The Secret in the Old Computer
1119 Words
Sophia watched the road through the passenger window as Daniel drove toward her home.
Neither of them had spoken for several minutes.
The events at Warehouse 17 were still fresh in her mind.
David had disappeared.
Thomas had given them the flash drive.
And someone had tried to stop them from leaving.
Sophia held her handbag tightly against her chest.
"Daniel."
"Yes?"
"Do you think we're being followed?"
He glanced at the rearview mirror.
A black SUV was several cars behind them.
"I think so."
Sophia turned around.
The SUV remained at the same distance.
"Should we call the police?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because we don't know who we can trust."
Sophia looked at him.
"That's becoming terrifying."
Daniel reached over and gently took her hand.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
She looked down at their hands.
His words gave her a strange sense of safety.
"Don't promise something you can't control."
Daniel looked at her.
"I can control one thing."
"What?"
"I can choose to stay."
Sophia's heart skipped.
She squeezed his hand.
"Then stay."
"I will."
For a moment, the fear disappeared.
There were only the two of them.
But neither knew that someone was already waiting at Sophia's house.
When they arrived, the front door was locked.
Sophia frowned.
"My mother should be home."
Daniel looked around.
"Call her."
Sophia tried.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
"Maybe she's sleeping."
"At this hour?"
Sophia shook her head.
"No. She never sleeps without answering my calls."
Daniel examined the door.
"There are no signs of forced entry."
Sophia took out her key.
They entered.
The house was completely dark.
"Mom?"
No answer.
Sophia switched on the lights.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
Then she noticed something.
The drawer beside the television was open.
She always kept it closed.
Daniel noticed it too.
"Did someone search the house?"
Sophia walked toward the drawer.
"Maybe."
Inside were old photographs, letters, and several documents.
She suddenly remembered the computer.
"Wait."
She ran upstairs.
Daniel followed.
At the end of the hallway was a small room her mother rarely used.
Sophia opened the door.
An old computer sat on a wooden desk.
The screen was covered with dust.
"My mother hasn't used this in years."
Daniel looked around.
"Maybe she did recently."
Sophia touched the keyboard.
The computer turned on.
She stared at the screen.
"It still works."
Daniel placed the flash drive on the desk.
"Let's see what's inside."
Sophia connected it.
A password screen appeared.
"Of course."
Daniel sighed.
"Try your mother's birthday."
Sophia entered it.
Wrong password.
"Your father's?"
She tried.
Wrong again.
"Maybe something personal."
Sophia thought for a moment.
Then she typed the name of her childhood dog.
The computer unlocked.
She looked at Daniel in surprise.
"How did you know?"
"I didn't."
A folder appeared on the screen.
Its name was simple.
1996.
Sophia opened it.
There were dozens of files.
Business reports.
Bank statements.
Photographs.
Audio recordings.
And one video.
Daniel clicked it.
The screen showed his father.
Robert Carter.
Sophia stopped breathing.
Her mother's voice could be heard behind the camera.
Robert looked exhausted.
"Michael has to leave the city tonight."
Sophia's eyes widened.
"Why?"
Robert continued.
"Adrian knows about the account."
Sophia looked at Daniel.
He stared at the screen.
"What account?"
The recording continued.
"The money was never stolen. It was insurance."
Her mother's voice asked,
"Insurance for what?"
Robert looked toward the camera.
"For the people we love."
The video suddenly ended.
Sophia stared at the black screen.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel didn't answer.
He opened another file.
It contained a list of names.
Robert Carter.
Michael Bennett.
David Harrison.
Adrian Vale.
And one more name.
Eleanor Carter.
Daniel froze.
"Who is Eleanor?"
Sophia looked at him.
"I don't know."
"She's my father's sister."
"Your aunt?"
"I thought she died years ago."
Sophia looked confused.
"You thought?"
Daniel opened another file.
There was an old photograph of Eleanor.
On the back was a handwritten note.
Eleanor knows where Robert went.
Sophia's heart began racing.
"Daniel."
"I see it."
"Your father may still be alive."
Daniel stared at the photograph.
For years, he had believed his father was dead.
But now every piece of evidence was telling him something different.
Robert Carter might still be alive.
Suddenly, the computer screen went black.
The lights in the room flickered.
Sophia looked toward the window.
"Did you see that?"
Daniel stood.
"What?"
"There was someone outside."
He moved toward the window.
Nothing.
Only darkness.
Then they heard a noise downstairs.
A door closing.
Sophia grabbed Daniel's arm.
"Someone is in the house."
Daniel took out his phone.
"Stay behind me."
They moved quietly down the stairs.
The living room was empty.
Then Sophia noticed the front door.
It was open.
Her mother was standing outside.
"Mom!"
Sophia ran toward her.
Her mother looked terrified.
"Where were you?"
"I had to leave."
"Why?"
Her mother looked at Daniel.
Then at the computer upstairs.
"You opened it."
Sophia nodded.
"You knew about it."
Her mother closed her eyes.
"I was hoping you would never find it."
Daniel stepped closer.
"Mrs. Bennett, is my father alive?"
Her mother didn't answer.
"Please."
She looked at him.
"Yes."
Daniel's face went pale.
Sophia covered her mouth.
"Where is he?"
Her mother shook her head.
"I don't know."
"But you said yes."
"I know he survived."
"How?"
"Because I saw him."
"When?"
"Three years ago."
Daniel stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he made me promise."
"Promise what?"
"To protect you."
Daniel's voice broke.
"From what?"
Her mother looked toward the street.
"From Adrian Vale."
Silence.
Sophia stepped closer.
"Where is my father?"
Her mother looked at her.
"I don't know."
"Mom, please."
"I only know one thing."
"What?"
She lowered her voice.
"Robert Carter and Michael Bennett are still connected to the same secret."
Before anyone could ask another question, a car stopped outside.
Her mother looked terrified.
"He's here."
Daniel turned toward the street.
"Who?"
She whispered,
"Adrian."
The car door opened.
A man stepped out.
Sophia had never met him before.
But Daniel recognized him immediately from the old photograph.
Adrian Vale.
He looked toward the house and smiled.
Then he slowly walked toward them.
Sophia's mother grabbed her hand.
"Whatever happens, don't trust him."
Adrian stopped at the gate.
His eyes met Daniel's.
Then he smiled.
"Daniel Carter."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Where is my father?"
Adrian's smile disappeared.
"That's the first question you should have asked."
Sophia's heart raced.
Adrian looked at her.
"And you're Sophia."
She froze.
"How do you know my name?"
He smiled again.
"Because I've been waiting for you for
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