The Key to the Past
939 Words
Elena turned back toward Adrian.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
The mysterious man was gone.
But his words remained in Elena’s mind.
Ask Adrian why your father trusted his father.
And why that trust ended with your father disappearing.
Elena slowly walked toward Adrian.
“Is it true?”
Adrian looked at her.
“What?”
“My father trusted your father.”
Adrian remained silent.
Elena wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“And then something happened between them.”
Adrian looked away.
“Adrian, answer me.”
He took a deep breath.
“Yes.”
Elena’s heart sank.
“You knew?”
“I knew there was something between our fathers.”
“You knew my father disappeared because of your family?”
“I never said that.”
“But you knew!”
Her voice shook.
Adrian stepped closer.
“I knew your father was involved in something with my father. I didn't know exactly what happened to him.”
Elena stared at him.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Adrian had no answer.
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You keep saying you're protecting me. But every time I ask a question, you hide something.”
“I was trying to keep you safe.”
“Safe from what?”
Adrian looked at her.
“From the people who are looking for you.”
Elena froze.
“Looking for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Adrian walked toward the table and picked up the old photograph.
“Because your father left something behind.”
Elena followed him.
“What did he leave?”
Adrian turned the photograph over.
There was a small mark written on the back.
Elena had seen it before.
But she hadn't understood it.
“What is that?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
Adrian looked at her.
“I wish I was.”
Suddenly, Elena heard a sound outside.
Both of them turned toward the window.
A car was parked across the street.
The lights were off.
Someone was sitting inside.
Elena stepped closer to the window.
“Is that them?”
Adrian immediately pulled her away.
“Don't stand there.”
“Why?”
“Because they may be watching.”
Elena's breathing became faster.
“Who are they?”
“I don't know.”
Adrian walked to the door.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I am tired of staying behind while you deal with everything.”
Adrian stopped.
She looked directly into his eyes.
“If someone is coming after me, I deserve to know why.”
Adrian's expression softened.
“I know.”
“Then tell me.”
Before Adrian could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“What is it?” Elena asked.
He didn't answer.
The phone rang again.
This time, Adrian picked it up.
“Hello?”
There was silence.
Then a man's voice came through.
“You should have listened to your father.”
Adrian's eyes darkened.
“Who are you?”
The caller laughed quietly.
“You still don't recognize me?”
Adrian gripped the phone.
“Show yourself.”
“I don't need to.”
The call ended.
Elena stared at Adrian.
“What did he say?”
Adrian slowly lowered the phone.
“He mentioned my father.”
Elena's heart raced.
“Then maybe we should find your father.”
Adrian looked at her.
“My father has been dead for years.”
Elena went silent.
“Then who knows what happened between our fathers?”
Adrian didn't answer.
A loud noise suddenly came from the back of the house.
They both turned.
Adrian quickly moved toward the hallway.
“Elena, stay here.”
But Elena followed him.
They reached the back door.
It was open.
The lock had been broken.
Adrian looked outside.
No one was there.
Then Elena noticed something on the floor.
A small black envelope.
She picked it up.
“Adrian.”
He turned.
“What is it?”
Elena handed it to him.
Adrian opened the envelope.
Inside was a single piece of paper.
Only one sentence was written on it.
“Your fathers made a deal. Now you must pay the price.”
Elena's hands began to shake.
“What deal?”
Adrian stared at the message.
“I don't know.”
Then something fell from inside the envelope.
A small silver key.
Elena picked it up.
There was a letter engraved on it.
C.
Adrian's eyes widened.
“Elena…”
“What?”
He stared at the key.
“I've seen this before.”
“Where?”
Adrian looked at her.
“In my father's study.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“Then we need to find out what it opens.”
Adrian nodded slowly.
But before they could move, Elena's phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen.
It was an unknown number.
A message appeared.
“Ask your mother who the woman in the photograph really was.”
Elena stopped breathing.
The woman in the photograph.
Her aunt.
The woman who had disappeared twenty-five years ago.
Elena looked at Adrian.
“What if she's still alive?”
Adrian's expression became serious.
“Then we need to find her.”
Elena looked at the silver key in her hand.
For the first time, she realized something.
Her father's disappearance wasn't the beginning of the mystery.
It was only the beginning of the truth.
And now, someone was determined to make sure Elena never discovered it.
To be continued......
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