Female Novel
Chapter 1766
“Fitch, did you ever hear about Bernard's kid being shipped off years ago? Rumor has it, he bit thedust at some research lab."
"Yeah, that's not exactly a state secret. His son, just like Eric back in the day, got sent on somehush-hush mission and never made it back. Not even a bone to bury."
"Is there any record of the people they sent out?"
"Top secret stuff. Once someone kicks the bucket, their ID gets wiped clean."
Seemed like digging around here might just be a piece of cake.
Her lips curled, "I'm thinking, we don't really know what Bernard's angle is. What if we turn back theclock and say his son didn't die at that lab, what if he was already gone before that? MaybeBernard's playing God, trying to bring his boy back to life by sparking his memories in someoneelse's noggin. Does that theory hold water?"
The moment she finished, the room plunged into silence. Maja's wild guesses always had a way offlipping everything on its head.
Nobody spoke, but then Patric, who'd been quiet as a church mouse, let out a snort. That snort gotunder Beck's skin. He stood up and jabbed a finger at Patric's cheek.
"Hey, you cell warrior, what are you snickering at? Keep it up and I'll make you eat Rocky's dogtreats, you believe that?"
Patric's face turned stormy, but his hands were tied behind his back, and he was cuffed to a sturdyiron rack. He wasn't going anywhere.
"Back off!"
He tried to kick out at Beck. Beck dodged with a smirk, "Oh? Can't touch this, can you?"
Maja watched the exchange, massaging her temples. She figured the old scuffles between Ian andBeck weren't for nothing.
On the surface, Ian was all pride and vanity, but deep down, he had a mischievous streak. Beck, thenotorious flirt, was actually the most innocent of the Sanders family, and just as impish.
No wonder those two were at each other's throats.
"Beck, knock it off."
Beck finally turned, heading back to his seat. Maja eyed Patric, her tone mild, "What was so funnyjust now?"novelbin
Patric met her gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing, eyes suddenly rimmed red. After struggling with hiswords, he spat out, "None of your business!"
Maja unexpectedly caught a whiff of hurt, panic, and defiance in his voice. She suddenlyremembered, back when Eric was still around, Patric always opposed her, always trying to off Ericto claim the body for himself.
He thought he was a distinct personality, and Eric should just disappear. Patric indeed smelledsomething fishy back then, but whenever he questioned his own identity, Eric stayed silent, onlyever saying, "You'll regret hurting her one day."
Why was Eric so sure? Because he knew Patric was just a fragment of his brother Ian's memory, afragment that hadn't yet made him recall his own name.
If Ian could fall for Maja, then this offshoot personality would inevitably be charmed by her too. SoEric was certain Patric would have regrets, once he figured out where he came from.
Maja stepped closer, scrutinizing the face before her. The flutter of her teen years was long gone.Now she looked on with utter calm.
After a brief glance, she turned to address the group lounging on the couch.
"Dylan, Beck, I think I've pieced together the details. Bernard once said he wasn't just after Ian, butPatric too, because Patric was once a subject under experiment, and it succeed. Bernard wants todo the same, transplant his son's memories into someone else, spark them to life. That way, his sonwould live again. He must have those memories stashed somewhere, just waiting for surgery. CouldIan be the person he's chosen?"
To be precise, not a person, but the right shell. Bernard's interest in Patric was to perfect his data.
That was Maja's theory, laid out for all to hear. The crowd on the couch stayed mum. Only Patric,after a few seconds of silence, slowly moved his lips, "You're pretty sharp."
Maja took it as a compliment. She started back to her seat when Patric said, "Get me a glass ofwater."
Maja paused, frowning, "You don't really think you're Ian, do you?"
Patric paled, staring straight at her, "Then who the hell am I?"
It wasn't the first time Maja had said this to him. On Forbidden Island, when he had his breakdown,he remembered those memories.
Maja always teased him, wondering if he actually thought he was Ian. But what could he do? Hismemories were all he had.
Who was he, really? After all this time wandering, he still couldn't answer that question.