Chapter 9 - My father looked exactly as I remembered him.Same gray eyes.
Same scar beneath his chin.
Same cold smile.
Except he was older.
Much older.
But alive.
I couldn't speak.
Daniel stepped between us.
“You won't touch her.”
My father looked at him.
“You've always been dramatic.”
“You killed people.”
“Thousands.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“Why are you doing this?”
My father ignored him.
His eyes moved toward Madison.
“She is mine.”
I stepped forward.
“No.”
His expression hardened.
“You don't understand what she is.”
“She is my daughter.”
“She is the only person who can destroy everything.”
“Then maybe everything deserves to be destroyed.”
My father smiled.
“That is exactly what you said seven years ago.”
He raised his hand.
The armed men moved.
Lucas whispered:
“Renee, don't resist.”
I looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because there are snipers.”
I looked toward the buildings.
He was right.
The station was surrounded.
My father walked toward us.
“Come with me.”
“No.”
“I can make the memories return.”
I froze.
“What?”
“Everything you forgot.”
Daniel grabbed my arm.
“Don't.”
My father smiled.
“You want the truth.”
“Yes.”
“Then come.”
Daniel shook his head.
“He'll kill you.”
My father laughed.
“Daniel, I already killed you once.”
I looked at my husband.
“You died seven years ago?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Yes.”
My mind reeled.
“How?”
“My father shot me.”
He glanced at Jonathan.
“Then he used Orpheus on you.”
My father stepped closer.
“You married him after I erased your memory.”
I felt sick.
“Why?”
“Because Daniel convinced himself he could save you.”
“And you let him?”
“I needed you to believe you were ordinary.”
“Why?”
“To find out whether the resistance gene was inherited.”
My hands trembled.
“And Madison?”
“Your daughter proved it.”
He looked at her.
“She resisted every procedure.”
“Because she's immune?”
“Almost.”
I backed away.
“What's the treatment?”
My father's expression changed.
“You won't like the answer.”
“What?”
“She has to be awake when the procedure is completed.”
Daniel's face went pale.
“What procedure?”
My father smiled.
“The final one.”
Suddenly an explosion shook the platform.
Smoke filled the station.
People ran screaming.
The lights went out.
Someone grabbed Madison.
I screamed.
“Madison!”
Daniel fired into the darkness.
Lucas shouted.
“Move!”
I ran through the smoke.
I saw a tiny black shoe on the floor.
Madison's shoe.
Then another sound.
Her voice.
“Mommy!”
I followed it.
A door slammed.
I reached it.
Locked.
I pounded against it.
“Madison!”
No answer.
Then my father's voice came through the other side.
“Come alone.”
I turned.
The entire station was empty.
Everyone was gone.
Even Daniel.
Even Lucas.
Even my mother.
I was alone.
The door slowly opened.
Inside was a laboratory.
Madison was strapped to a chair.
And beside her stood a woman in a white coat.
I had never seen her before.
Until she turned.
Then I recognized her.
My own face.
Older.
Scarred.
“Hello, Renee.”
I stared.
“Who are you?”
May you like
She smiled.
“I'm the version of you they failed to erase.”
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