She peels open her eyes only to be blinded by giant overhead lights. The chaotic sounds of people talking, tools clattering, and machines beeping enveloped her in a sense of panic. In an attempt to shield her eyes from the light she tries to lift her arm only to have it held back by some kind of restraint. The sudden realization, like a stone, dropped into still water, had her heart still.

The fog in her mind began to clear and she pulls at all the restraints. Tears well in her eyes as she looks to the side at one of the doctors standing beside her.

"Where am I?" she asks softly, her voice cracking in fear, "What's going on?"

The doctor looks down at her and his eyes crinkle at the corners. She could imagine the disgusting smile hidden behind his mask. She shudders in fear and recoils as he reaches out to touch her face. Tears stream down her face, her sobs racking her body.

"My greatest masterpiece," he says beaming with pride, "my finest—."
*
*
*
I scream and shoot up from my seat, taking in my surroundings. Other passengers look at me confused and I lean back down into my seat. I feel a firm hand on my shoulder and I jump looking over at the man sitting beside me.
I recognize this man but from where?

"I get nightmares too sometimes," he lets go of my shoulder, "if you wanna talk."

I nod and stare out the window, feeling the man's gaze burning a hole in the back of my head. I rub the bridge of my nose, feeling a dull ache down my nose at the contact.
Probably just bumped it in my sleep.

The seat belt signal blinks on and I click mine around me. The fear of the nightmare washed away as I remind myself of the good news I came all this way to tell my parents about. I was moving back to Moscow.
*
*
*
The landing and the drive to my parent's home were a short blur of activity. I walk up to the front door of my childhood home and ring the doorbell. Excitement courses through my veins, and my smile grows bigger when my mom answers the door.

"Hi, mama!" I exclaim embracing her, "Surprise!"

She pushes me away, "Hello, comrade, I'm sorry but I think you have the wrong house," she says taking a step back.

I laugh, "Mama! It's me, Irina!" I look over her shoulder into the house, "Where's Papa?"

Before Mama could answer a girl appears behind her, "Mama, dinner's getting col-" she cuts herself off and pales.

That's not any just any girl, THAT'S ME!  I gasp taking a step back.

"Who are you?!" I exclaim, "Why do you have my face?!"

The two look at each other confused, "Mama, do you know who that is?" The fake Irina whispers into my mama's ear.

My mother's eyes widen in recognition, "Get off my property before we call the police you revolting American!"

I felt my stomach drop along with my heart, American? No! I'm your proud Russian daughter! I feel tears stream down my face, as my family yelled and screamed. I could barely hear them, I felt as if my head were underwater.

I turned and ran from the house and down to an empty park, and stood over a puddle staring back at a face that wasn't mine. I turn my head to see a wanted poster stapled to a telephone pole, the picture on the paper matching the face in my reflection.

American Sleeper Agent Isabella Drover, Formerly known as Galina Petrov

I'm suddenly thrown back to the nightmare on the plane. The final words before I woke up.

My finest... Substitution