him, probably his parents. I didn't really get a good look at them, considering I was more intrigued to know if this was the boy, we'd heard so much about? They walked forward to the front desk where Mrs. Ward stood waiting on the opposite side. She motioned to Mr. McFarlin.

   “Okay Riley. Get to class.” He dismissed me forgetting the topic completely and letting me off the hook. I wasn't sure if it was because of my argument or because of the current situation distracting him, but I would take it any way I could.

   While reaching for my bag, “Marlin” walked out to the new arrival waiting for him. With all the fussing occurring at the front desk; papers being pushed in front of them, lots of looks from school staff and students, and knowing most of the time Principal McFarlin didn't handle the new student enrollment forms, I could only assume this was all for Liam Kingsley, the clone.