Chapter 18 - The Hidden Laboratory
Emily led them through another security door hidden behind the refrigeration units.
Beyond it stretched a laboratory far larger than anyone expected.
Power still flowed through the underground facility.
Computer monitors remained active.
Rows of locked cabinets contained research files dating back nearly twenty years.
Michael walked slowly through the room.
“I designed this place.”
Daniel examined photographs pinned across one wall.
Each showed children receiving treatment.
Some smiled.
Others looked terrified.
Every photograph carried the same stamp.
PROPERTY OF HARRISON FOUNDATION.
Marcus copied files onto a portable drive while Dr. Carter searched the medicine cabinets.
“I found the stabilizer!”
She held up three silver vials.
Emily immediately shook her head.
“Only one is real.”
“How do you know?”
“They always mixed the genuine dose with decoys.”
Daniel examined the labels.
All three appeared identical.
Michael suddenly noticed tiny handwritten marks beneath one cap.
His handwriting.
He smiled for the first time in years.
“I remember.”
He selected a single vial.
“The others are lethal.”
Before anyone could respond…
Every monitor inside the laboratory switched on simultaneously.
A man's face appeared across every screen.
Gray hair.
Perfect suit.
Cold eyes.
He slowly applauded.
“Excellent work, Michael.”
The room fell silent.
Laura whispered,
“Who is that?”
Michael's expression hardened.
“The founder.”
The man smiled directly into the camera.
“You've saved me years of searching.”
Then he looked straight toward Daniel.
“And thank you for bringing Ethan exactly where I wanted him.”
At that exact moment…
Every exit door throughout the laboratory locked with a heavy metallic clang.
Red warning lights began flashing overhead.
May you like
A computerized voice echoed through the underground complex.
“Containment Protocol Initiated.”
