CHAPTER 9: THE FAMILY SECRET
916 Words
Amelia remained standing in Alexander’s room.
The words he had spoken continued to echo in her mind.
It’s starting again.
She looked at the old file on his desk.
What happened thirty years ago?
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the window and stared into the darkness outside.
I don't know everything.
Then tell me what you do know.
He turned toward her.
Evelyn Carter was connected to my family. That's all I knew until tonight.
And my mother?
Sarah was connected to her.
How?
I don't know.
Amelia's frustration grew.
You keep saying you don't know.
Because that's the truth.
Then find out.
Alexander studied her.
You don't understand what you're asking.
My mother is part of this. A woman who looked exactly like me disappeared. Someone is threatening me. Someone broke into your house. I think I have a right to know what is happening.
He was silent.
Then he walked back to the desk and opened another drawer.
There was a small key inside.
He picked it up.
What is that?
The key to my grandfather's private archive.
Amelia stared at it.
You have the archive here?
No.
Where is it?
Alexander hesitated.
Somewhere no one knows about.
Including my family?
Especially my family.
Amelia took a breath.
Then we need to go there.
Tonight?
Yes.
Alexander looked at the clock.
It's nearly midnight.
I don't care.
He almost smiled.
You're stubborn.
I've been told that too.
He picked up his jacket.
Fine.
But you stay beside me.
---
Twenty minutes later, they were driving through the city.
The mansion disappeared behind them.
Amelia sat quietly beside Alexander.
Where are we going?
You'll know when we arrive.
She sighed.
You really enjoy keeping secrets.
It's kept me alive.
The words made her turn toward him.
What does that mean?
Alexander didn't answer.
A few minutes later, the car turned onto a narrow road surrounded by trees.
There were no buildings nearby.
No streetlights.
Nothing but darkness.
Amelia looked outside.
Where are we?
An old Blackwood property.
My grandfather used it years ago.
The car stopped in front of a small stone house.
It looked abandoned.
Alexander stepped out.
Amelia followed.
He unlocked the front door.
The inside smelled of dust and old wood.
There was almost no furniture.
Alexander walked straight toward a bookshelf.
He moved three books from the middle shelf.
A hidden panel opened.
Amelia stared.
You have got to be kidding me.
Alexander reached inside and removed a metal box.
He placed it on the table.
The key fit the lock.
Click.
The box opened.
Inside were dozens of documents.
Photographs.
Letters.
Old newspaper clippings.
Amelia stepped closer.
This is everything?
Everything my grandfather wanted hidden.
Alexander handed her a photograph.
It showed Evelyn.
Beside her was Amelia's mother.
They were standing outside a building Amelia didn't recognize.
When was this taken?
1997.
A year before Evelyn disappeared.
Amelia turned the photograph over.
There was writing on the back.
The Carter women must never know what happened.
Her hands began to shake.
The Carter women.
My mother knew.
Alexander nodded.
Apparently.
Amelia looked through the papers.
Then she found something.
A letter.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
She knew it immediately.
It was her mother's.
Amelia's heart began pounding.
She opened it.
The first line made her blood run cold.
If you're reading this, then Evelyn is already gone.
Amelia covered her mouth.
Alexander stepped closer.
What does it say?
She continued reading.
I don't know who I can trust anymore. The Blackwoods are hiding something, but they aren't the only ones. Evelyn discovered the truth, and now they're coming after anyone who knows about it.
Amelia's eyes filled with tears.
She turned the page.
There was only one sentence left.
If anything happens to me, protect my daughter. Keep her away from the Blackwood family.
Amelia slowly lowered the letter.
Her mother had known.
She had known something dangerous was connected to the Blackwoods.
And somehow, Amelia had walked straight into it.
Alexander took the letter from her.
His expression changed as he read it.
She tried to protect you.
Amelia looked at him.
Then why did she never tell me?
Maybe she was afraid.
Afraid of what?
Alexander looked toward the dark window.
Of them.
A noise suddenly came from outside.
Both of them froze.
Footsteps.
Someone was walking around the house.
Alexander immediately turned off the lights.
Amelia's heart raced.
Someone knows we're here.
Alexander moved toward the door.
Stay here.
She grabbed his arm.
Don't go alone.
He looked down at her hand.
Then at her face.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, he nodded.
Stay behind me.
They moved silently toward the door.
The footsteps stopped.
Alexander opened it.
Nobody was there.
Only darkness.
Then he noticed something on the ground.
An envelope.
He picked it up.
Amelia stepped closer.
What is it?
Alexander turned it over.
Her name was written across the front.
AMELIA CARTER.
She stared at it.
But before Alexander could open it, his phone rang.
He answered.
A security officer's voice came through.
Sir, we've just discovered something at the mansion.
What?
The officer hesitated.
There's been another break-in.
Alexander's expression hardened.
What was taken?
The answer came quietly.
Nothing.
But someone left a message.
Alexander's eyes moved toward Amelia.
What message?
The officer spoke.
They wrote it on the wall.
Alexander's face went cold.
What does it say?
A pause.
Then the officer answered.
Evelyn is alive.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD