Your time as Caitlin Xie, as with every other one of the girls you’ve been so far, is reaching an end. You savor these last few moments by trying to burn her naked body on your brain.
Unlike the success of previous weeks, this one was a bust. Your best chance was doing nyotaimori – lying naked on a table while topped with sushi and maki rolls – during a summit of three Asian gangs. You’re fortunate no one suspected about your allegiance with Tessa, making you the perfect spy to their plans to topple her through an alliance.
Yet, Caitlin’s lack of familiarity with Asian culture became your weakness. She was raised as an American, and only knows of the importance of discipline and loyalty second-hand from her mainland China family. The fact that her Mandarin is virtually non-existent and her Cantonese (her parents’ native language) is child-like doesn’t help.
Today, you’re not getting exchanged through pens. When you asked Tessa for the reason, she explained a little secret she kept from you.
You were wearing cloned skins all along. The real women are still there, with the exception of Rachel who was completely replaced. This is Caitlin’s original skin, being the only one of the Five working for her, and because of that there’s no need to find and swap them.
Thus, this is the first time in weeks you’re pulling a skin off by yourself. You’re at her apartment, ready to make the switch. Cassie's outside, waiting for you with one of the black pens and a suit bag with another skin – Cindy Wong, another of the escorts.
The cool air touching your moist skin feels strange. It’s been a while since you can see your own face in the mirror, and now it feels like one of the many others you’ve worn. And as you grab Cindy’s skin and see her gaping maw, you realize it’s one of many you’ll probably wear in your life.
As you slide your own body inside her, you realize the world of difference between Cindy and Caitlin. Her hair is dyed ash blonde, styled almost like Caitlin’s, but her measurements are certainly smaller. She can’t be any older than 20, and you wouldn’t be surprised she’s a teen judging by her looks.
You dress Caitlin and yourself, then step out to meet Cassie. “How do I look?” you ask her, posing confidently.
“Like we need to share a bed,” she claims, standing from the couch. “But we’ve got some business to do.”
“Run it by me again.”
“We’re gonna tell her she passed out,” she says as she hands you the black pen. “Don’t talk too much to her – she can’t know a week has passed.”
“And the brown one?”
“I’ll be here if you screw up.” She pats your back and grins. “Don’t worry, bestie – you don’t need Cindy’s memories for this.”
“It’d certainly help.”
“You’re gonna take her off in a while, so why bother? Just say you’re here to check on her and bail out.”
“Alright.” You look at the pen, knowing exactly what you need to do. “See you in a coupl’a minutes.”
“Break a leg,” she says, snorting. “Since you’ll be acting and all.”
As she leaves, you take a deep breath and point the pen at her. You see her delectable body reflate, her skin returning to life. You approach her, sitting nearby, and you instinctively grab her arm. You fake being concern, hoping it fools her.
“What happened...?” She scratches her eyes, replying coldly at seeing you – just like her cousin talking down to a lesser. “Wong? What’re you doing here?”
“What do you think?” you reply, incensed. You’re an underling in her eyes, but that doesn’t mean she has to treat you as one. “You fainted. I was checking in to see if you were doing alright...”
--
Handling Caitlin was difficult, but fortunately you didn’t need Cassie’s help at all. Stressing your need to leave while giving her some pills and water to calm down did the trick, and you’re riding shotgun with Cassie as you arrive at the by-house.
You notice Ashley’s new car is there, though, meaning that she’s probably inside. That reminds you of your previous discussion and her ominous warning.
“Before we enter,” you tell Cassie as you hold her still. “Mind if I ask you something?”
“Uh...” She shrugs and smiles. “Sure!”
“You’ve kept in contact with your old family? Y’know, the...”
“The Vosslers?” She’s puzzled by the question but doesn’t hesitate. “Not really. I didn’t have an attachment to them. Mom’s been a lot better than most of them.”
“Do you have someone you miss?” you insist.
That gave her something to think about. “Yeah. My older sister. Maybe my younger one, but I left them as soon as I could. Why?”
You bite your lip, fiddling with your fingers. “What if Mom suddenly brought them to work for her?”
Cassie snorts. “I’d be delighted!”
“I don’t mean like us!” You point at Cindy’s face, gesturing a face-pull. “You know what I mean.”
Her eyes darken as she takes a deep breath. “I dunno. That’d mean losing this babe. But I don’t think Mom would do that. That’s not her game.”
“Thanks,” you tell her. She’s proven to be a good friend these past couple days. “I needed that.”
“Y’know,” she says, switching gears into a more pleasant conversation. “I think you’re gonna love Gloria.”
“That’s the last of the Five, right?”
“Yeah. You know about this show where the dad’s married to a hot Latina woman while his children live their own lives? What’s its name...” You draw a blank, so you let her respond. “Modern Family! Yeah, that one! I know about it because the Latina woman shares the same name and everything – it's like Mom cloned her!”
“Did she?” you say as you step inside the by-house. Ashley’s not at the living room or the kitchen, so you suspect she must be downstairs.
“Naw. Our Gloria has bigger tits, plus she’s a natural blonde. Did you know Latinas can be white, blonde and have clear eyes? I thought they were all brunette babes.”
You thought so too. Of the only few people you know as Latino, you recall Julia Martinez, your English teacher and school coordinator. She’s in charge of most, if not all, school clubs and it’s no secret that she’s got a lot of pull in Edgefield High. You’re the first woman that comes to mind when you hear the word “Latina”, and you expect someone fiery and lively, exploding in a blaze of anger but being sweet as a chocolate.
But a naturally blonde Latina? You definitely have to see her. Thus, you step into the secret entry inside the basement, to where the other skins are stored.
There, you see Ashley, as well as Tessa. They’re holding the skin of a woman, and the glass door of the display case where the Five are stored is wide open. The latter is examining her when she notices your approach. “Oh. I didn’t expect you so soon.”
“I asked Cassie to look for her,” Ashley says. “I suspect you want to tell our friend the good news, didn’t you?”
You know what’s behind Ashley’s words. You rush closer, with Cassie hot on your heels, only to notice the skin they’re holding.
It’s Tina. Your sister.
Your reaction is immediate. You push Ashley, pouncing atop her. “What’s the big idea, huh!? Why’s she here!? What did you do to my family!?”
“Wait until I tell you what I did to your little sister.”
You lift your fist to smash Ashley’s head when you feel two slim hands stopping you. Cassie’s behind, snarling at her sister. “Dude, that was low.”
“If it’s low, then ask Mom. She likes the idea.”
You turn to Tessa, your muscles contracting into a coil. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“My dear Ashley and I were discussing some interesting business,” she replies, confirming the truth. "I was pondering how to tell you about this."
“So that’s what this is all about?” You cover your face to hold your tears. “You want me to sacrifice my family for this?”
“David...” Hearing your name from Tessa’s lips feels bittersweet, but the look in her eyes makes you pause. “I thought you were happy with our agreement.”
“I didn’t mind being away from my family, but I never expected you’d...”
“I agree,” Cassie says, and you hold her hand tightly. “Mom, this isn’t your game. What are you gaining from this?”
“A replacement for the woman I’m about to lose,” she says in a lamenting tone. “And a way to escape the long arm of the law. I’m growing too powerful, my dear – I need a way to escape in case the authorities are hot on my heels.”
“And you’re using my family for that!?”
“Alongside your father and brother as ‘witness protection’.” She stands beside you, holding your hand. “I debated if this was fair to you, but I see the worth in Ashley’s proposal.”
“She hates me, Mom.”
“Like you have any right to call her ‘Mom’,” Ashley replies spitefully.
“If I want her to call me ‘Mom’, she can – I asked her to do so, after all.” Her tone has grown feral, like the growl of a wounded lioness. “Your proposal was intriguing, my dear. A way to repay all I’ve done for you. But I knew you did it out of malice.” You see Tessa drawing another skin – that of your little sister Claire – and lifting it for all to see. “I wanted her to see the extent of your grudge and witness how I exact justice.”
“Mrs. Wright...” you ask, timidly. “What do you mean?”
"Though it may not seem like it, family is sacred to me." She hangs Claire's skin on one of the stands, then holds your shoulders tight. “We are your family now. And things are fixed within the family. You are no less or more important than my daughters. Now, take her off and put on Gloria, shall we? I’ll deal with Ashley’s felony the proper way.”
After seeing this, you’re unsure if you want to pursue your partnership. Crossing Tessa Wright may be dangerous, but the only way to save your family.
But... what if you could save them AND earn her favor?
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
