Chapter 12 - The Man Who Shared His Face
Every person inside the warehouse froze.
The younger man climbed the final steps without rushing. His movements were controlled, almost rehearsed, as though he had expected this meeting for years.
Emily stared between the two men.
They had the same eyes.
The same jawline.
Even the same faint scar above the right eyebrow.
Only age separated them.
David Carter's breathing became uneven.
"No..."
Thomas looked from one man to the other.
"You know him."
David answered quietly.
"I know what he is."
The younger man stopped several feet away and smiled faintly.
"I wondered how long it would take before you opened the archive."
Dr. Ward lowered her weapon.
Her confidence returned instantly.
"So you were alive after all."
"I was never in danger."
Emily stepped forward before anyone could stop her.
"Who are you?"
The stranger looked directly at her.
"My name is Jonathan."
"Jonathan who?"
He hesitated.
"That depends on which files you read."
David interrupted sharply.
"Don't listen to him."
Jonathan ignored the warning.
"Your father and I worked together many years ago."
Emily frowned.
"He said you weren't supposed to exist."
Jonathan smiled.
"He isn't wrong."
Thomas noticed David's hands trembling.
That frightened him more than the armed strangers.
"What aren't you telling us?"
David never answered.
Instead, he pulled a small brass key from his pocket and tossed it toward Thomas.
"The archive belongs to her now."
Thomas caught it.
Jonathan's expression changed for the first time.
"So you finally chose."
"I should have done it years ago."
The lights flickered.
Somewhere deep beneath the warehouse, heavy machinery slowly awakened.
May you like
The archive had recognized the key.
And something inside it had begun unlocking.
