The air in the safe house was thick with unspoken words. Evelyn sat on the worn-out couch, her mind tangled in memories she had spent years trying to forget. Across from her, Theo leaned against the window frame, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her.
"You're still thinking about him," Theo stated. It wasn't a question—it was an observation.
Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't have a choice, Theo. Daniel isn't just someone from my past—he's someone who knows things we don't."
Theo exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. "And you think we can trust him?"
She hesitated. "No. But we can't ignore him either."
Theo pushed off the wall, pacing slightly. "You realize this is dangerous, right? The moment we let him back in, we're opening a door that should've stayed shut."
Evelyn let out a humorless laugh. "Theo, that door was never shut. It was just locked from the outside."
His pacing stopped. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the tension shifted into something else—something unspoken.
"You really think he'll help us?" Theo asked, softer this time.
Evelyn swallowed. "I don't know. But we have to find out."
Theo studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Then we meet him. But I'm not letting him out of my sight."
Evelyn felt something warm spread in her chest at his words. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
---
The Meeting
The abandoned train station was eerily quiet, the distant hum of the city barely reaching its rusted tracks. Theo and Evelyn stood in the shadows, waiting.
"He's late," Theo muttered, scanning the area.
Evelyn kept her eyes on the entrance. "Daniel always was dramatic."
A soft chuckle echoed behind them.
"Nice to know I haven't lost my touch," Daniel said, stepping into the dim light. His hands were raised slightly—a mock display of surrender. "Relax, I'm unarmed."
Theo didn't lower his gun.
Evelyn sighed. "Daniel, just tell us what you know."
Daniel's smirk faltered slightly. "Still impatient, I see." Then his expression turned serious. "There's something neither of you understand about this mess you've stepped into."
Evelyn folded her arms. "Then enlighten us."
Daniel hesitated, glancing at Theo before locking eyes with her. "You're not just chasing the truth, Evie. You're waking up ghosts that were meant to stay buried."
Theo scoffed. "We're not afraid of ghosts."
Daniel gave a humorless smile. "You should be."
He reached into his coat, pulling out a folded piece of paper. "This is what they're hiding."
Evelyn took the paper, her breath hitching as she unfolded it. Her hands trembled as she read the words.
Theo leaned in. "What is it?"
She swallowed hard. "It's a name."
Theo frowned. "Whose?"
Evelyn lifted her gaze, her voice barely a whisper.
"My father's."
---
A Moment of Silence
Back at the safe house, Evelyn sat in the dimly lit kitchen, staring at the paper in her hands.
Theo entered quietly, setting down a cup of tea beside her. "You haven't said anything since we got back."
She exhaled. "Because I don't know what to say."
Theo pulled out the chair beside her, his presence grounding her. "Then don't say anything. Just sit with me."
She looked up at him, surprised by the softness in his voice.
And for the first time that night, she let herself breathe.
They sat there in silence, the weight of the revelation between them—but somehow, with Theo beside her, it felt a little less heavy.
---
End of Chapter 17