Chapter 48 - The Last ChoiceThe alarms became louder.
Red lights flashed across the laboratory.
Claire checked the control panel.
"The foundation is collapsing."
Elizabeth looked at Jonathan.
"What did you activate?"
Jonathan didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at me.
"Now you understand."
I stared at him.
"Understand what?"
"That every choice has a cost."
He pointed toward the main computer.
"The system needs a final decision."
Michael looked at the screen.
His face changed.
"No..."
"What?"
He whispered:
"The heir selection protocol."
Claire looked confused.
"What does it do?"
Michael looked at me.
"It chooses one."
The room went silent.
"One what?"
Michael swallowed.
"One child."
My blood ran cold.
Jonathan smiled.
"Finally."
"The purpose of the experiment."
Rose grabbed my hand.
"No."
Jonathan looked at her.
"Your whole life was designed for this moment."
I stepped between them.
"She's not a test subject."
Jonathan laughed.
"You still protect her."
"Even after learning she was created to replace you."
Rose looked hurt.
"Replace him?"
Jonathan nodded.
"The first child was unstable."
"The second showed stronger results."
He looked at me.
"You were emotional."
"You loved too easily."
Then he looked at Rose.
"She adapted."
I felt anger rising.
"You don't know anything about her."
Jonathan smiled.
"I created her."
Rose stepped forward.
"No."
Her voice was quiet.
But strong.
"You didn't create me."
Everyone froze.
She looked directly at him.
"My mother did."
Jonathan's expression changed slightly.
For the first time...
A crack appeared.
Rose continued.
"You gave me tests."
"You gave me fear."
"But she gave me love."
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
Jonathan stared.
"You were supposed to be afraid of me."
Rose shook her head.
"I was."
A pause.
"But I was more afraid of becoming you."
The laboratory went silent.
Even Jonathan had no response.
Then...
The system activated.
A scanner descended from the ceiling.
A voice announced:
"FINAL DECISION REQUIRED."
"PRIMARY SUBJECT OR SECONDARY SUBJECT."
"SELECT SUCCESSOR."
Two buttons appeared.
ADAM WHITMORE
ROSE WHITMORE
Jonathan watched.
Waiting.
Wanting to see what we would do.
I looked at Rose.
She looked back.
And suddenly...
I understood.
This was the final test.
Not intelligence.
Not strength.
Not power.
Choice.
I walked toward the machine.
Jonathan smiled.
"Good."
"You finally understand."
May you like
I raised my hand.
And pressed the button.
