Chapter 10: The Man Behind The Lie
I knew his face before I remembered his name.
That was the worst part.
Some people enter your life so quietly that you never realize how much damage they can do.
Elias Voss.
My father’s closest friend.
The man who stood beside my family after my father’s funeral.
The man who placed a hand on my shoulder and told me, “Your father would be proud of you.””
I remembered those words.
I remembered believing him.
And now he stood at the bottom of Daniel’s old house, looking at me like we were having a normal conversation.
Like he hadn’t spent years hiding behind a lie.
Like my brother’s disappearance wasn’t connected to him.
Maya moved behind me.
Her fingers grabbed the back of my jacket.
Elias noticed.
His eyes softened.
That scared me more than anger would have.
“Red.””
I stepped forward.
“Don’t say my name.””
His expression barely changed.
“You always had your father’s temper.””
I laughed quietly.
“And you always had his lies.””
Marcus moved beside me.
“Elias, this ends now.””
Elias looked at him.
A small smile appeared.
“Marcus.””
The way he said the name made my skin crawl.
Not like he was greeting an old friend.
Like he was reminding him who had power.
“You were always the weak one.””
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
“You killed Daniel.””
Maya gasped.
The room went silent.
Elias looked at her.
Then back at me.
“Careful with your words.””
I stepped closer.
“You heard him.””
Elias sighed.
“I was hoping you would understand before it came to this.””
“Understand what?””
“That Daniel was not the victim you think he was.””
My fist tightened.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I expect you to listen.””
“No.””
My voice echoed through the room.
“For eighteen years, people told me what I should believe.””
I pointed at him.
“My father was dead.””
A finger toward Marcus.
“Daniel abandoned me.””
Then toward the photographs.
“And somehow everyone knew the truth except me.””
I stepped closer.
“So no. I’m not listening.””
Elias studied me.
Then he reached into his coat.
Maya immediately grabbed my arm.
But he only pulled out an old envelope.
My breathing stopped.
Because I recognized the handwriting.
Daniel.
Elias noticed.
“You want answers?””
I stared at the envelope.
“Where did you get that?””
“From your brother.””
Marcus moved forward.
“Don’t.””
Elias ignored him.
“Daniel knew this moment would happen.””
My eyes narrowed.
“You knew he was alive.””
A pause.
Then Elias said:
“Yes.””
The honesty shocked me.
“You’re admitting it?””
“I’m admitting I knew where he was.””
“Where?””
Elias looked at Maya.
Then back at me.
“That depends.””
My anger exploded.
“Depends on what?””
“On whether you still believe Daniel wanted you to find him.””
I didn’t answer.
Because a small part of me was afraid.
Afraid that every person in this room knew something I didn’t.
Elias held out the envelope.
“Read it.””
I didn’t move.
Marcus whispered:
“Red, don’t.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because Elias never gives anything without taking something.””
Elias smiled.
“Still dramatic.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“You destroyed his life.””
“No.””
Elias’s voice became cold.
“Daniel destroyed his own life when he decided he was smarter than everyone around him.””
The words hit a nerve.
Because they sounded familiar.
They sounded like something my father would have said.
I grabbed the envelope.
Elias let go.
Our eyes met.
For a second, I saw something.
Not guilt.
Not fear.
Confidence.
Like he already knew what the letter said.
I opened it.
The paper was old.
Daniel’s handwriting filled the page.
Red,
If Elias gives you this, then I failed to keep you away from the truth.
I stopped.
My heart sank.
I kept reading.
I need you to understand something.
The person you think is your enemy is not always the person who hurt you.
And the person who helps you is not always trying to save you.
I looked up.
Elias watched me.
I continued.
Dad found out what I discovered.
But he wasn’t the only one involved.
There were people around him.
People who made sure nobody asked questions.
People who controlled what we knew.
People who made us afraid.
My hands shook.
The letter continued.
Red, I need you to find the place where everything started.
The key you received will open the door.
Inside, you’ll find the truth.
But be careful.
Because the person who brings you there…
is the person who knows how to hide the truth.
I lowered the paper.
Everyone was silent.
Marcus looked at Elias.
“You knew.””
Elias didn’t deny it.
I stared at him.
“The key.””
His expression changed.
“What key?””
I froze.
Because for the first time…
Elias looked surprised.
The real kind.
Not controlled.
Not fake.
He didn’t know.
I looked at Marcus.
Then the key in my hand.
Then Elias.
Someone else had sent us here.
Someone else was moving pieces.
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Everyone turned.
Maya screamed.
I ran toward the sound.
At the top of the stairs, a window was broken.
Cold air rushed inside.
And on the floor was a small piece of paper.
Three words written in black ink.
HE IS ALIVE.
I picked it up.
And beneath those words was another sentence.
May you like
But this one made my blood turn cold.
I KNOW WHERE.
