THE WRONG PACKAGE. - by Ayotomiwa Adetayo

The Wrong Package — Part 4: The Man Who DiedDaniel stood completely still.His father's name echoed in his mind.Daniel Carter.He looked at Marcus.“My father didn't disappear.”The woman behind the door said nothing.Daniel continued, “He died when I was twelve.”A quiet voice answered:“That is what you were told.”Daniel's hand tightened around the door handle.“Who are you?”“My name is Evelyn.”“Evelyn what?”“Evelyn Carter.”Daniel's eyes widened.“Carter?”“Yes.”Marcus stepped closer.“Daniel, don't open that door.”But Daniel was already turning the handle.The door opened.A woman in her late fifties stood in the hallway. She carried a small black handbag and looked completely calm.She looked at Daniel for several seconds.Then she smiled.“You look exactly like him.”“Like who?”“Your father.”Daniel stared at her.“You knew him?”Evelyn nodded.“I knew him better than anyone.”She reached into her handbag and pulled out an old photograph.She handed it to Daniel.The photograph showed three people standing outside a building.A younger version of Daniel's father stood in the middle.Beside him was Evelyn.And on the other side was another man.Daniel recognized him immediately.It was the same man from the mysterious video.Daniel's stomach dropped.“Who is that?”Evelyn looked at Marcus.Then she looked back at Daniel.“That's the man who caused your father's disappearance.”Marcus suddenly stepped backward.Daniel noticed.“Marcus?”Marcus didn't answer.Evelyn's expression changed.“Daniel, you need to leave this building immediately.”“Why?”“Because the person who took your computer knows we're here.”Daniel turned toward Marcus.“You said you didn't know anything about this.”“I don't.”Evelyn shook her head.“He's telling the truth.”Daniel looked confused.“Then why did the message say I shouldn't have brought him?”Evelyn smiled faintly.“Because the message wasn't written for Marcus.”She pointed at Daniel's phone.“It was written for you.”Daniel looked down.A new message had arrived.UNKNOWN NUMBER:Ask Evelyn what happened on June 14th.Daniel looked up.“What happened on June 14th?”Evelyn's face suddenly became serious.“That was the night your father disappeared.”Daniel's breathing slowed.“You said he wasn't dead.”“He isn't.”The room went silent.Daniel stared at her.For years, he had believed his father was gone.But now a stranger was standing in front of him, telling him the impossible.“Where is he?”Evelyn looked toward the window.“He's been waiting for you.”“Where?”She reached into her handbag again.This time, she pulled out a small envelope.On the front was Daniel's name.He opened it.Inside was a photograph.It showed an old house surrounded by trees.On the back were six words:“Come alone. Bring the five keys.”Daniel looked at Evelyn.“Where is this?”She whispered the answer.“The house where your father has been hiding for fourteen years.”Marcus stepped forward.“And if it's a trap?”Evelyn looked directly at him.“Then Daniel won't be the only one walking into it.”Suddenly, every light in the building came back on.Daniel's phone buzzed one final time.UNKNOWN NUMBER:You have 48 hours.Then another message appeared.And Daniel…Your father knows you're coming.Daniel stared at the screen.For the first time, he wasn't wondering who was behind the mystery.He was wondering whether he really wanted to meet the man he had spent fourteen years believing was dead.

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