\u201cI’ve been waiting here since before you were born.\u201d
\nDaniel stared at the small hand reaching through the doorway.
\nIt was a child’s hand.
\nThin.
\nPale.
\nShaking.
\nThe fingers curled around the edge of the door.
\nDaniel couldn’t move.
\nSilas stood behind him.
\n\u201cDad\u2026\u201d
\nDaniel looked at the boy.
\n\u201cStay back.\u201d
\n\u201cBut\u2014\u201d
\n\u201cStay back.\u201d
\nThe voice behind the door came again.
\n\u201cPlease.\u201d
\nDaniel swallowed.
\n\u201cWho are you?\u201d
\nThe child answered:
\n\u201cYou.\u201d
\nDaniel’s blood ran cold.
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\n\u201cI don’t have another self.\u201d
\nThe child laughed softly.
\n\u201cYou have hundreds.\u201d
\nDaniel looked toward the original Daniel.
\nThe man was still standing several feet away.
\nHe looked terrified.
\nDaniel pointed at the door.
\n\u201cWhat’s inside?\u201d
\nThe original Daniel shook his head.
\n\u201cYou don’t want to know.\u201d
\n\u201cI need to know.\u201d
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause once you see him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026you won’t be able to pretend anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped toward the doorway.<\/p>\n
The child whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n
That word again.<\/p>\n
The same word Silas used.<\/p>\n
The same word every version of him seemed to use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you call me Dad?\u201d<\/p>\n
The child answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you made me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn’t make you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore you became you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s head began hurting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
The child giggled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re asking the wrong question.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat’s the right one?\u201d<\/p>\n
The child’s hand slowly disappeared.<\/p>\n
Then the voice whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cWho made you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
The door slammed shut.<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n
A loud knock.<\/p>\n
Daniel jumped.<\/p>\n
The door opened again.<\/p>\n
This time, there was no child.<\/p>\n
There was a room.<\/p>\n
A very small room.<\/p>\n
A crib sat in the center.<\/p>\n
Above it hung a mobile made from tiny metal pieces.<\/p>\n
Daniel recognized them.<\/p>\n
They were pieces of the Blackwood machine.<\/p>\n
A woman stood beside the crib.<\/p>\n
His mother.<\/p>\n
But she was younger than Daniel had ever seen her.<\/p>\n
She was holding a baby.<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n
The baby was crying.<\/p>\n
His mother whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The baby stopped.<\/p>\n
She looked toward the camera.<\/p>\n
And Daniel heard her say:<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
A man’s voice answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel recognized it.<\/p>\n
Walter.<\/p>\n
His mother nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter asked:<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the other one?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked toward the corner.<\/p>\n
Another crib.<\/p>\n
Another baby.<\/p>\n
Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n
There were two babies.<\/p>\n
The camera moved toward the second crib.<\/p>\n
Daniel saw the child’s face.<\/p>\n
He knew him.<\/p>\n
Samuel.<\/p>\n
The same face as the old photographs.<\/p>\n
The same face as Daniel.<\/p>\n
Walter whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can’t both survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
His mother looked at the two babies.<\/p>\n
Then said:<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly one needs to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s hands began shaking.<\/p>\n
The recording continued.<\/p>\n
Walter asked:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n
His mother looked down at the first baby.<\/p>\n
Then at the second.<\/p>\n
She whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one who remembers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording stopped.<\/p>\n
Daniel stared into the empty room.<\/p>\n
Silas whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas looked at the two cribs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas pointed toward the second crib.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were the other baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel felt his stomach drop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen who am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe baby they chose.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel couldn’t breathe.<\/p>\n
The original Daniel stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t listen to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he’s lying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas looked at the original.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The original Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked between them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened that night?\u201d<\/p>\n
The original Daniel answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey transferred the memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cInto him?\u201d<\/p>\n
The original nodded toward Silas.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was left?\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas touched his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe part that loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
Silas continued:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey couldn’t transfer that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause love isn’t a memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Silas smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cA choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
For several seconds, nobody spoke.<\/p>\n
Then the original Daniel began laughing.<\/p>\n
Not happily.<\/p>\n
Desperately.<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat’s funny?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou still believe you’re human.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s expression hardened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
The original stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re the part of me that refused to die.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said I was a copy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said I was a memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said I was the third attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel grabbed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen tell me the truth!\u201d<\/p>\n
The original looked directly into his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are the first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel released him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first version that chose itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
The original continued:<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery version before you obeyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did they obey?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe House.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n
The walls had begun changing again.<\/p>\n
The childhood home was disappearing.<\/p>\n
The kitchen.<\/p>\n
The hallway.<\/p>\n
The windows.<\/p>\n
Everything dissolved into darkness.<\/p>\n
Only Daniel and the others remained.<\/p>\n
Then the old house was gone.<\/p>\n
They were standing inside a massive circular chamber.<\/p>\n
Thousands of doors surrounded them.<\/p>\n
Each door had a name.<\/p>\n
Daniel recognized some.<\/p>\n
Walter.<\/p>\n
Claire.<\/p>\n
Leah.<\/p>\n
Arthur.<\/p>\n
Samuel.<\/p>\n
Silas.<\/p>\n
Daniel.<\/p>\n
But there was one door with no name.<\/p>\n
Daniel walked toward it.<\/p>\n
The original grabbed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel pulled away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause that’s the door you created.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore the House existed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is behind it?\u201d<\/p>\n
The original whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cYour first decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel touched the handle.<\/p>\n
The door opened.<\/p>\n
A hospital room appeared.<\/p>\n
A woman was lying on a bed.<\/p>\n
His mother.<\/p>\n
She looked exhausted.<\/p>\n
A newborn baby was in her arms.<\/p>\n
Daniel walked closer.<\/p>\n
His mother looked directly at him.<\/p>\n
But this time\u2014<\/p>\n
She could see him.<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see me?\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou finally came back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s voice trembled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her smile disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wrong one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked toward the baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he wouldn’t obey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at the baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samuel.<\/p>\n
Daniel felt cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou chose me instead of him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI put his memories inside you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd put your memories inside him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel couldn’t breathe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo make one perfect child.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid it work?\u201d<\/p>\n
His mother looked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you became two people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared at the baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he became Silas.\u201d<\/p>\n
His mother nodded.<\/p>\n
Daniel’s voice broke.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Silas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas never supposed to be your son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at Silas.<\/p>\n
The boy was crying.<\/p>\n
His mother continued:<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he chose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked back at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you were the only person who remembered him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don’t need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
She reached toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens next?\u201d<\/p>\n
His mother smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWake up from what?\u201d<\/p>\n
She whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hospital room shattered.<\/p>\n
Daniel fell.<\/p>\n
He opened his eyes.<\/p>\n
He was lying on a metal table.<\/p>\n
Bright lights above him.<\/p>\n
Straps across his arms.<\/p>\n
Machines surrounding him.<\/p>\n
He tried to move.<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
A figure stood above him.<\/p>\n
Walter.<\/p>\n
Young.<\/p>\n
Holding a syringe.<\/p>\n
Daniel struggled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalter!\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter looked down.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re awake.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first laboratory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere’s Silas?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter’s expression changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
Walter leaned closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou still don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel pulled against the straps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat year is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201c1974.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn’t real.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s what you said last time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast time?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter injected something into his arm.<\/p>\n
Daniel felt his vision blur.<\/p>\n
Walter’s voice became distant.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always wake up here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel struggled to stay conscious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walter answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this is where your memory begins.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darkness.<\/p>\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n
A voice.<\/p>\n
A child’s voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel opened his eyes.<\/p>\n
He was standing in the laboratory again.<\/p>\n
But everything was different.<\/p>\n
No decay.<\/p>\n
No broken machines.<\/p>\n
No blood.<\/p>\n
Everything was new.<\/p>\n
Scientists were walking around.<\/p>\n
The House was being built.<\/p>\n
Daniel looked through a glass window.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of children were inside.<\/p>\n
He recognized them.<\/p>\n
The missing children.<\/p>\n
But they weren’t prisoners yet.<\/p>\n
They were smiling.<\/p>\n
Playing.<\/p>\n
Laughing.<\/p>\n
A young Claire walked among them.<\/p>\n
A young Leah’s mother was holding files.<\/p>\n
Arthur was talking to Walter.<\/p>\n
And Daniel’s mother stood beside the central machine.<\/p>\n
Daniel watched her.<\/p>\n
She looked at the machine.<\/p>\n
Then at a baby in her arms.<\/p>\n
Silas.<\/p>\n
A scientist approached her.<\/p>\n
\u201cSubject 000 is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cBegin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom!\u201d<\/p>\n
She couldn’t hear him.<\/p>\n
He ran toward her.<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
He passed through her.<\/p>\n
Like a ghost.<\/p>\n
Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n
He understood.<\/p>\n
This wasn’t a memory.<\/p>\n
It was a recording.<\/p>\n
But then\u2014<\/p>\n
His mother turned.<\/p>\n
She looked directly at him.<\/p>\n
Daniel froze.<\/p>\n
She could see him.<\/p>\n
She whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t let them hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re outside the memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone is watching.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n
Everyone had stopped.<\/p>\n
Every scientist.<\/p>\n
Every child.<\/p>\n
Every person in the laboratory.<\/p>\n
They were all staring at him.<\/p>\n
Then they began turning toward him.<\/p>\n
One by one.<\/p>\n
The children smiled.<\/p>\n
The scientists smiled.<\/p>\n
Walter smiled.<\/p>\n
Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n
Claire smiled.<\/p>\n
Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n
His mother whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cRun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel turned.<\/p>\n
The entire laboratory began chasing him.<\/p>\n
He ran through corridors.<\/p>\n
Doors slammed.<\/p>\n
Lights exploded.<\/p>\n
People screamed.<\/p>\n
The House changed around him.<\/p>\n
Every door led to another memory.<\/p>\n
His childhood.<\/p>\n
His first day at school.<\/p>\n
His first kiss.<\/p>\n
His father’s funeral.<\/p>\n
Silas’s birth.<\/p>\n
Claire’s betrayal.<\/p>\n
Walter’s death.<\/p>\n
Everything.<\/p>\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n
He reached a final door.<\/p>\n
It had one word.<\/p>\n
BEGINNING.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel opened it.<\/p>\n Inside was a small bedroom.<\/p>\n A child sat on the floor.<\/p>\n Playing with wooden blocks.<\/p>\n Daniel approached.<\/p>\n The child looked up.<\/p>\n Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n It was himself.<\/p>\n Ten years old.<\/p>\n Young Daniel stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel knelt.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m you.\u201d<\/p>\n The child shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n The child looked frightened.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re the man from my dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat dreams?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou come to me every night.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n The child whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel felt a chill.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n The child pointed toward the closet.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause when you grow up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026they find you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the closet.<\/p>\n It began opening.<\/p>\n Slowly.<\/p>\n A hand appeared.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n A man stepped out.<\/p>\n Arthur.<\/p>\n But young.<\/p>\n He looked at Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s time.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stood.<\/p>\n \u201cTime for what?\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cTo choose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChoose what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich Daniel survives.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the child.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens if I choose him?\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur pointed at the child.<\/p>\n \u201cHe becomes you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the child.<\/p>\n The boy was crying.<\/p>\n Daniel remembered something.<\/p>\n A feeling.<\/p>\n A promise.<\/p>\n He had made this choice before.<\/p>\n He just couldn’t remember it.<\/p>\n Arthur said:<\/p>\n \u201cChoose.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel knelt beside the child.<\/p>\n The boy looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease don’t leave me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cI won’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m choosing both.\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou built the machine.\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen you should know.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel placed both hands on the child’s head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can divide a memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you can’t divide a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n The room began shaking.<\/p>\n The child screamed.<\/p>\n Daniel screamed.<\/p>\n The machine outside exploded.<\/p>\n Arthur shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cSTOP!\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the child.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember me.\u201d<\/p>\n The child nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n The entire room filled with light.<\/p>\n Daniel woke up.<\/p>\n He was lying on the floor of Level Seven.<\/p>\n Silas was beside him.<\/p>\n Claire was kneeling nearby.<\/p>\n Leah stood against the wall.<\/p>\n The original Daniel was gone.<\/p>\n Walter was gone.<\/p>\n His mother was gone.<\/p>\n The House was silent.<\/p>\n Daniel sat up.<\/p>\n Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the boy.<\/p>\n Then hugged him.<\/p>\n Silas held him tightly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire approached slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were there.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were all there.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stood.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House didn’t create us.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt copied us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut there was never one original.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire stared.<\/p>\n Daniel continued:<\/p>\n \u201cThere were two.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n \u201cMe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Silas.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the third?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked toward the darkness.<\/p>\n \u201cThe third wasn’t a person.\u201d<\/p>\n Claire’s face changed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was it?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cA decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at Silas.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means the House has been trying to make the same choice for fifty years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat choice?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel answered:<\/p>\n \u201cWhich one of us gets to become human.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Then the lights flickered.<\/p>\n A monitor turned on.<\/p>\n A message appeared.<\/p>\n CHOICE ACCEPTED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n Another message appeared.<\/p>\n HOSTS 001 AND 002: MERGED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Claire stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at Silas.<\/p>\n The boy suddenly grabbed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cDad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy memories\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re changing.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel rushed toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked up.<\/p>\n His eyes were no longer black.<\/p>\n They were completely white.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat future?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe one where you kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would never.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou already did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas pointed toward the screen.<\/p>\n A date appeared.<\/p>\n SEPTEMBER 17, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n Today’s date.<\/p>\n His blood turned cold.<\/p>\n The next line appeared.<\/p>\n EVENT IN PROGRESS.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n DANIEL WILL KILL SILAS IN 03:17:42.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel looked at the clock.<\/p>\n Three hours.<\/p>\n Seventeen minutes.<\/p>\n Forty-two seconds.<\/p>\n Claire whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the House knows the future\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He looked toward the dark corridor.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026then we change it.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI won’t kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why are you afraid?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked behind Daniel.<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n Nobody was there.<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it won’t be you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas pointed toward the screen.<\/p>\n The message changed.<\/p>\n The name appeared.<\/p>\n DANIEL \u2014 SUBJECT 003.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then beneath it:<\/p>\n KILLER: SUBJECT 004.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cSubject 004?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are four.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at Claire.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is the fourth?\u201d<\/p>\n Claire was crying.<\/p>\n She slowly pointed toward the hallway.<\/p>\n At the far end stood a man.<\/p>\n Daniel.<\/p>\n Another Daniel.<\/p>\n But this one was holding a knife.<\/p>\n And behind him\u2014<\/p>\n stood Daniel’s mother.<\/p>\n Smiling.<\/p>\n The fourth Daniel raised the knife.<\/p>\n And said:<\/p>\n \u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n