Disclaimer: “The Pretender” and it’s characters don’t belong to me they belong to NBC and TNT and are being used without permission. Please don’t sue because I have no money.

Following Jarod they drove a while and then finally went up the driveway to a house. It was a two-story house that had brown trim on it. Jarod parked the car and got his things out and then one of their suitcases out too. After opening the door he helped them with their luggage and put them inside the door to be put up later in their rooms.

“I want answers, Emily.”

“Are you sure this is safe Jarod?”

“The house. Yes, I’m sure. I brought it with a false name, so they wouldn’t find me, or you.”

She walked to the living room and sat down knowing that Adam and Jarod would follow her.

“Do you want me to leave you two alone to talk?"

“No. It’s much a part of your story as mine. I only know what Mom told me when I was little and later when I was with Dad and Jeremy. You can help me.”

“Okay.”

“When Jarod was four years old he was stolen in the middle of the night by these people.”

“Why?”

“Because my brothers were smart.”

“Brothers?”

“Jarod and Kyle.”

“Who’s Jeremy? Why were you taken?”

“I was taken because I am a pretender, a genius who can become anyone they want to be. They wanted me to do Simulations for them to help make them money. It would be much later that I found out that these Sims that I was working on was hurting and killing people. I knew that I couldn’t have anymore innocent blood on my hands, so I escaped. While I was inside the Centre there were more pretenders. When I was a boy I met another test subject like me named Kyle. It would be the first year that I escaped that I found out that he was my brother.”

“Who are they?”

“They are the Centre. They want me back and they won’t stop until I am back there.” He sighed. “My childhood friend and the chairman’s daughter Miss Parker, my mentor Sydney and a computer tech are my retrieval team and sometimes Miss Parkers brother Mr. Lyle is too. They think that once I’m back that I will work for them again, but they are wrong.”

“Where’s Kyle now?”

“He died trying to save me from Lyle.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault. Lyle was aiming for me and Kyle stepped in front of the bullet. I gave his heart to a young boy who needed it.”

“Who is Jeremy?”

“While I was in the Centre I did a cloning simulation. Gemini also known as Jeremy is my clone.”

“My gosh. I never knew that a place like that existed.”

“Have you been in contact with Mom?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“I have yet to meet her. Sometimes it feels like I’ll never get to see her and have our family back together.”

“How are Dad and Jeremy?”

“They are good. Jeremy is thriving. He loves ice cream.”

“I do too. That was one of the first things that I discovered when I escaped. Now I like Pez and other food.”

“Didn’t you have ice cream growing up?” Adam asked and Emily listened. She never got to know what it was like for her brother to grow up in a place like that.

“I was never allowed ice cream, or toys growing up. My days consisted of Sims and going back to my cell. I never got to go outside either. Actually, I did go outside when I was younger. It was when it was cold and I saw snow.” He smiled as he remembered seeing snow for the first time.

“I’m sorry for what your whole family went through.” Adam said.

“Thank you.” He looked at Emily and Adam then spoke again. “I need to get you new names and identities. Also, you need to change your appearance.”

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry about me. I will still do my pretends.”

“What do you mean?” Adam asked wondering what pretends were.

“Since I escaped The Centre I have been going from place to place helping people who couldn’t get help anywhere else. I have a lot to atone for, for what my Sims did to people. I have been a Doctor, Lawyer, Fireman, Policeman and everything else.”

“It wasn’t your fault Jarod. You didn’t know what they were doing to them.”

“No, but I should have.”

----

A week later Jarod had set up new identities for his sister and her husband. He had changed their names too.

“Thank you Jarod for everything.” Adam said as he put down a suitcase.

“You’re welcome, Adam. Protect my little sister. And if you ever need me call me.” Jarod said as he handed Adam a piece of paper with his number on it.

“Goodbye Jarod. Be safe big brother.”

“You too little sister.”

He hugged his little sister and then watched as Adam and Emily climb into the car. After they had left he picked up his duffel bag and left too.

The End