CHAPTER 46 — THE CHILDREN OF BLACKWATER
The children surrounded the train.
They ranged from toddlers to teenagers.
Each wore a gray bracelet.
None spoke except the boy who resembled Daniel.
Sarah raised her hands so they could see she was unarmed.
“Where is Miriam?”
The boy pointed toward the red house.
“Mother is preparing the family table.”
Daniel crouched.
“What is your name?”
“Four-B.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
“Who am I?”
“You are Four-A.”
The boy smiled.
“You were the version that ran away.”
Claire looked at Sarah.
“How many copies did they create?”
“Enough to replace anyone they considered important.”
Four-B examined Daniel’s wounded shoulder.
“You are damaged.”
“I’m human.”
“We were told damaged things call themselves human.”
The children stepped closer.
Rose noticed the bracelets flashing in the same rhythm.
“They’re receiving instructions.”
Dana, still weak from the removed implant, studied them.
“Central transmission.”
Sarah pointed toward the iron bell.
“It is hidden inside the house.”
Claire held Lily’s hand.
“We destroy it.”
Four-B blocked their path.
“Mother said Lily must sing before the door opens.”
Lily looked up at Claire.
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have to.”
The children suddenly began repeating the same sentence.
“The song opens the blood.”
Olivia’s fetal monitor responded to their voices.
A pattern appeared on its screen.
Rose recognized it.
“It’s a key.”
Margaret pulled Claire aside.
“Miriam used your childhood lullaby to hide genetic instructions. She knew only our family would remember every note.”
Claire stared at her.
“You sang it to me.”
“I was trying to overwrite what she taught you.”
The red house door opened.
A long dining table could be seen inside.
Three empty chairs stood at one end.
Names had been carved into them.
SARAH.
ROSE.
CLAIRE.
A fourth, smaller chair faced them.
LILY.
At the head of the table sat Miriam Vane.
She looked no older than fifty.
May you like
“Come inside,” she said.
“Your father is almost here.”
