Chapter 10 - THE FINAL EXPERIMENT
The accusation echoed through the laboratory.
Sam looked between Daniel and Vale.
He didn’t know who to believe.
The worst part was…
He knew one of them was lying.
But he didn’t know which one.
“Prove it.”
Sam’s voice was cold.
Daniel nodded.
“That’s why I brought you here.”
He activated the main computer.
A hidden file appeared.
LENA’S FINAL RECORDING.
The video started.
Lena appeared.
She looked exhausted.
But alive.
“Sam.”
His breathing stopped.
Her voice.
After six years.
Still the same.
“If you’re watching this, then they erased your memory.”
Sam stepped closer.
Lena continued.
“I need you to know something.”
She looked directly into the camera.
“Do not trust Adrian.”
Vale looked away.
Sam noticed.
Lena continued.
“He created Helix.”
She paused.
“But he also created the first human override program.”
Maya whispered.
“Override…”
Lena nodded on screen.
“He wanted to prove humans could be controlled completely.”
Sam felt his stomach tighten.
Lena looked terrified.
“And Sam was his greatest success.”
The video stopped.
Nobody spoke.
Sam turned slowly toward Vale.
“You used me.”
Vale shook his head.
“No.”
“You changed me.”
“I was trying to save you.”
“From what?”
Vale looked at him.
“From yourself.”
Sam stepped closer.
“You erased my memories.”
Vale’s eyes filled with regret.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Lena asked me to.”
Everyone froze.
Maya looked confused.
“What?”
Vale closed his eyes.
“Lena knew Vortex would come after Sam.”
Daniel looked shocked.
“That’s not true.”
Vale continued.
“She knew the only way to protect him was to make him forget.”
Sam stared.
“Then why did you hide the truth?”
Vale looked at the floor.
“Because I was afraid.”
The lights suddenly flickered.
A countdown appeared.
SELF-DESTRUCT SYSTEM ACTIVATED.
05:00.
Daniel looked at the timer.
“They’re destroying the facility.”
Rachel grabbed the files.
“We need to leave.”
Sam didn’t move.
He looked at Lena’s frozen image.
Then at the Helix Core.
Then at the people around him.
The truth was still incomplete.
But one thing was clear.
Someone wanted everything buried.
And they had only five minutes before the entire past disappeared forever.
Sam picked up the last mug from his pocket.
And whispered:
May you like
“Lena…”
“I’m finishing what you started.”
