CHAPTER 7 — SUBJECT 000
The photograph fell from Alexander's hand.
He stared at it for several seconds.
A young version of himself.
Elena beside him.
Lily as a newborn.
Emma as an infant.
And a baby boy neither of them had ever mentioned.
Beneath the photograph was one sentence:
SUBJECT 000 — THE ORIGINAL.
Alexander's fingers tightened around the paper.
"Who is this?"
Elena looked over his shoulder.
The moment she saw the photograph, the color drained from her face.
"Where did you get that?"
"Victoria's archive."
Elena shook her head.
"No."
"What?"
"No, Alexander."
Her voice trembled.
"That photograph shouldn't exist."
"Why?"
"Because Subject 000 died."
Alexander looked at her.
"Who told you?"
"Your father."
"He lied."
Elena stared at the photograph.
"I know."
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"You know?"
She swallowed.
"I've seen that baby before."
"Where?"
"At the laboratory."
"When?"
"Before Lily was born."
Alexander looked at Sophie.
The girl was watching them.
"You know him?"
Sophie nodded.
"Everyone in Eden knows him."
Alexander's stomach tightened.
"Who is he?"
Sophie looked down.
"Your brother."
The room went silent.
Alexander shook his head.
"I don't have a brother."
"You did."
"When?"
"Before you were born."
Alexander stared at her.
"My father never mentioned a brother."
"He wouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because Subject 000 wasn't your brother in the way you think."
Alexander's expression hardened.
"Explain."
Sophie looked at Elena.
"Tell him."
Elena closed her eyes.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because I don't remember everything."
Alexander stepped closer.
"Then remember."
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
"I tried."
"Try again."
She looked at the photograph.
Then something changed in her expression.
A memory surfaced.
She whispered:
"His name was Daniel."
Alexander froze.
"Daniel?"
Elena nodded.
"Daniel Blackwood."
"How old was he?"
"Six."
"When I was born?"
"He was already gone."
"Where?"
"Your father said he died."
Alexander stared at her.
"And he became Subject 000?"
Elena nodded.
"He was the first child."
"The first?"
"Yes."
"Before Sophie."
"Before all of them."
Alexander looked at Sophie.
"Then why did they say Sophie was Subject 001?"
"Because Daniel was erased."
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"Erased from what?"
"Everything."
His stomach dropped.
"Records?"
"Records."
"Photographs?"
"Most of them."
"Memory?"
Elena nodded.
"Your father's."
Alexander stared.
"My father erased his own son's existence?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Elena whispered:
"Because Daniel was the reason Eden existed."
Alexander couldn't speak.
Sophie stepped forward.
"He wasn't a test subject."
"Then what was he?"
She looked directly at Alexander.
"He was the proof."
"Proof of what?"
"That memories could survive death."
Alexander stared.
"What does that mean?"
Sophie pointed toward the photograph.
"Daniel died."
"Yes."
"But his memories didn't."
Alexander's blood ran cold.
"Where are they?"
Sophie whispered:
"Inside you."
Alexander stepped backward.
"No."
Elena grabbed his arm.
"Alexander..."
He pulled away.
"Don't."
"You need to hear me."
"No."
"Your father transferred Daniel's memories into you."
Alexander stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because you were compatible."
"How?"
"You're twins."
Alexander stopped breathing.
"What?"
Elena's voice broke.
"You and Daniel were identical twins."
Alexander looked at the photograph again.
Two newborn boys.
Only one remained.
"That's impossible."
"Your father hid the birth."
"Why?"
"Because Daniel was sick."
"What kind of sick?"
"He had a degenerative neurological condition."
Alexander touched his head.
"And my brain?"
"Your brain was healthy."
"So they transferred his memories into me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Your father couldn't accept losing him."
Alexander stared into space.
Memories began surfacing.
A little boy.
Two beds.
Two identical faces.
One laughing.
One crying.
A red toy car.
A woman singing.
His mother.
His father.
Then a hospital.
A machine.
Daniel screaming.
Alexander covering his ears.
His father saying:
"Don't be afraid."
Daniel asking:
"Will I still be me?"
His father answering:
"Always."
Then darkness.
Alexander fell against the wall.
Lily ran toward him.
"Daddy!"
He looked at her.
"I'm okay."
But he wasn't.
He could feel someone else's memories moving through his mind.
A boy running through the garden.
A boy hiding under the stairs.
A boy whispering:
"Alex, promise you'll never forget me."
Alexander closed his eyes.
"I promised."
Elena stared.
"What did you say?"
He opened his eyes.
"I remember."
"What?"
"Daniel."
He could hear his brother's voice.
Clear.
Close.
Almost alive.
Alex, don't let them take me.
Alexander covered his ears.
"No."
Lily looked frightened.
"Daddy?"
He knelt.
"Go with Elena."
"But—"
"Now."
Elena took Lily's hand.
Sophie followed.
Alexander remained in the room.
He needed answers.
He needed to understand what had been done to him.
His security chief approached.
"Sir."
Alexander looked up.
"Search the estate."
"For what?"
"Any records concerning Daniel Blackwood."
"We've already searched."
"Search again."
"Yes, sir."
"And find the woman who owns the second archive."
His security chief frowned.
"We don't know who she is."
"We will."
Alexander looked at the photograph.
"She has the real archive."
"How do you know?"
"Because Victoria's copy is incomplete."
"How?"
Alexander pointed to the photograph.
"This wasn't in Victoria's file."
The security chief studied it.
"Who is the woman?"
Alexander looked at the image again.
He recognized the background.
A hospital.
A date.
A room number.
Then he noticed a reflection in the window.
A woman.
Standing behind Elena.
Alexander's eyes widened.
"That's her."
"Who?"
"My mother."
The security chief stared.
"Sir, your mother died."
"That's what I was told."
He turned.
"Apparently everyone I loved has been dead at least twice."
He walked toward the door.
"Where are the police?"
"Outside."
"Bring them in."
Alexander descended into the main hall.
The police had already secured the estate.
A detective approached.
"Mr. Blackwood."
Alexander handed him the photograph.
"Find this woman."
The detective looked at it.
"Who is she?"
"My mother."
He looked up.
"Your mother?"
"Yes."
"Sir, your mother died twelve years ago."
"Then find her."
The detective hesitated.
Alexander's voice became firm.
"Find her."
The detective nodded.
"I'll do everything I can."
"Good."
Alexander turned toward Elena.
She was sitting on the sofa with Lily and Sophie.
Emma slept in her arms.
Alexander approached.
"Elena."
She looked up.
"What?"
"Did my mother survive?"
Elena hesitated.
"Yes."
Alexander's face tightened.
"You knew."
"I suspected."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because she told me not to."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
"I swear."
Alexander studied her.
Then he noticed something.
A scar on her wrist.
A small symbol.
A circle with three lines.
He had seen it before.
On the Eden machines.
"What is that?"
Elena covered her wrist.
"Nothing."
"Elena."
She looked away.
Alexander grabbed her hand gently.
"Where did you get that?"
"Your mother."
"What does it mean?"
"Freedom."
Alexander stared.
"She marked everyone she helped."
"Everyone?"
"Children."
"Doctors."
"People inside Eden."
"Why?"
"Because she was trying to identify who could be trusted."
Alexander looked at Sophie.
She showed him her wrist.
The same symbol.
His eyes widened.
"You have it."
Sophie nodded.
"Grandmother gave it to me."
Alexander froze.
"She met you?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"After you forgot us."
"Where?"
Sophie pointed toward the hallway.
"Here."
Alexander looked at Elena.
"You brought her here?"
"No."
"Then who did?"
Sophie answered.
"Grandmother."
Alexander's heart began pounding.
"Where did she take you?"
"To the room beneath the chapel."
Alexander frowned.
"There is no room beneath the chapel."
Sophie smiled.
"There is."
She stood.
"Come."
Alexander followed her.
They crossed the mansion.
Past the ballroom.
Past the library.
Past the old dining room.
They reached a small wooden door.
Sophie pushed it open.
Behind it was a narrow passage.
Alexander followed.
The passage led outside.
They walked through the rain.
At the far end of the property stood a small abandoned chapel.
Alexander hadn't noticed it before.
They entered.
Dust covered the pews.
A broken stained-glass window allowed moonlight inside.
Sophie walked toward the altar.
Then she knelt.
She pressed her hand against a stone.
Nothing happened.
She looked at Alexander.
"Your turn."
"What?"
"Grandmother said only you could open it."
Alexander pressed his palm against the stone.
A hidden mechanism clicked.
The altar moved.
A staircase appeared.
Alexander stared.
"How many secrets did my family build?"
Sophie answered:
"Enough to bury everyone."
They descended.
At the bottom was a small room.
Unlike Eden, this room was warm.
There were books.
Photographs.
Medical records.
And a desk.
On the desk was a handwritten letter.
Alexander recognized the handwriting immediately.
His mother's.
He picked it up.
My dearest Alexander,
If you are reading this, then Eden has already failed.
I wanted to tell you the truth myself.
But I knew they were watching.
Your father didn't create Eden because he wanted power.
He created it because he was afraid.
Alexander frowned.
He continued reading.
He was afraid of losing Daniel.
When Daniel died, your father refused to accept it.
He believed memories could bring his son back.
At first, he was right.
Alexander's hands shook.
Daniel's memories survived.
But something went wrong.
The memories began changing.
They mixed with yours.
Your personalities became intertwined.
Alexander stopped reading.
He whispered:
"That's why I remember things that aren't mine."
Elena nodded.
His mother continued:
You began dreaming Daniel's dreams.
You began speaking with his voice.
You began remembering his pain.
Your father became convinced that Daniel had not truly died.
He believed Daniel lived inside you.
Alexander closed his eyes.
The voice came again.
Alex...
He opened them.
Daniel.
"Stop."
Elena stepped closer.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He looked at the letter.
I tried to destroy Eden.
Your father stopped me.
Victoria helped him.
But there was one person who refused to surrender.
Alexander's eyes moved down the page.
Elena.
He looked at her.
She began crying.
She protected Lily.
She protected Sophie.
She protected the children.
And when Emma was born, she tried to protect her too.
Alexander swallowed.
Then came the final paragraph.
But Emma was never part of Eden's original plan.
She was created naturally.
She is not the key because of her genetics.
She is the key because she carries something none of us understood.
Alexander frowned.
The final sentence was underlined.
Emma can separate Daniel from you.
Alexander stopped breathing.
"What?"
Elena looked at him.
His mother had written:
She can remove the memories that don't belong to you.
But if she does...
The page ended.
Alexander turned it over.
Nothing.
"That's it?"
Sophie shook her head.
"There is another page."
"Where?"
She pointed toward the fireplace.
Alexander searched.
Nothing.
Then Lily walked into the room.
She looked at the wall.
"Daddy."
"What?"
"There."
She pointed to a small photograph.
Alexander removed it.
Behind it was another letter.
He unfolded it.
If Alexander ever discovers the truth, he must never allow Victoria to reach Emma.
Because Victoria doesn't want Emma's memories.
She wants Daniel's.
Alexander froze.
"Daniel's memories?"
His mother continued:
Victoria believes Daniel's consciousness can be transferred into a new body.
She wants to bring him back.
Alexander's heart pounded.
"Why?"
Elena whispered:
"Because Daniel was the first successful subject."
Alexander stared at the letter.
Then he understood.
Victoria wasn't obsessed with Alexander.
Not entirely.
She had been obsessed with Daniel.
With Eden.
With immortality.
And perhaps...
with bringing a dead child back to life.
He looked at Sophie.
"Where is Daniel's original body?"
She shook her head.
"Destroyed."
"Then what is Subject 000?"
"Not his body."
"His consciousness."
Alexander stared.
"So Daniel has been inside me all these years."
Sophie nodded.
"And Victoria wants him."
Alexander looked toward Emma.
"And Emma can separate him."
"Yes."
"Then Victoria will come for her."
"She already has."
A gunshot exploded outside.
Everyone froze.
Another shot.
Then another.
The security team shouted.
"INCOMING!"
Alexander grabbed Lily.
Elena grabbed Emma.
Sophie ducked behind the desk.
The chapel doors burst open.
Three armed men rushed inside.
Alexander pushed the children behind the stone wall.
His security team returned fire.
One attacker fell.
Another ran.
The third reached the staircase.
Alexander chased him.
The man turned.
Their eyes met.
Alexander recognized him.
It was the same attorney from the hospital.
The man smiled.
"You still don't understand."
Alexander grabbed him.
"Where is Victoria?"
The man laughed.
"Closer than you think."
"Where?"
"Look behind you."
Alexander turned.
The chapel was empty.
Elena was gone.
Lily was gone.
Emma was gone.
Sophie was gone.
Alexander froze.
"No."
He ran back.
The attackers had vanished.
The chapel was silent.
Only one thing remained.
A phone on the floor.
It began ringing.
Alexander picked it up.
Victoria's voice came through.
"Hello, Alexander."
His face hardened.
"Where are they?"
"Safe."
"Where?"
"You'll find out."
"If you touch my family—"
"Your family?"
Victoria laughed.
"You still don't understand which child belongs to you."
Alexander's blood ran cold.
"Tell me where they are."
"First, answer one question."
"What?"
"Do you want Daniel back?"
Alexander froze.
Victoria continued:
"Because I can give you your brother."
Alexander looked down.
His hands were shaking.
"You took my children."
"I borrowed them."
"You took Elena."
"She'll be returned."
"Then what do you want?"
Victoria's voice became almost gentle.
"I want what your family stole from me."
"What?"
"Daniel."
Alexander closed his eyes.
Victoria whispered:
"Bring me the archive."
"Or?"
"Or Emma disappears forever."
The call ended.
Alexander stared at the phone.
Then a message appeared.
A photograph.
Elena.
Lily.
Sophie.
Emma.
All four were sitting in a dark room.
Alive.
Unharmed.
But behind them stood a large screen.
On it was a countdown.
03:00:00
Alexander's heart stopped.
Another message arrived.
THREE HOURS.
BRING THE ORIGINAL ARCHIVE.
COME ALONE.
Alexander looked at the photograph.
Then he noticed something.
Sophie was holding a piece of paper.
She had drawn something.
A circle.
Three lines.
The symbol of freedom.
Alexander understood.
She wasn't giving up.
She was sending him a message.
He zoomed in.
Behind Sophie was a small window.
Outside the window...
was water.
Alexander recognized it.
The Blackwood marina.
An abandoned warehouse.
He looked at his security chief.
"Find the warehouse."
"Sir?"
"Now."
The man began moving.
Alexander looked at the clock.
Two hours and fifty-eight minutes.
He had three children.
One woman he loved.
A dead brother living inside his memories.
And an enemy who believed she could bring the dead back to life.
Alexander picked up the photograph.
His expression became cold.
"Victoria wants the original archive."
Elena's empty chair seemed to stare back at him.
Alexander loaded his weapon.
"She's going to get something else."
His security chief looked at him.
"What?"
Alexander stared toward the marina.
"The end of Eden."
He walked into the rain.
And somewhere inside the abandoned warehouse...
Victoria watched the clock.
Emma was asleep in her arms.
Lily sat beside her.
Sophie stared through the window.
Elena was tied to a chair.
Victoria looked at Emma.
"Your father is coming."
Emma opened her eyes.
Victoria smiled.
"And when he arrives..."
She looked toward a dark machine in the corner.
"...we'll finally bring Daniel home."
Sophie suddenly whispered:
"No."
Victoria turned.
"What did you say?"
Sophie looked directly at her.
"You can't."
Victoria smiled.
"Why?"
Sophie answered:
"Because Daddy isn't coming alone."
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"What?"
Sophie looked toward the window.
"He's bringing the police."
Victoria walked toward her.
"You're lying."
Sophie smiled.
"No."
Then she pointed toward the ceiling.
"He's already here."
Victoria looked up.
A tiny red light blinked above them.
A camera.
Recording.
Victoria's face went pale.
Sophie whispered:
"Grandfather taught me something."
"What?"
"Every prison has a door."
Victoria stared.
"And every door..."
Sophie smiled.
"...has a key."
The lights suddenly went out.
And outside the warehouse...
Alexander whispered into his phone:
May you like
"Now."
The assault began.
