The envelope felt heavier than paper should. My fingers trembled as I held it, tracing the letters of my mother's warning — "Trust no one — not even Festus."
Those five words shattered the last bit of certainty I had.
I sat there for what felt like hours, listening to the ticking clock echo in the study. Uncle Festus's footsteps passed by the hallway twice, and each time, I pretended to be asleep. My mind spun with questions — if I couldn't trust him, then who had been watching me all this while?
Finally, I tore open the envelope.
Inside was a small flash drive and a folded note.
The note read:
> "Kendra, if you're reading this, it means Mason found you. Everything they told you about your father — about me — is a lie. Plug this drive into the MorgenX terminal. It will show you the truth.
But remember, Hills always listens."
My pulse quickened. I knew the only MorgenX terminal nearby was at Uncle Festus's old repair shop — the one he claimed he closed years ago.
That night, I waited until the house was silent. I slipped the flash drive into my pocket, threw on a hoodie, and left through the back door.
The streets were empty, bathed in dim orange light. Every sound — a barking dog, the hum of street lamps — made my heart race.
When I reached the shop, the front sign still read "Festus Repairs." Dust covered the windows, but I noticed a faint blue light flickering inside. I pushed the door — it creaked open.
Inside, the air smelled of metal and stale oil. Broken monitors and motherboards were stacked against the walls. And at the center, beneath a dusty tarp, sat the terminal.
I brushed off the cover and turned it on. The machine hummed, lights flickering like eyes awakening. I plugged in the flash drive.
The screen glitched, then displayed a single folder: "Project Veil."
I clicked it.
Files exploded across the screen — documents, images, recordings. My mother's name appeared beside Christopher's… and Hills Morgan's.
They weren't enemies. They were partners.
One video file caught my eye — "Test Log 42.mp4." I opened it.
Mom's face appeared, tired but fierce.
> "If you're seeing this, Kendra, then Hills found me. Project Veil isn't what it seems. It doesn't just erase data — it erases people. Memories, identities, entire histories can be rewritten."
She glanced behind her nervously.
> "Your father discovered their true intent. He tried to shut it down… and paid for it. Festus helped hide you. He didn't tell you everything because he couldn't — Hills owns him now."
Suddenly, static filled the screen. Then, a voice — male, calm, familiar.
> "Turn it off, Kendra."
I spun around.
Uncle Festus stood at the doorway, a gun in his hand.
"Uncle…" I stammered. "You— you were helping them?"
His expression was torn between guilt and fear. "I was helping you, Kendra. Until you went too far."
"You lied to me," I whispered. "About Mom, about Dad—"
He stepped closer. "You don't understand what you're dealing with. Hills isn't human anymore. He—"
A sharp click interrupted him.
The terminal screen changed again — showing a live feed.
A woman strapped to a chair, in a white, sterile room.
It was my mother.
And behind her… stood Hills Morgan.
Uncle Festus froze. "Oh God," he muttered. "They found us."
The screen blinked, and Hills's voice filled the room.
> "Hello, Kendra. Welcome to the game your parents started. Let's see if you're as clever as they were."
The terminal went black.
Outside, the sound of engines roared — black vans pulling up.
Uncle Festus grabbed my arm. "Run!"
But it was too late — the front door burst open, and armed men flooded in.
I clutched the flash drive, adrenaline burning through me. There was only one thought in my mind now: If Mom's still alive, I'll find her. No matter what it takes.