CHAPTER 11 — THE TRUTH ABOUT SERENA
CHAPTER 11 — THE TRUTH ABOUT SERENA
"Elena."
The name escaped Lily's lips like a confession.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The machine continued humming above her.
Marcus stood beside the control panel.
Victor Blackwood Sr. watched from the shadows.
And Serena—
Serena was nowhere to be seen.
Lily opened her eyes wider.
"She ordered it."
Marcus smiled.
"Now you understand."
Lily shook her head.
"No."
"You saw it."
"I saw a memory."
"Your memory."
"That doesn't mean it's true."
Marcus's smile disappeared.
"Careful."
Lily looked at him.
"You want me to believe my mother murdered Victor."
"I want you to remember."
"You're manipulating the memory."
Victor Sr. stepped forward.
"She's right."
Marcus looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
Victor Sr. smiled.
"The memory is incomplete."
Lily stared at him.
"What does that mean?"
"It means your mother did give an order."
Lily's heart stopped.
"To kill Victor?"
"No."
He leaned closer.
"To save him."
Silence.
Lily stared.
"Then why did I see the gun?"
Victor Sr. smiled.
"Because you weren't the one holding it."
The machine shut down.
Lily gasped.
Her body trembled.
Victor Sr. walked around the table.
"You've spent fifteen years believing your mother betrayed you."
"She didn't."
"Didn't she?"
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Elena standing beside a young Serena.
Lily stared.
"Serena."
"Yes."
"Why is she here?"
"Because she was part of the project."
Lily looked at the photograph again.
Serena was barely fifteen.
Standing beside Marcus.
Wearing a white laboratory coat.
Lily's stomach tightened.
"She worked for him."
Victor Sr. nodded.
"She did."
"How long?"
"Since she was twelve."
Lily stared in disbelief.
"Twelve?"
"Her parents were scientists."
"What happened to them?"
"They died."
"How?"
Victor Sr. smiled.
"Project Mirror."
Lily's eyes hardened.
"Marcus killed them."
"No."
Victor Sr. looked at her.
"Serena did."
Lily froze.
"What?"
"She was the one who activated the chamber."
"She thought she was saving them."
"She was wrong."
Lily's heart pounded.
"So Serena killed her own parents?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Victor Sr. answered calmly.
"Because Marcus told her they had betrayed him."
Lily closed her eyes.
Another piece of the puzzle fell into place.
Serena had not been born cruel.
She had been trained.
Manipulated.
Broken.
Just like everyone else.
Across the facility, Serena sat alone in a small room.
Her hands were covered in blood.
Not hers.
She stared at them.
Her breathing shook.
She had heard everything.
She had heard Lily say her name.
She had heard Victor Sr. explain the past.
But there was something he hadn't told Lily.
Something no one knew.
Serena wasn't merely a former subject.
She had been Marcus's first successful operative.
Her job had been simple.
Find the children.
Gain their trust.
Monitor their behavior.
And report everything.
But Serena had eventually made one mistake.
She had fallen in love with one of them.
Michael.
Not romantically.
Not like Marcus had feared.
Like family.
She had seen him as the little brother she never had.
And she had watched them erase him.
She had watched him become Victor.
She had watched Lily cry for him.
And she had done nothing.
Until years later.
When Ethan was born.
That was when Serena realized what Marcus was planning.
Ethan wasn't just Victor's baby.
He was another carrier.
Another experiment.
Another child destined to be placed inside the machine.
Serena had been ordered to monitor him.
But she couldn't do it.
So she tried to destroy the evidence.
She had failed.
And Marcus had punished her.
He had told her:
"If you ever betray me, I'll take the boy first."
Serena had believed him.
Until Lily arrived.
Lily had changed everything.
The door opened.
Serena looked up.
Marcus stood there.
"You heard."
Serena said nothing.
"You always were sentimental."
Serena stared at him.
"Why did you tell her?"
"Because she needed to know."
"You lied."
Marcus smiled.
"About which part?"
"Everything."
He stepped closer.
"You knew what I was when you joined us."
"I was twelve."
"You were old enough."
"I was a child."
Marcus's expression hardened.
"So were they."
Serena looked away.
"That's why I stayed."
"Stayed?"
"To protect them."
Marcus laughed.
"You didn't protect anyone."
Serena looked at him.
"I protected Michael."
Marcus's smile disappeared.
"You loved him."
"Yes."
"That was your weakness."
"No."
Serena shook her head.
"That was my reason."
Marcus stepped closer.
"You think you can redeem yourself?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Serena looked directly into his eyes.
"Because someone has to stop you."
Marcus stared at her.
Then smiled.
"You already failed."
He turned to leave.
Serena whispered:
"Not yet."
Marcus stopped.
"What?"
She smiled faintly.
"You made one mistake."
He turned.
"You let Lily remember."
Marcus's expression changed.
For the first time—
fear appeared in his eyes.
Lily was taken off the table.
Her wrists were released.
She immediately stood.
"Where is Serena?"
Victor Sr. looked at her.
"Why?"
"She knows the truth."
"She knows too much."
"Then let me talk to her."
"No."
"Why?"
Victor Sr. stared at her.
"Because she betrayed us."
Lily froze.
"She betrayed you?"
"Yes."
"Then she's not on your side."
"No."
He smiled.
"She's on no one's side."
Lily looked toward Marcus.
"Where is she?"
Marcus remained silent.
Victor Sr. answered:
"Below Level Twelve."
Lily's expression changed.
"There's a Level Twelve?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't I know?"
"Because you weren't supposed to."
Marcus looked at Victor Sr.
"You're saying too much."
Victor Sr. ignored him.
"Go."
Lily stepped toward the door.
Two guards blocked her.
"Alone."
Victor Sr. nodded.
"Let her go."
The guards moved.
Lily walked out.
Marcus watched her disappear.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Victor Sr. looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because Serena is waiting."
Level Twelve was dark.
Lily walked slowly through the corridor.
Her footsteps echoed.
She reached a steel door.
A voice came from inside.
"Don't open it."
Lily froze.
"Serena?"
"Yes."
Lily opened the door.
Serena was sitting on the floor.
Her wrists were bruised.
Blood stained her sleeve.
Lily stared.
"What happened?"
"Marcus."
"You fought him."
Serena smiled.
"I tried."
Lily closed the door.
"Tell me the truth."
Serena looked at her.
"About what?"
"Everything."
Serena sighed.
"You don't want to know."
"I do."
"Once you know, you can't go back."
"I already lost my past."
She stepped closer.
"I want it back."
Serena stared at her for a long time.
Then whispered:
"I was there."
"Where?"
"The night Victor died."
Lily froze.
"What happened?"
"Your mother tried to save him."
"You said she ordered it."
"I know."
"Then tell me."
Serena looked down.
"Elena gave the order."
Lily's heart sank.
"To kill him?"
"No."
Serena shook her head.
"To move him."
"Move him where?"
"Into Michael."
Lily's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Victor was dying."
"Elena believed his memories could be transferred."
"Marcus said it would work."
"It didn't."
Lily whispered:
"What happened?"
Serena looked at her.
"Victor's memories were too damaged."
"The transfer failed."
"Michael survived."
"Victor didn't."
Lily's eyes filled with tears.
"Then why did I see Michael holding a gun?"
Serena answered quietly:
"Because someone else put it in his hand."
"Who?"
Serena stared at her.
"Marcus."
Lily's breathing stopped.
"He manipulated Michael."
"Yes."
"Then why did he say Elena ordered it?"
"Because Elena gave Marcus a command."
"What command?"
"Save Victor."
Lily closed her eyes.
"Marcus interpreted it differently."
Serena nodded.
"He wanted Victor's memories."
"And Michael was the closest match."
"So Marcus made Michael pull the trigger."
"Then he blamed Elena."
Lily whispered:
"He destroyed two children to save one man."
Serena shook her head.
"No."
She looked at Lily.
"He destroyed one child to create another."
Lily stared.
"What does that mean?"
Serena stood.
"Victor's body died."
"Michael's body survived."
"But Marcus didn't stop there."
"He implanted Victor's memories into Michael."
"Then why did Michael become Victor?"
"Because he believed he was Victor."
Lily's eyes widened.
"Until now."
Serena nodded.
"Exactly."
Lily swallowed.
"And where was the real Michael?"
Serena looked away.
"He was buried."
Lily froze.
"What?"
"His original identity."
"His memories."
"Everything that made him Michael."
Serena touched her temple.
"Marcus buried them here."
Lily stared at the walls.
"Inside the facility."
"Yes."
"Can we recover them?"
Serena smiled sadly.
"That's why you're here."
Suddenly—
the lights turned red.
An alarm sounded.
Serena looked up.
"They know."
"Who?"
"Marcus."
The door locked automatically.
Serena grabbed Lily.
"We need to go."
The speakers crackled.
Marcus's voice.
"Serena."
She froze.
"Open the door."
"No."
"Lily belongs to me."
Serena laughed.
"She's not yours."
"Everything in this facility belongs to me."
"Not anymore."
The door began shaking.
Marcus's men were trying to force it open.
Serena looked at Lily.
"When I tell you to run, don't stop."
"Where?"
"Archive Three."
"Why?"
"Because that's where Michael's original memory is stored."
Lily's heart raced.
"You know where?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
Serena pulled a hidden key from beneath her sleeve.
She inserted it into a small panel.
A section of the wall opened.
A narrow tunnel appeared.
They slipped inside.
The door behind them exploded.
Marcus entered the cell.
Too late.
He stared at the empty room.
Then smiled.
"They're going to the archive."
One of his men asked:
"Should we follow?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that's exactly where I want them."
Lily and Serena ran through the tunnel.
"Why would he let us go?"
Serena didn't answer.
"Serena."
"He wants you to open the archive."
"Why?"
"Because it requires your memory."
Lily stopped.
"What?"
Serena turned.
"The archive doesn't use a key."
"It uses Subject 07."
Lily stared.
"Then Marcus needs me."
"Yes."
"That's why he kept me alive."
"Yes."
Lily's expression hardened.
"Then we'll use that."
Serena smiled.
"That's what I was hoping you'd say."
They reached a massive steel door.
Seven circles were carved into it.
Lily stepped forward.
Her palm touched the center.
The door opened.
Inside was a single glass chamber.
A small metal box rested on a pedestal.
Lily walked toward it.
"What is that?"
Serena whispered:
"Michael."
Lily froze.
"His memory?"
"Yes."
She reached for the box.
The moment her fingers touched it—
the room disappeared.
Lily was six years old.
She stood in the white laboratory.
Michael was beside her.
Victor was lying on a table.
Marcus stood behind them.
Elena was crying.
Serena was there.
But there was someone else.
A man Lily had never seen before.
He held a gun.
He whispered to Marcus:
"Do it."
Marcus nodded.
Then he placed the weapon into Michael's tiny hands.
Lily screamed.
"Stop!"
Young Michael cried.
"I don't want to."
The stranger grabbed him.
"Do it."
Victor opened his eyes.
He looked at Michael.
And whispered:
"Run."
Michael pulled the trigger.
The screen went black.
Lily screamed.
She fell to the floor.
Serena caught her.
"You're back."
Lily was shaking.
"It wasn't Michael."
"What?"
"He didn't want to."
"He was forced."
Serena nodded.
"Yes."
"Who was the man?"
Serena looked terrified.
Lily stared at her.
"You know him."
Serena whispered:
"Yes."
"Who?"
Serena's lips trembled.
"The man who ordered Marcus."
Lily waited.
Serena finally said:
"Victor Blackwood Sr."
Lily's heart stopped.
"My grandfather."
Serena nodded.
"He was the one who wanted Victor dead."
"And Marcus?"
"His servant."
Lily closed her eyes.
Everything connected.
Victor Sr.
Marcus.
Project Mirror.
Elena.
Michael.
Victor.
But there was still one question.
"Why did Marcus blame Elena?"
Serena looked at her.
"Because Elena discovered the truth."
"What truth?"
"Victor wasn't the only person whose memories had been transferred."
Lily stared.
"Who else?"
Serena's face went pale.
"Marcus."
Lily whispered:
"Into whom?"
Serena looked toward the glass chamber.
"That's what we need to find out."
A slow clap echoed behind them.
Lily froze.
Serena turned.
Marcus stood at the entrance.
His expression was calm.
"Very good."
Serena raised her gun.
Marcus smiled.
"You finally remembered."
Lily stepped forward.
"You lied."
"I always do."
"You used Michael."
"Yes."
"You destroyed Victor."
"Yes."
"You blamed my mother."
"Yes."
"And you killed Serena's parents."
Marcus looked at Serena.
"Technically, she did."
Serena's hands shook.
Marcus smiled.
"But she was following orders."
Lily looked at Marcus.
"Why?"
He stepped closer.
"Because I needed someone who understood what it meant to lose everything."
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
Marcus looked at Lily.
"And now I need you."
"For what?"
Marcus smiled.
"The final transfer."
Lily shook her head.
"No."
Marcus raised his weapon.
"Yes."
Serena stepped in front of Lily.
"You'll have to kill me first."
Marcus looked at her.
"I already did."
Serena frowned.
Marcus touched the side of his neck.
"You just haven't realized it."
Serena froze.
Marcus smiled.
"The Serena standing here..."
He paused.
"...is not the original Serena."
Lily's heart stopped.
Serena stared at him.
"What?"
Marcus continued.
"Your memories were transferred too."
Serena shook her head.
"No."
"Your original body died twelve years ago."
"No."
"You've been a copy ever since."
Serena stumbled backward.
Lily caught her.
Marcus watched them.
"That's the truth."
Serena whispered:
"Then who am I?"
Marcus smiled.
"You're whatever memories I allowed you to keep."
Serena looked at Lily.
Tears streamed down her face.
Lily held her.
"You're Serena."
Marcus laughed.
"Are you sure?"
Lily stared at him.
Then she looked at Serena.
And suddenly remembered something.
A small girl.
A white room.
A promise.
Serena holding her hand.
If they ever take me, remember my name.
Lily smiled through tears.
"Yes."
Serena looked at her.
"How?"
"Because I remember you."
Marcus's smile disappeared.
Lily stepped forward.
"They can change memories."
"But they can't change what we meant to each other."
Marcus raised his gun.
Before he could fire—
the lights exploded.
Gunfire erupted from the corridor.
Michael's voice rang out:
"Lily!"
She turned.
Michael stood at the entrance.
Alive.
Blood covered his shirt.
But he was smiling.
Lily ran toward him.
They embraced.
Michael whispered:
"I remembered."
She pulled back.
"What?"
He looked at Marcus.
"I remembered who ordered the first experiment."
Marcus's expression changed.
Michael pointed his gun.
"It wasn't Victor Sr."
Lily froze.
"Then who?"
Michael looked directly at Marcus.
"It was you."
Marcus went completely still.
Michael continued:
"You didn't serve Project Mirror."
"You created it."
"And you weren't trying to save Victor."
He raised his weapon.
"You were trying to become him."
Marcus's face finally lost its calm.
For the first time—
the monster looked afraid.
And behind him, hidden in the shadows of the archive, a figure slowly stepped forward.
A woman.
Older.
Weak.
But alive.
Elena.
She looked at Marcus.
Then at Lily.
Then at Michael.
And whispered:
"Now you finally know the truth."
Marcus turned.
His face went pale.
Because Elena was holding something in her hand.
A small metal device.
May you like
The original Project Mirror master key.
And she had come to destroy it.
