Chapter 12: The Friend Who Lied
Nobody spoke.
The security monitor showed Daniel standing outside Maya’s bedroom.
Holding the box.
The same box Maya remembered.
Marcus slowly turned.
Daniel was still standing beside him.
The real Daniel.
Or at least the man claiming to be Daniel.
His face had gone pale.
“Marcus: Explain.””
Daniel looked at the screen.
Then at Marcus.
“I can.””
“No.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Not another explanation. Not another story.””
Daniel swallowed.
“I found the box years ago.””
Marcus stared.
“Years ago?””
Vanessa looked shocked.
“You had it?””
Daniel nodded.
“I didn’t know what was inside.””
Marcus laughed quietly.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Daniel looked at Maya.
“Because Alana trusted me to keep her safe.””
Marcus pointed toward the monitor.
“Then why is there someone who looks exactly like you holding it?””
The room went silent.
Daniel looked confused.
“What?””
Marcus turned the screen toward him.
Daniel stared.
His expression changed.
Fear.
Not guilt.
Fear.
“That’s not me.””
Marcus didn’t move.
“You’re sure?””
“Yes.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“Someone is copying him.””
Vanessa looked at the screen.
“No.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
She looked terrified.
“I know who that is.””
Everyone waited.
Vanessa whispered:
“Ethan.””
Marcus frowned.
“Who is Ethan?””
Vanessa looked at Maya.
“Your father’s closest friend.””
Marcus froze.
“My friend?””
“Yes.””
The name hit him.
Ethan.
His business partner.
The person who helped him after Alana disappeared.
The person who convinced him to move forward.
The person who introduced him to Vanessa.
Marcus felt sick.
“He’s been dead.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.””
Another impossible truth.
Another person who wasn’t what they seemed.
Marcus looked at the monitor.
The figure outside Maya’s room moved.
He placed the box down.
Then walked away.
Marcus ran.
Everyone followed.
They reached Maya’s room.
The hallway was empty.
Only the box remained.
Marcus stared at it.
Nobody touched it.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
“Careful.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You think it’s dangerous?””
“I think it’s important.””
Marcus slowly picked it up.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph of Maya.
Not as a baby.
Recently.
Taken inside the mansion.
Marcus felt cold.
Someone had been watching her.
The entire time.
Under the photo was a note.
He opened it.
Only four words.
*She remembers everything now.*
Maya stepped closer.
“Who wrote that?””
Nobody answered.
Then she pointed.
“There’s something else.””
Behind the photograph was a small memory card.
Marcus took it.
The security room.
Everyone gathered around the computer.
He inserted it.
A video appeared.
Created eight years ago.
The screen showed Alana.
Alive.
Holding baby Maya.
Marcus’s breath stopped.
Alana looked directly at the camera.
“If Marcus sees this, it means everything went wrong.””
Marcus covered his mouth.
Her voice.
After all these years.
“I need you to know I never abandoned you.””
Tears formed in his eyes.
“I left because I had no choice.””
Maya watched silently.
Alana continued.
“And I need Maya to hear this one day.””
The baby in her arms moved.
Alana smiled sadly.
“She is the reason I survived.””
Marcus leaned closer.
Then Alana’s expression changed.
Someone had entered the room.
She looked away from the camera.
A voice spoke off-screen.
A man.
“Alana.””
Marcus froze.
Because he recognized the voice.
Everyone did.
It was Ethan.
Alana turned.
“You shouldn’t be here.””
Ethan laughed.
“You still don’t understand.””
The video shook.
Alana held Maya closer.
“What did you do?””
Ethan stepped closer.
“I fixed the problem.””
Marcus’s heart raced.
The recording continued.
Alana whispered:
“You told Marcus you were helping him.””
Ethan smiled.
“I was.””
The video cut briefly.
Then returned.
Ethan leaned closer.
“And now I’m going to help him forget.””
The screen went black.
Everyone stood frozen.
Then a final line appeared from the recording.
A message hidden by Alana.
*Marcus, if you found this, do not trust the person who brought you the truth.*
Marcus slowly turned.
His eyes moved around the room.
Daniel.
Vanessa.
Adrian.
Then the computer made one final sound.
A new message appeared.
From Ethan.
*You finally found the video.*
May you like
A pause.
*Now find out why Alana chose to leave you.*
