Chapter 9 - THE BOY ON THE SCREENThe door opened.
Vivian stood there alone.
No guards.
No weapon.
Only the silver key hanging from one finger.
“Give me the file.”
Ethan tightened his grip.
“No.”
Vivian sighed.
“You always were stubborn.”
“You knew my father.”
“Yes.”
“He said Daniel wasn't his son.”
Vivian looked at the photograph.
“That note was written after Daniel changed.”
Ethan stared.
“Changed how?”
Vivian said nothing.
Emmie whispered:
“Because they copied him.”
Vivian turned.
“Children understand more than adults.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“You copied my brother's memories.”
“We preserved what we could.”
“That isn't him.”
Vivian's eyes hardened.
“Perhaps not.”
“Then what is he?”
“A reconstruction.”
Ethan felt sick.
Vivian continued.
“Daniel's biological body died.”
“Then the man on the screen…”
“Contains his memory architecture.”
The words sounded impossible.
But everything about the facility was built on things that should not have existed.
Ethan looked at Emmie.
“And the children?”
“Compatibility vessels.”
“Vessels for memories.”
“For memories and more.”
Vivian stepped closer.
“You still think your father was a good man?”
Ethan said nothing.
“He started Halcyon.”
“No.”
“He did.”
“My father treated children.”
“He treated patients.”
Vivian smiled.
“Those are not always the same thing.”
She tossed the silver key onto the floor.
“Your father changed after Daniel.”
“What happened?”
“He realized the procedure worked.”
Ethan's face tightened.
“But Daniel died.”
“His body died.”
Vivian pointed toward the screens.
“His mind did not.”
Ethan stared.
“That was the breakthrough.”
“And Emmie?”
Vivian's voice softened.
“She is the bridge.”
A crash sounded overhead.
One of the children screamed.
Ethan turned.
Vivian suddenly lunged.
Ethan caught her arm.
For the first time, she looked frightened.
“Let go.”
“No.”
She hissed:
“If that bridge reaches completion, Daniel can be restored.”
Ethan froze.
“Restored?”
“Yes.”
“A real body?”
“Yes.”
“And whose body?”
Vivian looked at Emmie.
Ethan immediately moved between them.
“No.”
A warning siren began.
The countdown changed.
00:04:59
Vivian whispered:
“That is why the original chain existed.”
Ethan stared.
“To keep Emmie stable?”
“No.”
“To keep her from leaving?”
Vivian shook her head.
“To keep her from activating.”
Ethan looked at the medical tube.
The liquid inside had turned clear.
The red light had become green.
Emmie suddenly cried out.
She collapsed against the wall.
“Emmie!”
Ethan caught her.
Her eyes opened.
But her voice sounded different.
Cold.
Flat.
“Ethan.”
He froze.
She looked directly at him.
“You have to find Daniel.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn't know.”
“Know what?”
She whispered:
“His memories aren't his anymore.”
Ethan stared.
May you like
Then Emmie gave him a terrified look.
“He thinks they're yours.”
