The voice came again.
\n\u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d
\nElias didn’t move.
\nHe couldn’t.
\nBecause Lily was standing directly in front of him.
\nHer small hand was still gripping his.
\nHer face was pale.
\nHer eyes were wide with confusion.
\nAnd yet\u2014
\nthe voice coming through the speakers sounded exactly like hers.
\n\u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d
\nElias slowly looked at the ceiling.
\n\u201cWho is that?\u201d
\nNo answer.
\nHe looked at Adrian.
\nThe old man’s expression had changed completely.
\nThere was no arrogance now.
\nNo smile.
\nNo confidence.
\nOnly fear.
\nElias noticed it.
\n\u201cYou know that voice.\u201d
\nAdrian said nothing.
\n\u201cYou know who that is.\u201d
\nStill nothing.
\nElias stepped forward.
\n\u201cWho is she?\u201d
\nAdrian’s lips parted.
\nBut before he could answer, Sarah screamed.
\n\u201cDON’T LISTEN TO HER!\u201d
\nEveryone turned.
\nSarah was staring at the speaker.
\n\u201cThat’s not Lily.\u201d
\nElias looked at her.
\n\u201cI know.\u201d
\nSarah shook her head.
\n\u201cNo, Elias.\u201d
\nHer voice trembled.
\n\u201cYou don’t understand.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat don’t I understand?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah pointed toward the speaker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat voice\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026belongs to someone who died twenty-three years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Elias stared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah whispered one name.<\/p>\n
\u201cLena.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is Lena?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah looked at Lily.<\/p>\n
Then at Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was the first.\u201d<\/p>\n
The speakers crackled.<\/p>\n
A child’s voice laughed.<\/p>\n
Not a normal child’s laugh.<\/p>\n
It was soft.<\/p>\n
Almost playful.<\/p>\n
But there was something wrong with it.<\/p>\n
Something ancient.<\/p>\n
Something that made the hair rise on Elias’s arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cLena.\u201d<\/p>\n
The voice answered immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias felt his heart pound.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you alive?\u201d<\/p>\n
A pause.<\/p>\n
Then:<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah closed her eyes.<\/p>\n
Elias stared at the speaker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen how are you talking to me?\u201d<\/p>\n
The answer came slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I never left.\u201d<\/p>\n
The floor beneath them suddenly vibrated.<\/p>\n
A hidden mechanism activated.<\/p>\n
A section of the wall opened.<\/p>\n
Behind it was a narrow corridor.<\/p>\n
Red lights illuminated the passage.<\/p>\n
At the end was another steel door.<\/p>\n
Above it were three words:<\/p>\n
MEMORY ARCHIVE SEVEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Victor\u2014<\/p>\n or rather Michael\u2014<\/p>\n was still lying wounded on the floor.<\/p>\n He grabbed Elias’s sleeve.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t go in there.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause that’s where they kept them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael’s eyes filled with regret.<\/p>\n \u201cThe children.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cSeven.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias glanced at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cSeven subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSeven children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to them?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cSix were lost.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLost?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey died.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s expression hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the seventh?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cShe survived.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re saying Lily is Subject Seven?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut the screen called me Subject Zero.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never one of the seven.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why am I Subject Zero?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked toward Adrian.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you were the experiment that came before them.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s stomach tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat experiment?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cMemory transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n The words hung in the air.<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother discovered that traumatic memories could be deliberately suppressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias remembered his childhood.<\/p>\n The missing years.<\/p>\n The blank spaces.<\/p>\n The dreams.<\/p>\n Michael continued.<\/p>\n \u201cShe also discovered something else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMemories could be transferred.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re saying they put someone else’s memories into me?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cNot someone else’s.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people’s.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias felt cold.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause your father needed someone who could carry the organization’s entire history without knowing it.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at his own hands.<\/p>\n \u201cAll those years\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe nightmares?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMemories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe voices?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMemories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe faces I dreamed about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMemories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe wars?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of them weren’t yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked toward Adrian.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did this to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian didn’t deny it.<\/p>\n \u201cI saved you.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias laughed bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou call that saving?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou survived.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI lived my entire life believing I was broken!\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s voice became sharp.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never broken.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were carrying everyone who came before you.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s eyes hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause someone had to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n the speaker came alive again.<\/p>\n \u201cElias\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The voice was quieter.<\/p>\n \u201cCome downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked toward the corridor.<\/p>\n Michael grabbed him again.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias pulled his arm away.<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter is involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s exactly why you can’t go.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re asking me to leave her here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael struggled to breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m asking you to understand what you’re walking into.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n She was staring at the corridor.<\/p>\n Then she whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI know the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias crouched.<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve been there.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah’s face turned white.<\/p>\n \u201cLily\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah froze.<\/p>\n Lily continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou were there too.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias turned toward Sarah.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does she mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah backed away.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were crying.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah began shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cYou remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were holding my hand.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah covered her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cI was trying to save you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom who?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah didn’t answer.<\/p>\n Lily looked toward Adrian.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom him.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s face hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n For the first time, his voice was angry.<\/p>\n Lily stepped behind Elias.<\/p>\n Elias raised his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t speak to her like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still don’t understand what she is.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s voice became cold.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat answer will get her killed.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias moved toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd yours will get you killed.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael suddenly shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cSTOP!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned.<\/p>\n Michael pointed toward the corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe archive is opening.\u201d<\/p>\n A deep mechanical sound echoed underground.<\/p>\n CLUNK.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n CLUNK.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Seven locks were disengaging.<\/p>\n Elias looked at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is it opening?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Lily activated it.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked down.<\/p>\n Lily was staring at the silver bracelet in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn’t need to.\u201d<\/p>\n The seventh lock opened.<\/p>\n The door slowly moved inward.<\/p>\n Cold air rushed from the chamber.<\/p>\n Elias stepped forward.<\/p>\n \u201cStay behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily nodded.<\/p>\n Sarah followed.<\/p>\n Michael tried to stand.<\/p>\n Elias stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what’s inside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo do I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias entered the corridor.<\/p>\n Sarah followed.<\/p>\n Lily followed Elias.<\/p>\n Behind them, Michael forced himself to stand.<\/p>\n They reached the archive.<\/p>\n Elias pushed open the door.<\/p>\n Inside were seven glass chambers.<\/p>\n Six were empty.<\/p>\n The seventh was occupied.<\/p>\n A small bed.<\/p>\n A monitor.<\/p>\n A child’s drawing.<\/p>\n And on the wall\u2014<\/p>\n hundreds of photographs.<\/p>\n Elias approached the glass.<\/p>\n The photograph nearest him showed a little girl.<\/p>\n Dark hair.<\/p>\n Bright eyes.<\/p>\n Maybe six years old.<\/p>\n Underneath:<\/p>\n SUBJECT ONE \u2014 LENA<\/strong><\/p>\n The next photograph:<\/p>\n SUBJECT TWO \u2014 MAYA<\/strong><\/p>\n The next:<\/p>\n SUBJECT THREE \u2014 ROSE<\/strong><\/p>\n The next:<\/p>\n SUBJECT FOUR \u2014 ANNA<\/strong><\/p>\n The next:<\/p>\n SUBJECT FIVE \u2014 GRACE<\/strong><\/p>\n The next:<\/p>\n SUBJECT SIX \u2014 EMMA<\/strong><\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n SUBJECT SEVEN \u2014 LILY<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Every child looked different.<\/p>\n But there was something identical about them.<\/p>\n The same small silver bracelet.<\/p>\n The same mark on their wrists.<\/p>\n And the same symbol beneath their names.<\/p>\n A circle.<\/p>\n With a number inside.<\/p>\n Elias stepped closer to Lily’s photograph.<\/p>\n The date beneath it was wrong.<\/p>\n BIRTH: 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily was eight.<\/p>\n But the date said something else.<\/p>\n Elias counted.<\/p>\n His face went pale.<\/p>\n Lily should have been fourteen.<\/p>\n He turned toward Sarah.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe’s eight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe date says fourteen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Lily isn’t eight.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cShe was born fourteen years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias felt the room disappear.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was kept in a suspended state.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah pointed at the machines.<\/p>\n \u201cLook.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias saw them.<\/p>\n Old medical equipment.<\/p>\n Cryogenic storage.<\/p>\n Artificial circulation systems.<\/p>\n His mind raced.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was frozen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah’s voice trembled.<\/p>\n \u201cHer body was slowed.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n The little girl stared back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah said:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they needed her to remain eight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy eight?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah didn’t answer.<\/p>\n Elias grabbed her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cWHY?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause that’s when the memories were implanted.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias released her.<\/p>\n The room spun.<\/p>\n Lily looked frightened.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias immediately knelt.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm I really eight?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked into her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Sarah said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSarah doesn’t know everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily nodded.<\/p>\n Then she looked toward the empty chambers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the other girls?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re not gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Lily walked toward the wall.<\/p>\n She touched Lena’s photograph.<\/p>\n \u201cShe talks to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLena.\u201d<\/p>\n The speaker crackled.<\/p>\n The girl’s voice returned.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Lily.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared in horror.<\/p>\n \u201cLily, step away from the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n She didn’t.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I said so.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily turned.<\/p>\n \u201cBut she’s my sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cYour what?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cMy sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily pointed at Lena’s photograph.<\/p>\n \u201cShe told me.\u201d<\/p>\n The speaker crackled.<\/p>\n Lena’s voice said:<\/p>\n \u201cShe knows.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cKnows what?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Then:<\/p>\n \u201cThat she was never the seventh.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s blood ran cold.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is she?\u201d<\/p>\n The lights flickered.<\/p>\n The photographs on the wall began changing.<\/p>\n Lena disappeared.<\/p>\n Maya disappeared.<\/p>\n Rose disappeared.<\/p>\n Anna disappeared.<\/p>\n Grace disappeared.<\/p>\n Emma disappeared.<\/p>\n Only Lily remained.<\/p>\n Then her photograph changed.<\/p>\n A new designation appeared beneath it.<\/p>\n SUBJECT ZERO<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Michael whispered from the doorway:<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian appeared behind him.<\/p>\n His face was pale.<\/p>\n Elias turned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew she wasn’t Subject Seven.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was never part of the experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is she?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe original.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cThe original what?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first human memory carrier.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou called me Subject Zero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were the first successful carrier.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n Adrian continued.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was the first successful source.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias couldn’t breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt means every memory inside you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian pointed at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026came from her.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n The nightmares.<\/p>\n The faces.<\/p>\n The voices.<\/p>\n The battlefield memories.<\/p>\n The impossible childhood images.<\/p>\n All of them.<\/p>\n Lily.<\/p>\n His daughter.<\/p>\n The little girl he had spent years protecting.<\/p>\n She was the source of his memories.<\/p>\n Elias whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s voice became quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Lily was alive before you were born.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Lily looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Elias couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n She walked toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou couldn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily smiled sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you used to hold me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the room where they made you forget me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias staggered backward.<\/p>\n A memory suddenly flashed through his mind.<\/p>\n A white room.<\/p>\n A younger version of himself.<\/p>\n A baby crying.<\/p>\n A woman screaming.<\/p>\n His father standing behind glass.<\/p>\n And a little girl.<\/p>\n Lily.<\/p>\n But she wasn’t eight.<\/p>\n She was a baby.<\/p>\n Elias saw himself holding her.<\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n a needle.<\/p>\n A bright light.<\/p>\n A voice saying:<\/p>\n ERASE THE CHILD.<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias screamed.<\/p>\n He fell to his knees.<\/p>\n Sarah rushed toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cElias!\u201d<\/p>\n He pushed her away.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you remember?\u201d Sarah asked.<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember her.\u201d<\/p>\n He began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember holding her.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily ran into his arms.<\/p>\n Elias hugged her tightly.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n She whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI told you.\u201d<\/p>\n Then the speakers came alive.<\/p>\n Lena spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cElias.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou remembered the wrong night.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou weren’t the one they erased.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause.<\/p>\n \u201cThey erased Lily.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Lena continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn’t erase her memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey erased everyone’s memory of her.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Adrian.<\/p>\n The old man slowly stepped backward.<\/p>\n Elias stood.<\/p>\n \u201cYou made the world forget my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s face was expressionless.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause if anyone remembered she existed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He looked toward the ceiling.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026they would come for her.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe people who built the first vault.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s expression hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are they?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian didn’t answer.<\/p>\n Then the entire facility shook.<\/p>\n A warning siren erupted.<\/p>\n INTRUSION DETECTED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Michael looked at the monitor.<\/p>\n His face changed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey found us.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael stared at the security feed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are hundreds.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah looked at the screen.<\/p>\n Men in black tactical gear were moving through the underground tunnels.<\/p>\n Michael whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re not coming for the vault.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are they coming for?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael answered:<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re coming for her.\u201d<\/p>\n Gunfire erupted in the distance.<\/p>\n The soldiers were getting closer.<\/p>\n Elias picked up his weapon.<\/p>\n Sarah grabbed another weapon from a fallen guard.<\/p>\n Michael tried to stand.<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you fight?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael smiled weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen let’s finish this.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian suddenly laughed.<\/p>\n Elias turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey don’t want to kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey want to wake her.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWake her?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian pointed toward the seventh chamber.<\/p>\n \u201cThat isn’t an archive.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked.<\/p>\n The glass chamber began filling with blue light.<\/p>\n Lily’s bracelet started glowing.<\/p>\n Adrian whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a cradle.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens when it opens?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe girl you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026won’t be the girl who comes out.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily suddenly screamed.<\/p>\n Her eyes rolled upward.<\/p>\n The lights exploded.<\/p>\n Every monitor displayed the same message:<\/p>\n MEMORY SEQUENCE INITIATED.<\/strong><\/p>\n Then another:<\/p>\n SUBJECT ZERO AWAKENING.<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias grabbed Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cLily!\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him.<\/p>\n But her eyes were no longer frightened.<\/p>\n They were completely calm.<\/p>\n She spoke in a voice that wasn’t hers.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Behind her, the chamber opened.<\/p>\n And from the darkness inside\u2014<\/p>\n six small hands pressed against the glass.<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Six children.<\/p>\n Six faces.<\/p>\n All looking directly at him.<\/p>\n Then Lena’s voice whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cElias\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou finally came back for us.\u201d<\/p>\n