The Man Who Came Back
2562 Words
Episode 12: The Man Who Came Back
“Alexander!”
Emma dropped to her knees beside him.
Blood stained his shirt.
For a few seconds, she could hear nothing except the sound of her own heartbeat.
“Alexander, open your eyes!”
His eyes moved slightly.
Then closed again.
Rebecca rushed toward them.
“He's alive.”
“How do you know?”
“I can feel his pulse.”
Daniel immediately pulled out his phone.
“We need a doctor.”
Victor stepped forward.
“No one is leaving.”
Daniel pointed his weapon at him.
“Move.”
Victor smiled.
“You still don't understand, Daniel.”
“I understand enough.”
Victor looked at the man standing behind him.
“Tell them.”
Emma looked up.
Her biological father was still holding the gun.
“Why did you shoot him?”
The man stared at Alexander.
“I didn't.”
Emma looked at the weapon in his hand.
“You're holding the gun!”
“I fired.”
“Then you shot him!”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“The bullet didn't come from my gun.”
Emma looked confused.
Victor suddenly laughed.
“This is exactly why I brought everyone here.”
Daniel looked around.
“Where's the second shooter?”
Victor smiled.
“Gone.”
Daniel's face tightened.
“Then you planned this.”
Victor didn't answer.
Emma pressed her hand against Alexander's wound.
“Please stay awake.”
Alexander slowly opened his eyes.
“Emma.”
“I'm here.”
“Get out.”
“No.”
“Emma...”
“You're not dying.”
He tried to smile.
“I wasn't planning to.”
Daniel rushed toward them.
“We need to move him.”
Rebecca nodded.
“There is an emergency room at the old clinic nearby.”
Victor raised his weapon.
“No one moves.”
Daniel stepped between him and Emma.
“You're finished, Victor.”
Victor smiled.
“You're still protecting Alexander.”
“I always have.”
Emma looked at Daniel.
“You said you were working against Victor.”
“I am.”
“Then help us.”
Daniel nodded.
He suddenly kicked a nearby chair into Victor.
The room erupted into chaos.
Rebecca grabbed Emma.
“Take Alexander!”
Emma and Daniel lifted Alexander together.
They rushed toward the emergency exit.
Victor shouted behind them.
“YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER!”
Daniel slammed the door.
They ran through the hallway.
“Is he going to survive?” Emma asked.
Daniel looked at Alexander.
“If we get him to the clinic quickly.”
They reached the basement.
A black vehicle was waiting.
Sophia stood beside it.
“Get in!”
They placed Alexander inside.
Emma climbed beside him.
Rebecca followed.
Daniel drove.
Sophia sat in the passenger seat.
The hotel disappeared behind them.
Emma held Alexander's hand.
“Stay with me.”
Alexander opened his eyes.
“I heard you.”
“You scared me.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't apologize. Just stay alive.”
He smiled weakly.
“You're bossy.”
Emma laughed through her tears.
“And you're annoying.”
“Good.”
His eyes closed again.
Emma became frightened.
“Alexander?”
Daniel looked at them through the mirror.
“He's still breathing.”
The clinic was only fifteen minutes away.
But those fifteen minutes felt like an eternity.
When they arrived, two doctors were waiting.
Daniel had called ahead.
Alexander was taken inside immediately.
Emma remained outside the operating room.
Rebecca sat beside her.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Emma asked:
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Is he really my father?”
Rebecca looked at her.
“Yes.”
Emma stared at the floor.
“Why did you tell me he was dead?”
“Because he had to disappear.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor was looking for him.”
“But you knew where he was?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Rebecca looked away.
“He had been living under another name.”
Emma's voice broke.
“Why didn't he come to see me?”
“He wanted to.”
“Then why didn't he?”
“Because he believed staying away was the only way to keep you alive.”
Emma shook her head.
“I don't understand.”
Rebecca held her hand.
“You will.”
The operating room doors opened.
A doctor stepped out.
Emma stood immediately.
“How is he?”
The doctor smiled.
“The bullet missed his heart. He lost blood, but he's stable.”
Emma closed her eyes in relief.
“Can I see him?”
“Not yet.”
Rebecca hugged her.
“He's going to be okay.”
Emma nodded.
Across the hallway, Daniel stood alone.
Emma walked toward him.
“You knew my father was alive.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Eight years.”
“You lied to me too.”
“I had to.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Daniel lowered his head.
“I know.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn't.”
Emma stared at him.
“What?”
“You shouldn't trust anyone right now.”
He handed her a small envelope.
“This belongs to you.”
Emma opened it.
Inside was an old letter.
The handwriting was unfamiliar.
She read:
Emma,
If you're reading this, then I have failed to stay away from you.
I wanted to protect you.
I thought distance would keep you safe.
I was wrong.
Your mother will tell you things I could not.
But there is one thing you must know.
The night your father died, I made a promise to Clara.
I promised that if anything happened to her, I would protect you.
I have kept that promise from a distance.
Now you are old enough to know the truth.
Do not trust Victor.
Do not trust Grant.
And do not trust anyone who tells you the entire story.
Because the person who betrayed us is still alive.
Emma stopped reading.
She looked at Daniel.
“Who wrote this?”
“Your father.”
“When?”
“Six months ago.”
Emma's heart raced.
“He knew I was alive.”
“Yes.”
“He was watching me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To make sure Victor didn't find you.”
Emma looked at the letter again.
“What happened to my father eight years ago?”
Daniel took a deep breath.
“Your father wasn't killed.”
Emma looked at him.
“What?”
“He disappeared.”
“Why?”
“Because he was framed.”
“By Victor?”
Daniel shook his head.
“Victor was part of it.”
“Then who framed him?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Emma remembered the final sentence.
“The person who betrayed us is still alive.”
She looked at Daniel.
“Who?”
Daniel stared toward the operating room.
“I don't know.”
Emma knew he was lying.
“You do.”
Daniel remained silent.
“You know who betrayed my family.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you'll go looking for that person.”
“I will.”
“And that's exactly what they want.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Then help me.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I've spent eight years trying to keep you away from this.”
“And now?”
“Now it's too late.”
Before Emma could respond, Sophia approached.
“We have a problem.”
Daniel turned.
“What?”
“Someone broke into the clinic.”
Emma's heart dropped.
“Victor?”
Sophia shook her head.
“No.”
“Then who?”
Sophia looked toward the entrance.
“Grant.”
Daniel immediately pulled out his weapon.
“Where?”
“Main entrance.”
Daniel looked at Emma.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Emma.”
“I am done hiding.”
Daniel stared at her.
Then nodded.
“Fine. But stay behind me.”
The lights suddenly flickered.
A nurse screamed from the hallway.
Daniel moved forward.
Emma followed.
They saw several security guards lying unconscious on the floor.
Sophia whispered:
“He came alone.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“What?”
“He never works alone.”
A slow clap echoed through the corridor.
Grant stepped into view.
“Very impressive.”
Daniel raised his weapon.
Grant smiled.
“You've become predictable.”
“Where's Victor?”
“Gone.”
Emma stepped forward.
“Where is my father?”
Grant looked at her.
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
“You shouldn't have come here.”
“Answer me.”
Grant stared at her.
“Your father is the reason all of this started.”
“You're lying.”
“Ask your mother.”
Emma looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca was standing behind her.
Her face was pale.
Grant smiled.
“She knows.”
Rebecca whispered:
“Don't listen to him.”
Grant took a step forward.
“Tell her what happened eight years ago.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.”
“Tell her.”
“No.”
Grant looked at Emma.
“Your father didn't disappear to protect you.”
Emma froze.
“He disappeared because he betrayed everyone.”
Rebecca shouted:
“That's not true!”
Grant smiled.
“Then tell her who opened the door that night.”
Emma turned toward her mother.
“What door?”
Rebecca couldn't answer.
Grant continued.
“The door that allowed Victor to enter.”
Emma's eyes widened.
“Mom?”
Rebecca began crying.
“I didn't know.”
Grant laughed.
“You knew enough.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Grant looked at him.
“You've protected them long enough.”
“What do you want?”
“The evidence.”
Daniel frowned.
“Which evidence?”
“The original recording.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“You don't have it?”
“No.”
Grant smiled.
“And neither do you.”
Emma remembered the hidden archive.
The recording her father's voice.
The missing piece.
She suddenly understood.
“The missing part of the recording.”
Grant looked at her.
“What about it?”
“You don't have it.”
Grant's eyes narrowed.
“Where is it?”
Emma smiled faintly.
“I don't know.”
Grant stepped closer.
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because if you knew where it was, you wouldn't be here asking me.”
Grant stared at her.
Then he laughed.
“You're more like your father than I expected.”
Emma's blood ran cold.
“You knew him.”
“I knew everyone.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
Grant looked toward Rebecca.
“She'll tell you.”
He suddenly turned and ran.
Daniel chased him.
But Grant disappeared through the emergency exit.
Sophia followed.
Emma remained beside Rebecca.
“Mom.”
Rebecca wiped her tears.
“I'm sorry.”
“Did you open the door eight years ago?”
Rebecca looked at her.
“Yes.”
Emma's heart broke.
“Why?”
“Because I thought your father was inside.”
“But Victor entered.”
“I didn't know he was there.”
“What happened after?”
Rebecca looked toward Alexander's room.
“Your father confronted Victor.”
“And?”
“They fought.”
“Then?”
“Your father told me to take you and run.”
“Why?”
“Because he knew Victor would kill you.”
Emma shook her head.
“But you said my father was dead.”
“I lied.”
“You lied to me my whole life.”
Rebecca began crying.
“I was trying to give you a life.”
Emma looked away.
Then a nurse rushed toward them.
“Are you Emma?”
“Yes.”
“The patient is awake.”
Emma immediately ran toward Alexander's room.
He was lying on the bed.
Weak.
But awake.
She sat beside him.
“You're alive.”
Alexander smiled.
“Unfortunately.”
She laughed.
Then she began crying.
He reached for her hand.
“Don't cry.”
“You scared me.”
“I know.”
She held his hand tightly.
“Alexander.”
“Yes?”
“I found out something.”
“What?”
“My father is alive.”
Alexander stared at her.
“I know.”
Emma's eyes widened.
“You knew?”
“I remembered.”
“What else do you remember?”
Alexander looked toward the window.
“Your father saved me.”
“What?”
“The night of the accident.”
Emma leaned closer.
“Tell me.”
Alexander took a slow breath.
“I saw your father fighting Victor.”
“What happened?”
“Victor had a gun.”
“And?”
“Your father pushed me away.”
Alexander's eyes filled with emotion.
“He took the bullet meant for me.”
Emma covered her mouth.
“He saved you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did he disappear?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Because he believed everyone would think he was responsible.”
Emma shook her head.
“That isn't all.”
“No.”
“What else?”
Alexander stared at her.
“Your father told me something before he disappeared.”
“What?”
“He told me to protect you.”
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
“And you did.”
Alexander smiled.
“I tried.”
The room became quiet.
Then Alexander remembered something.
“Emma.”
“What?”
“Your father gave me something.”
“What?”
“A key.”
“To what?”
“I don't know.”
He reached beneath the pillow.
A small silver key was in his hand.
Emma took it.
There was a symbol engraved on it.
A star.
The same symbol she had seen in the underground room.
Her eyes widened.
“This isn't a normal key.”
“No.”
“What does it open?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Your father said it would lead us to the person who betrayed everyone.”
Emma stared at the key.
Then the door suddenly opened.
Daniel stood there.
His expression was serious.
“We found Grant's car.”
“Where?”
“At the old Hayes estate.”
Alexander tried to sit up.
“I'm coming.”
“No,” Emma said.
“You're injured.”
“I don't care.”
Daniel shook his head.
“There's something else.”
“What?”
“We found Grant's phone.”
Emma looked at him.
“What's on it?”
Daniel hesitated.
“A message.”
“From who?”
Daniel looked at Alexander.
“From Victor.”
Alexander's face changed.
“What does it say?”
Daniel placed the phone on the table.
The message contained only one sentence:
THE TRAITOR IS ALREADY INSIDE THE ROOM.
Everyone became silent.
Emma looked around.
There were four people in the room.
She looked at Rebecca.
Then Daniel.
Then Sophia.
Finally, Alexander.
Someone was lying.
And none of them knew who.
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