Dark Matter

Jason emerges in an abandoned power plant. Snow is falling outside. On the ground, Jason sees a cracked ampoule and wonders if this is where Jason2 took him the first time he went into the box.

As he rides the El north, he realizes that yes, this is his Chicago. Standing outside his house, Jason can see that the door, furnishings, and family photos are correct—just like when he left a month ago. He sees Jason2 inside, pouring Daniela a glass of wine. Rage flares up in Jason as he remembers everything that Jason2 took from him. He wonders if Daniela and Charlie are happier with Jason2.

Jason checks into the nearby Days Inn and double checks the details of this world to make sure they fit. They do—down to the dent in his SUV and Daniela’s art instructor website. He plans to kill Jason2 and bury him in Kankakee River State Park, a forest preserve where he and Daniela and Charlie used to camp.

Jason goes to a sporting goods store to buy a handgun. He tells the woman behind the counter he needs it for home defense. She shows him a 40-caliber Glock 23 and explains how it works.