Chapter 11 - The revelation destroyed the last piece of Adrian's understanding."My grandfather died before I was born."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
"He was buried."
"A body was buried."
Adrian stared at the screen.
Elias Mercer continued preparing the equipment around Emma.
Daniel explained:
"He faked his death."
"Why?"
"Because the board wanted him gone."
"Then why is he alive?"
"Because he never stopped."
Adrian felt hatred spreading through him.
"What does he want?"
Daniel answered:
"To perfect the treatment."
"Using Emma."
"Yes."
Clara stepped toward the monitor.
"And me."
Daniel nodded.
"You were E-16."
"Then why did I survive?"
"Because you weren't supposed to."
Clara stared.
Daniel continued.
"Your genetic sequence mutated differently."
"Different how?"
"It made your body reject the treatment."
"And Emma?"
"Emma inherited the adaptation."
Adrian looked at his daughter.
"So she can survive."
"More than survive."
Daniel's voice became quiet.
"Her cells can repair damaged tissue."
Adrian stared.
"Could she..."
"Live longer?"
Daniel nodded.
"But that's not what Elias wants."
"What does he want?"
"Proof."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Proof for whom?"
"The people who funded the project."
Daniel pointed toward the screen.
"Politicians."
"Executives."
"Military contractors."
"Private laboratories."
"They've spent billions."
"And now Emma is the payoff."
Adrian's hands shook.
"Then we get her back."
Daniel nodded.
"But we need one person."
"Who?"
"The woman who knows where Elias keeps the antidote."
Adrian looked toward Vanessa's image on the screen.
"My wife."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
He looked at Clara.
"Her."
Clara stared.
"Me?"
"You were the only subject who escaped."
"But I don't remember where."
"Your body does."
"What does that mean?"
Daniel pointed to her wrist.
"Remember the scar."
Clara looked down.
A tiny pale line crossed her skin.
She touched it.
Suddenly she gasped.
"I see it."
Adrian grabbed her.
"What?"
"A door."
"What door?"
"White."
"Where?"
"Underground."
Daniel looked at her.
"Under the old research facility."
Clara nodded.
"There was a second laboratory."
Daniel's eyes widened.
"That's where the antidote is."
Adrian stood.
"Then we go."
Eva suddenly spoke.
"No."
Everyone turned.
She looked terrified.
"You can't go through the front."
"Why?"
"Because they're waiting."
"How do you know?"
Eva pointed at the monitor.
"Someone told them."
Adrian looked at the security feed.
A figure appeared.
It was Olivia.
She was standing inside the facility.
Adrian's stomach dropped.
"Olivia."
Eva whispered:
"She was taken."
Adrian looked at Daniel.
"We have to go."
Daniel nodded.
They moved through the tunnel.
The facility entrance was heavily guarded.
Daniel led them through an old drainage system.
They emerged inside the building.
The hallways were dark.
A faint mechanical hum came from below.
They found a control room.
Security monitors showed dozens of rooms.
One showed Olivia.
She was tied to a chair.
Victor stood behind her.
Adrian reached for the door.
Daniel stopped him.
"Wait."
Victor spoke on camera.
"Mr. Mercer."
Adrian froze.
Victor looked directly into the camera.
"You made it."
Adrian stared.
"Where's my daughter?"
Victor smiled.
"Safe."
"For now."
"Bring me Clara."
"No."
Victor leaned closer.
"Then I'll start with your other daughter."
Olivia looked at the camera.
"Dad!"
Victor put a hand on her shoulder.
Adrian felt rage erupt.
Daniel whispered:
"It's a trap."
"I know."
"Then don't react."
Adrian stared at the screen.
Victor smiled.
"Three minutes."
Then he pointed toward another monitor.
Emma.
The doctor stood above her.
The syringe was ready.
Victor said:
"Choose."
"Your daughter."
"Or Clara."
The screen went black.
Adrian looked at Clara.
Clara quietly said:
"Take me."
"No."
"I know where the antidote is."
"We'll find another way."
She shook her head.
"There isn't one."
Then she handed him a small metal object.
A key.
"This opens the laboratory."
Adrian stared.
"How did you get this?"
Clara looked confused.
"I don't know."
Daniel recognized it.
His face changed.
"That's not a key."
"What is it?"
"A master access chip."
Clara whispered:
"Then maybe I remember where I got it."
"Where?"
She looked toward the hallway.
"From Elias."
Adrian stared.
"He's here."
Clara nodded.
"He was the man who erased my memory."
Then a voice came from behind them.
"Correct."
Everyone turned.
May you like
Elias Mercer stood in the doorway.
And he was holding Emma.
