Chapter 11 - Jonathan's world had become a maze with every exit leading deeper into darkness.His mother was alive.
His brother was alive.
His wife was alive.
His father might be alive.
And the children weren't merely victims.
They were the center of an experiment that had begun before Jonathan was born.
Marcus found an old military vehicle hidden beneath the cabin.
They escaped moments before the helicopters descended.
But they couldn't hide for long.
Jonathan demanded answers.
"Tell me everything."
Marcus drove.
"The project started with our grandmother."
Jonathan stared.
"Our grandmother?"
"She discovered regenerative cells during wartime research."
"Why did she keep it secret?"
"Because governments wanted it."
Marcus glanced at Michael.
"And because the treatment only worked on certain children."
"What was special about them?"
"Their blood could repair damaged genetic material."
Jonathan looked down at Lily.
"And Michael?"
"Michael was different."
"How?"
"He could absorb memories."
Jonathan understood.
"And the seventh subject?"
Marcus nodded.
"Human memory has a biological component. Michael can access it through touch."
"That's why I saw Evelyn."
"Yes."
Jonathan looked at the sleeping boy.
"Then what happens when Michael touches Lily?"
Marcus remained silent.
"Answer me."
"It creates a complete cellular archive."
Jonathan frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"Everything Lily has healed. Every biological pattern. Every memory Michael has absorbed."
Jonathan felt sick.
"The two of them together could become the entire project."
Marcus nodded.
"And Kane wants that."
They stopped at an abandoned train station.
There, Marcus revealed the final secret.
Their father had secretly built a facility beneath the city.
The facility was called The Vault.
It contained everything from Project Echo.
Including the original research.
Including the identities of every person involved.
Jonathan asked:
"Can we destroy it?"
Marcus shook his head.
"Not until we find Evelyn."
Jonathan stared.
"She's there?"
Marcus nodded.
"She's been imprisoned there for fourteen years."
The group entered the underground facility.
The corridors were lined with photographs.
Jonathan saw himself.
Marcus.
Evelyn.
The children.
Images from their entire lives.
Every moment had been watched.
Jonathan stopped at one photograph.
It showed him eating breakfast as a teenager.
Someone had written beneath it:
PRIMARY CANDIDATE.
Another showed Evelyn.
SECONDARY CANDIDATE.
A photograph of Lily.
FINAL RESULT.
Then one of Michael.
CONTROL VARIABLE.
Jonathan clenched his fists.
They reached a massive steel door.
Marcus entered a code.
The door opened.
Inside was a circular chamber.
Evelyn sat in the center.
Jonathan stopped.
She was older.
Thin.
Weak.
But alive.
He ran to her.
She began crying.
"Jonathan."
He hugged her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Jonathan whispered:
"Why?"
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"I tried to save you."
"You let me think you died."
"I had no choice."
"There is always a choice."
Evelyn looked at him.
"Not when they have your daughter."
Jonathan froze.
"Tell me everything."
Evelyn stared at Lily.
"Kane didn't create the project."
"Who did?"
She looked toward the ceiling.
"Our father."
Jonathan felt sick.
"And where is he?"
Evelyn answered:
"He has been waiting for you."
The lights turned red.
A door opened at the far end of the chamber.
An elderly man walked through.
Jonathan knew him instantly.
His father.
Alive.
Older.
Walking with a cane.
Jonathan stared.
"You."
His father smiled.
"My son."
Jonathan raised his gun.
His father didn't flinch.
"I knew you'd come."
Jonathan's voice shook.
"You stole my daughter."
"No."
His father pointed at Lily.
"I gave you the daughter you were supposed to have."
Jonathan froze.
"What?"
His father smiled.
"Lily was never meant to be born naturally."
Evelyn shouted:
"Don't listen to him!"
His father continued.
"She was created from your genetic material."
Jonathan's face twisted.
"Created?"
"Perfected."
Evelyn stepped between them.
"He's lying."
"No," the old man said.
He looked at Lily.
"She's the most important human being on this planet."
Jonathan gripped his weapon.
"And what about Michael?"
His father's smile disappeared.
"He is the mistake."
Michael suddenly woke.
His eyes opened.
Silver.
He looked directly at Jonathan.
May you like
Then spoke in the old man's voice.
"Because I am the one who will kill you."
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