Chapter 11: The Third Ryan
The message stayed on my phone for ten minutes.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Because everyone understood what it meant.
There was another version of me.
Somewhere.
Waiting.
The original Ryan looked at the photograph again.
“He’s been watching us.””
Daniel nodded.
“For a long time.””
I looked at Emma.
“How long?””
She didn’t answer.
“Emma.””
Her face broke.
“Since before Lily was born.””
The words hit me.
“You knew?””
She looked ashamed.
“I suspected.””
“You suspected there was another person who looked like your husband?””
She cried.
“I didn’t know what to believe anymore.””
I wanted to be angry.
But I understood.
Everyone in this house had been trapped by secrets.
The difference was…
I was the one who had to discover them.
Dr. Carter’s folder was still on the floor.
I picked it up.
There were hundreds of pages.
Research.
Medical records.
Names.
Then I saw something.
A file labeled:
*RYAN MITCHELL — SUBJECT C*
I opened it.
The first line made my blood freeze.
*Subject C demonstrates emotional adaptation beyond expected parameters.*
I looked at the original Ryan.
“What does this mean?””
He read the page.
His expression changed.
“They made another one.””
Daniel took the file.
“This one was different.””
“How?””
He pointed at the notes.
“Subject A was the original.””
He pointed at me.
“Subject B was you.””
Then he touched the page.
“Subject C was designed to improve.””
Improve.
That word bothered me.
I turned the page.
The next line was worse.
*Subject C has no attachment response. No emotional interference. Maximum obedience.*
I felt sick.
“They created a person who couldn’t feel.””
Daniel nodded.
“That was the point.””
Ava whispered:
“Why?””
Everyone looked at her.
She stared at the paper.
“Why would someone make someone without feelings?””
Nobody answered.
Because the answer was obvious.
Someone without feelings was easier to control.
My phone buzzed again.
Another message.
This time, only words.
*Come alone.*
Then an address.
The original Ryan grabbed my arm.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“I have to.””
“It’s a trap.””
“Yes.””
He stared.
“And you’re still going?””
I looked toward Ava.
Toward Lily.
Toward Emma.
“If he’s like us…”
I paused.
“He deserves a chance too.””
The original Ryan was quiet.
Then he nodded.
Because he understood.
Three hours later, I stood outside an abandoned research building.
The same place from the photograph.
The rain poured down.
I walked inside.
“Hello?””
My voice echoed.
A light turned on.
Then another.
A hallway appeared.
At the end stood a man.
My face.
But different.
His expression was empty.
No fear.
No anger.
No confusion.
Nothing.
“You came.””
I stopped.
“You’re Ryan.””
He smiled slightly.
“I was assigned that name.””
The way he said it made my skin crawl.
“Do you have another?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because names create attachment.””
I stared.
“You don’t talk like a person.””
He tilted his head.
“I was not designed to.””
A chill ran through me.
“You know who I am?””
“Yes.””
“You know about Ava?””
“Yes.””
His expression didn’t change.
“I know she was the reason the project failed.””
I stepped closer.
“She’s a child.””
“She is the reason subjects A and B developed emotions.””
I clenched my fists.
“She’s not a problem.””
He looked at me.
“You believe that.””
“Yes.””
A pause.
Then something unexpected happened.
His face changed.
Only slightly.
A tiny crack in the emptiness.
“Why?””
The question sounded genuine.
I looked at him.
“Because someone should have believed I was a person.””
For the first time…
he looked confused.
Then the building lights suddenly turned red.
An alarm began screaming.
He looked toward the ceiling.
“They found us.””
I turned.
“Who?””
He looked back at me.
And for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.
“Elias.””
The doors behind us locked.
A voice came over the speakers.
“Subject C.””
The voice was Elias.
“Terminate the failed versions.””
My heart stopped.
The third Ryan looked at me.
Then toward the locked door.
And whispered:
“I was never created to replace you.””
May you like
A pause.
“I was created to kill you.””
