The boy stood at the bottom of the stairs.
\nNobody moved.
\nNobody spoke.
\nEven the alarms had stopped.
\nFor several seconds, the entire underground city seemed frozen around them.
\nElias stared at the child.
\nThe boy stared back.
\nThere was something about his face.
\nSomething painfully familiar.
\nThe shape of his eyes.
\nThe slight tilt of his head.
\nEven the way he stood with his hands at his sides.
\nElias had seen that expression before.
\nIn photographs.
\nIn mirrors.
\nIn his own childhood memories.
\nBut that was impossible.
\nHe looked at Lily.
\nShe was trembling.
\n\u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s him.\u201d
\n\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
She pointed at the boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boy from my memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias slowly looked back.<\/p>\n
The boy smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou finally remembered me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias raised his weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t come any closer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew you’d say that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you know me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I’ve been watching you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom where?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy pointed behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael Hale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael’s expression changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you know my name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’ve been here before.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve never seen this place.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael’s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did they do to us?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn’t do anything to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked toward Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias felt a cold sensation move through his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy slowly walked up the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy led them through a narrow passage.<\/p>\n
The walls were covered with names.<\/p>\n
Thousands of them.<\/p>\n
Some were crossed out.<\/p>\n
Some were burned.<\/p>\n
Others were circled in red.<\/p>\n
Elias recognized several.<\/p>\n
Politicians.<\/p>\n
Military commanders.<\/p>\n
Judges.<\/p>\n
Businessmen.<\/p>\n
People who had appeared in his father’s files.<\/p>\n
People who had controlled Ravenwood.<\/p>\n
People who had disappeared over the years.<\/p>\n
Sarah stopped suddenly.<\/p>\n
Her eyes landed on one name.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah pointed.<\/p>\n
SARAH THORNE<\/strong><\/p>\n Beside her name was another.<\/p>\n STATUS: ACTIVE<\/strong><\/p>\n Sarah stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they told me I was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked at the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cWho told you?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Founders.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy kept walking.<\/p>\n Elias followed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou said you were watching me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince before you were born.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stopped.<\/p>\n The boy turned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve been asking the wrong question.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat question should I ask?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should ask why she remembers me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know your name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew it once.\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were children.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two knew each other?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy walked closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were three.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn’t even here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were.\u201d<\/p>\n He touched his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cSo was I.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily suddenly grabbed her head.<\/p>\n A sharp pain crossed her face.<\/p>\n \u201cLily?\u201d<\/p>\n She screamed.<\/p>\n And then\u2014<\/p>\n the room disappeared.<\/p>\n Lily was standing in a white room.<\/p>\n She was small.<\/p>\n Very small.<\/p>\n Maybe three years old.<\/p>\n Across from her stood the boy.<\/p>\n But he wasn’t ten.<\/p>\n He was only five.<\/p>\n They were sitting on the floor.<\/p>\n A woman knelt beside them.<\/p>\n Mara.<\/p>\n Lily watched the memory.<\/p>\n Mara held a small metal box.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must never open this,\u201d Mara told the children.<\/p>\n The boy nodded.<\/p>\n Lily nodded too.<\/p>\n Mara looked at them.<\/p>\n \u201cOne day, they will come looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy asked:<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Founders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked at the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember what?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s expression became sad.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n The memory changed.<\/p>\n A man entered the room.<\/p>\n Elias’s father.<\/p>\n He looked younger.<\/p>\n Angrier.<\/p>\n He grabbed the boy by the arm.<\/p>\n Mara stood.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a threat.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily started crying.<\/p>\n The boy struggled.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t let him take me!\u201d<\/p>\n Mara grabbed Elias’s father.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n He pushed her away.<\/p>\n Then he looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cForget him.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI won’t.\u201d<\/p>\n The man crouched beside her.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you remember him, they will kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily cried harder.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is he?\u201d<\/p>\n The man whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother.\u201d<\/p>\n The memory shattered.<\/p>\n Lily opened her eyes.<\/p>\n She was back in the underground corridor.<\/p>\n Elias was holding her.<\/p>\n She was crying.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n Elias looked at the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy answered quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Noah.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah’s face went pale.<\/p>\n \u201cNoah\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know him?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone thought that.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked between them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you hide him?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen who did?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah looked toward Mara’s chamber.<\/p>\n \u201cMara.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias turned toward the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cMara!\u201d<\/p>\n Mara didn’t answer.<\/p>\n \u201cMara!\u201d<\/p>\n She finally looked at him.<\/p>\n Her face was devastated.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew about Noah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew Lily had a brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew he was alive?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara closed her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias felt betrayed.<\/p>\n \u201cAll this time?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI was trying to keep both of them alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped toward the chamber.<\/p>\n \u201cYou let me believe I was losing my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou let me believe Lily was my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why hide Noah?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Noah was the first one they found.\u201d<\/p>\n The room suddenly shook.<\/p>\n A deep vibration traveled through the floor.<\/p>\n The screens activated.<\/p>\n A message appeared.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The screen changed.<\/p>\n Elias felt dizzy.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it wasn’t a bloodline.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a chain.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah walked toward the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cThey needed someone to carry the memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo hide them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom whom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Founders.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael stared at the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat memories?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe memories of their crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the names of everyone they killed.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThey thought destroying the witnesses would destroy the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias suddenly understood.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they couldn’t destroy the memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo they put them inside children.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then they tried to erase us.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s voice came through the speaker.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn’t create the children.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked toward her.<\/p>\n Mara continued:<\/p>\n \u201cThey found them.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe children were born naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked at Mara.<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me I was created.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI lied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo keep you alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked angry.<\/p>\n \u201cYou always say that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it’s true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n His voice cracked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou kept me alive because you needed me.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara went silent.<\/p>\n Noah stepped closer to the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cYou used me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI protected you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou erased my childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saved your life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou made me forget my sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah turned toward Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cShe forgot me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n Tears filled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI remembered you every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily stepped forward.<\/p>\n \u201cSo did I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou remembered the feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah touched his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cNot me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t have to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you do.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah’s expression became cold.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you were the one who erased us.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cI never did that.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were older than me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah walked toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were Subject Zero.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. You were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was Subject Zero-One.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were Subject Zero-Two.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I was Zero-Three.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Founders called us numbers because they didn’t want us to have names.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why did they need me?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah answered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you could erase memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Michael lowered his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cThat wasn’t in any file.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn’t be.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t erase memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou already did.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias suddenly remembered something.<\/p>\n A white room.<\/p>\n A child crying.<\/p>\n His own hands pressed against a boy’s head.<\/p>\n A voice telling him:<\/p>\n \u201cForget him.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias gasped.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Another memory appeared.<\/p>\n Lily.<\/p>\n A little girl.<\/p>\n Crying.<\/p>\n Elias kneeling beside her.<\/p>\n A machine beside them.<\/p>\n Someone saying:<\/p>\n \u201cErase everything.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias stumbled backward.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember Noah.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah’s face tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember erasing her memory too.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily started crying.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou forgot me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou forgot me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias fell to his knees.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily stood frozen.<\/p>\n Then she walked toward him.<\/p>\n She placed her small hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn’t forget me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou forgot the memory.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily wiped her tears.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you never forgot me.\u201d<\/p>\n A massive explosion shook the facility.<\/p>\n The ceiling cracked.<\/p>\n Dust fell.<\/p>\n Michael immediately raised his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to move.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked toward the entrance.<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re here.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah asked:<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah answered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Founders.\u201d<\/p>\n The lights turned red.<\/p>\n Metal shutters began closing throughout the underground city.<\/p>\n Mara shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cElias!\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to leave!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot without you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can’t save me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can try.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped toward the chamber.<\/p>\n \u201cI spent my whole life thinking you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI spent years hating you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought my father betrayed you.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cHe did.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara looked toward Adrian.<\/p>\n Then toward the man who claimed to be Elias’s father.<\/p>\n \u201cHe betrayed all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still blame me.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara answered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian stepped forward.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re still afraid of the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s face hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m afraid of what happens when Elias remembers everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias turned.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything about what?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian said nothing.<\/p>\n Noah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe war.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat war?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah answered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe war between the Founders and the Thorne family.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah corrected him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn’t a war.\u201d<\/p>\n She swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a massacre.\u201d<\/p>\n The walls suddenly became screens.<\/p>\n Images appeared.<\/p>\n A mansion burning.<\/p>\n People running.<\/p>\n Soldiers entering.<\/p>\n Children hiding.<\/p>\n A woman screaming.<\/p>\n A young Mara carrying a baby.<\/p>\n Elias recognized the baby.<\/p>\n Himself.<\/p>\n Then another image.<\/p>\n A little boy being dragged away.<\/p>\n Noah.<\/p>\n Then Lily.<\/p>\n Three children.<\/p>\n Three carriers.<\/p>\n One family.<\/p>\n But something was wrong.<\/p>\n The images showed Mara handing the children to different people.<\/p>\n Noah to one soldier.<\/p>\n Elias to another.<\/p>\n Lily to Amelia.<\/p>\n Sarah watched silently.<\/p>\n Elias turned toward her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were there.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou helped them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou separated us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had no choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou always say that.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it was true.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped toward her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho ordered it?\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah looked at Adrian.<\/p>\n Adrian closed his eyes.<\/p>\n Elias followed her gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandfather?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian said nothing.<\/p>\n Elias raised his gun.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ordered them to separate us?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian finally answered.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked horrified.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause if the three of you stayed together\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He paused.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026the Founders would never have been able to control you.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cSo you separated us to protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you lied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou erased our memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou destroyed our family.\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s voice shook.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Adrian looked at the three children.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause your family wasn’t the target.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed toward the walls.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world was.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly the entire facility went silent.<\/p>\n A voice spoke.<\/p>\n Not Mara.<\/p>\n Not Adrian.<\/p>\n Not Noah.<\/p>\n Not the Founders.<\/p>\n A child’s voice.<\/p>\n Lily’s voice.<\/p>\n But older.<\/p>\n Much older.<\/p>\n \u201cElias.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned.<\/p>\n The voice continued.<\/p>\n \u201cCome to the final room.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked terrified.<\/p>\n \u201cThat isn’t me.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt isn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias asked:<\/p>\n \u201cThen who is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked at the deepest tunnel.<\/p>\n \u201cThe original memory.\u201d<\/p>\n A door opened.<\/p>\n Beyond it was darkness.<\/p>\n On the door were three words:<\/p>\n Elias stepped forward.<\/p>\n Mara shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t open it!\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause once you open that door\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Noah.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026you will remember who betrayed your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias turned toward Adrian.<\/p>\n Adrian looked away.<\/p>\n Then toward the man who claimed to be his father.<\/p>\n The man smiled.<\/p>\n And then toward Lily.<\/p>\n Lily suddenly spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI know who it was.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily’s eyes were no longer frightened.<\/p>\n They were strangely calm.<\/p>\n She pointed toward Mara.<\/p>\n \u201cMama.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s face went white.<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cShe betrayed us.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara shook her head violently.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily stepped backward.<\/p>\n \u201cShe gave us to them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe told them where we were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was trying to save you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou lied.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara pressed her hands against the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cLily, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily began crying.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember now.\u201d<\/p>\n The entire facility shook.<\/p>\n Every screen activated.<\/p>\n A single sentence appeared.<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n Mara closed her eyes.<\/p>\n Noah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s true.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Mara.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara opened her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI was.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias felt his world collapse.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI betrayed them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I realized what they planned to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did they plan?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara didn’t answer.<\/p>\n The speakers crackled.<\/p>\n A man’s voice came through.<\/p>\n Cold.<\/p>\n Emotionless.<\/p>\n The voice of the Founders.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Every door in the underground city locked simultaneously.<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother betrayed us.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias raised his weapon.<\/p>\n The voice continued:<\/p>\n \u201cShe tried to save the children.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause.<\/p>\n \u201cShe failed.\u201d<\/p>\n Then the final sentence echoed through the underground city.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now, Elias, you must decide which of your children will survive.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Lily looked at Noah.<\/p>\n Noah looked at Lily.<\/p>\n Elias stepped between them.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The voice laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n A timer appeared on every screen.<\/p>\n Elias looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens at zero?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe archive opens.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael asked:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s face became pale.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery memory inside this facility will be released.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s good, isn’t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the archive doesn’t only contain memories.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cIt contains identities.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the archive opens\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The timer reached:<\/p>\n Mara continued:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026everyone whose memory is stored here will wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah looked toward the thousands of chambers.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mara nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe dead.\u201d<\/p>\n A sound came from the darkness.<\/p>\n Then another.<\/p>\n Then hundreds.<\/p>\n Glass chambers began opening.<\/p>\n One.<\/p>\n Two.<\/p>\n Five.<\/p>\n Twenty.<\/p>\n Dozens.<\/p>\n Children stepped out.<\/p>\n Men.<\/p>\n Women.<\/p>\n Soldiers.<\/p>\n Scientists.<\/p>\n People who had supposedly died years ago.<\/p>\n Elias stared in horror.<\/p>\n The underground city was filling with people.<\/p>\n People who should not exist.<\/p>\n Lily grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed toward the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cLook.\u201d<\/p>\n At the far end of the chamber stood a woman.<\/p>\n Elias recognized her immediately.<\/p>\n The woman from the oldest photograph.<\/p>\n The woman everyone said had died before Elias could remember her.<\/p>\n His biological mother.<\/p>\n Mara’s face went white.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The woman smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Elias.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias couldn’t move.<\/p>\n The woman walked forward.<\/p>\n Behind her stood another figure.<\/p>\n A man.<\/p>\n Elias recognized him too.<\/p>\n The man who had supposedly been his father.<\/p>\n But this time there was no doubt.<\/p>\n The woman took Elias’s hand.<\/p>\n And whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never my only child.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed toward the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah stepped forward.<\/p>\n Lily stared.<\/p>\n And then\u2014<\/p>\n a third child emerged from the darkness.<\/p>\n A girl.<\/p>\n She looked exactly like Lily.<\/p>\n Same face.<\/p>\n Same eyes.<\/p>\n Same scar.<\/p>\n She stopped beside the woman.<\/p>\n Then looked directly at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lily’s hand slipped from his.<\/p>\n She stared at the girl.<\/p>\n Her voice trembled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026is me.\u201d<\/p>\n The girl smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is me.\u201d<\/p>\n The lights went out.<\/p>\n And somewhere in the darkness, the Founders whispered:<\/p>\n
\nLILY’S MEMORY<\/h1>\n
\nTHE BROTHER<\/h1>\n
\nSUBJECT ZERO<\/h1>\n
SUBJECT ZERO \u2014 RECOVERED<\/h3>\n
SUBJECT ZERO \u2014 TWO IDENTITIES DETECTED<\/h3>\n
ORIGINAL CARRIER: NOAH<\/h3>\n
SECONDARY CARRIER: ELIAS<\/h3>\n
FINAL CARRIER: LILY<\/h3>\n
\nTHE FIRST BETRAYAL<\/h1>\n
\nTHE MEMORY OF ELIAS<\/h1>\n
\nTHE FOUNDERS ARRIVE<\/h1>\n
\nTHE THORNE MASSACRE<\/h1>\n
\nTHE FINAL ARCHIVE<\/h1>\n
ONE FAMILY. ONE MEMORY.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
MARA THORNE WAS THE FIRST FOUNDER.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
09:59<\/h3>\n
09:58<\/h3>\n
09:57<\/h3>\n
09:31<\/h3>\n