Chapter 9: The Room Behind Gate D24
Nobody spoke.
The restricted door remained open.
Waiting.
Like it had been expecting them.
Nia held the key tightly.
“Room D24?””
Marcus nodded.
“I thought it was destroyed.””
Arthur looked at him.
“They kept you there?””
Marcus stared into the dark hallway beyond the door.
“For three days.””
Nia’s expression changed.
“Inside this airport?””
Marcus nodded.
“I was injured. Confused. I remember hearing planes take off.””
He swallowed.
“I remember wondering why nobody came.””
Arthur looked devastated.
“I would have.””
Marcus looked at him.
“I know.””
That answer hurt more.
Because it meant Marcus believed him.
Nia stepped forward.
“We go in together.””
Marcus looked at her.
“This could be a trap.””
She looked at Rex.
The dog was already moving.
Slowly.
Confidently.
“Then Rex would know.””
They entered.
The hallway behind the restricted door was narrow and cold.
Nothing like the bright terminal outside.
The walls were plain.
The lights buzzed overhead.
Arthur followed carefully with his cane.
Nia stayed beside Marcus.
“How did you escape?””
Marcus’s face remained serious.
“I didn’t.””
She looked at him.
“What?””
“Someone let me out.””
“Who?””
Marcus shook his head.
“I never saw their face.””
They reached the end of the hallway.
A small room waited.
No windows.
A single table.
An old chair.
And marks on the wall.
Nia stopped.
Someone had been trapped here.
Marcus walked inside.
His breathing changed.
Rex followed him.
The dog immediately went to one corner.
There was a scratch on the wall.
A symbol.
Marcus touched it.
“I made this.””
Arthur looked at the marks.
“What is it?””
Marcus looked at him.
“A message.””
Nia examined the wall.
“What does it say?””
Marcus traced the scratches.
Slowly.
“Rex remembers.””
Nia looked at the dog.
Then around the room.
“Why?””
Marcus pointed to the floor.
A small metal panel was hidden beneath the table.
Nia opened it.
Inside was a recording device.
Another one.
But older.
Marcus stared.
“No.””
Nia picked it up.
“Another message?””
Marcus nodded.
“But from before.””
She pressed play.
Static.
Then a voice.
A familiar one.
Marcus.
But younger.
“If you’re hearing this, something went wrong.””
Arthur closed his eyes.
Nia listened.
The younger Marcus continued.
“Rex has been trained to find the truth.””
A pause.
“He knows the people who lied.””
Rex lifted his head.
Marcus looked at him.
The recording continued.
“The person who finds this must understand one thing.””
A sound came from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Nia stopped the recording.
Everyone froze.
Someone was approaching.
Fast.
Marcus whispered:
“They found us.””
Nia reached for her radio.
No signal.
Blocked.
The footsteps grew louder.
Arthur gripped his cane.
Marcus moved in front of him.
Rex stood beside them.
Ready.
The door opened.
A figure stepped into the room.
Nia raised her weapon.
Then froze.
Because she knew the person standing there.
Everyone did.
Arthur dropped his cane.
Marcus whispered:
“No…”
The person looked at them.
And said:
“I’ve been trying to reach you for years.””
May you like
Nia stared.
Because the person standing in front of them was wearing her father’s old security badge.
