Chapter 8: The Captain’s Confession
We escaped through the underground tunnels.
The same tunnels that had been used five years ago.
The same tunnels where I had carried Emily after the explosion.
Except this time, she was carrying me.
“You’re hurt.””
I looked down.
A piece of glass had cut my shoulder.
“I’m fine.””
Emily almost smiled.
“You still say that.””
I stopped.
Because Admiral Hayes had said the same thing.
The words followed me.
Like a ghost.
We reached an abandoned maintenance room.
Emily locked the door.
For the first time all night, we were safe.
“Tell me everything.””
She looked at me.
“Are you sure?””
“No.””
I sat down.
“But I’m tired of people deciding what truth I can handle.””
Emily nodded.
Then she told me.
Everything.
Five years ago, Nightfall was not a rescue mission.
It was an exposure mission.
The target wasn’t a terrorist organization.
It was corruption inside a defense network.
Victor had been selling information.
Using military operations to erase evidence.
Emily and I discovered it.
Victor discovered that we knew.
The mission became a trap.
“He wanted us dead,” Emily said.
“Then why did he keep me alive?””
“Because he needed your testimony gone.””
I looked away.
“My father…”
“Your father found out.””
“And did nothing?””
Emily’s silence hurt more than an answer.
“He tried.””
I laughed.
“Everyone tried.””
She looked at me.
“Harper.””
“No.””
My voice broke.
“I spent five years thinking nobody cared.””
Emily moved closer.
“Someone cared.””
“Who?””
“Your father.””
I looked at her.
“He was the reason you survived.””
I froze.
“What?””
“After Victor took you, your father threatened to expose everything.””
I stared.
“Why didn’t he tell me?””
“Because Victor had leverage.””
“What leverage?””
Emily looked at me.
“Your mother.””
I went silent.
My mother had died when I was sixteen.
A car accident.
At least, that was what I believed.
“What about her?””
Emily opened another file.
Inside was a photograph.
My mother.
Alive.
Years after the accident.
My hands shook.
“No.””
“She was investigating Victor.””
My breathing stopped.
“My mother was murdered.””
Emily nodded.
“And your father knew.””
The world went quiet.
Before I could respond, the door opened.
My father stood there.
Alone.
No guards.
No weapons.
Just a broken man.
“Harper.””
I stood.
“You knew.””
His eyes filled.
“Yes.””
The pain was immediate.
“You knew about Mom.””
“Yes.””
“And you let me believe she died in an accident.””
He looked down.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
“Everyone always says that.””
He stepped closer.
“I failed you.””
The honesty stopped me.
My father never admitted failure.
Not once.
“I failed your mother too.””
Silence.
“She found Victor’s operation. She was going to expose him.””
“And you?””
“I was afraid.””
The words shocked me.
My father.
Afraid.
“I thought I could handle it quietly.””
He looked at Emily.
“I was wrong.””
I stared at him.
“Why come now?””
“Because Victor knows you have the evidence.””
“What evidence?””
He looked at Emily.
Then at me.
“The evidence your mother hid before she died.””
My heart raced.
“Where?””
My father reached into his pocket.
Pulled out a small key.
“I kept it hidden for five years.””
I took it.
“What does it open?””
His eyes met mine.
“Your mother’s final message.””
The room went silent.
Then my father’s phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“What?””
A pause.
Then he whispered:
“No.””
I stepped forward.
“What happened?””
He looked at me.
“Victor has Admiral Hayes.””
My blood froze.
“When?””
“Ten minutes ago.””
My father looked toward the door.
“And he wants you.””
A message appeared on my phone.
From Victor.
*Bring the key.*
May you like
Then another message.
*Or Admiral Hayes dies.*
