‘And that, in itself, is a problem. An adolescent with Jacob’s strength and intelligence makes for a very difficult individual to rear, let alone control. What will you do when the schizophrenia takes over and Jacob starts responding to commands from his Mayan warlords? What if he claims to be receiving messages from his long-lost father? You were a psych major, Mrs. Gabriel. You know the ramifications if you fail to act. Jacob could easily hurt himself, or worse, he could hurt his brother.’

‘We can medicate him. There’s so many new prescription drugs that—’

‘Nothing strong enough to handle this. Mrs. Gabriel, Jacob needs to be placed in a controlled environment where we can properly monitor his condition while protecting him from himself.’

‘Just call it what it really is, Doctor. You want to imprison him in one of your fancy labs.’

2:17 a.m.

Small waves lap at the beach beneath a cloud-covered night sky.

Fourteen-year-old Jacob Gabriel settles himself into a lotus position and closes his eyes, focusing inward.

Jaaaaacob. The female’s voice seduces him from beyond the mist.

Cut it out, Lilith, I can’t speak with you now.

You never seem to have time for me lately, she pouts.

Hey, you’re the one with all the friends.

Jealous?

No.

Liar. I have loads of friends and you only have your stupid brother, and he can’t stand you.

Whatever.

By the way, Brandy says she wants to come with me when I meet you. She’s already checked into bus tickets.

Lilith, I told you, my mother won’t allow you into the compound. If she even suspected I was talking to someone with Hunahpu blood, she’d never give me another moment alone.

Well, we can’t allow that. You’d never be able to play with yourself.

Shut up.

Do you think of me when you masturbate?

God, Lilith … I think you’ve been hanging out with Brandy too long.

Does your mommy expect you to be celibate all your life?

I told you before, it’s the whole Abomination thing. It makes her paranoid.

Jacob, we weren’t created in a lab. There must be a thousand other people out there with Hunahpu blood. Maybe ten thousand. As for this crazy Abomination thing, I was born a full eight months after you and your brother. Want me to e-mail you my birth certificate again?

No.

Then sneak out of the compound and meet me at a hotel.

I can’t. Lilith, I want to be with you, but things are crazy around here right now.

How can we ever get married if we can’t even arrange a simple date?

What makes you so sure I want to marry you?

Because we’re soul mates and you love me … and you like girls with long hair and big breasts. Want me to e-mail you another picture?