Chapter 19 - THE OLDER BROTHERThey moved through the underground tunnel.
The deeper they went, the colder it became.
Numbers were painted on the walls.
Leo's father counted quietly.
“Seven.”
They stopped.
A massive steel door blocked the passage.
Above it:
ARCHIVE CHAMBER.
His father removed a key from around his neck.
Leo looked at him.
“You knew this was here.”
“I built the lock.”
“Why?”
“To keep your grandmother out.”
Sarah looked at the door.
“Then why are we opening it?”
His father stared at Leo.
“Because she already got inside.”
The door opened.
The room beyond was enormous.
Thousands of files.
Screens.
Medical equipment.
Photographs.
At the center stood a glass chamber.
Someone was inside.
A boy.
Maybe twenty.
Dark hair.
Same eyes.
Same scar.
Leo's heart stopped.
“No.”
His father whispered:
“Your older brother.”
The boy opened his eyes.
Leo stepped closer.
“Who are you?”
The man in the chamber smiled.
“Elias.”
Lucy stared.
“I know you.”
Elias looked at her.
“You were the one who screamed.”
Lucy began trembling.
“When?”
“When they took you.”
Leo looked at his father.
“You said he was dead.”
“I was wrong.”
“No.”
His father shook his head.
“I lied.”
Leo's chest tightened.
“Why?”
“Because your grandmother made me choose.”
“Choose what?”
“Which child to save.”
Leo stared.
His father pointed toward the glass.
“I chose you.”
Elias smiled sadly.
“You always did.”
Leo felt tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
Elias shook his head.
“You didn't choose.”
He looked at Lucy.
“Neither did you.”
Mia stepped forward.
“Where's Mom?”
Elias's smile vanished.
“She is here.”
A door opened.
Elena walked into the chamber.
She was crying.
Leo ran to her.
She grabbed him.
“I’m so sorry.”
“You lied.”
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Because your grandmother has the last key.”
Elias looked toward the ceiling.
“We don't have much time.”
Sarah asked:
“What's the key?”
Elias pointed at Leo.
“His memory.”
Leo stepped back.
“My memory?”
“The final memory contains the names of everyone involved.”
Sarah looked at Leo.
“Can you remember?”
Leo closed his eyes.
White room.
Fire.
Glass.
Children.
His father.
Marcus.
His mother.
His grandmother.
And someone else.
A man standing behind his grandmother.
Leo opened his eyes.
“I remember him.”
Everyone froze.
“Who?”
Leo whispered:
“The governor.”
Sarah stared.
“No.”
Leo nodded.
“He was there.”
The chamber lights flickered.
A voice filled the room.
“Excellent.”
Everyone turned.
A camera above them was on.
The governor appeared on screen.
He smiled.
“Thank you for remembering.”
Leo stared.
The governor continued:
“You've done exactly what we needed.”
Sarah raised her weapon toward the camera.
“You're finished.”
The governor laughed.
“No.”
A door behind them locked.
Gas began filling the room.
Elias pounded against the glass.
“Get them out!”
Leo coughed.
His father dragged Mia toward the emergency exit.
Lucy collapsed.
Sarah grabbed her.
Noah shouted:
“The key!”
Leo looked at him.
“What key?”
Noah pointed to the floor.
A small red button.
“Press it.”
Leo did.
Nothing happened.
Then the floor opened.
A hidden passage appeared.
His grandmother's voice came through the speaker.
“Come alone, Leo.”
The governor's face disappeared.
The final door opened.
Leo looked back at everyone.
His father shouted:
“Don't!”
May you like
But Leo stepped into the passage.
The door slammed shut behind him.
