Chapter 17
223 Words
CHAPTER 17
The corridor outside the archives was almost empty when Amara arrived. The hospital had grown quiet, the daytime rush replaced by the muted footsteps of night-shift staff and the distant hum of machines. She checked the number on the old key one more time before looking at the row of lockers lining the wall.
17.
Her pulse quickened.
She inserted the key and turned it slowly. For a moment, nothing happened. Then there was a soft metallic click.
Amara pulled the door open.
Inside was a small brown envelope, a silver flash drive, and an old hospital identification card.
She picked up the card first.
Her fingers went cold.
SAMUEL LIN — CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN.
The photograph showed her father exactly as she remembered him.
Then she noticed the date.
Twenty years ago.
Beneath his name was another line of writing.
AUTHORIZED ACCESS: MERIDIAN FOUNDATION — RESTRICTED.
Amara stared at it, barely breathing.
So her father hadn't simply worked for the foundation.
He had possessed restricted access.
She reached for the envelope and opened it carefully. Inside was a single handwritten note.
Amara, if you found this, they failed to stop you.
Her heart pounded.
Do not trust the records.
A sound came from behind her.
Amara froze.
Someone was standing at the end of the corridor.
Then the lights went out.
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