A door opened inside Daniel’s mind. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Silas looked down at his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why are you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas pointed toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cInside you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart sank.<\/p>\n Again.<\/p>\n That phrase.<\/p>\n Inside you.<\/p>\n He had heard it from Evelyn.<\/p>\n From his mother.<\/p>\n From the House.<\/p>\n But now Silas was saying it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means you never left.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cLeft what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI destroyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas smiled sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou destroyed the building.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel remembered Evelyn’s words.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the House was inside me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do I get it out?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas didn’t answer.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas?\u201d<\/p>\n The man looked toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it’s not a thing anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cA rule.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cA rule?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe House became a rule inside your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat rule?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas pointed at the inscription.<\/p>\n DO NOT REMEMBER.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel suddenly understood.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House isn’t controlling my memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s controlling what I’m allowed to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what’s behind it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone says that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis time they’re right.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel reached toward the door.<\/p>\n Silas grabbed his wrist.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I remember what happened last time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas stared into Daniel’s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore you were Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood ran cold.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was I?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve heard that before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve heard the name.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember the person.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Silas continued:<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel wasn’t you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who was he?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cMy father.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel was my father.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you’re my son.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is what the House wants you to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel felt the room spinning.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you needed someone to love.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI needed someone to save.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s chest tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what are we?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas answered:<\/p>\n \u201cFather and son.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat makes no sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt never did.\u201d<\/p>\n The wooden door creaked.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at it.<\/p>\n The inscription began changing.<\/p>\n DO NOT REMEMBER.<\/strong><\/p>\n The words disappeared.<\/p>\n New words appeared.<\/p>\n REMEMBER WHO YOU KILLED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s starting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe House knows we’re here.\u201d<\/p>\n A deep sound echoed through the darkness.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Like a heartbeat.<\/p>\n Daniel touched his chest.<\/p>\n The rhythm matched his own.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Boom.<\/p>\n Then another heartbeat joined it.<\/p>\n Silas’s.<\/p>\n Two hearts.<\/p>\n One rhythm.<\/p>\n Daniel stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s not our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cSomething waking up.\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened.<\/p>\n A wave of freezing air rushed past them.<\/p>\n Behind the door was a hallway.<\/p>\n Daniel recognized it.<\/p>\n The original Blackwood facility.<\/p>\n But there was something impossible about it.<\/p>\n The hallway stretched forever.<\/p>\n Doors lined both sides.<\/p>\n Every door had a date.<\/p>\n Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery reset.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the first door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat’s behind 1974?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour first life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd 2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen there are forty-seven doors.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cForty-eight.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel counted.<\/p>\n There was one final door.<\/p>\n No year.<\/p>\n No number.<\/p>\n No name.<\/p>\n Only a black circle.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cThat one doesn’t belong to the House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who does it belong to?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel walked toward it.<\/p>\n Silas grabbed him again.<\/p>\n \u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you open that door\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Silas hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I won’t be able to follow you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I’m not part of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas answered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe person you chose.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the door.<\/p>\n Then back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ll be here?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel opened the door.<\/p>\n Darkness.<\/p>\n He stepped through.<\/p>\n The door slammed shut.<\/p>\n Silas disappeared.<\/p>\n Daniel was alone.<\/p>\n A light turned on.<\/p>\n A chair stood in the center of a small room.<\/p>\n Someone was sitting in it.<\/p>\n Daniel approached.<\/p>\n The person was facing away.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n The chair slowly turned.<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n It was his father.<\/p>\n Not the old man.<\/p>\n Not Walter.<\/p>\n His real father.<\/p>\n The man from the few childhood photographs Daniel remembered.<\/p>\n The man he had been told died when Daniel was young.<\/p>\n Daniel’s voice broke.<\/p>\n \u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Samuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n The man nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI never died.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere have you been?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the House?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen where?\u201d<\/p>\n The man pointed toward Daniel.<\/p>\n \u201cInside you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNot again.\u201d<\/p>\n His father laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve always hated that answer.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n His father nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel sat.<\/p>\n His father leaned forward.<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother didn’t create the House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn’t create the consciousness either.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe discovered it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInside you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n His father continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou were born with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I wasn’t born.\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c1959.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s mouth went dry.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was born in 1974.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI have records.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cManufactured.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy birth certificate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cManufactured.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReal.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThen why don’t I remember 1959?\u201d<\/p>\n His father leaned closer.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you died in 1961.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were two years old.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother discovered the consciousness.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s hands began shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cShe put it inside you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I died.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother refused to let you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cShe rebuilt you.\u201d<\/p>\n His father pointed toward the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cNot once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot twice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForty-seven times.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s breath caught.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery Daniel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe resets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe copies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe House.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n His father leaned back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never being cloned.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was happening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were being resurrected.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n His father looked sad.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause your mother couldn’t accept your death.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Silas?\u201d<\/p>\n His father smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas was born from the memory you left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cBorn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why is he human?\u201d<\/p>\n His father smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause unlike you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He paused.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026he was never rebuilt.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n Silas was real.<\/p>\n Not a copy.<\/p>\n Not a memory.<\/p>\n Not a House construct.<\/p>\n Real.<\/p>\n Daniel suddenly understood why Silas had always felt different.<\/p>\n He wasn’t part of the system.<\/p>\n He was the one thing the system could never reproduce.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cMy son.\u201d<\/p>\n His father nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYour son.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why did the House say he was my father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the House lies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo make you question him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo separate you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what?\u201d<\/p>\n His father smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the only person who can wake you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cWake me from what?\u201d<\/p>\n His father pointed behind Daniel.<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n A mirror had appeared.<\/p>\n He looked into it.<\/p>\n His reflection was smiling.<\/p>\n Daniel wasn’t.<\/p>\n His reflection raised its hand.<\/p>\n Daniel didn’t.<\/p>\n The reflection touched the glass.<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n His father whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYour original self.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n The reflection smiled.<\/p>\n Then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Samuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood ran cold.<\/p>\n The reflection continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou finally found me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel approached the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour original self?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I’m Samuel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen who am I?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s the wrong question.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel clenched his fists.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone keeps saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you’re still asking questions about names.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat should I ask?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection leaned closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is dreaming?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho is dreaming this?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n The room.<\/p>\n His father.<\/p>\n The mirror.<\/p>\n Everything.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think you’re inside the House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think you’re inside your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you’re actually inside someone else’s memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood turned cold.<\/p>\n \u201cWhose?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection answered:<\/p>\n \u201cSilas’s.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stopped breathing.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou chose him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou entered his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he died.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re not talking to Silas.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re talking to his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cGone.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe died when you opened the machine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou chose nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel remembered.<\/p>\n The machine.<\/p>\n The white light.<\/p>\n Silas’s hand.<\/p>\n Then darkness.<\/p>\n Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI saved him.\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection shook its head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saved his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s face went pale.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is his body?\u201d<\/p>\n The reflection pointed toward the mirror.<\/p>\n Daniel looked.<\/p>\n Behind his reflection\u2014<\/p>\n stood Silas.<\/p>\n Seven years old.<\/p>\n He was crying.<\/p>\n Daniel spun around.<\/p>\n Nobody.<\/p>\n He looked back.<\/p>\n Silas was still there.<\/p>\n He placed his hand against the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel rushed forward.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas!\u201d<\/p>\n His hand hit the glass.<\/p>\n Silas smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m here.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked behind him.<\/p>\n Something was approaching.<\/p>\n A shadow.<\/p>\n Huge.<\/p>\n Tall.<\/p>\n It moved slowly through the darkness.<\/p>\n Daniel pressed his hand against the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cSilas, get away from it.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it’s holding me.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the shadow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe real House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the House was inside me.\u201d<\/p>\n Silas nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n Silas looked terrified.<\/p>\n \u201cThe part your mother never discovered.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s father stood behind him.<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n His father was crying.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House wasn’t created to preserve memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n His father whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cTo contain something.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n His father looked toward Silas.<\/p>\n \u201cDeath.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n The word echoed.<\/p>\n Death.<\/p>\n Death.<\/p>\n Death.<\/p>\n The shadow behind Silas grew larger.<\/p>\n Daniel stared through the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would death need to be contained?\u201d<\/p>\n His father answered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause death learned how to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood went cold.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens if it remembers everything?\u201d<\/p>\n His father looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt becomes alive.\u201d<\/p>\n The shadow touched Silas.<\/p>\n The boy screamed.<\/p>\n Daniel slammed both hands against the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cLET HIM GO!\u201d<\/p>\n The glass cracked.<\/p>\n His father shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cDaniel, stop!\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel hit it again.<\/p>\n The mirror shattered.<\/p>\n Thousands of fragments flew through the room.<\/p>\n Daniel fell forward.<\/p>\n He reached for Silas.<\/p>\n His fingers touched the boy’s hand.<\/p>\n For one second\u2014<\/p>\n they were together.<\/p>\n Then the shadow grabbed Daniel.<\/p>\n It pulled him backward.<\/p>\n Silas screamed:<\/p>\n \u201cDAD!\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel held on.<\/p>\n \u201cDON’T LET GO!\u201d<\/p>\n Silas cried.<\/p>\n \u201cI won’t!\u201d<\/p>\n The shadow pulled harder.<\/p>\n The room began collapsing.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me!\u201d<\/p>\n His father shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I’m already dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n His father smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve been dead since 1961.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who have I been talking to?\u201d<\/p>\n His father’s face changed.<\/p>\n The skin began cracking.<\/p>\n The eyes turned black.<\/p>\n The voice became deeper.<\/p>\n \u201cI am what your father remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n The thing smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It looked toward Silas.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I remember you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel screamed.<\/p>\n The room exploded.<\/p>\n Daniel woke up on a street.<\/p>\n Rain fell around him.<\/p>\n Cars passed.<\/p>\n People walked by.<\/p>\n Nobody noticed him.<\/p>\n Daniel looked around.<\/p>\n Everything seemed normal.<\/p>\n A city.<\/p>\n Modern.<\/p>\n Alive.<\/p>\n He touched his chest.<\/p>\n No black mark.<\/p>\n No pain.<\/p>\n No House.<\/p>\n He looked down.<\/p>\n He was wearing different clothes.<\/p>\n He checked his pockets.<\/p>\n A wallet.<\/p>\n Inside\u2014<\/p>\n a driver’s license.<\/p>\n DANIEL BLACKWOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth:<\/p>\n September 17, 1959.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n A woman walked past.<\/p>\n She stopped.<\/p>\n She looked at him.<\/p>\n Her face went pale.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuel?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cYou came back.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n She whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYour daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cMy what?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman covered her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped toward her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Leah.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n Leah.<\/p>\n The woman who had disappeared inside the House.<\/p>\n But this Leah was older.<\/p>\n Much older.<\/p>\n She smiled through her tears.<\/p>\n \u201cYou finally escaped.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cEscaped from what?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah looked behind him.<\/p>\n Her smile disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned.<\/p>\n Nothing.<\/p>\n Only a normal street.<\/p>\n Leah grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t say that word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it can hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s blood went cold.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that came back with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the people around them.<\/p>\n Everyone had stopped walking.<\/p>\n Every person on the street was staring at him.<\/p>\n Then, one by one\u2014<\/p>\n they smiled.<\/p>\n Leah stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n She whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt found you.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked toward the crowd.<\/p>\n Hundreds of people.<\/p>\n Thousands.<\/p>\n All staring.<\/p>\n All smiling.<\/p>\n Then they spoke together.<\/p>\n One voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWELCOME HOME, SAMUEL.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel turned to Leah.<\/p>\n \u201cRun.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n They ran.<\/p>\n Behind them, every person on the street began following.<\/p>\n Daniel looked over his shoulder.<\/p>\n The crowd wasn’t running.<\/p>\n They were walking.<\/p>\n Slowly.<\/p>\n Calmly.<\/p>\n But they were everywhere.<\/p>\n At every intersection.<\/p>\n Every window.<\/p>\n Every rooftop.<\/p>\n Every doorway.<\/p>\n Daniel and Leah reached a car.<\/p>\n Leah opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cGet in!\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel jumped inside.<\/p>\n She started the engine.<\/p>\n They sped away.<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah’s hands shook on the steering wheel.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou shouldn’t be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou shouldn’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared through the windshield.<\/p>\n A black car was following them.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Leah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re not following us.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re surrounding us.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked behind them.<\/p>\n Cars were appearing from every direction.<\/p>\n Leah stepped on the accelerator.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to get to the old facility.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThe House?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe laboratory?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen where?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the place where you were actually born.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah pointed ahead.<\/p>\n A sign appeared through the rain.<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n The words were barely visible.<\/p>\n BLACKWOOD CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel’s breathing stopped.<\/p>\n Leah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201c1959.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the building.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it was demolished.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why is it here?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah smiled sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you never destroyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at the hospital.<\/p>\n The doors opened by themselves.<\/p>\n Leah stopped the car.<\/p>\n \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re not coming?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I’m not real.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m one of your memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel’s face went pale.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who is driving the car?\u201d<\/p>\n Leah slowly turned toward him.<\/p>\n Her eyes were black.<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t move.<\/p>\n She whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cAsk the right question.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n The car doors locked.<\/p>\n The engine stopped.<\/p>\n Every light outside went dark.<\/p>\n Then the hospital speakers turned on.<\/p>\n A child’s voice echoed through the empty building.<\/p>\n Daniel’s own voice.<\/p>\n Five years old.<\/p>\n \u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The voice continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI found the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel opened his eyes.<\/p>\n A monitor inside the hospital lit up.<\/p>\n One message appeared.<\/p>\n SUBJECT 000 HAS AWAKENED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n SUBJECT 001 HAS ESCAPED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n SUBJECT 002 IS DEAD.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n SUBJECT 003 IS MISSING.<\/strong><\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m 003.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re 000.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n She leaned closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never Subject 003.\u201d<\/p>\n The hospital doors opened wider.<\/p>\n A figure stood inside.<\/p>\n A woman.<\/p>\n Daniel’s mother.<\/p>\n But this time\u2014<\/p>\n she was holding a newborn.<\/p>\n Daniel stared.<\/p>\n The newborn opened its eyes.<\/p>\n Black eyes.<\/p>\n The woman smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cMeet your first son.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel couldn’t breathe.<\/p>\n The baby looked directly at him.<\/p>\n And spoke.<\/p>\n In Daniel’s voice:<\/p>\n \u201cDad.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n The hospital lights turned on.<\/p>\n Every hallway filled with people.<\/p>\n Every person looked like Daniel.<\/p>\n Hundreds of Daniels.<\/p>\n Thousands.<\/p>\n All staring at him.<\/p>\n All waiting.<\/p>\n His mother whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cNow you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou weren’t the experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the army of identical faces.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were the experimenter.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Daniel’s mother continued:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you have been running the experiment\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at the newborn.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniel stared at the baby.<\/p>\n The baby smiled.<\/p>\n Then the hospital doors slammed shut.<\/p>\n And every Daniel in the hallway said the same thing:<\/p>\n \u201cLet’s begin again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nNot metaphorically.
\nNot like a memory.
\nA real door.
\nDaniel could see it.
\nHe was standing in darkness, and in front of him was a narrow wooden door.
\nIt looked old.
\nOlder than the House.
\nOlder than his childhood.
\nOlder than everything.
\nThere was no handle.
\nOnly a small inscription carved into the wood.
\nDO NOT REMEMBER.
\n<\/strong>Daniel stared at it.
\nThen he heard Silas.
\n\u201cDad?\u201d
\nDaniel turned.
\nSilas was standing several feet behind him.
\nBut something was different.
\nHe looked older.
\nNot seven.
\nNot even seventeen.
\nHe looked about thirty.
\nDaniel stared.
\n\u201cSilas?\u201d
\nThe man smiled.
\n\u201cIt’s me.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n