The journal
352 Words
The next morning, Oliver, Tracy, and Marcus arrived at Crescent National Bank before it opened.
Two armed security guards escorted them into the underground vault.
The bank manager unlocked a narrow safety deposit box.
"Mr. Lancaster," he said, "this box has not been opened in twenty-five years."
Oliver inserted the silver key.
Click.
Inside lay a worn leather journal, a faded photograph, and a sealed envelope.
Tracy picked up the photograph first.
It showed a young woman smiling as she held a newborn baby.
Beside her stood a young man with his arm around her shoulders.
Tears filled Tracy's eyes.
"My parents..."
She turned the picture over.
Written on the back were the words:
"For our daughter, Tracy. Never forget that love makes a family—not blood."
Oliver gently squeezed her hand.
"They loved you. Nothing can change that."
Taking a deep breath, Tracy opened the journal.
The first pages described an ordinary life.
Then, halfway through, the handwriting became rushed and uneven.
> They've discovered the truth.
Edward Lancaster promised to protect us, but someone else in the family wants Tracy for Project Phoenix.
We have to disappear before they take her.
Tracy's hands trembled as she turned another page.
A folded document slipped out.
Marcus opened it carefully.
It was the results of a DNA test.
He scanned the report, then looked up in disbelief.
"This changes everything."
Oliver stepped closer.
"What does it say?"
Marcus slowly handed the report to Tracy.
She read the final line aloud:
"Edward Lancaster is excluded as the biological father."
Everyone froze.
"So the birth certificate was fake," Oliver said.
Marcus nodded.
"Yes... but there's more."
He pointed to another line on the report.
Biological Father: Identity Withheld by Court Order.
Before anyone could react, the bank's emergency lights suddenly flashed.
The manager burst into the vault, panic written across his face.
"Mr. Lancaster!"
"What is it?"
"The police are here..."
He hesitated.
"But they're not asking for you."
"They're asking for Tracy."
Marcus frowned.
"On what charge?"
The manager swallowed hard.
"They say she's under arrest... for the murder of Ethan Brooks."
- Writer
