Chapter 5 - Tomorrow’s PhotographAlexander could barely breathe.
The photograph trembled between his fingers.
It showed him exactly as he stood now.
Same shirt.
Same watch.
Same bloodstain on his sleeve from the broken windshield.
Mia stood beside him.
Elena was on his other side.
But behind them was Richard Vale.
His father.
Dead for fifteen years.
Alexander stared at the date.
August 25, 2026.
Tomorrow.
“This is impossible.”
Evelyn looked at the photograph.
She whispered:
“No.”
“What?”
“That means they restarted it.”
“Restarted what?”
“The prediction engine.”
Alexander turned toward her.
“You knew about this?”
“I knew your father was working on something.”
“Something that predicts photographs of the future?”
“Not photographs.”
She swallowed.
“People.”
A metallic sound echoed through the room.
Someone was unlocking the outer door.
Evelyn raised her weapon.
Alexander picked up a metal bar from the floor.
The door opened.
Elena stepped inside.
Her clothes were torn.
A bruise darkened her cheek.
She looked at Alexander.
“Don't shoot me.”
He lowered the bar slightly.
“Where have you been?”
“Taken.”
“By whom?”
She looked at Evelyn.
“Her.”
Alexander turned.
His mother didn't deny it.
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You still believe her.”
Evelyn said nothing.
Alexander pointed at the folder.
“This is my name.”
Elena nodded.
“Yes.”
“What is Project Seven?”
Elena stepped closer.
“You are Project Seven.”
Alexander stared.
“No.”
“You were born naturally.”
She paused.
“Then your father changed you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Your memories.”
Alexander froze.
“My memories?”
“He altered them.”
“Why?”
“Because you saw something when you were nine years old.”
Alexander suddenly remembered a strange childhood image.
A red room.
A woman screaming.
A metal table.
His father telling him:
Forget.
He pressed a hand against his forehead.
Pain shot through him.
Mia stepped closer.
“You remember.”
Alexander looked at her.
“Yes.”
A door slammed somewhere above them.
Elena’s voice became urgent.
“We have to go.”
“Why?”
“Because they know we opened Room Seven.”
Evelyn checked the weapon.
“How long?”
“Three minutes.”
Alexander stared.
“What happens in three minutes?”
Elena looked at the photograph dated tomorrow.
“They come for the girl.”
Mia backed away.
“Why?”
Elena looked at Alexander.
“Because Mia isn't a witness.”
Alexander swallowed.
“Then what is she?”
Elena whispered:
“She is the only person who can prove you were never the original Alexander Vale.”
Silence.
Alexander stared at his own hands.
His mother's eyes filled with tears.
“I tried to protect you.”
He looked at her.
“From what?”
Evelyn finally spoke.
“From yourself.”
Then a gunshot echoed from upstairs.
One.
Two.
Three.
Elena grabbed Alexander.
“Run!”
They fled through a hidden tunnel behind the laboratory wall.
Alexander looked back.
Evelyn stayed behind.
“Mom!”
She raised her weapon.
“Go!”
The steel door slammed.
Then Alexander heard his mother scream.
Mia began crying.
Elena pulled them deeper underground.
And behind them, someone whispered through the tunnel.
May you like
“Alexander.”
The voice was his father’s.
