Chapter 33 · The Second Body

The timer on the inside of Celine's skull dropped to 00:03:17.

She slammed both hands against the glass tank. Her palms slipped through a film of cold water, and the room punched back with a burst of white pain.

"No. No, don't you dare lock me out."

The interface blinked in the corner of her vision.

HOST ACCESS: 3 MINUTES, 17 SECONDS MEMORY RESTORE: 96% BLACKWATER NETWORK: 12 MINDS ACTIVE

Twelve.

Celine stared at the number while water hammered her ears. The lab around her was gone. In its place came a warped feed of the old Blackwater chamber: black cables, steel restraints, emergency lights flashing red through cloudy water.

Twelve minds active.

"You said there was one survivor," Mira's voice came through the speakers. Her real voice. Sharp. Tired. Standing somewhere outside the memory. "You said I was the only one who came back."

Celine clawed at the glass again. "I didn't know."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true!"

The timer hit 02:49.

A new prompt opened in front of Celine's eyes.

PURGE BLACKWATER MEMORY CLUSTER?