Ethan didn’t sleep.

He sat beside the motel window until morning.

The photograph was still in his hand.

Four men.

Four names.

His father.

Victor Reed.

Adrian Vale.

Detective Samuel Cross.

And one terrifying message.

ONE OF THEM SURVIVED.

Ethan kept staring at the photograph.

He knew his father was dead.

He had seen the funeral.

He had seen the coffin.

He had watched his mother cry.

But what about the others?

Victor was supposedly dead.

Adrian Vale had supposedly died fifteen years ago.

And Samuel Cross had disappeared.

The word supposedly suddenly felt dangerous.

Behind him…

Maya was asleep.

At least, Ethan thought she was.

Then she spoke.

“You’re still awake.”

Ethan looked back.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Because of the photograph?”

“Because of everything.”

Maya sat up.

She looked exhausted.

Ethan turned toward her.

“I need to ask you something.”

Maya sighed.

“Go ahead.”

“Why did your father give you that key?”

“I don’t know.”

“Think.”

“I’ve been thinking about it all night.”

“And?”

“Nothing.”

Ethan looked at the photograph again.

“Your father knew my parents were murdered.”

“Yes.”

“He knew about the secret room.”

“Yes.”

“He was investigating Adrian Vale.”

“Yes.”

“And he knew about the man who never left.”

Maya became quiet.

Ethan looked at her.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Maya.”

She shook her head.

“Ethan, I don’t know who the man is.”

“But you know something.”

“I know what my father told me.”

“What?”

Maya hesitated.

“That if you ever returned to Blackwood…”

“…I had to keep you alive.”

Ethan froze.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did he say anything else?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

Maya looked directly at him.

“He said the killer doesn’t want you dead.”

Ethan stared.

“Then what does he want?”

Maya whispered:

“He wants you to remember.”

---

They returned to Blackwood that afternoon.

The fire at the manor had been extinguished.

The police had surrounded the property.

Ethan parked several streets away.

Maya looked at him.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“No.”

“Then why are we doing it?”

“Because nobody is going to tell us the truth.”

Ethan got out.

Maya followed.

They walked through the woods behind the house.

The burned manor stood ahead.

Black smoke still rose from the roof.

Ethan stared.

“What happened to the secret room?”

“I don’t know.”

“We need to find out.”

They reached the back of the house.

A broken window provided an entrance.

Ethan climbed inside.

Maya followed.

The air smelled of smoke.

Everything was covered in ash.

Ethan looked around.

“Where was the staircase?”

Maya pointed.

“Behind the clock.”

They walked toward it.

The grandfather clock was still standing.

Untouched.

Ethan examined it.

The keyhole was empty.

Maya looked at him.

“The key.”

“What?”

“Your key.”

Ethan reached into his pocket.

The key was gone.

His face changed.

“That’s impossible.”

“What?”

“I had it.”

“When?”

“At the motel.”

Maya’s expression changed.

“Then someone took it.”

Ethan looked around.

“While we were sleeping?”

“Maybe.”

Suddenly…

A sound came from upstairs.

Footsteps.

Ethan and Maya froze.

Again.

Slow.

Heavy.

One step.

Then another.

Ethan whispered:

“Someone is here.”

Maya nodded.

They moved toward the staircase.

Ethan looked up.

A shadow crossed the hallway.

Then disappeared.

“Ethan…”

“Stay here.”

“No.”

“Maya.”

“Not again.”

Ethan sighed.

“Fine.”

They climbed together.

The third floor was almost completely burned.

The hallway was dark.

Ethan’s flashlight moved across the walls.

Then he stopped.

There was writing on the wall.

Written in black.

YOU REMEMBERED THE WRONG NIGHT.

Maya stared.

“What does that mean?”

Ethan stepped closer.

“I don’t know.”

Then another sentence appeared beneath it.

Not written.

Carved.

ASK YOUR MOTHER.

Ethan froze.

“My mother is dead.”

Maya looked at him.

“Maybe.”

“What do you mean?”

Maya pointed.

“Look.”

A small red light was blinking beside the writing.

Ethan approached.

It was a tiny recording device.

He picked it up.

The device activated.

Static filled the hallway.

Then…

A woman’s voice.

Ethan’s heart stopped.

His mother’s voice.

“Ethan…”

He closed his eyes.

“No.”

The recording continued.

“If you’re hearing this, then you’ve returned.”

Ethan couldn’t breathe.

Maya stood beside him.

“I know you will want answers.”

“But the truth will hurt you.”

Ethan whispered:

“Keep talking.”

“Your father wasn’t murdered because of what he knew.”

Ethan froze.

“He was murdered because of what he did.”

The recording stopped.

Ethan stared at the device.

“What did he do?”

The answer came from behind them.

“He betrayed us.”

Ethan turned.

A man stood at the end of the hallway.

Old.

Tall.

Grey hair.

A scar across his cheek.

Ethan raised the flashlight.

The man stepped forward.

Ethan froze.

He knew him.

He had seen him in photographs.

In newspapers.

In his childhood.

“Detective Cross.”

The man smiled.

“Hello, Ethan.”

Maya stepped backward.

“You…”

Samuel Cross looked at her.

“Hello, Maya.”

Ethan’s heart was racing.

“You’re alive.”

“Apparently.”

“Everyone said you disappeared.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“To survive.”

Ethan moved closer.

“Are you the killer?”

Cross smiled.

“No.”

“Then who is?”

Cross looked at Maya.

“Your father.”

Maya’s face went pale.

“Don’t.”

Cross continued.

“Victor Reed killed your parents.”

Ethan stared.

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?”

“My mother said Victor was innocent.”

“Your mother was wrong.”

“She knew him.”

“She trusted him.”

Cross stepped closer.

“That was her mistake.”

Ethan shook his head.

“You investigated their deaths.”

“Yes.”

“You said it was an accident.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because someone paid me.”

Silence.

Ethan’s face changed.

“Who?”

Cross looked directly at him.

“Adrian Vale.”

Maya gasped.

Ethan stepped forward.

“Adrian is dead.”

Cross smiled.

“Is he?”

“You said he paid you.”

“He did.”

“When?”

“Twenty-five years ago.”

Ethan stared.

“Then where is he now?”

Cross’s expression became serious.

“Closer than you think.”

A loud noise came from downstairs.

Cross looked toward the staircase.

“They found you.”

“Who?”

Cross looked at Ethan.

“The people who have been watching you.”

Maya grabbed Ethan.

“We need to go.”

Cross shook his head.

“Too late.”

The front door downstairs slammed.

Voices echoed through the house.

“Search every room!”

Ethan looked at Cross.

“Who are they?”

Cross pulled a gun from his coat.

“People who don’t want you to remember.”

Maya stared at the weapon.

“You’re carrying a gun?”

Cross looked at her.

“Some habits never die.”

Footsteps approached.

Cross pointed toward a door.

“Go.”

Ethan frowned.

“Where?”

“Behind the wall.”

Maya looked confused.

Cross pushed a hidden panel.

A secret passage opened.

Ethan stared.

“Another one?”

Cross smiled.

“Your family had many secrets.”

“Why are you helping us?”

Cross looked at Ethan.

“Because I owe your father a debt.”

“What debt?”

Cross’s expression changed.

“He saved my life.”

Then footsteps came closer.

Cross pushed Ethan into the passage.

“Go!”

Maya followed.

The wall closed behind them.

Darkness.

Ethan turned toward Maya.

“Can you see?”

“No.”

“Great.”

“Very helpful.”

Ethan smiled despite himself.

Maya grabbed his hand.

“Don’t let go.”

Ethan looked down.

Their hands were connected.

“I won’t.”

They walked through the narrow passage.

Behind them…

Someone entered the room.

Ethan could hear voices.

“Where are they?”

“Check the walls.”

Maya squeezed his hand.

“Ethan.”

“Yes?”

“If we survive this…”

“Yes?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

“Not now.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re being chased by armed men.”

“Fair point.”

They continued.

The passage ended at a metal door.

Ethan opened it.

They stepped outside.

They were behind the manor.

The forest surrounded them.

Ethan looked back.

“Where’s Cross?”

Maya shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

Suddenly…

A gunshot.

Ethan and Maya ducked.

Another shot.

“Run!”

They ran into the forest.

Bullets hit the trees behind them.

Ethan grabbed Maya’s hand.

They kept running.

Until they reached an old abandoned building.

Ethan pushed the door open.

They entered.

Silence.

Maya was breathing heavily.

Ethan looked outside.

No one followed.

“Are you okay?”

Maya nodded.

“Yes.”

Ethan looked at her hand.

She was bleeding.

“Maya.”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“A branch.”

Ethan took out a handkerchief.

He wrapped it around her hand.

Maya looked at him.

“Still trying to save me?”

Ethan looked up.

“Always.”

For a moment…

Neither spoke.

Maya smiled faintly.

“You’re still the same.”

“How?”

“Stupid.”

Ethan laughed.

“You’re welcome.”

She looked at him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Coming back.”

Ethan’s smile disappeared.

“I didn’t come back for you.”

Maya looked away.

“I know.”

Ethan immediately regretted his words.

“Maya…”

“It’s okay.”

“No.”

She looked at him.

“I came back because of the house.”

“I know.”

“But…”

Ethan paused.

“I was happy to see you.”

Maya stared.

Ethan looked away.

“That’s all.”

Maya smiled.

“That’s enough.”

Then…

Something moved inside the building.

Ethan grabbed the flashlight.

“Did you hear that?”

Maya nodded.

They turned.

A door slowly opened.

Ethan raised the flashlight.

Inside was a small room.

There was a table.

On it…

A black box.

Ethan approached.

Maya followed.

The box was locked.

Ethan searched around.

Then he found a note.

“For Ethan.”

He opened it.

Inside was a key.

The same key he had lost.

Ethan froze.

Maya stared.

“How did it get here?”

Ethan didn’t answer.

There was another note.

“You are looking for the wrong killer.”

Ethan turned it over.

“The man who never left isn’t Adrian Vale.”

Maya whispered:

“Then who?”

Ethan opened the box.

Inside was a single file.

He pulled it out.

The first page contained a photograph.

Ethan’s father.

Victor Reed.

Adrian Vale.

Samuel Cross.

And a fourth man.

The same man from the photograph.

The man who looked like Ethan.

But now…

Ethan recognized him.

He knew exactly who he was.

Ethan’s hands began shaking.

Maya looked at him.

“What?”

Ethan whispered:

“He’s not a stranger.”

“Who is he?”

Ethan showed her the photograph.

Maya stared.

Her face became pale.

“No.”

Ethan nodded.

“Yes.”

“That’s impossible.”

“It’s him.”

“He’s dead.”

“Apparently not.”

Maya looked at Ethan.

“Who is he?”

Ethan swallowed.

“The man in the photograph…”

“…is my uncle.”

Maya froze.

“Your father’s brother?”

Ethan nodded.

“Daniel Cole.”

Maya shook her head.

“But he died before you were born.”

“That’s what I was told.”

“Then why is he here?”

Ethan looked at the photograph.

“Because maybe…”

“He never died.”

Suddenly…

The building’s lights turned on.

A speaker crackled.

A voice filled the room.

“Very good, Ethan.”

Ethan turned.

“Who are you?”

The voice laughed.

“You really don’t remember me?”

Ethan stared into the darkness.

“Show yourself.”

A screen turned on.

A man’s face appeared.

Older.

Scarred.

But unmistakable.

Ethan stopped breathing.

Maya covered her mouth.

The man smiled.

“Hello, nephew.”

Ethan couldn’t move.

“Daniel?”

The man smiled.

“I’ve been waiting twenty-five years for you to come home.”

Ethan stared at the screen.

“You killed my parents.”

Daniel shook his head.

“No.”

“Then who did?”

Daniel’s smile disappeared.

“Your father.”

Ethan froze.

“What?”

Daniel leaned closer to the camera.

“Your father didn’t die that night.”

Ethan’s blood ran cold.

“What are you saying?”

Daniel whispered:

“Your father is still alive.”

Silence.

Ethan couldn’t breathe.

Maya looked at him.

Daniel continued.

“And he has been watching you your entire life.”

Ethan shook his head.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“My father is dead.”

Daniel smiled.

“Then why does he still call you every year on your birthday?”

Ethan froze.

The phone.

The mysterious calls.

The unknown voice.

Ethan’s face went pale.

Daniel laughed.

“You thought your father died twenty-five years ago.”

He leaned back.

“But the man who died that night…”

“…wasn’t your father.”

The screen went black.

Ethan stood frozen.

Maya touched his arm.

“Ethan.”

He didn’t respond.

Then his phone rang.

Unknown number.

He answered.

Silence.

Then…

A familiar voice.

His father’s voice.

“My son.”

Ethan’s eyes filled with tears.

“Dad?”

A pause.

Then the voice whispered:

“I’m sorry.”

The call ended.

Ethan stared at the phone.

Maya looked at him.

“Was it him?”

Ethan nodded.

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

Ethan looked at her.

“He’s alive.”

Suddenly…

The lights went out.

A loud explosion shook the building.

Maya screamed.

Ethan grabbed her.

Smoke filled the room.

Someone shouted outside.

“Get them!”

Ethan pulled Maya toward the exit.

They ran.

Behind them…

The building exploded.

Ethan and Maya fell to the ground.

Silence.

Then Ethan looked up.

Across the road…

A black car was waiting.

A man stood beside it.

Ethan recognized him.

His heart stopped.

It was the man from the photograph.

Daniel Cole.

His uncle.

Daniel looked directly at Ethan.

Then he smiled.

He got into the car.

Before driving away…

He shouted:

“Ask your father why he killed your mother!”

The car disappeared into the darkness.

Ethan stood frozen.

Maya looked at him.

“What do we do now?”

Ethan stared at the road.

Then he looked at her.

“We find my father.”

“And then?”

Ethan’s expression hardened.

“We find out who really died twenty-five years ago.”

Maya nodded.

But before they could move…

Ethan’s phone vibrated.

A new message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:

“Five days.”

Another message appeared.

“The house remembers.”

Then a final message.

“But your father remembers everything.”

Ethan looked at Maya.

And somewhere far away…

A man was watching them through binoculars.

He slowly lowered them.

Then he smiled.

Because the game had finally begun.

TO BE CONTINUED…