Holly’s last report to HQ was received with mixed results. For some reason, they accepted her report with little push-back. They hadn’t asked for clarification on anything, but expressed no doubt in her claims. Their response simply communicated that they would be sending no backup other than the requested lab team that was still on its way and that she was to keep pursuing her current assignment as top priority. While she felt a sense of pride at the faith HQ was placing in her, something didn’t seem right. Either the FBI was overplaying how much they believed her report or they currently had their hands full with other matters just as important. The first option would be an easy pill to swallow. She was new and had yet to establish a reputation, so they might just be pushing her toward growing on her own, but her gut told her that was not the case. What she witnessed happen to that man was more than a training opportunity, it was a mind-blowing encounter that made her question her own sanity. The blob thing that ate the man was locked behind three layers of plate-glass and she still felt uneasy.

  Holly looked through the one way mirror at the surviving twin, a man named Gilbert, in the interrogation room. He sat expressionless and stared directly at her. She sidestepped and his gaze followed her. That shouldn’t be possible, but no-matter where she moved, he looked at her.

  “I hope you haven’t wasted the other two vials.” Gilbert said in a calm voice while still staring at her.

  “It’s creepy that he knows we’re here.” Officer Higgins said.

  Holly had to agree. She gave up on watching Gilbert from ‘secret’ and made her way into the interrogation room with him.

  Higgins followed close behind, which Holly found to be a comfort. She had only known him for a few days, but found that she was fond of his presence. As a self-proclaimed lone wolf, it was strange for her to be so okay with a tagalong, but Higgins didn’t suffocate her and was happy to let her take the lead.

  “Sorry about letting that monster thing from Krsty’s house escape,” Higgins said with a sheepish expression in the hallway.

  “It was not your fault,” Holly reassured him and shuddered. “We both underestimated the thing even after seeing what it could do. I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of it anyway.”

  Officer Higgins nodded appreciatively but still looked like he felt guilty.

  “Let’s focus on what we can control for now. I need your help in here.” Holly motioned with her head to the door of the interrogation room.

  Higgins smiled, “You’re right. No sense crying over spilt milk.”

  Holly smiled back and they entered the room. Both standing at opposite corners of the table between them and Gilbert.

  “So what are those vials anyway?” Higgins asked.

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  “I have no idea,” Gilbert said, still staring expressionless between the two of them. “Do you still have them?”

  Holly nodded, then decided to jump straight to negotiations. “The vials are safe. Right now they are our second best clue to this whole mess. You are our first. We know how desperate you are to use those other vials. If you are willing to cooperate and answer our questions, both vials are yours. If not, then without our best clue working with us, we will be forced to use our second best clue to find answers.”

  Gilbert sucked in a sharp breath at the threat and nodded furiously, “I’ll do whatever you need me to without question. Please don’t take the vials from me. I don’t want to end up like the other Gilbert.”

  It was eerie to Holly that he agreed so quickly, but she didn’t sense any deception from the man. He seemed single minded on his path to survive.

  “How can you see us through the wall?” Holly asked.

  “I can’t, but I can sense the pulse your life-force emanates when you are close enough.” Gilbert said without hesitation.

  “Wait, why are you both named Gilbert? That’s a little confusing for twins.” Higgins said.

  “That’s what we are all named.” Gilbert said.

  “There are more than two of you?” Holly asked.

  Gilbert nodded, “Many more than that.”

  “How many?” Holly asked.

  “I don’t know, but at least more than twenty. I never felt more than ten of us in a room at the same time and was never focused on counting all of us.” Gilbert said, “I’m so sorry. I’m trying to be useful, please don’t keep the vials from me.”

  “I won’t keep the vials from you. You’re doing great so far. Do all of the Gilberts need the vials as badly as you do?” Holly asked.

  “Thank you,” Gilbert looked sincerely grateful. It was strangely heartbreaking to see. “We all need them to remain stable. If we don’t have one vial per day, then we will revert back into a dormant hypnosite and die.”

  “So that blob thing is called a Hypnosite.” Higgins said.

  Gilbert nodded, “That’s right.”

  “If we gave one of the vials to the Hypnosite in there, would it bring the other Gilbert back to life?”

  Gilbert shook his head with wide eyes, “No! That would waste the vial, please don’t do that! It already ate its vessel.”

  “I won’t.” Holly reassured Gilbert. “What do you mean by vessel?”

  “It’s how we’re made, we are the vessel, but we are also one with the Hypnosite. Without either, we couldn’t exist.” Gilbert said, still looking panicked. “Please don’t waste the vials!”

  “I promise I won’t waste the vials and will give both to you if you keep cooperating.” Holly said and Gilbert instantly deflated with relief. It was scary how valuable the vials were to him. She wondered just how far he would go. She pointed at officer Higgins. “If I asked you to kill this man in order to get your next vial, would you do it?”

  Gilbert nodded, “Of course. I will do whatever you need me to without question.”

  Holly’s heart was pounding as that sunk in. There were over twenty of these Gilberts out there somewhere that were so desperate for the vials that they would do anything at all. If the wrong person were in control of them, they would be incredibly dangerous.

  “Holy crap,” Higgins’s eyes went wide, “Did we ever meet you at the water-plant?”

  “No, never.” Gilbert shook his head. “I’ve been hiding in the bayou for days with the other Gilbert before we ran low on vials. Today was the first time we met.”

  Holly and Higgins locked eyes and Her heart started pounding as she realized what that meant. “We need to go back to the water-plant.”