Room 414
Assigned to a government project, a man finds his name, identity, and memories slowly replaced—until even his reflection doesn’t match what he remembers.
It was supposed to be a two-day conference. Government consulting gig. Hotel downtown. Room 414.
The first day felt off. People kept calling me “Cameron”, but that’s not my name. I corrected them, but they laughed it off—said I always joked like that.
The next morning, my badge read “Cameron Webb.” My ID still said James Calder, but when I checked in with security, they nodded and waved me through without question.
That night, I tried to leave. The elevator skipped the lobby. Every button I pressed blinked and turned red. I ended up back on the fourth floor, standing in front of Room 414.
Inside, my things were rearranged. The bed unmade, but not like I’d left it. New clothes in the closet. All my size, all labeled “C.W.”
I tried calling my wife. She didn’t answer. When she finally did the next day, she sounded confused. Said she didn’t know any “James Calder.”
I looked myself up online.
There’s no record of me under that name anymore. But Cameron Webb has a full profile—government clearance, military history, even a spouse I’ve never met.
Now when I look in the mirror... I hesitate. I feel like I’m blinking into someone else’s reflection.
The first day felt off. People kept calling me “Cameron”, but that’s not my name. I corrected them, but they laughed it off—said I always joked like that.
The next morning, my badge read “Cameron Webb.” My ID still said James Calder, but when I checked in with security, they nodded and waved me through without question.
That night, I tried to leave. The elevator skipped the lobby. Every button I pressed blinked and turned red. I ended up back on the fourth floor, standing in front of Room 414.
Inside, my things were rearranged. The bed unmade, but not like I’d left it. New clothes in the closet. All my size, all labeled “C.W.”
I tried calling my wife. She didn’t answer. When she finally did the next day, she sounded confused. Said she didn’t know any “James Calder.”
I looked myself up online.
There’s no record of me under that name anymore. But Cameron Webb has a full profile—government clearance, military history, even a spouse I’ve never met.
Now when I look in the mirror... I hesitate. I feel like I’m blinking into someone else’s reflection.
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