The stranger smiled.
\n\u201cYou’ve been looking for the wrong family, Elias.\u201d
\nNobody moved.
\nNobody breathed.
\nThe underground chamber was filled with smoke.
\nSoldiers stood behind the stranger.
\nMichael’s gun remained raised.
\nSarah was frozen beside the wall.
\nNoah held Lily tightly.
\nMara stared at the man’s face as if she were looking at a ghost.
\nAnd Elias\u2014
\nElias could only stare.
\nBecause the man standing in front of him had his face.
\nThe same eyes.
\nThe same jaw.
\nThe same scar near his left eyebrow.
\nEven his voice was identical.
\nLily slowly looked up at Elias.
\nThen at the stranger.
\nThen back at Elias.
\n\u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d
\nElias didn’t answer.
\nThe stranger smiled.
\n\u201cThat’s right.\u201d
\nLily grabbed Elias’s hand.
\n\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias finally spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias raised his gun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’ve always known.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger took one step forward.<\/p>\n
Michael immediately aimed at his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother step and I shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger turned toward Michael.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael’s finger tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cTry me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger looked directly into Michael’s eyes.<\/p>\n
Then said:<\/p>\n
\u201cRoom Seventeen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael froze.<\/p>\n
The stranger continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cOctober 14th.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael’s face changed.<\/p>\n
Sarah noticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael didn’t answer.<\/p>\n
The stranger smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou remember now, don’t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael slowly lowered his weapon.<\/p>\n
Elias turned toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael?\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael looked terrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were there when they made him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Elias stared at Michael.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger laughed softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s the problem with stolen memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed at Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cEventually they return.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, made me?\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean exactly what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n
He placed one hand against his own chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was born.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then he pointed at Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were built.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not a machine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never said you were.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen what am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger’s eyes became cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cA replacement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lily stepped in front of Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t talk about my daddy!\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger looked down at her.<\/p>\n
For the first time, his expression softened.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Lily.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stepped backward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t know you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou remembered me once.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lily looked at Mara.<\/p>\n
Mara’s face was pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cMara?\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me what he means.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mara didn’t answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cMARA!\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill protecting him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias turned toward his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
His father remained silent.<\/p>\n
Elias looked at Adrian.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandfather?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adrian lowered his head.<\/p>\n
Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias turned toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah backed away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew there was another Elias.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn’t know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn’t know which one was real.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias looked around the room.<\/p>\n
One by one, every person he trusted was avoiding his eyes.<\/p>\n
Mara.<\/p>\n
His father.<\/p>\n
Sarah.<\/p>\n
Adrian.<\/p>\n
Michael.<\/p>\n
Even Amelia, standing near the corridor entrance, looked like she wanted to disappear.<\/p>\n
Elias felt something break inside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of you knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Mara whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias’s voice grew louder.<\/p>\n
\u201cENOUGH TO LET ME LIVE A LIE!\u201d<\/p>\n
Lily grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias immediately stopped.<\/p>\n
He looked down at her.<\/p>\n
Her eyes were filled with fear.<\/p>\n
He lowered his voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger watched them.<\/p>\n
Then he said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why they chose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias looked up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou became attached.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the life they gave you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger slowly walked around the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey couldn’t simply replace me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias followed him with his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I knew too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe names.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noah whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Founders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then he turned back toward Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was twelve years old, I discovered who the Founders really were.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were twelve?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you found them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey found me first.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger’s expression darkened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey took me underground.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked around the facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo a place like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mara whispered:<\/p>\n
\u201cStop.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger ignored her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey asked me questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
His hands slowly closed into fists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I refused to answer, they changed the questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did they do?\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger smiled without happiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey learned that pain couldn’t make me forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
A long silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo they tried something else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elias already knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cMemory transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put memories inside me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noah looked toward Lily.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes moved toward Lily.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorse.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked back at Elias.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn’t give me memories to protect them.\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice became quieter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey gave me memories to destroy me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The screens around the chamber suddenly activated.<\/p>\n
A video appeared.<\/p>\n
Old.<\/p>\n
Damaged.<\/p>\n
Black and white.<\/p>\n
A boy was sitting in a chair.<\/p>\n
His hands were tied.<\/p>\n
His face was bruised.<\/p>\n
Elias stared.<\/p>\n
The boy looked exactly like him.<\/p>\n
But older than Noah.<\/p>\n
Younger than Elias remembered himself.<\/p>\n
A man stood beside the chair.<\/p>\n
His face was hidden.<\/p>\n
A voice asked:<\/p>\n
\u201cState your name.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The boy remained silent.<\/p>\n The voice asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cSTATE YOUR NAME.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The boy looked up.<\/p>\n His eyes were full of hatred.<\/p>\n Then he answered:<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Elias.\u201d<\/p>\n The recording froze.<\/p>\n Everyone stared at the screen.<\/p>\n The stranger turned toward Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s throat tightened.<\/p>\n The video continued.<\/p>\n A woman walked into the room.<\/p>\n Mara.<\/p>\n Younger.<\/p>\n Terrified.<\/p>\n She placed a hand against the boy’s shoulder.<\/p>\n The boy looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cMama.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked toward Mara.<\/p>\n She began crying.<\/p>\n The stranger spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me you would get me out.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI tried.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger laughed bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI went back for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYears later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n The stranger’s expression hardened.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at Mara.<\/p>\n The stranger continued.<\/p>\n \u201cYou found an empty room.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I wasn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you know why?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara closed her eyes.<\/p>\n Because she knew.<\/p>\n The stranger whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they made another me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias felt cold.<\/p>\n The stranger pointed directly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHim.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at his own hands.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n His memories suddenly began flashing.<\/p>\n A white room.<\/p>\n Bright lights.<\/p>\n A child crying.<\/p>\n Mara screaming.<\/p>\n Machines.<\/p>\n Glass.<\/p>\n Blood.<\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n a voice.<\/p>\n \u201cThe second body is stable.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Another voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he remember?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias grabbed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lily ran toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStay back!\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped.<\/p>\n Elias looked terrified.<\/p>\n He hadn’t meant to shout.<\/p>\n But something was happening inside his mind.<\/p>\n More memories.<\/p>\n He was lying on a table.<\/p>\n Mara beside him.<\/p>\n His father standing at the door.<\/p>\n Adrian shouting:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is wrong!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Richard replying:<\/p>\n \u201cThe original is gone.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Mara screaming:<\/p>\n \u201cHE IS NOT GONE!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Then a voice:<\/p>\n \u201cThe new Elias has opened his eyes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias collapsed to his knees.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger watched him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cI was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger finished the sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cA copy.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily shook her head violently.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cLily\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re my daddy!\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger said quietly:<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn’t change what he is.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily turned on him.<\/p>\n \u201cSHUT UP!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n The lights flickered.<\/p>\n A powerful wave moved through the underground chamber.<\/p>\n Every screen exploded into static.<\/p>\n The stranger’s soldiers stumbled backward.<\/p>\n Lily’s bracelet began glowing.<\/p>\n Noah looked terrified.<\/p>\n \u201cLily!\u201d<\/p>\n She didn’t seem to hear him.<\/p>\n Her eyes had changed.<\/p>\n They were glowing faintly.<\/p>\n She stared at the stranger.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t get to tell me who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger’s face tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cLily.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don’t get to take him from me.\u201d<\/p>\n The chamber shook.<\/p>\n BOOM!<\/strong><\/p>\n A section of the ceiling collapsed.<\/p>\n Soldiers began shouting.<\/p>\n The stranger raised his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone down!\u201d<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy is Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n The glow in her eyes faded.<\/p>\n She suddenly looked frightened again.<\/p>\n Then she collapsed into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cLily!\u201d<\/p>\n Noah rushed forward.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThe archive is responding.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cTo what?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara stared at Lily.<\/p>\n \u201cTo her emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n A mechanical voice filled the room.<\/p>\n \u201cPRIMARY HOST ACTIVATED.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone looked upward.<\/p>\n The screens displayed:<\/p>\n Then:<\/p>\n Then:<\/p>\n Finally:<\/p>\n The stranger stared at the last words.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n The system continued.<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n Michael slowly turned toward the stranger.<\/p>\n The stranger’s face had changed.<\/p>\n For the first time\u2014<\/p>\n he looked uncertain.<\/p>\n Elias read the final line again.<\/p>\n CONSCIOUSNESS STATUS: ORIGINAL.<\/strong><\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stood.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou weren’t created from his body.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were created from his memories.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger’s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n Elias stared at Mara.<\/p>\n \u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara stepped closer to the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cThey couldn’t copy a person.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed toward the stranger.<\/p>\n \u201cThey tried.\u201d<\/p>\n Then toward Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they copied what made him who he was.\u201d<\/p>\n His memories.<\/p>\n His consciousness.<\/p>\n His identity.<\/p>\n Elias felt sick.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I am him?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou began as him.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you became someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n The room went silent.<\/p>\n Mara’s voice cracked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were supposed to remember his life.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then you made your own.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily’s small hand found Elias’s.<\/p>\n The stranger stared at them.<\/p>\n Mara continued:<\/p>\n \u201cYou became Elias.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n The stranger’s face twisted with anger.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stole my name.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias answered quietly:<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou stole my memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou stole my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at Mara.<\/p>\n The stranger stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stole my family.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s voice broke.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t know!\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger raised his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were the replacement they gave them when they couldn’t save me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily stepped between them.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger aimed around her.<\/p>\n \u201cMove.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLily.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n Elias pulled her back.<\/p>\n The stranger stared at them.<\/p>\n Then Mara screamed:<\/p>\n \u201cDON’T!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned.<\/p>\n Richard was standing behind the stranger.<\/p>\n Holding a gun to the back of his head.<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve all been talking too much.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n \u201cRichard.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, nephew.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger didn’t move.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won’t shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard pressed the gun harder against his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still don’t understand me.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara looked horrified.<\/p>\n \u201cRichard, don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he’s your nephew.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Then at the stranger.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s my nephew.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe original.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger closed his eyes.<\/p>\n Richard continued:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded toward Elias.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026was my greatest mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s anger returned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked delighted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really don’t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause if he remembers the last night\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mara’s voice broke.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026everything will begin again.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to know why there are two of you?\u201d<\/p>\n Elias raised his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I couldn’t save him.\u201d<\/p>\n He pressed the gun against the stranger’s head.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I made another.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s breathing stopped.<\/p>\n Richard continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI was the one who started the project.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara screamed:<\/p>\n \u201cLIAR!\u201d<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI provided the original memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou created me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI helped create you.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s hands shook.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause my brother chose the wrong child.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked toward Elias’s father.<\/p>\n His father closed his eyes.<\/p>\n Richard pointed at the stranger.<\/p>\n \u201cHe chose him.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he pointed at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cI chose you.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked directly into his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you were easier to control.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias suddenly saw another memory.<\/p>\n Not a flash.<\/p>\n Not an image.<\/p>\n A complete memory.<\/p>\n He was standing in a room.<\/p>\n Older.<\/p>\n Holding a gun.<\/p>\n The stranger was tied to a chair.<\/p>\n But at that time\u2014<\/p>\n the stranger was a boy.<\/p>\n Elias himself was younger too.<\/p>\n Richard stood beside him.<\/p>\n Richard said:<\/p>\n \u201cDo it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Young Elias shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can’t.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Richard placed a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were made for this.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The boy in the chair looked at Elias.<\/p>\n And whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cBrother.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elias dropped the gun.<\/p>\n Richard slapped him.<\/p>\n \u201cHE IS NOT YOUR BROTHER!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The boy cried.<\/p>\n Elias looked terrified.<\/p>\n Richard picked up the gun.<\/p>\n Then placed it in Elias’s hands again.<\/p>\n \u201cErase him.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The memory vanished.<\/p>\n Elias screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n Lily held him.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy!\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at Richard.<\/p>\n \u201cYou made me erase him.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger finally spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cHe couldn’t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned.<\/p>\n The stranger looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saved me.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias froze.<\/p>\n Richard’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n The stranger continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThat night, you refused.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n The stranger’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cYou unlocked the door.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cI did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me to run.\u201d<\/p>\n Another memory came.<\/p>\n Young Elias opening a door.<\/p>\n The boy running into darkness.<\/p>\n Elias shouting:<\/p>\n \u201cGO!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Richard screaming behind him.<\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n gunfire.<\/p>\n The stranger said:<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you died.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias could barely speak.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I thought you died.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that was when they changed you.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThey erased everything.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cYour memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Mara.<\/p>\n \u201cHis memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Richard.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they made sure we would become enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard shouted:<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s enough!\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger turned.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard’s finger tightened around the trigger.<\/p>\n The stranger smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara screamed:<\/p>\n \u201cRICHARD, DON’T!\u201d<\/p>\n Richard fired.<\/p>\n BANG!<\/strong><\/p>\n Lily screamed.<\/p>\n Elias closed his eyes.<\/p>\n For one horrible second\u2014<\/p>\n nobody moved.<\/p>\n Then Elias opened his eyes.<\/p>\n The stranger was still standing.<\/p>\n But blood was spreading across Richard’s chest.<\/p>\n Richard looked down.<\/p>\n Confused.<\/p>\n Behind him\u2014<\/p>\n Michael was holding his gun.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you I’d try.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard stumbled.<\/p>\n He looked at Michael.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Michael answered:<\/p>\n \u201cI remembered Room Seventeen.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard fell.<\/p>\n His gun hit the floor.<\/p>\n Michael moved forward.<\/p>\n But Richard began laughing.<\/p>\n Even while bleeding.<\/p>\n Elias frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is funny?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think this is over?\u201d<\/p>\n Nobody answered.<\/p>\n Richard smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still haven’t asked the right question.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat question?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked at both Eliases.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich one of you has the real memories?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence.<\/p>\n The stranger’s expression changed.<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n Richard continued:<\/p>\n \u201cThe original Elias was captured.\u201d<\/p>\n He coughed.<\/p>\n Blood touched his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the copy was created.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cBut during the transfer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mara whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething went wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n Richard turned toward the stranger.<\/p>\n \u201cThe memories split.\u201d<\/p>\n The stranger stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Richard laughed weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cNeither of you got all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Every screen activated.<\/p>\n The system displayed two names.<\/p>\n Then below:<\/p>\n Elias stared.<\/p>\n The stranger stared too.<\/p>\n Richard laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ve been fighting over a life neither of you completely remembers.\u201d<\/p>\n The system continued.<\/p>\n The two men suddenly grabbed their heads.<\/p>\n Elias screamed.<\/p>\n The stranger fell to his knees.<\/p>\n Memories flooded them both.<\/p>\n The same childhood.<\/p>\n But from different angles.<\/p>\n Mara singing.<\/p>\n Elias’s father holding a baby.<\/p>\n Richard standing in a doorway.<\/p>\n A fire.<\/p>\n A laboratory.<\/p>\n Noah crying.<\/p>\n Lily sleeping.<\/p>\n Eva behind glass.<\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n a woman.<\/p>\n The woman from the photograph.<\/p>\n Elena.<\/p>\n She was holding Elias.<\/p>\n But which Elias?<\/p>\n The memory became clearer.<\/p>\n She looked directly into the camera.<\/p>\n Her face was terrified.<\/p>\n A voice asked:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is the child’s name?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Elena answered:<\/p>\n \u201cElias.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The memory changed.<\/p>\n The stranger saw himself.<\/p>\n A boy.<\/p>\n Elena kissed his forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cMy son.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Elias saw himself.<\/p>\n A child too.<\/p>\n Elena held him.<\/p>\n \u201cMy son.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men opened their eyes.<\/p>\n And looked at each other.<\/p>\n The stranger whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cShe called both of us son.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n Then the final memory arrived.<\/p>\n The one both had been missing.<\/p>\n Elena standing beside Mara.<\/p>\n Mara was holding a newborn baby.<\/p>\n Not Elias.<\/p>\n Not Lily.<\/p>\n A different child.<\/p>\n Elena whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a third.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Mara answered:<\/p>\n \u201cRichard cannot know.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The memory ended.<\/p>\n Everyone stared at Mara.<\/p>\n Elias slowly turned toward her.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was another child.\u201d<\/p>\n Mara closed her eyes.<\/p>\n The stranger stood.<\/p>\n His face had gone pale.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara said nothing.<\/p>\n Elias stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWHO WAS THE THIRD CHILD?\u201d<\/p>\n Before Mara could answer\u2014<\/p>\n the entire facility began shaking.<\/p>\n A warning appeared.<\/p>\n Sarah looked toward the entrance.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat now?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael ran to a monitor.<\/p>\n Then his face changed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael turned the screen.<\/p>\n A live camera showed dozens of black helicopters landing above the underground city.<\/p>\n Hundreds of armed soldiers were surrounding the facility.<\/p>\n But their uniforms weren’t from the Founders.<\/p>\n They wore no symbol.<\/p>\n No insignia.<\/p>\n Nothing.<\/p>\n Then a woman stepped from the lead helicopter.<\/p>\n Mara saw her.<\/p>\n And screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at the monitor.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is she?\u201d<\/p>\n Mara began shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cShe can’t be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman removed her sunglasses.<\/p>\n She looked directly into the camera.<\/p>\n Then smiled.<\/p>\n Elias felt his blood turn cold.<\/p>\n It was Elena.<\/p>\n His biological mother.<\/p>\n The woman from the photograph.<\/p>\n Alive.<\/p>\n But she hadn’t come alone.<\/p>\n A young man stepped from the helicopter behind her.<\/p>\n Elias stared at him.<\/p>\n The stranger beside him whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man looked directly at the camera.<\/p>\n He had Elias’s eyes.<\/p>\n The same scar.<\/p>\n The same face.<\/p>\n But younger.<\/p>\n Elena placed her hand on the young man’s shoulder.<\/p>\n Then she spoke into a radio.<\/p>\n Her voice echoed through the entire underground city.<\/p>\n \u201cListen carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone fell silent.<\/p>\n Elena looked into the camera.<\/p>\n \u201cI have come for my sons.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias looked at the stranger.<\/p>\n The stranger looked at him.<\/p>\n Then both men turned toward the screen.<\/p>\n Elena smiled.<\/p>\n But there was something terrifying in her expression.<\/p>\n She continued:<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of you.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man behind her stepped forward.<\/p>\n Lily whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stared at the screen.<\/p>\n Elena’s smile widened.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still don’t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n The underground facility went silent.<\/p>\n Then Elena said the words that changed everything.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t give birth to two Elias boys.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n She placed her hand on the shoulder of the third young man.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave birth to four.\u201d<\/p>\n Elias stopped breathing.<\/p>\n The stranger stepped backward.<\/p>\n Mara began crying.<\/p>\n Sarah whispered:<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily looked at Elias.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Elias couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n Elena looked directly into the camera.<\/p>\n Then gave the final order.<\/p>\n \u201cFind the fourth.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The screens went black.<\/p>\n Somewhere deep inside the underground city\u2014<\/p>\n a locked door slowly opened.<\/p>\n And from behind it came the sound of someone breathing.<\/p>\n Slowly.<\/p>\n Heavily.<\/p>\n Waiting.<\/p>\n Then a man’s voice whispered from the darkness:<\/p>\n
\nTHE REPLACEMENT<\/h1>\n
\nTHE ARCHIVE HAS A CHOICE<\/h1>\n
LILY \u2014 PRIMARY MEMORY HOST<\/h3>\n
NOAH \u2014 SECONDARY MEMORY HOST<\/h3>\n
EVA \u2014 FRAGMENTED MEMORY HOST<\/h3>\n
ELIAS \u2014 IDENTITY STATUS: UNRESOLVED<\/h3>\n
BIOLOGICAL STATUS: UNKNOWN<\/h3>\n
MEMORY STATUS: PARTIALLY AUTHENTIC<\/h3>\n
CONSCIOUSNESS STATUS: ORIGINAL<\/h3>\n
\nRICHARD’S REAL GAME<\/h1>\n
\nTHE MEMORY THAT WASN’T HIS<\/h1>\n
\nTWO MEN. ONE PAST.<\/h1>\n
ELIAS A<\/h3>\n
ELIAS B<\/h3>\n
MEMORY DISTRIBUTION: INCOMPLETE<\/h3>\n
SUBJECT A: 51%<\/h3>\n
SUBJECT B: 49%<\/h3>\n
WARNING<\/h3>\n
MERGING MEMORY STREAMS<\/h3>\n
10% COMPLETE<\/h3>\n
EXTERNAL BREACH DETECTED<\/h3>\n