Chapter 19 - THE LAST CHILD
Paris was colder than I expected.
We arrived under heavy rain.
Adrian insisted on bringing security.
I insisted on coming.
Neither of us trusted the message.
The address led us to an old private clinic.
Abandoned.
At least, that's what it appeared to be.
Adrian studied the building.
“This is a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then stay behind me.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
I smiled.
“You know I don't do that anymore.”
He laughed.
“Fair.”
We entered.
The hallway smelled like dust and disinfectant.
Then we heard a baby crying.
Adrian stopped.
I looked at him.
“That's him.”
“How do you know?”
“I don't.”
We followed the sound.
A room at the end.
Inside was a crib.
A baby.
Tiny.
Sleeping.
Adrian froze.
The baby's eyes opened.
They were the same gray as Adrian's.
He stepped closer.
“No.”
I watched him.
“Adrian.”
He touched the baby's hand.
The baby grabbed his finger.
Adrian's face broke.
“He's mine.”
I smiled through tears.
“Apparently.”
Then a voice spoke behind us.
“You finally found him.”
We turned.
A man stood in the doorway.
Thomas.
Again.
Adrian stepped forward.
“You're under arrest.”
Thomas laughed.
“You still think this is about the project.”
“What is it about?”
“Family.”
Thomas pointed at the baby.
“Your father had another child.”
Adrian stared.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“This is my half-brother?”
Thomas nodded.
“His mother was a scientist.”
“Where is she?”
“Dead.”
Adrian looked at the baby.
“Why did you hide him?”
“To keep him alive.”
“From whom?”
Thomas looked at me.
“Her.”
I froze.
“Me?”
“You are the key.”
“I destroyed the project.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“You destroyed one branch.”
He stepped closer.
“The original project has existed for generations.”
Adrian raised his weapon.
“Enough.”
Thomas sighed.
“You don't understand.”
“Explain.”
“The technology was never designed to control babies.”
“What then?”
Thomas looked at me.
“It was designed to predict human behavior.”
I stared.
“What?”
“The genetic markers allow researchers to predict emotional responses, aggression, loyalty, intelligence.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“You're talking about controlling people.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Power.”
Thomas smiled.
“Imagine knowing who will betray you before they do.”
“Who will obey you.”
“Who will resist.”
“Who will lead.”
“Who will become dangerous.”
I felt sick.
“You used children to build a prediction system.”
“Yes.”
“And my father?”
“He tried to stop it.”
“And my mother?”
“She tried to finish it.”
I looked at Adrian.
“And you?”
Thomas smiled.
“You were both chosen because your genetic profiles were exceptional.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“You're done.”
Thomas laughed.
“No.”
Then the doors behind us opened.
Dozens of armed men entered.
Adrian's security team raised their weapons.
Chaos erupted.
I grabbed the baby.
Adrian pulled me behind him.
Thomas disappeared.
We fought our way toward the exit.
Then the building exploded.
Glass shattered.
Fire filled the hallway.
Adrian grabbed my hand.
“Run!”
We escaped through the back door.
Outside, rain poured down.
The baby cried.
I held him tightly.
Adrian stood beside me.
His face was bleeding.
But he was smiling.
“What's his name?”
I looked at him.
“You tell me.”
He looked at the baby.
Then whispered:
“Daniel.”
I smiled.
“For your father?”
“For mine.”
We stood beneath the rain.
Four children.
Four survivors.
And one family that had finally broken free.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message.
YOU WON.
I frowned.
Another appeared.
BUT YOU FORGOT ONE THING.
Then a photograph.
Ethan.
Alive.
Standing beside a woman.
My mother.
My blood froze.
May you like
The final message appeared:
COME HOME, CLAIRE.
