Dark Matter

Jason Dessen savors a peaceful Thursday night with his family—his wife Daniela and their teenage son Charlie. They enjoy a relaxed evening of cooking, drawing, and drinking wine, set to the backdrop of vintage music and a cozy home atmosphere. Beneath the surface, however, there's a sense of unfulfilled potential. Daniela reminisces about her former art career, while Jason acknowledges his past scientific ambitions. Later, Jason decides to attend Ryan Holder's impromptu celebration at the Village Tap. As he leaves, the tranquility of the evening is shattered when a masked man confronts him, forcing him into a Lincoln Navigator and driving him to an abandoned power plant.

Disoriented and restrained on a gurney, Jason Dessen finds himself in a strange facility. A man named Leighton Vance greets him, claiming they are colleagues and friends. Despite the unfamiliar setting and invasive procedures, Jason struggles to understand what is happening, questioning whether this is a hallucination or a real scenario. Leighton reassures him and explains that he has been missing for fourteen months, a revelation that shocks Jason, who has no memory of such an event.

As Jason is taken through various parts of the facility, he encounters more people who seem to know him, including Amanda Lucas, who conducts a debriefing session. During the interview, Jason's confusion deepens as he realizes that his memories do not align with the expectations of those around him. His attempts to recall the events leading to his current situation are fragmented, and he begins to suspect that something sinister might be at play. Tension escalates when Jason locks himself in Leighton's bathroom and successfully flees the facility, leading to a harrowing chase through the night.

Exhausted and desperate, Jason reaches a beach and runs along the shoreline, evading his pursuers. He makes his way to a South Side neighborhood and hails a taxi, offering to pay double the fare to get to Logan Square. In the taxi, he examines the contents of his personal effects, finding a driver's license and IDs that belong to him but are unfamiliar. The cabbie, noting Jason's disheveled state, offers to take him to the hospital, but Jason insists on going home, his mind racing with questions and fears about what has transpired.

Jason arrives at his brownstone, only to find that while the exterior remains familiar, the interior has drastically changed. The house is luxurious but devoid of the warmth and personal touches that define his home. The absence of family photographs and Charlie's childhood art, replaced by high-end decor and a minimalist chandelier, deepens his confusion and unease. The kitchen, once a bustling hub of family life, is now pristine and untouched, lacking the lived-in quality of his actual home. Upstairs, the rooms are similarly unfamiliar, with no sign of Charlie's presence. The master bedroom is opulent and cold, featuring a glass display case with a prestigious award for Jason's supposed scientific achievements. Overwhelmed by the surreal environment, Jason vomits and tries to call Daniela, only to discover that her number is now associated with a man who angrily hangs up.

Convinced that something is terribly wrong, Jason hides in the bathroom as Leighton and others search for him. He escapes through the laundry chute, emerging in the basement and fleeing through the backyard. Despite his injuries and exhaustion, he manages to evade his pursuers by hiding in a shed. Reflecting on his situation, Jason considers the possibility of a brain tumor affecting his perception. Determined to find answers, he heads to Chicago Mercy Hospital.

At the hospital, Jason is examined by Dr. Randolph and a nurse. He explains his bizarre experiences and the changes in his home, but his account is met with skepticism. The doctor orders blood tests and plans a head scan to investigate the possibility of a medical condition. Jason is given a private room where he cleans up and tries to make sense of his situation. He notices the empty space on his finger where his wedding ring should be, a detail that further undermines his sense of reality. As dawn approaches, Jason falls asleep, haunted by the uncertainty of his existence.

Still reeling from the surreal and disorienting experience at his altered home, Jason returns much later than expected, appearing in the kitchen with a grin and a slight tipsiness from Ryan’s party. Despite his apologies, Daniela is initially annoyed, but Jason’s affectionate and intense behavior quickly changes her mood. His actions are unusually passionate, and he expresses a renewed appreciation for their life together, speaking of feeling more alive and seeing Daniela as he did when they first met. Moved by his sincerity and the intensity of his emotions, Daniela’s anger and frustration melt away. She leads him upstairs, and they share a deeply emotional and intimate moment, reconnecting on a level they haven’t experienced in years. The encounter is filled with a sense of rediscovery and gratitude, suggesting a profound change in Jason’s perspective. The chapter ends with a sense of renewed hope and connection between the couple.

Disoriented and confused, Jason wakes up in a hospital room. Dr. Springer informs him that his MRI results are normal but that his tox screen shows traces of ketamine and an unknown psychoactive compound, which could explain his disorientation. She also reveals that she has been unable to locate Daniela or verify Jason’s claimed identity as a physics professor at Lakemont College. The news that his life as he knows it may not exist sends Jason into a spiral of fear and confusion.

Springer suggests that Jason might be experiencing a break with reality and decides to transfer him to a mental health facility. Determined to find answers, Jason escapes from the hospital and wanders the rainy streets of Chicago. He checks into a cheap hotel and uses the phone book to find Daniela Vargas, her maiden name, and learns that she is hosting an art exhibit at a gallery called Oomph. At the gallery, Jason experiences Daniela’s immersive art installation, which evokes a profound sense of existential loss and isolation.

After the exhibit, Jason confronts Daniela, who is surprised and concerned to see him. She reveals that they broke up fifteen years ago and that they never had a son named Charlie. Despite the surreal nature of the conversation, Daniela invites Jason to her apartment, where they share a stoned and intimate evening. Jason’s fears are compounded when Ryan Holder, his former roommate, confirms that Daniela is now his girlfriend. The night ends with a passionate encounter between Jason and Daniela, driven by their shared confusion and desperation.

The next morning, Jason’s fever breaks, and he and Daniela cook a traditional Spanish bean stew, a dish that brings back vivid memories of his life with Daniela and Charlie. Later, as they lie in bed, Daniela’s apartment is invaded by a man who shoots Daniela and subdues Jason, leaving him bound and helpless. Jason is left in a state of shock and despair, realizing that his world is not what he thought it was.

Still reeling from the disorienting events at the hospital, Jason finds himself in a starkly different scenario. On a warm Saturday afternoon, he, Daniela, and Charlie attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The atmosphere is lively, and despite the Cubs losing, the family enjoys the experience, especially Charlie, who seems unusually engaged and happy. Daniela notices a change in Jason, who appears more carefree and affectionate than he has in years, constantly touching her and smiling more broadly. The day feels different, and Daniela wonders if it's the beer, the autumn light, or simply the joy of being alive together.

After the game, they drop Charlie off at a friend’s house and return to the brownstone to change clothes. Jason and Daniela then embark on a spontaneous evening in the city, starting with a ride on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. The view of the city skyline from the apex of the wheel is breathtaking, and Jason’s intensity and passion are palpable as he kisses Daniela, making her feel romanced in a way they haven’t in years. They continue their night with a fancy dinner, where they talk deeply about life, choices, and the concept of the multiverse.

During dinner, Jason shares his thoughts on the multiverse, explaining how every decision creates a new reality and how dark matter might be a clue to the existence of these parallel worlds. Daniela, intrigued by his theories, wonders if there are other versions of them living different lives. Jason, however, asserts that no matter the infinite possibilities, their current reality is the best one. The conversation deepens their connection, and Daniela feels a renewed sense of love and appreciation for Jason.

The chapter ends with Jason and Daniela feeling a profound sense of contentment and intimacy, their bond strengthened by the day’s events and the depth of their conversation. Jason’s newfound enthusiasm and philosophical musings suggest a significant shift in his perspective, hinting at the deeper implications of his recent experiences.

Jason wakes up in a small, bare cell, restrained and heavily sedated. Leighton visits him, dressed formally and smelling of champagne, expressing remorse for the events that led to Jason's capture and the death of Daniela. Leighton blames himself for not being prepared for Jason's return in such a compromised state. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Jason accuses Leighton of orchestrating Daniela's murder, which Leighton neither confirms nor denies, deepening Jason's distrust and determination to escape.

Leighton releases Jason from the restraints, offering him food and water, and suggests that the lab's resources will help him recover his lost memories. Jason pretends to accept this, planning to use his apparent compliance to gather more information. Leighton takes Jason on a tour of the lab, showing him the massive quantum box, which Jason recognizes as a scaled-up version of his earlier work. Leighton reveals that Jason was the only person to return from the box, and that two others who entered never came back. This revelation intensifies Jason's resolve to understand and escape his predicament.

Later, the lab's psychiatrist visits Jason to assess his psychological state. Unaware of the full extent of Daniela's murder, Jason uses this opportunity to feign amnesia while gathering more information. Leighton then confronts Jason, accusing him of lying about his identity and threatening him with severe consequences if he does not cooperate. The confrontation escalates when Leighton brings in a beaten and bloodied Ryan Holder, who confirms that Jason told him about his alternate life and the abduction. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jason maintains his silence, knowing that his safety depends on his perceived usefulness.

In the aftermath, Ryan is taken away, and Jason is left alone in his cell, reflecting on the events that led him to this point. He realizes that his abductor, who took his place in his original world, is a version of himself from this alternate reality. This realization is further solidified when Amanda, feeling guilty and disillusioned, helps Jason and Ryan attempt to escape. However, their attempt is thwarted, and Amanda helps Jason inject the psychoactive compound developed by Ryan, which is supposed to facilitate the quantum state necessary to use the box. As the drug takes effect, Jason and Amanda prepare to enter the box, hoping it will transport them to a different reality.

Jason and Amanda find themselves in a seemingly endless corridor of doors, each leading to a different reality. Jason theorizes that the corridor represents a quantum state, a manifestation of the wave function of all possible outcomes. They decide to experiment by opening a door, which leads them to a desolate parking garage. As they navigate through the debris, the environment shifts, and they emerge into a post-apocalyptic city. The skyscrapers are crumbling, and a blizzard of ash obscures the sky, the air carrying a burnt stench that indicates a catastrophic event. In the eerie silence, they witness the murder of their alternate selves in a hangar. Seeking refuge, they find a frozen, abandoned house and discover the remains of a family that starved to death.

In a stark contrast to the desolate, post-apocalyptic city, Daniela notices numerous subtle changes in Jason's behavior. He is more attentive, affectionate, and engaged in their daily life, drinking less and exercising more. His interactions with Charlie have become more lenient, as if he has forgotten how to be a strict father. Conversations during family dinners have shifted from mundane topics to more intellectual discussions about ideas, books, and Charlie’s studies. Daniela is both intrigued and unsettled by these changes, wondering if Jason is hiding something serious, such as a health issue, a job loss, or even an affair. One morning, Jason and Daniela share a more intimate and affectionate interaction, and later, Jason invites her to a lecture and dinner, which she accepts.

Still reeling from the subtle changes in Jason's behavior, Jason and Amanda find themselves transported to a desolate, pandemic-stricken version of Chicago. The streets are eerily quiet, and the city is under a curfew due to a deadly contagion. Driven by the hope of finding his family, Jason discovers a horrifying scene at his home: Daniela is dying from the disease, and Charlie is dead in his room. In a heart-wrenching act, Jason administers morphine to Daniela to ease her suffering and ensures she dies peacefully on the porch.

Pursued by National Guard vehicles and helicopters, Jason and Amanda flee the city. They manage to escape to the abandoned power plant where the quantum box is located. Inside the box, Jason reflects on the nature of his subconscious and the worlds it creates, realizing that the nightmare he just experienced was rooted in his deepest fears of losing his family to illness, similar to how he lost his mother as a child. Amanda, understanding the psychological underpinnings of Jason's choices, offers to help him find his true home.

In a new, forested reality, Jason and Amanda take a moment to rest and reflect. Jason's ear, injured during the chase, is tended to by Amanda. They discuss the remaining ampoules of the psychoactive compound, with forty left, and the importance of their collaboration in finding the right world. Jason begins to write down detailed descriptions of his desired reality, focusing on the specific, everyday details of his life in Chicago that make it uniquely his.

Still reeling from the harrowing experience in the pandemic-stricken Chicago, Jason and Amanda find themselves in a world that mirrors Jason's original life but with unsettling discrepancies. Street names are incorrect, familiar places are altered, and Jason's house is occupied by strangers. This uncanny resemblance to his past life, marred by crucial differences, leaves Jason disoriented and desperate to find his true home.

After a night of reflection and a day of exploration, Jason and Amanda decide to take a break from using the quantum box. They check into the Hotel Royale, a quirky, dated hotel in Logan Square. The room, with its two double beds and vintage decor, feels like a luxury after their recent ordeals. They spend the evening enjoying a good meal and a nightcap at the Village Tap, Jason's local bar, where the bartender, Matt, does not recognize him, further intensifying Jason's sense of displacement.

The next day, Jason visits an art gallery and encounters Daniela, who is an artist in this world. She does not recognize him, and their interaction is polite but distant. Jason's attempts to connect with her are met with discomfort, and he eventually leaves, feeling more lost and desperate. Later, he sits on a bench across the street from a brownstone that resembles his home, watching the life of a couple who are almost his and Daniela, but not quite.

Jason's emotional turmoil reaches a breaking point as he contemplates the similarities and differences between his life and this near-replica. He calls Daniela from a prepaid phone, pretending to be her husband, and they share a heartfelt conversation. Despite the temptation to integrate into this life, Jason ultimately resists, recognizing the ethical and emotional boundaries. Returning to the hotel, he confesses his actions to Amanda, who is initially angry but ultimately supportive, understanding the psychological toll of their journey. The chapter ends with a sense of futility and the realization that finding the exact world they seek may be impossible.

Jason wakes to an empty room, the note and items Amanda left behind a stark reminder of her departure. Her heartfelt message, explaining her struggle with his decisions and the influence of their collective subconscious, leaves him feeling profoundly alone and disoriented. The absence of Daniela in this world weighs heavily on him.

Wandering the streets, Jason feels dazed and afraid as he purges the drug from his system. He finds solace in an all-night diner and rides the train back to the South Side at dawn. On his way to the abandoned power plant, he is ambushed by three teenagers who steal his backpack, leaving him with only three intact ampoules. Broken and desperate, Jason spends the next few days begging on the streets and sleeping in an alley behind his house, observing the life of the family that now inhabits it.

One night, fueled by desperation and alcohol, Jason enters the house and stands over the sleeping forms of Jason and Daniela, contemplating the idea of taking Jason's place. Clarity and shame intervene, and he realizes he cannot live a lie, especially one that involves harming the man whose life he covets. Determined to keep fighting, Jason buys new clothes and supplies, checks into a motel, and prepares to use the final ampoule. He writes a heartfelt entry in his notebook, recalling the moment he first met Daniela at a party, capturing the essence of their connection and the depth of his feelings.

With only one ampoule left, Jason walks the infinite corridor, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. He stops before a door, knowing this is his last chance to find his Daniela. The chapter ends with Jason drawing a deep breath and opening the door, his sole desire being to reunite with the woman he loves.

Realizing the existence of multiple versions of himself, Jason grapples with the complexity of his situation. Each version is also seeking to reclaim their lives, turning the scenario into a zero-sum game where only one can emerge victorious. His fear and desperation intensify when he encounters another Jason in a hotel, leading to a harrowing chase through the city. To ensure his safety and that of his family, Jason decides to get arrested, hoping it will provide a temporary reprieve and a chance to regroup.

At the police station, Daniela bails Jason out, her face a mix of concern and determination. Jason convinces her to bring Charlie to a secure location. As they drive to Charlie's school, Jason explains the concept of the multiverse and the threat posed by the other Jasons. Daniela, though shocked and distressed, listens intently, her trust in Jason unwavering despite the surreal nature of his story.

Meeting Charlie at his school, they take a cab to a bustling mall, where Jason reveals the full extent of his ordeal. The revelation leaves Daniela and Charlie in a state of disbelief and fear. Daniela is particularly shaken by the idea that other Jasons might also love her and Charlie as deeply as Jason does. Despite the chaos, Jason manages to gain their trust, emphasizing the need for safety and unity.

Jason, Daniela, and Charlie, still reeling from their harrowing night, seek refuge in a remote cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The cabin is dark and cold, but they manage to make it somewhat habitable, and Jason starts a fire to keep them warm. Tensions run high as Daniela grapples with her feelings for Jason and the existence of other versions of him. Determined to protect his family, Jason spends the night devising a plan to ensure their safety.

The next morning, Jason and Daniela share a poignant moment on a snow-covered pier, reflecting on their future and the possibility that this might be their last day together. Jason reveals a painful secret about his past, admitting to a brief encounter with another version of Daniela in an alternate reality. Despite the strain, their love for each other remains unshaken. Later, they enjoy a rare moment of normalcy, spending the day in town, buying clothes, watching a movie, and having a meal at a local roadhouse. The evening is filled with laughter and closeness, but the looming threat of the other Jasons casts a shadow over their happiness.

Late at night, a wounded version of Jason arrives at the cabin, revealing that they have been found. Jason, realizing the immediate danger, rushes to protect his family. A violent confrontation ensues, with Jason ultimately killing the intruder. However, another version of Jason, identified as Jason2, arrives and threatens to kill Jason in front of Daniela and Charlie. With Charlie's help, Jason overpowers Jason2 and secures the car keys, allowing them to escape. They flee the cabin, narrowly avoiding another attack, and drive away into the night, determined to find a way to end the cycle of violence and protect their family.

The chapter ends with the family speeding down a dark highway, aware that the other Jasons will continue to pursue them. Jason instructs Daniela to check the glove box of the Suburban, hinting at a plan to finally resolve the conflict.

Still reeling from a long night of driving, Jason, Daniela, and Charlie huddle in their shot-up Suburban in a deserted parking lot. Jason’s face is swollen and bruised, but Daniela’s touch on the back of his neck offers a moment of comfort. They discuss their next steps, with Charlie’s decision weighing heavily on them. Despite his reluctance to leave, they all agree that continuing their journey is their only option.

In the morning, they arrive at the abandoned power plant, a desolate and eerie place that Charlie finds intriguing. Jason, though exhausted, leads them through the abandoned passages, armed with a gun and Jason2’s leather bag. As they approach the generator room, they realize that dozens of versions of Jason are waiting, all intent on claiming the box. The tension is palpable, and Daniela, holding the gun, declares that she and Charlie will go into the box with Jason, emphasizing that their family’s needs come first.

The crowd of Jasons reluctantly parts, allowing the family to pass. They enter the box, and Jason prepares the psychoactive compound for injection. He helps Charlie and Daniela with the injections, and they all experience the effects of the drug. Charlie, initially nervous, opens the door to the infinite corridor, and the family steps into the unknown, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and resolve.