Chapter 10: The First Person They Buried
Arthur couldn’t move.
The photograph trembled between his fingers.
Nia watched his face carefully.
She had seen people react to shocking news before. She had seen grief, disbelief, and fear.
But this was different.
Arthur looked like someone had reached into the past and pulled out a ghost.
“Arthur,” Nia said quietly.
“Who is in this picture?””
The old man stared at the image.
His lips moved.
But no sound came out.
Daniel stepped closer.
“Dad?””
Arthur finally looked up.
His eyes were filled with confusion.
“That’s…”
He stopped.
Nia waited.
“That’s Marcus.””
Daniel frowned.
“Who is Marcus?””
Arthur looked at his son.
“My brother.””
The words landed heavily.
Daniel stared.
“Your brother?””
Arthur nodded slowly.
“He died before you were born.””
Nia looked at the photograph again.
The man standing behind Daniel and Rex was older.
But the resemblance was clear.
Same eyes.
Same expression.
Same face shape.
“Are you certain?”” Nia asked.
Arthur looked offended.
“I buried him.””
The hallway went quiet.
Daniel took the photograph from his father.
His hands shook.
“The first person they buried…”
He looked at the words written on the back.
“What does that mean?””
Marissa stood beside them.
Her expression had changed.
She looked afraid.
“You know what it means.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Tell me.””
Marissa looked down.
“I thought Marcus was dead too.””
Arthur stepped forward.
“You knew my brother?””
Marissa hesitated.
“Yes.””
The old man’s face hardened.
“How?””
She looked at Daniel.
“He was connected to the same operation.””
Nia crossed her arms.
“Then explain.””
Marissa took a deep breath.
“Years ago, before Daniel disappeared, there was an investigation into a classified program.””
“What kind of program?”” Nia asked.
Marissa looked at the photograph.
“A program designed to erase identities.””
Daniel stared.
“Erase?””
“Not kill,” Marissa said.
“Erase.””
The word sounded worse.
Nia understood.
Someone didn’t want people dead.
They wanted them removed.
No records.
No history.
No proof.
Arthur looked at the picture.
“My brother was erased?””
Marissa nodded.
“Yes.””
“But why?””
Marissa looked at him.
“Because Marcus found something.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“What?””
Marissa’s voice lowered.
“The truth about who was controlling the operation.””
Before anyone could ask another question, the elevator at the end of the hallway suddenly moved.
The display changed.
Floor numbers appeared.
Everyone froze.
Someone was coming.
Nia immediately drew her weapon.
“Behind me.””
Daniel moved in front of Arthur instead.
The elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
Empty.
Nobody inside.
But sitting on the floor was a small black case.
Rex approached slowly.
He sniffed it.
Then looked at Daniel.
Daniel nodded.
“Careful.””
Nia examined the case.
“No markings.””
Marissa stepped back.
“Don’t open it.””
Nia looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because whoever left it wants us to.””
Nia glanced at the elevator.
“You’re saying we should ignore evidence?””
“I’m saying they knew we would find it.””
Daniel stared at the case.
“Open it.””
Marissa looked at him.
“Daniel.””
“If they wanted us dead, they would have already done it.””
Nia didn’t like the logic.
But she understood it.
She carefully opened the case.
Inside was a small recording device.
And a single envelope.
Arthur immediately recognized the handwriting.
His face went pale.
“That’s Marcus.””
Nia looked at him.
“You’re sure?””
Arthur nodded.
“I’d know his handwriting anywhere.””
Daniel picked up the envelope.
Inside was a letter.
He read silently for several seconds.
Then his expression changed.
“What does it say?”” Nia asked.
Daniel looked at Arthur.
“It’s for you.””
Arthur took the letter.
His hands shook as he read.
Then tears filled his eyes.
“Impossible.””
“What?””
Arthur looked up.
“Marcus knew.””
Daniel frowned.
“Knew what?””
Arthur looked at the photograph.
“He knew Daniel wasn’t dead.””
Everyone went silent.
Nia stepped closer.
“Your brother knew?””
Arthur nodded.
“He wrote that he tried to tell me.””
“Why didn’t he?””
Arthur turned the page.
At the bottom was one final sentence.
His face changed.
“What?””
Arthur slowly read it aloud.
“Because the person who stopped him…”
He looked at Daniel.
“Was standing beside me the entire time.””
Daniel froze.
“What?””
Arthur stared at the paper.
“I don’t understand.””
Marissa took a step closer.
“Let me see.””
Arthur handed it to her.
The moment she read it, her expression collapsed.
“No.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What?””
Marissa looked toward the empty elevator.
“They knew.””
“Who?””
She looked at Daniel.
“The person who helped erase everyone.””
A sound echoed from the elevator shaft.
A phone ringing.
Again.
Nia turned.
The elevator doors began closing.
But before they shut completely, a voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel.””
Everyone froze.
The voice continued:
“You finally found the first person we buried.””
Daniel stepped toward the elevator.
“Who are you?””
The answer came immediately.
“The person who buried the rest.””
The doors closed.
And on the elevator screen, a new message appeared.
*LEVEL B4 — ACCESS GRANTED.*
Nia looked at Daniel.
“There is no B4 in this airport.””
Daniel stared at the screen.
May you like
Then whispered:
“There is now.””
