Chapter 7 - THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Daniel’s face filled the diner screens.
He looked older.
Calmer.
Like a man who had been waiting years for this exact moment.
Sam stepped closer.
“Where are you?”
Daniel smiled.
“You always ask the wrong questions.”
“What’s the right one?”
Daniel leaned toward the camera.
“Why did you survive?”
Sam froze.
The screen changed.
A file appeared.
SAM CARTER.
SUBJECT STATUS: SUCCESSFUL.
Maya stared.
“No.”
Rachel stepped back.
“They weren’t trying to erase him.”
Sam looked confused.
“What?”
“They were testing him.”
Daniel continued.
“Sam, do you know why you were chosen?”
Sam said nothing.
“Because you were the only person who could resist Helix.”
Maya looked at the device.
“His brain adapted.”
Daniel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Sam felt sick.
“You used me.”
“No.”
Daniel smiled.
“You helped us.”
The words hit harder than any weapon.
Sam shook his head.
“I would never.”
“You already did.”
The screen displayed another video.
Sam walking into a Vortex facility.
Sam signing documents.
Sam handing over investigation files.
Maya looked at him.
“Sam…”
He couldn’t speak.
“I don’t remember.”
Daniel laughed.
“That’s the beautiful part.”
The screen went black.
Then one final message appeared.
MEET ME WHERE LENA DIED.
Rachel immediately looked at Sam.
“No.”
Sam turned.
“You know where?”
Rachel looked afraid.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
She hesitated.
“The old Vortex underground facility.”
Maya grabbed the Helix Core.
“Then we go there.”
Sam looked at her.
“That’s suicide.”
Maya stared back.
“No.”
She held up the device.
“That’s where we find the truth.”
They left the diner.
But before Sam stepped outside, he looked back at the booth.
The last mug sat on the table.
Waiting.
May you like
Like Lena had known he would return.
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