“Father... why did you leave me here?”
The child’s voice echoed through the chamber.
Ryan stared at his father. “Who is behind that door?”
Father dropped his weapon. Tears filled his eyes.
“His name was Daniel. He was your older brother.”
Zara looked shocked. “You said there were only three children!”
“There were four,” Father whispered. “Daniel was born before Elias. He was our first attempt to create a living container for the organism.”
Ryan stepped closer. “What happened to him?”
Father looked toward the circular doorway.
“The experiment failed. The organism entered his body, but instead of controlling him, it trapped him between worlds. I sealed the door to protect everyone.”
A child’s hand appeared through the black surface.
“Father,” it whispered. “I’m cold.”
The seventh symbol began glowing.
Meher’s voice exploded through the radio.
“Ryan! Whatever happens, do not touch that door! The readings are increasing beyond anything we’ve recorded!”
Suddenly, the doorway pulsed.
Every machine in the chamber shut down. The emergency lights flickered, and a powerful wind dragged loose papers toward the opening.
Hamza grabbed a metal railing.
“Something is pulling us inside!”
Ryan’s golden symbol burned. He raised his hand, creating a shield around Zara and Hamza.
But Adam screamed.
“Ryan! It’s using Daniel’s voice!”
The child behind the door began crying.
“Please, brother. Help me.”
Ryan looked at Adam.
“You said the organism uses our voices. How do we know this isn’t another trick?”
Adam struggled to stand.
“Because I can feel him. He’s real. But he’s not alone anymore.”
The black surface suddenly became transparent.
A small boy stood on the other side, wearing a torn white hospital gown. His face looked strangely familiar.
Ryan saw his own eyes.
Then the boy raised his hand.
Behind him stood thousands of human figures, all motionless, all staring toward the doorway.
Their bodies were connected by black tendrils.
The boy smiled.
“I’m not asking you to save me anymore, Ryan.”
His eyes turned golden.
“I’m asking you to let me out.”
Father rushed toward the control panel.
“NO! Daniel, stay away from the lock!”
But Elias, still trapped by the gigantic golden hand, laughed.
“It’s already too late.”
The seventh symbol flashed.
A deep crack split the circular doorway.
Something enormous moved behind the child.
Ryan felt a second heartbeat inside his chest.
Then Daniel spoke again.
“Brother, when I come out, the dead will finally remember who they are.”
The door began opening.