Chapter 11: The Person Behind the Camera
The second camera was hidden inside the wall across from the underground hallway.
It was positioned perfectly.
Not toward the door.
Not toward the hidden room.
Toward the staircase leading into our house.
Toward me.
Detective Reed showed me the footage.
The first video was dated eight months before Claire disappeared.
I watched myself walk downstairs at night.
I was carrying a glass of water.
Completely unaware.
The camera followed me.
Not physically.
Digitally.
Someone was watching.
The next video showed Lily.
Playing in the hallway.
The next showed Claire.
Looking around nervously.
Then came the final recording.
The night Claire vanished.
I held my breath.
The footage showed Claire entering the hidden hallway.
She wasn’t alone.
Someone was already there.
A person stood in the shadows.
I leaned closer.
“Can you enhance it?””
The technician shook his head.
“We’re trying.””
The figure moved.
Claire stepped backward.
Then the screen glitched.
The video froze.
The person turned slightly.
Not enough to see their face.
But enough to see one detail.
A ring.
A silver ring with a black stone.
My heart stopped.
I knew that ring.
“Daniel?””
I couldn’t speak.
Claire grabbed my arm.
“What is it?””
I looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at the screen.
Her face had gone white.
“You recognize it too.””
She slowly nodded.
“My father had that ring.””
Everyone turned.
“What?”” Detective Reed asked.
Vanessa touched her mouth.
“He never took it off.””
I stared at the frozen image.
“But Thomas Blake is dead.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.””
The room went silent.
“What do you mean?””
“My father disappeared.””
I frowned.
“Your father died.””
“That’s what people were told.””
I looked at Claire.
“Did you know?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
Vanessa sat down.
“My mother reported him missing twelve years ago. Everyone assumed he left.””
“Why would she lie?””
“Because she was afraid.””
“Of what?””
Vanessa looked at the screen.
“Of him coming back.””
The truth kept expanding.
Every answer opened another door.
Just like the house.
Detective Reed stood.
“We need to find Thomas Blake.””
“If he’s alive.””
He nodded.
“And if he’s connected to this, he’s our primary suspect.””
I looked at Claire.
“Why would he lock you away?””
Her eyes filled with pain.
“Because I found out about you.””
The words landed hard.
“He knew?””
“I think so.””
“What did he want?””
She looked toward Lily’s room upstairs.
“I think he wanted his family back.””
I felt anger rise.
“He doesn’t get one.””
Nobody spoke.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
I answered.
“Hello?””
For a moment, there was only breathing.
Then a voice.
Older.
Calm.
Familiar.
“Daniel.””
My blood turned cold.
“Who is this?””
A quiet laugh.
“You always were impatient.””
I stepped away from everyone.
“Thomas?””
Silence.
Then:
“You finally learned the truth.””
My grip tightened.
“Where are you?””
Another laugh.
“You’re asking the wrong question.””
“What does that mean?””
The voice became softer.
“You should ask why Robert hid you.””
I looked at Claire.
At Vanessa.
At Ethan.
“Where is my father?””
A pause.
Then the answer came.
“Closer than you think.””
The call ended.
I stared at the screen.
Then my phone buzzed again.
A new message.
A photo.
My blood ran cold.
It was a picture taken inside my house.
Taken moments ago.
The image showed Lily asleep in her bedroom.
May you like
And written beneath it were four words.
*Come find your father.*
