Chapter 9 - Adrian stood at the top of the staircase.Below him, shadows moved.
Five men.
Maybe six.
Victor was in front.
Clara held Emma.
Olivia stood behind her.
Vanessa was shaking.
Victor reached the final step.
"Good evening."
Adrian raised the poker.
"You're not taking anyone."
Victor smiled.
"That's not your decision."
Adrian lunged.
The first man grabbed him.
Adrian swung.
The poker struck his shoulder.
Another man rushed forward.
Clara shouted:
"Adrian!"
A gunshot cracked through the hallway.
The bullet struck the ceiling.
Everyone froze.
Victor raised one hand.
"Enough."
He looked at Clara.
"You remember."
She shook her head.
"I don't."
"Then let me remind you."
Victor pulled a small photograph from his pocket.
Clara stared.
It showed the white laboratory.
She was lying on a table.
A newborn baby was beside her.
Emma.
Adrian felt his blood freeze.
"Why is Clara in the photograph?"
Victor smiled.
"Because she was the reason Emma survived."
Clara looked horrified.
"What did I do?"
Victor answered:
"You donated the genetic material."
Adrian couldn't understand.
"You were part of the experiment."
Clara shook her head.
"No."
Victor looked amused.
"Your father told you that you were sick."
Clara's breathing became rapid.
"He lied."
Victor continued:
"You weren't sick."
"Then what was I?"
"The first viable carrier."
Adrian stared.
"And Emma?"
"Your daughter was created from the same line."
Adrian felt dizzy.
Victor took a step.
"Give us Clara."
"No."
"We don't need your daughter."
"Then why did Vanessa push the stroller?"
Victor smiled.
Adrian's blood ran cold.
"You told her to."
Victor looked at Vanessa.
She lowered her eyes.
Adrian turned toward his wife.
"You?"
Vanessa whispered:
"I had to."
"You almost killed Emma."
"I knew Clara would save her."
Adrian stared.
"You were testing Clara."
Vanessa cried.
"I needed to know whether she remembered!"
Clara's face went pale.
"You used Emma."
"Yes."
"You put her in danger."
Vanessa nodded.
"I had no choice."
Adrian's voice broke.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Victor laughed.
"Because everyone is afraid."
Then another voice came from the basement.
"He's lying."
Everyone turned.
Daniel Voss stepped into the hallway.
Victor's smile disappeared.
"You."
Daniel raised a gun.
Victor moved behind one of his men.
"You're supposed to be dead."
Daniel smiled.
"I've heard that before."
He fired.
The bullet hit the wall beside Victor.
The men scattered.
Adrian grabbed Clara and Olivia.
"Basement."
They ran.
Daniel followed.
Victor shouted:
"Don't let them reach the laboratory!"
Adrian reached the basement door.
But when he opened it, the stairs were gone.
A solid wall stood where the staircase had been.
Olivia stared.
"What happened?"
Daniel looked at the wall.
"Your father sealed it remotely."
Adrian frowned.
"How?"
"He built a second security system."
"Where's the entrance?"
Daniel pointed toward the floor.
"Under the rug."
Adrian pulled it back.
A metal hatch appeared.
They opened it.
Inside was a narrow passage.
Everyone climbed down.
Daniel closed the hatch.
Above them, men ran through the basement.
Victor shouted.
"They're below!"
Adrian followed the tunnel.
It ended at a second laboratory.
This one was enormous.
Rows of medical equipment lined the walls.
At the center was a glass chamber.
Inside was a child.
A little girl.
Maybe five years old.
Alive.
Sleeping.
Adrian stopped.
Clara covered her mouth.
Olivia whispered:
"Dad..."
Daniel stared at the child.
"E-16."
Adrian looked at him.
"One of the sixteen."
Daniel nodded.
"She survived."
Adrian stepped toward the chamber.
The girl opened her eyes.
She looked directly at him.
Then she whispered through the glass:
"Where is Emma?"
Adrian froze.
"How does she know my daughter?"
The girl's eyes filled with fear.
Then she pointed behind him.
"Because they took her."
May you like
Adrian spun around.
Emma was gone.
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