Chapter 93: Return to the Beginning

New York. The outskirts of Queens.

The black SUV stopped in front of a rusted iron gate. Beyond the gate stood a crumbling brick building covered in dead ivy.

St. Mary's Orphanage.

It had been closed for five years—coincidentally, it shut down the same year Serenity married Jackson and left.

"I haven't been back here since I was eighteen," Serenity whispered, staring at the dark windows. The wind blew through the dead trees, making a whistling sound.

"Stay close," Jackson checked his flashlight and handgun. "Luke, secure the perimeter. Alex, monitor thermal readings from the car. We are going in."

They pushed the rusty gate open. Screeeech.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds. Serenity walked towards the main entrance, memories flooding back. Not all of them were bad, but now, they felt tainted.

"What do you remember?" Jackson asked, scanning the hallway as they entered.

"It was... strict," Serenity touched the peeling paint on the wall. "Matron Helsing was obsessed with our health. We had weekly blood tests. Daily vitamins. She said we were 'fragile'."

"Vitamins?" Jackson frowned. "Did anyone else get adopted?"

Serenity paused. "Now that I think about it... very few kids ever left. And the ones who got 'adopted'... we never heard from them again."

A chill ran down Jackson's spine. "They weren't adopted, Serenity. They were harvested. Failed experiments."

They reached the Matron's office at the end of the hall. The door was locked.

Jackson kicked it open. Dust flew into the air.

The office was surprisingly intact. Files were scattered on the floor, but the heavy steel filing cabinet in the corner was locked.

"Let me," Jackson pulled out a crowbar from his bag. With a grunt of effort, he pried the metal drawer open.

Inside, there were hundreds of files. But only one was marked with a Gold Star.

Subject 001: Aurelia.

Serenity pulled out the file. Her hands shook as she opened it. It was filled with photos of her growing up.

Age 5. Age 10. Age 15.

Every report detailed her "Immune Response" and "Element Absorption Rate".

"Look at this," Serenity pointed to a medical log. "Subject shows no rejection to Agent-X additives in the food supply. Perfect adaptation."

"They were drugging you," Jackson clenched his fists, his fury rising. "Feeding you small doses of the Element since you were a baby. To prepare your body."

"To be a vessel," Serenity dropped the file, feeling sick. "My whole life... I was just a lab rat waiting to be used."

"Not a rat," Jackson grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "A survivor. You survived their poison. You grew up strong despite them."

Suddenly, Alex’s voice crackled frantically over the comms.

"Dad! Mom! Get out of there!"

"What is it, Alex?"

"I picked up a huge power surge! It's not coming from the street. It's coming from beneath the orphanage!" Alex yelled. "The building isn't abandoned! The basement is active!"

CLICK.

The sound of a heavy mechanical lock echoed through the empty hallway.

Behind the Matron’s desk, a bookshelf swung open slowly. Just like in the Palace.

Warm, yellow light spilled out from the secret passage. The smell of fresh coffee and lavender drifted up.

A woman’s voice called out from the darkness below.

"Is that you, Serenity? You are late for your check-up."

Serenity gasped. She knew that voice. It was the voice that sang her lullabies.

"Matron Helsing?"

Jackson aimed his gun at the open passage.

"Come down, children," the voice continued, calm and chillingly welcoming. "We have so much to discuss. And... I believe you brought my granddaughter?"

Jackson’s eyes widened. Granddaughter?

This went deeper than an experiment. This was family.

"Stay behind me," Jackson whispered to Serenity.

He stepped into the secret passage, descending into the belly of the beast that had raised his wife.