David Chen woke up screaming.
Not in the facility. We had transported him to secure medical location. Federal protection. Dr. Sarah Chen beside him. Equipment monitoring his failing body. Grace playing quietly in the corner while adults worked.
"Mother?" David's voice was different. Younger. Confused. "Where is—where is the voice? The one that tells me what to do? The one that shows me the timelines?"
Dr. Chen held his hand. "Gone, baby. The entity is contained. You are free."
"Free?" David looked at his arms. At the tubes. At the equipment keeping him alive. "But I am dying. Clone eighteen is failing. I have maybe six weeks before—" he stopped. Understanding. "I am dying and the voice is not telling me how to survive. I am dying and I am alone."
He started crying. Not calculated tear
