Chapter 23 - The Father They Awakened
Daniel finally understood the title Marcus had used years ago.
They hadn't awakened him from sleep.
They had awakened the part of him they had buried.
His father had trained him to recognize manipulation.
Anna had continued that work.
Lily had inherited it.
The family had become the one threat Continuity could never eliminate.
Then alarms sounded.
Claire looked toward the ceiling.
“They found us.”
Anna grabbed Daniel's hand.
“Move.”
“What about Lily?”
“She isn't here.”
Daniel stopped.
“Where is she?”
Anna looked at Marcus.
Marcus answered.
“With Eleanor.”
Daniel froze.
“My mother?”
Marcus nodded.
“She's alive.”
Daniel stared.
“I saw her.”
“You saw a double.”
Elizabeth entered the chamber.
“Not anymore.”
She looked at Daniel.
“Your mother is waiting for you.”
They reached the upper level.
A hidden elevator opened.
Inside was Eleanor.
Alive.
Older.
Weak.
But unmistakably his mother.
Daniel stared at her.
She began to cry.
“I'm sorry.”
Daniel didn't move.
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had to.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“I was protecting you.”
Daniel shook his head.
“You were protecting Continuity.”
Eleanor looked toward Lily's empty chair.
“No.”
May you like
She whispered:
“I was protecting your daughter.”
