Daniel couldn’t breathe.
\nThe boy standing in front of him looked like Silas.
\nSame face.
\nSame clothes.
\nSame frightened eyes.
\nBut something was wrong.
\nSomething Daniel couldn’t explain.
\nHe took one step backward.
\nThe boy took one step forward.
\n\u201cDad?\u201d
\nDaniel stopped.
\nThat voice.
\nIt sounded like Silas.
\nBut it didn’t feel like Silas.
\nDaniel looked at Claire.
\nShe was staring at the boy with pure terror.
\n\u201cClaire.\u201d
\nShe didn’t answer.
\n\u201cWho is that?\u201d
\nClaire whispered,
\n\u201cI don’t know.\u201d
\nThe boy’s expression changed.
\nFor a moment, he looked hurt.
\n\u201cDad\u2026\u201d
\nDaniel’s heart broke.
\nHe wanted to run to him.
\nHe wanted to believe him.
\nBut the old man’s voice came from beneath the floor.
\n\u201cDon’t.\u201d
\nDaniel looked down.
\nThe ancient man was still standing at the edge of the opening.
\nHis eyes were fixed on the boy.
\n\u201cThat isn’t your son.\u201d
\nThe boy turned toward him.
\n\u201cStop.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The old man smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can’t hide forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy’s face changed.<\/p>\n
Not completely.<\/p>\n
Just enough.<\/p>\n
His eyes became darker.<\/p>\n
His expression became older.<\/p>\n
And suddenly Daniel saw something behind the child’s face.<\/p>\n
A second face.<\/p>\n
A face that looked like Daniel.<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy whispered,<\/p>\n
\u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilas?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me something only my son would know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy hesitated.<\/p>\n
Daniel waited.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s eyes opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat tree?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one behind the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s heart jumped.<\/p>\n
Silas continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou carved our names into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
He had.<\/p>\n
Years ago.<\/p>\n
Before everything went wrong.<\/p>\n
He had carved two initials into the old oak tree behind their house.<\/p>\n
D + S.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stepped toward the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s the third letter?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy went silent.<\/p>\n Daniel’s expression changed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was another letter.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy didn’t answer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas’s face suddenly became terrified.<\/p>\n \u201cDad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was the third letter?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy looked behind Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t make me say it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n Nothing.<\/p>\n When he turned back\u2014<\/p>\n The boy was smiling.<\/p>\n Not crying.<\/p>\n Smiling.<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n The voice that came from the boy was no longer Silas’s.<\/p>\n \u201cYou remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy answered:<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel, RUN!\u201d<\/p>\n The boy’s eyes became completely black.<\/p>\n The floor cracked beneath him.<\/p>\n Daniel grabbed Claire.<\/p>\n \u201cMove!\u201d<\/p>\n They ran.<\/p>\n The ancient man laughed behind them.<\/p>\n The entire underground facility began collapsing.<\/p>\n Ceiling panels crashed down.<\/p>\n Glass shattered.<\/p>\n Machines exploded.<\/p>\n Alarms screamed.<\/p>\n Daniel pulled Claire toward the corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere’s Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned.<\/p>\n \u201cLEAH!\u201d<\/p>\n No answer.<\/p>\n \u201cLEAH!\u201d<\/p>\n A voice came from somewhere behind the smoke.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel!\u201d<\/p>\n He ran toward it.<\/p>\n A section of the ceiling had collapsed.<\/p>\n Leah was trapped underneath a metal beam.<\/p>\n Daniel grabbed it.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel, leave me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can’t lift it!\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel pulled.<\/p>\n Nothing.<\/p>\n He pulled again.<\/p>\n The beam moved slightly.<\/p>\n Claire joined him.<\/p>\n Together they pushed.<\/p>\n The beam rolled away.<\/p>\n Leah crawled free.<\/p>\n Daniel pulled her up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she looked behind him.<\/p>\n Her face went white.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned.<\/p>\n The boy was standing at the end of the corridor.<\/p>\n Silas.<\/p>\n Or Samuel.<\/p>\n Or something wearing Silas’s face.<\/p>\n He wasn’t running.<\/p>\n He was simply watching them.<\/p>\n Leah whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s not him.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy smiled.<\/p>\n Then he pointed toward Leah.<\/p>\n \u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah froze.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKnow what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy your mother disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah’s face changed.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does he mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou found the file.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat file?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah said nothing.<\/p>\n The boy smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one your mother hid.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at Leah.<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me you found a file at her house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat didn’t you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t know how.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot here.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won’t have another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n A loud explosion shook the corridor.<\/p>\n The boy disappeared.<\/p>\n Daniel grabbed Leah’s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat file?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe birth records.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat birth records?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYours.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s face went cold.<\/p>\n \u201cI already know I was born.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n She pulled a folded document from inside her jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cI found this hidden inside Mom’s old Bible.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel took it.<\/p>\n The paper was old.<\/p>\n Yellow.<\/p>\n The ink was fading.<\/p>\n At the top:<\/p>\n BIRTH REGISTRY<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel scanned the page.<\/p>\n Then stopped.<\/p>\n His name wasn’t there.<\/p>\n Instead, there was another name.<\/p>\n SAMUEL BLACKWOOD.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel looked at Leah.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said this was my birth record.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was filed under your mother’s name.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked closer.<\/p>\n The date was correct.<\/p>\n The hospital was correct.<\/p>\n But the child’s name was not.<\/p>\n SAMUEL BLACKWOOD.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then beneath it, written by hand:<\/p>\n Transferred at birth.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel’s breathing stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cTransferred where?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah pointed to the bottom.<\/p>\n There was an address.<\/p>\n Daniel recognized it immediately.<\/p>\n Blackwood.<\/p>\n The laboratory.<\/p>\n He looked at Claire.<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire stepped toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew your mother was involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInvolved how?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe wasn’t your victim.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother worked for the House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s face went blank.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe hated them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe did eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEventually?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cShe helped build the first system.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo save you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel laughed bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cShe helped build this place to save me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe believed she could control it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd could she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire looked toward the collapsing corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cShe realized too late what the House actually was.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel asked,<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn’t built to store memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo store people.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire looked directly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House could preserve consciousness.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cForever?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen the people inside\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome of them are still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked toward the darkness.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, a phone began ringing.<\/p>\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n It wasn’t Daniel’s.<\/p>\n It wasn’t Leah’s.<\/p>\n It wasn’t Claire’s.<\/p>\n The ringing came from inside the wall.<\/p>\n Daniel approached.<\/p>\n The wall panel opened.<\/p>\n A black telephone sat inside.<\/p>\n Old.<\/p>\n Dusty.<\/p>\n Still ringing.<\/p>\n Daniel picked it up.<\/p>\n \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Then a woman’s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n His entire body froze.<\/p>\n His mother.<\/p>\n \u201cMom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t trust Claire.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at Claire.<\/p>\n Claire’s face went white.<\/p>\n \u201cMom, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI’m underneath you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI’m still here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n A pause.<\/p>\n \u201cLevel Seven.\u201d<\/p>\n The line went dead.<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the phone.<\/p>\n Claire whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no Level Seven.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Blackwood only has six levels.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked toward the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why did she say seven?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire didn’t answer.<\/p>\n Daniel turned toward the ancient man.<\/p>\n He was gone.<\/p>\n The opening in the floor was empty.<\/p>\n But a staircase had appeared.<\/p>\n A staircase leading down.<\/p>\n Seven levels.<\/p>\n Daniel stared at it.<\/p>\n Claire grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother is down there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can’t go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Level Seven doesn’t exist.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked down the staircase.<\/p>\n \u201cApparently it does.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel, listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you go down there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou won’t come back as the same person.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at Silas’s empty place in the corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m already not the same person.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he began descending.<\/p>\n Leah followed.<\/p>\n Claire followed them.<\/p>\n The staircase seemed endless.<\/p>\n One level.<\/p>\n Two.<\/p>\n Three.<\/p>\n Four.<\/p>\n Five.<\/p>\n Six.<\/p>\n At Level Six, the lights stopped.<\/p>\n There was only darkness below.<\/p>\n Daniel continued.<\/p>\n Seven.<\/p>\n The moment his foot touched the seventh step\u2014<\/p>\n Every light came on.<\/p>\n The corridor was enormous.<\/p>\n And unlike the upper levels, it wasn’t abandoned.<\/p>\n People were walking.<\/p>\n Hundreds of them.<\/p>\n Men.<\/p>\n Women.<\/p>\n Children.<\/p>\n All dressed in plain white clothes.<\/p>\n All looking at Daniel.<\/p>\n Nobody spoke.<\/p>\n Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n Leah whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cWho are they?\u201d<\/p>\n A woman stepped forward.<\/p>\n She looked about thirty.<\/p>\n Daniel recognized her face.<\/p>\n He had seen her photograph.<\/p>\n One of the missing children.<\/p>\n But she was no longer a child.<\/p>\n She looked directly at Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cYou came back.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou used to.\u201d<\/p>\n Another person stepped forward.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Daniel recognized every face.<\/p>\n Every photograph.<\/p>\n Every missing person.<\/p>\n They were all here.<\/p>\n Alive.<\/p>\n The House had kept them.<\/p>\n For decades.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman answered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemembered what?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked behind him.<\/p>\n At Claire.<\/p>\n Then at Leah.<\/p>\n Then back at Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s stomach tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened here?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe House wasn’t created to imprison us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was created to protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom whom?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman looked afraid.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed toward the end of the corridor.<\/p>\n A huge steel door stood there.<\/p>\n Above it was a single word.<\/p>\n ORIGIN.<\/strong><\/p>\n The woman whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s where the first Daniel is.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThe original?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe real one.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I thought I was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n She interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are the memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cThen where is my body?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cInside.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped forward.<\/p>\n Claire grabbed him.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t open it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire’s voice broke.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I already did.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYears ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire stared at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe original Daniel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he look like?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cHe looked exactly like you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen how do you know I’m not him?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Leah stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cYou killed Daniel?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThe original.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe begged me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo destroy the body.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the House had already copied him.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s mind raced.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re saying there were two.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOriginal Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the memory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire nodded.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why is the original still inside?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you weren’t the copy he was afraid of.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wasn’t afraid of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen who?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked toward the end of the corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House.\u201d<\/p>\n A deep sound echoed through Level Seven.<\/p>\n Like breathing.<\/p>\n Everyone in the corridor stopped.<\/p>\n The lights flickered.<\/p>\n The people began backing away.<\/p>\n The woman who had spoken to Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s awake.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The walls began changing.<\/p>\n The steel surfaces became transparent.<\/p>\n Behind them were thousands of chambers.<\/p>\n Each chamber contained a person.<\/p>\n Sleeping.<\/p>\n Some young.<\/p>\n Some old.<\/p>\n Some barely alive.<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe House is opening.\u201d<\/p>\n A voice came through every speaker.<\/p>\n A voice Daniel recognized.<\/p>\n His mother’s.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned toward the steel door.<\/p>\n \u201cMom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t open the door.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he’s not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWho’s with him?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Then his mother’s voice whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYour father.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich father?\u201d<\/p>\n No answer.<\/p>\n Daniel stepped toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cMom!\u201d<\/p>\n The voice returned.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n A pause.<\/p>\n \u201cYour father is awake.\u201d<\/p>\n The steel door unlocked.<\/p>\n Daniel reached for it.<\/p>\n Claire screamed:<\/p>\n \u201cDON’T!\u201d<\/p>\n Too late.<\/p>\n Daniel opened the door.<\/p>\n Inside was a circular room.<\/p>\n At the center stood a man.<\/p>\n Strapped to a chair.<\/p>\n His head was bowed.<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t see his face.<\/p>\n But he recognized the clothes.<\/p>\n The dark suit.<\/p>\n The silver watch.<\/p>\n The ring.<\/p>\n The scar.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cArthur.\u201d<\/p>\n The man slowly raised his head.<\/p>\n It wasn’t Arthur.<\/p>\n It wasn’t Walter.<\/p>\n It wasn’t the ancient man.<\/p>\n It was Daniel.<\/p>\n The original Daniel.<\/p>\n The man everyone said had died.<\/p>\n He looked at Daniel.<\/p>\n And smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n The original Daniel slowly stood.<\/p>\n He wasn’t old.<\/p>\n He wasn’t young.<\/p>\n He looked exactly like Daniel.<\/p>\n Then he said something that made Daniel’s blood turn to ice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have my memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n The original continued:<\/p>\n \u201cBut I have your life.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve been living the life that belonged to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho is Silas?\u201d<\/p>\n The original Daniel’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cAnswer me.\u201d<\/p>\n The original looked toward Claire.<\/p>\n \u201cShe never told you?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n Claire was crying.<\/p>\n \u201cTold me what?\u201d<\/p>\n The original Daniel answered for her.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas isn’t your son.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n The original continued:<\/p>\n \u201cSilas is mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe always was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou raised him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou loved him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you didn’t create him.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s hands began shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who did?\u201d<\/p>\n The original Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The original pointed toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou created Silas.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you just said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said he’s mine.\u201d<\/p>\n The original smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn’t mean I’m his father.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t understand.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what are you?\u201d<\/p>\n The original Daniel leaned toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cI am the reason he exists.\u201d<\/p>\n A sudden alarm sounded.<\/p>\n The entire room turned red.<\/p>\n A screen appeared.<\/p>\n LEVEL SEVEN BREACH.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another message.<\/p>\n ORIGINAL HOST RELEASED.<\/strong><\/p>\n The original Daniel looked toward the ceiling.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The original’s face changed.<\/p>\n For the first time, he looked afraid.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt woke the wrong person.\u201d<\/p>\n The lights went out.<\/p>\n A scream echoed through Level Seven.<\/p>\n Then hundreds of voices began screaming at once.<\/p>\n Daniel grabbed Claire.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n She whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s opening the lower chambers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause someone is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire looked toward the darkness.<\/p>\n Her voice barely came out.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n A single footstep echoed.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n A figure appeared at the far end of Level Seven.<\/p>\n A man.<\/p>\n Tall.<\/p>\n Pale.<\/p>\n Wearing an old hospital gown.<\/p>\n He looked like Silas.<\/p>\n But older.<\/p>\n Much older.<\/p>\n He walked slowly toward them.<\/p>\n The original Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The figure smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel?\u201d<\/p>\n The man shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at the original Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s Samuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n The original Daniel’s face had gone white.<\/p>\n The figure continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou were told the wrong story.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked between them.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who am I?\u201d<\/p>\n The figure smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re the third.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe third what?\u201d<\/p>\n The figure answered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe third attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered,<\/p>\n \u201cAttempt at what?\u201d<\/p>\n The figure stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cTo bring your father back.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the original Daniel.<\/p>\n Then at Claire.<\/p>\n Then at the man in the hospital gown.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is my father?\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s standing behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel slowly turned.<\/p>\n Nobody was there.<\/p>\n Then he heard breathing.<\/p>\n Right beside his ear.<\/p>\n A voice whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cSon.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n He knew that voice.<\/p>\n He had heard it in his dreams.<\/p>\n His entire life.<\/p>\n He turned slowly.<\/p>\n And saw a man standing behind him.<\/p>\n Walter.<\/p>\n But not the Walter he remembered.<\/p>\n Not the old man.<\/p>\n Not the father figure.<\/p>\n This Walter was young.<\/p>\n Exactly as he had looked when Daniel was a child.<\/p>\n He smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou took long enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Walter nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI never died.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s voice trembled.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what happened to the man buried at your funeral?\u201d<\/p>\n Walter smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cA body.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cA copy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Walter looked toward the original Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cA sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n The original Daniel lowered his head.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat sacrifice?\u201d<\/p>\n Walter answered:<\/p>\n \u201cTo make you believe you were free.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n Walter stepped closer.<\/p>\n Then whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cNow we can finally finish what we started.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, the entire facility shook.<\/p>\n A massive door beneath Level Seven began opening.<\/p>\n Cold air rushed upward.<\/p>\n The people in the corridor dropped to their knees.<\/p>\n Claire covered her ears.<\/p>\n Leah screamed.<\/p>\n Daniel looked down.<\/p>\n Something was coming from beneath them.<\/p>\n Something that had been sleeping for decades.<\/p>\n Walter smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother was right.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n Walter pointed toward the opening.<\/p>\n \u201cShe told you never to trust the voice beneath the House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked into the darkness.<\/p>\n A voice answered from below.<\/p>\n His mother’s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He froze.<\/p>\n \u201cMom?\u201d<\/p>\n The voice whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI lied.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood turned cold.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn’t warning you about the voice.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause.<\/p>\n \u201cI was warning you about me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared into the darkness.<\/p>\n Then a woman’s hand slowly emerged from the opening.<\/p>\n Pale.<\/p>\n Bloodstained.<\/p>\n Wearing the same ring Daniel remembered from childhood.<\/p>\n The hand reached upward.<\/p>\n And a woman’s face appeared.<\/p>\n Daniel stopped breathing.<\/p>\n His mother looked exactly as she had the day she disappeared.<\/p>\n She looked at Daniel.<\/p>\n Smiled.<\/p>\n And whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cCome home, son.\u201d<\/p>\n