Chapter 7: The Man in the Video
Darius stopped breathing.
The video was only a few seconds long, but he knew the man standing beside his hospital bed.
The silver watch.
The posture.
The scar above his right eyebrow.
His father.
Marcus stumbled backward.
“That’s impossible.””
Darius didn't blink.
On the phone screen, the timestamp read *11:43 P.M.*
The camera angle was high, as if recorded from a security camera hidden near the ceiling.
Darius lay unconscious beneath white hospital sheets.
Simone stood near the doorway.
And beside the bed was the man everyone had buried twelve years ago.
Darius whispered, “Dad.””
Simone covered her mouth.
The video continued.
His father leaned over Darius.
His lips moved.
There was no sound.
Darius paused the video.
“Why is there no audio?””
Marcus stared at the screen.
“Because whoever sent it removed it.””
Darius looked at him.
“You knew he was alive.””
“No.””
“You knew.””
“I swear I didn't.””
Darius restarted the video.
His father pulled a small envelope from inside his jacket.
He placed it on Darius's chest.
Then he looked directly toward the camera.
As if he knew someone was watching.
He said something.
Darius froze the frame.
“Zoom in.””
Marcus leaned closer.
Simone shook her head.
“Don't.””
Darius ignored her.
The image sharpened just enough to reveal his father's mouth.
Three words.
*“Find your mother.””*
Darius stared.
“My mother?””
Marcus went pale.
Darius turned toward him.
“You said Mom died before Dad.””
“She did.””
“Then why would he tell me to find her?””
Marcus shook his head.
“I don't know.””
Darius looked at Simone.
“Did you know about this?””
“No.””
“Look at me.””
She raised her eyes.
“I didn't know.””
The video continued.
Darius's father picked up the envelope again.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
He held it toward the camera.
The photograph showed three babies.
Three infants lying side by side.
Darius leaned toward the screen.
Marcus whispered, “No.””
“What?””
Marcus's face had gone gray.
“I've seen that picture.””
Darius turned sharply.
“Where?””
Marcus didn't answer.
“Where?””
“At Dad's house.””
“Our old house?””
“Yes.””
“You said everything was destroyed.””
“Most of it was.””
Darius stared at the photograph.
Three babies.
Three hospital bracelets.
Three names.
The image was blurry, but one bracelet was readable.
*DARIUS COLE.*
The second:
*MARCUS COLE.*
The third name was partially covered by his father's hand.
Darius paused the video.
“What's the third name?””
Marcus shook his head.
“I don't know.””
Simone stepped closer.
“Darius…”
He looked at her.
“You knew there was another baby.””
“No.””
“Then why do you look like you've seen a ghost?””
She wiped her tears.
“Because I have.””
Darius's face tightened.
“What does that mean?””
Simone pointed at the phone.
“Keep watching.””
The video resumed.
His father placed the photograph back into the envelope.
Then he leaned toward Darius's unconscious face.
His mouth moved again.
This time Darius could read it.
*“They'll come for you.””*
The video ended.
The screen went black.
Nobody spoke.
Then Nia's small voice came from behind them.
“Daddy?””
Darius turned.
She was standing beside the table.
“What is it, baby?””
Nia looked at the phone.
“That's the man from Mama's picture.””
Darius's stomach dropped.
“What picture?””
Nia frowned.
“The one she keeps under her bed.””
Simone's face went completely still.
Darius looked at her.
“You have another picture?””
Simone whispered, “Nia, sweetheart…”
Darius raised a hand.
“Where is it?””
Nia pointed toward Simone.
“She keeps it in the bedroom.””
Darius stared at his wife.
“You told me there was only one photograph.””
“I forgot.””
“You forgot?””
Simone's eyes filled again.
“I didn't know what to do.””
Darius stepped away.
“You knew my father might be alive.””
“No.””
“You had his picture.””
“I found it.””
“When?””
“After the accident.””
Marcus suddenly said, “That's not true.””
Simone turned.
Marcus's expression was hard.
“You found it before.””
“Marcus, stop.””
“You found it the night we met him.””
Darius's head snapped toward Marcus.
“We met him?””
Marcus looked at Simone.
She whispered, “Please.””
Darius stepped forward.
“When?””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“The night of the accident.””
Darius's heart pounded.
“Where?””
Marcus swallowed.
“In the hospital.””
Darius looked at the phone.
Then at Simone.
Then at Marcus.
“My father was alive that night.””
“Yes.””
“And you both saw him.””
Marcus nodded.
Darius's voice cracked.
“Why did you let me believe he was dead?””
Marcus looked devastated.
“Because he told us to.””
Darius stared.
“He told you to lie to me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Marcus opened his mouth.
Before he could answer, the second phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
*YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE WRONG PERSON.*
Darius read it.
Then another appeared.
*YOUR FATHER DID NOT COME TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEE SIMONE.*
Darius's pulse quickened.
The final message appeared.
*HE CAME TO SEE HIS DAUGHTER.*
Darius looked at Simone.
Then at Marcus.
May you like
And finally at Nia.
Simone's face collapsed.
