ALONE ROAD

Episode 7: THE STRANGER Amara couldn't move. Daniel's father stood before her, staring as though he had known her all his life. “I've been waiting nineteen years to meet you again.” The words followed Amara as she hurried away from the Cole family house. She didn't understand. She had never met him before. Or had she? She drove aimlessly, her mind racing. Her father wasn't who she thought he was. Her mother might still be alive. Daniel had known the truth. And now his father claimed he had met her nineteen years ago. She stopped at a quiet café. As she sat alone, a stranger approached. “May I sit?” Amara looked up. “Do I know you?” “No. My name is David.” Her expression hardened. “How do you know my name?” “I know a lot about your family.” “Then you should leave.” David remained seated. “I know you're looking for Daniel.” Amara froze. “How?” “Daniel asked me to help you if he disappeared.” “You know where he is?” “No.” “Then what can you help me with?” David placed an old envelope on the table. Inside was a newspaper clipping about the accident that supposedly killed her parents. One sentence had been circled: “A second survivor was reportedly seen at the scene.” Amara looked at him. “Who was the second survivor?” “That's what I've been trying to find out.” “Why would you help me?” David hesitated. “Because I knew your mother.” Amara's heart skipped. “You knew Elena?” “Yes.” “Who were you to her?” David looked away. “Someone who failed her.” He stood and placed another paper on the table. “Daniel believed the truth was hidden in three places.” “The account. The road. And the people closest to you.” Amara immediately thought of Nadia. David pushed an address toward her. “Go there tomorrow.” “What is it?” “Your father's old office.” “Does it still exist?” “Yes.” “Why should I trust you?” David gave a faint smile. “You shouldn't.” Then he walked away. Amara watched him disappear. Her phone suddenly buzzed. A message from Daniel's number: “Don't trust David.” Her heart dropped. Before she could react, another message arrived: “But if he gives you the key, take it.” Amara stared at the screen. Then she looked down. A small silver key had slipped from the envelope. Engraved on it was one number: 17. The same number from the account. The storage unit. And the box beneath the old road sign. Amara finally understood. Every clue was leading to the same place. And somewhere inside it was the truth about what happened nineteen years ago. TO BE CONTINUED…

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