{"id":326,"date":"2026-09-22T11:01:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T11:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/?p=326"},"modified":"2026-09-22T11:01:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T11:01:50","slug":"%f0%9f%93%96-james-has-told-us-a-lot-about-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/?p=326","title":{"rendered":"📖 James Has Told Us a Lot About You"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The rain had been falling since early morning.
\nBy the time Emma arrived at the small caf\u00e9 on the corner of Maple Street, the sky was dark and the streets were almost empty. She pushed open the glass door, shook the rain from her umbrella, and looked around.
\nShe had never been to this caf\u00e9 before.
\nA quiet song was playing in the background. Only a few customers were sitting at the tables, most of them staring at their phones or quietly drinking coffee.
\nEmma walked toward the counter.
\n\u201cCoffee, please,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cSure. What kind?\u201d
\n\u201cBlack coffee.\u201d
\nThe young woman behind the counter smiled and prepared her drink.
\nEmma took her coffee and chose a table near the window. She sat down and watched the rain fall against the glass.
\nShe had been waiting for someone.
\nHis name was James.
\nJames had called her the night before and told her something strange.
\n\u201cCome to the caf\u00e9 on Maple Street at three o\u2019clock,\u201d he had said.
\n\u201cWhat for?\u201d Emma had asked.
\n\u201cYou\u2019ll understand when you get there.\u201d
\n\u201cThat doesn’t sound very reassuring.\u201d
\nJames had laughed.
\n\u201cJust trust me, Emma.\u201d
\nAnd then he had hung up.
\nNow it was almost three.
\nEmma checked her phone.
\n3:02 PM.
\nShe looked toward the door.
\n3:05.
\nStill no James.
\nShe sighed.
\n\u201cTypical James,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the caf\u00e9 door opened.<\/p>\n

A tall man in a dark blue jacket walked inside.<\/p>\n

Emma immediately recognized him.<\/p>\n

But James wasn’t alone.<\/p>\n

Behind him was an older woman Emma had never seen before.<\/p>\n

James smiled when he saw Emma.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma!\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames! What took you so long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sorry. Traffic was terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at the woman beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

James smiled mysteriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone I think you should meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older woman stepped forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Emma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked confused.<\/p>\n

The woman smiled warmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Margaret.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma shook her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret sat down.<\/p>\n

James sat beside her.<\/p>\n

For a few seconds, nobody said anything.<\/p>\n

Emma looked from James to Margaret.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d she said. \u201cWhy am I here?\u201d<\/p>\n

James smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted you to meet Margaret because she has something important to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret looked directly at Emma.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma froze.<\/p>\n

The sound of the rain seemed to disappear.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father?\u201d<\/p>\n

James nodded slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma hadn’t heard anyone mention her father in years.<\/p>\n

Her father had died when she was only eighteen.<\/p>\n

After his death, Emma had moved away from the town and tried to build a new life.<\/p>\n

She rarely talked about him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you know anything about my father?\u201d Emma asked.<\/p>\n

Margaret looked down at her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I knew him many years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s heart began beating faster.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father and I worked together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

James nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you never told me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn’t sure if it was my place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma was silent.<\/p>\n

Margaret reached into her handbag and pulled out an old envelope.<\/p>\n

The envelope was yellow with age.<\/p>\n

She placed it on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at it.<\/p>\n

There was something written on the front.<\/p>\n

Her name.<\/p>\n

Emma.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Her hands began to tremble.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat’s inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my father?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret nodded.<\/p>\n

Emma slowly opened the envelope.<\/p>\n

Inside was a handwritten letter.<\/p>\n

She recognized the handwriting immediately.<\/p>\n

Her father’s handwriting.<\/p>\n

She began reading.<\/p>\n

\n

Dear Emma,<\/em><\/p>\n

If you are reading this, then I probably didn’t get the chance to tell you everything I wanted to say.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Emma stopped.<\/p>\n

Her eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

James quietly looked away.<\/p>\n

Margaret placed a hand on Emma’s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma continued reading.<\/p>\n

\n

You may think you know everything about me. But there are parts of my life I never told you about.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Emma looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn’t he tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret answered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes people keep secrets because they believe they’re protecting the people they love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked back at the letter.<\/p>\n

There were several more pages.<\/p>\n

She kept reading.<\/p>\n

Minutes passed.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9 became quieter.<\/p>\n

Finally, Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know all of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

James nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew some of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n

James hesitated.<\/p>\n

Emma’s voice became serious.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames\u2026 how much do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked at Margaret.<\/p>\n

Margaret gave him a small nod.<\/p>\n

James took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve told them a lot about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked toward the caf\u00e9 door.<\/p>\n

At that moment, three people walked inside.<\/p>\n

Emma recognized one of them.<\/p>\n

It was her childhood neighbor.<\/p>\n

Another was her father’s old friend.<\/p>\n

And the third person was someone she had never seen before.<\/p>\n

James stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese people came here because they knew your father too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked around the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

James smiled gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve been trying to find you for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked at the old letter in her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause your father left something behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma swallowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

Instead, Margaret reached into her handbag again.<\/p>\n

This time, she pulled out an old photograph.<\/p>\n

She placed it on the table.<\/p>\n

Emma picked it up.<\/p>\n

The photograph showed her father standing beside several people.<\/p>\n

But there was one person in the photograph whom Emma didn’t recognize.<\/p>\n

A young woman.<\/p>\n

Emma stared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nobody answered.<\/p>\n

Then Margaret whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s the person your father spent years searching for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret looked into her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause she knew the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat truth?\u201d<\/p>\n

Margaret slowly shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s what your father wanted you to discover.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou brought me here to tell me about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

James nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut there’s more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s heart sank.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore?\u201d<\/p>\n

James reached into his jacket pocket.<\/p>\n

He pulled out a small key.<\/p>\n

He placed it on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis belonged to your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at the key.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it open?\u201d<\/p>\n

James smiled sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is something you’ll have to find out yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma picked up the key.<\/p>\n

It was old and cold.<\/p>\n

On it was a tiny number:<\/p>\n

17.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She looked at James.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is number 17?\u201d<\/p>\n

James stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow morning, I’ll take you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at the letter again.<\/p>\n

For the first time in years, she felt that the story of her father wasn’t finished.<\/p>\n

Maybe his death hadn’t been the end of his story.<\/p>\n

Maybe it had been the beginning of hers.<\/p>\n

She closed the letter carefully and put it back into the envelope.<\/p>\n

Outside, the rain had finally stopped.<\/p>\n

The clouds were beginning to disappear.<\/p>\n

Emma looked through the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled faintly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you’ve told them a lot about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

James smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma laughed softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen tomorrow, you better tell me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked at the key in her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow,\u201d he said, \u201cyou’re going to learn something even I never knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

James walked toward the door.<\/p>\n

He stopped and turned around.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father wasn’t hiding a secret from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was protecting you from one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stood completely still.<\/p>\n

And suddenly, she realized something.<\/p>\n

The mystery had only just begun.<\/p>\n

TO BE CONTINUED\u2026<\/strong> 🔥📖<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Absolutely \u2014 I\u2019ll continue it as a long-form Part 2<\/strong>, keeping the mystery layered, adding new secrets and cliffhangers, while making sure each reveal creates a reason to keep reading into Part 3, Part 4, and beyond.<\/p>\n

📖 JAMES HAS TOLD US A LOT ABOUT YOU<\/h1>\n

PART 2 \u2014 THE ROOM WITH NUMBER 17<\/h2>\n

Emma barely slept that night.<\/p>\n

She tried.<\/p>\n

She really did.<\/p>\n

She turned off the lights, closed the curtains, and placed the old envelope from her father inside the drawer beside her bed.<\/p>\n

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same things.<\/p>\n

The photograph.<\/p>\n

The mysterious young woman.<\/p>\n

The old key.<\/p>\n

And the number.<\/p>\n

17.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of all, she couldn’t stop thinking about what James had said.<\/p>\n

Your father wasn’t hiding a secret from you.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He was protecting you from one.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Emma opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

3:17 AM.<\/p>\n

She stared at the clock.<\/p>\n

For some reason, seeing the numbers made her uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

She reached for the glass of water beside her bed.<\/p>\n

Then she heard something.<\/p>\n

A soft sound.<\/p>\n

Tap.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma froze.<\/p>\n

Another sound.<\/p>\n

Tap. Tap.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Someone was knocking on her window.<\/p>\n

She slowly sat up.<\/p>\n

Her bedroom was on the second floor.<\/p>\n

There was no balcony.<\/p>\n

No tree outside.<\/p>\n

No possible reason anyone could be standing there.<\/p>\n

Emma’s heart began racing.<\/p>\n

She reached for her phone.<\/p>\n

The knocking stopped.<\/p>\n

Silence.<\/p>\n

She waited.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

Then her phone vibrated.<\/p>\n

Emma nearly dropped it.<\/p>\n

Unknown number.<\/p>\n

A message.<\/p>\n

She stared at the screen.<\/p>\n

Then opened it.<\/p>\n

There were only six words.<\/p>\n

DON’T GO WITH JAMES TOMORROW.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma stopped breathing.<\/p>\n

She read it again.<\/p>\n

Then again.<\/p>\n

Her fingers became cold.<\/p>\n

Another message arrived.<\/p>\n

HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO HE’S WORKING FOR.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma immediately called the number.<\/p>\n

It rang once.<\/p>\n

Twice.<\/p>\n

Three times.<\/p>\n

Then\u2014<\/p>\n

Disconnected.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma stared at the screen.<\/p>\n

She didn’t know what to do.<\/p>\n

She looked toward the window.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

Slowly, she got out of bed.<\/p>\n

She walked toward the curtains.<\/p>\n

Her hand reached for them.<\/p>\n

She hesitated.<\/p>\n

Then pulled them open.<\/p>\n

The street below was empty.<\/p>\n

Except for one thing.<\/p>\n

A black car was parked across the road.<\/p>\n

Its headlights were off.<\/p>\n

Emma stared at it.<\/p>\n

She couldn’t see who was inside.<\/p>\n

Then the car started.<\/p>\n

Emma stepped backward.<\/p>\n

The vehicle slowly drove away.<\/p>\n

She watched until it disappeared around the corner.<\/p>\n

For the rest of the night, Emma didn’t sleep.<\/p>\n

\n

THE NEXT MORNING<\/h3>\n

At exactly 8:00 AM, someone knocked on her front door.<\/p>\n

Emma already knew who it was.<\/p>\n

James.<\/p>\n

She looked through the peephole.<\/p>\n

He stood outside wearing the same dark blue jacket from yesterday.<\/p>\n

His hands were in his pockets.<\/p>\n

He looked calm.<\/p>\n

Almost too calm.<\/p>\n

Emma didn’t open the door immediately.<\/p>\n

Instead, she called him.<\/p>\n

His phone rang.<\/p>\n

Through the door, she watched him answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at him through the peephole.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you send me a message last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

James frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat message?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat warning?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma unlocked the door but didn’t open it completely.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone told me not to go with you today.\u201d<\/p>\n

James’s expression changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma, I didn’t send anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you had sent it, you wouldn’t be standing here asking me what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they say anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said you don’t know who you’re working for.\u201d<\/p>\n

James went completely still.<\/p>\n

For several seconds, he said nothing.<\/p>\n

Then he looked at Emma.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they give you a name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn address?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA number?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma slowly shook her head.<\/p>\n

James exhaled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we need to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re not going to tell me where we’re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at him.<\/p>\n

He looked genuinely frightened.<\/p>\n

That scared her more than the message.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

James stepped aside.<\/p>\n

Emma grabbed her coat.<\/p>\n

Before leaving, she looked at the drawer where she had placed the letter.<\/p>\n

She opened it.<\/p>\n

The envelope was still there.<\/p>\n

But something was different.<\/p>\n

Emma stared.<\/p>\n

There was a small black mark on the back of the envelope.<\/p>\n

She had never seen it before.<\/p>\n

It looked like a circle with a line through the center.<\/p>\n

She touched it.<\/p>\n

James noticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

James stepped closer.<\/p>\n

The color drained from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you get that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was on the envelope.\u201d<\/p>\n

James stared at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve seen that symbol before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

He finally looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father had the same symbol.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s stomach tightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

James shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

THE OLD STATION<\/h3>\n

They drove for almost an hour.<\/p>\n

James said very little.<\/p>\n

The city disappeared behind them.<\/p>\n

Buildings became houses.<\/p>\n

Houses became fields.<\/p>\n

Eventually, they reached an abandoned railway station.<\/p>\n

Emma looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

James parked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

He got out.<\/p>\n

Emma followed.<\/p>\n

The station looked as though it hadn’t been used in decades.<\/p>\n

Broken windows.<\/p>\n

Rusting signs.<\/p>\n

Overgrown grass.<\/p>\n

A clock above the platform had stopped at 11:42.<\/p>\n

James walked toward an old brick building beside the station.<\/p>\n

Emma followed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoom seventeen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

James continued walking.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you yesterday the key belonged to your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma held it tightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t tell you where I got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked toward the abandoned station.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father gave it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo weeks before he died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s face went pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn’t supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

James lowered his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause your father made me promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo do what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo wait until you were ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you decided I’m ready now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

James looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided someone else had already decided you’re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma didn’t understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

James walked toward the old building.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou’ll understand when you open the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The key fit perfectly.<\/p>\n

Emma turned it.<\/p>\n

Click.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The door opened.<\/p>\n

Dust filled the air.<\/p>\n

Inside was a narrow hallway.<\/p>\n

There were several doors.<\/p>\n

Most had numbers painted on them.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. <\/li>\n
  2. <\/li>\n
  3. <\/li>\n
  4. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Emma looked at the next door.<\/p>\n

    17.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Her hand trembled.<\/p>\n

    James stood behind her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou should do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma slowly inserted the key.<\/p>\n

    She turned it.<\/p>\n

    The lock opened.<\/p>\n

    She pushed the door.<\/p>\n

    It creaked.<\/p>\n

    Inside was a small room.<\/p>\n

    There was almost nothing there.<\/p>\n

    A wooden chair.<\/p>\n

    A desk.<\/p>\n

    An old lamp.<\/p>\n

    And a large metal box sitting on the floor.<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped inside.<\/p>\n

    James followed.<\/p>\n

    She looked at the box.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou’ve never opened it?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause your father told me never to.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou brought me here because you knew I would?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    She knelt beside the box.<\/p>\n

    There was no lock.<\/p>\n

    Instead, there was a small indentation shaped like a key.<\/p>\n

    Emma inserted the key.<\/p>\n

    The box clicked.<\/p>\n

    Then something unexpected happened.<\/p>\n

    A light on the side of the box turned green.<\/p>\n

    Emma jumped back.<\/p>\n

    James stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI’ve never seen that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The lid slowly opened.<\/p>\n

    Inside were dozens of items.<\/p>\n

    Photographs.<\/p>\n

    Documents.<\/p>\n

    Newspaper clippings.<\/p>\n

    A watch.<\/p>\n

    A small cassette tape.<\/p>\n

    And another envelope.<\/p>\n

    Emma picked up the envelope.<\/p>\n

    Her name was written on it.<\/p>\n

    Again.<\/p>\n

    EMMA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    She looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy did my father leave so many letters for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James shook his head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere should only have been one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma opened it.<\/p>\n

    This letter was shorter.<\/p>\n

    Only a few lines.<\/p>\n

    She read it aloud.<\/p>\n

    Emma,<\/em><\/p>\n

    If you’ve opened this box, then you know the first part of the truth.<\/em><\/p>\n

    But don’t trust anyone who tells you they know the whole story.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Not even James.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Especially James.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Find the woman in the photograph.<\/em><\/p>\n

    She has the second key.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma slowly lowered the letter.<\/p>\n

    The room became silent.<\/p>\n

    James stared at the floor.<\/p>\n

    Emma turned toward him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy did my father tell me not to trust you?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He finally looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou expect me to believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t expect you to believe anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at the photographs.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen tell me the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI’ve been trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Her voice became firmer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou’ve been giving me pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked away.<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI want all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James swallowed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father was investigating something.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat’s not an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe was investigating a group.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat group?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James hesitated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey called themselves The Circle.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at the symbol on the envelope.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe circle?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey weren’t a company. They weren’t a government organization. At least, not officially.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat did they do?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey collected information.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAbout who?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cEveryone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat doesn’t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt didn’t to me either.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James picked up an old photograph.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father believed The Circle had access to private records, financial information, medical files, photographs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma interrupted.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey had people everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBanks. Police departments. Hospitals. Schools. Technology companies.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma felt a chill.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd my father found them?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father found evidence that someone inside the group was trying to expose them.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe woman in the photograph.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at the photograph again.<\/p>\n

    The young woman stood beside her father.<\/p>\n

    She looked familiar.<\/p>\n

    Not familiar enough to recognize.<\/p>\n

    But familiar enough to make Emma uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat’s her name?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou knew my father for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou knew about this investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou knew about the woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you don’t know her name?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI knew what your father called her.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnna.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnna\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDo you know her?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    But even as she said it, something inside her disagreed.<\/p>\n

    A memory appeared.<\/p>\n

    Not a clear memory.<\/p>\n

    A childhood memory.<\/p>\n

    A woman’s voice.<\/p>\n

    A hand holding hers.<\/p>\n

    A perfume.<\/p>\n

    A red scarf.<\/p>\n

    Emma closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James watched her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI remember something.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cA woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnna?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma pressed her fingers against her forehead.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe came to our house.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was little.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma, what did she look like?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cTry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cRed scarf.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James went completely still.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe wore a red scarf.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at the photograph.<\/p>\n

    The woman in the photograph was wearing a red scarf.<\/p>\n

    Emma opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh my God.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father never told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat Anna met you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy would that matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked terrified.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause Anna disappeared before your father died.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe she left.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause she didn’t leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at the photograph.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe was taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma felt the room become colder.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBy who?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    Then a sound came from the hallway.<\/p>\n

    Footsteps.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Both of them froze.<\/p>\n

    James immediately turned off the lamp.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSomeone’s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma whispered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause we’re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The footsteps came closer.<\/p>\n

    Slow.<\/p>\n

    Measured.<\/p>\n

    Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    James motioned for Emma to hide behind the metal cabinet.<\/p>\n

    She crouched down.<\/p>\n

    The footsteps stopped outside Room 17.<\/p>\n

    Someone tried the handle.<\/p>\n

    It didn’t move.<\/p>\n

    The person tried again.<\/p>\n

    James silently pointed toward the back wall.<\/p>\n

    There was another door.<\/p>\n

    Emma hadn’t noticed it.<\/p>\n

    James opened it.<\/p>\n

    They slipped through.<\/p>\n

    The door led into a narrow passage.<\/p>\n

    They moved quickly.<\/p>\n

    Behind them, they heard the lock on Room 17 break.<\/p>\n

    Someone entered.<\/p>\n

    Emma could hear drawers being opened.<\/p>\n

    Papers being thrown.<\/p>\n

    Then a voice.<\/p>\n

    A man’s voice.<\/p>\n

    Calm.<\/p>\n

    Cold.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe’s been here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Another voice answered.<\/p>\n

    A woman.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man asked:<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere’s the box?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s heart pounded.<\/p>\n

    James grabbed her hand.<\/p>\n

    They kept moving.<\/p>\n

    At the end of the passage was a staircase.<\/p>\n

    They climbed.<\/p>\n

    When they reached the top, they found themselves on the roof.<\/p>\n

    Rain began falling again.<\/p>\n

    James looked around.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo way down.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou brought me here without checking?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI didn’t know there was a roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Below them, the door opened.<\/p>\n

    Two people stepped onto the roof.<\/p>\n

    The man wore a black coat.<\/p>\n

    The woman wore a red scarf.<\/p>\n

    Emma stopped breathing.<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    She stared at the woman.<\/p>\n

    The woman stared back.<\/p>\n

    Then she smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHello, Emma.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma couldn’t move.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnna?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The woman nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked shocked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut you were supposed to be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDead?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s voice trembled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt means your father wanted you to believe I was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause he knew someone was watching.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James stepped forward.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna’s expression changed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEveryone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man beside her suddenly raised his hand.<\/p>\n

    Anna stopped him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked directly at Emma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father left you a message.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat message?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna reached into her coat.<\/p>\n

    She pulled out a small photograph.<\/p>\n

    She handed it to Emma.<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at it.<\/p>\n

    Her heart stopped.<\/p>\n

    It was a photograph of her.<\/p>\n

    Not from childhood.<\/p>\n

    Not from years ago.<\/p>\n

    It was recent.<\/p>\n

    Very recent.<\/p>\n

    Emma was standing outside her apartment.<\/p>\n

    The photograph had been taken yesterday.<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at Anna.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere did you get this?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    Instead, she said:<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey’ve been watching you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe Circle.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at Anna.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna’s eyes moved toward the metal box.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause of what your father left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked down at the photograph.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat did he leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cProof.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cProof of what?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat The Circle isn’t just watching people.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s fingers tightened around the photograph.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are they doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at James.<\/p>\n

    Then back at Emma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey’re choosing them.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cChoosing who?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna’s voice became almost inaudible.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho gets to know the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma didn’t understand.<\/p>\n

    Then the man beside Anna stepped forward.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He reached into his coat.<\/p>\n

    James immediately moved in front of Emma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon’t.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man pulled out a small device.<\/p>\n

    A phone.<\/p>\n

    He held it toward Emma.<\/p>\n

    The screen showed a video.<\/p>\n

    Emma watched.<\/p>\n

    Her father appeared.<\/p>\n

    He was sitting in the same room as Room 17.<\/p>\n

    Older.<\/p>\n

    Tired.<\/p>\n

    But alive.<\/p>\n

    Emma’s heart shattered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    The recording began.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    She covered her mouth.<\/p>\n

    Her father looked directly into the camera.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you’re watching this, then something has happened to me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere are things I couldn’t tell you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Her father paused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThings I wanted to tell you every day.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cDad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut the most important thing you need to know is this.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    He leaned closer to the camera.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou were never supposed to find Room 17.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    The video suddenly stopped.<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at the screen.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat wasn’t the whole video.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere’s the rest?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father divided it into three parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere are the other two?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna smiled sadly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat is what we’ve been trying to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou knew about the video?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou didn’t?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna shook her head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames didn’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked confused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen why did my father trust him?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBecause your father didn’t trust James.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma froze.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe trusted you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna pointed at the key in Emma’s hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames was only the person who was supposed to bring you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at James.<\/p>\n

    He looked devastated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father told me one thing,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBring Emma to Room 17.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma suddenly understood.<\/p>\n

    James had never known the entire plan.<\/p>\n

    He had only been carrying out one small part of it.<\/p>\n

    Her father had never trusted one person with everything.<\/p>\n

    He had divided the truth.<\/p>\n

    Between people.<\/p>\n

    Between places.<\/p>\n

    Between time.<\/p>\n

    And now Emma was standing in the middle of it.<\/p>\n

    The man in the black coat stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe need to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna nodded.<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna stopped.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI have questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou’ll have answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s voice was stronger now.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou’re just like him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLike my father?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat was he like?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked away.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBrave.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She paused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cStubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then she looked back.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd very afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOf what?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna answered with one word.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma’s blood ran cold.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy would my father be afraid of me?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    Instead, she took Emma’s hand.<\/p>\n

    She placed something small in her palm.<\/p>\n

    A second key.<\/p>\n

    This one was silver.<\/p>\n

    There was a number engraved on it.<\/p>\n

    42.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat’s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe second door.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked confused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought there was only one key.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at Emma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUntil now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then the roof door behind them suddenly slammed open.<\/p>\n

    More footsteps.<\/p>\n

    Anna looked toward the door.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man in the black coat grabbed Emma’s arm.<\/p>\n

    James tried to stop him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet her go!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna shouted:<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames!\u201d<\/p>\n

    He stopped.<\/p>\n

    The people coming through the door were wearing dark clothes.<\/p>\n

    There were four of them.<\/p>\n

    Anna pushed Emma toward the opposite side of the roof.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere!\u201d<\/p>\n

    A narrow fire escape led down to the street.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGo!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma hesitated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon’t worry about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna’s voice became serious.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you want to know why your father died\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma froze.<\/p>\n

    Anna continued:<\/p>\n

    \u201cFind Door 42.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma gripped the silver key.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou’ve already seen it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma frowned.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna pointed toward the city.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThink about the place where your father took you when you were six.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s mind raced.<\/p>\n

    Six years old.<\/p>\n

    A memory.<\/p>\n

    A train station.<\/p>\n

    A birthday.<\/p>\n

    A blue door.<\/p>\n

    Emma’s eyes widened.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe library.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Anna nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James grabbed Emma’s hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n

    They climbed down the fire escape.<\/p>\n

    Emma looked back.<\/p>\n

    Anna was still standing on the roof.<\/p>\n

    The man in black stood beside her.<\/p>\n

    Then the roof door closed.<\/p>\n

    Emma reached the street.<\/p>\n

    She looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho was that man?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma narrowed her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen why did he call you by your father’s name?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James stopped walking.<\/p>\n

    Emma’s heart sank.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    The rain fell between them.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe called you by your father’s name.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James stared at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat isn’t possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI heard him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat exactly did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma remembered.<\/p>\n

    The man’s voice.<\/p>\n

    Low.<\/p>\n

    Calm.<\/p>\n

    He had called James something.<\/p>\n

    Not James.<\/p>\n

    Something else.<\/p>\n

    Emma repeated it.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    She paused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMichael.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James went pale.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father’s name was Michael.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat’s what I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James shook his head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father died before I was born.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n

    James looked terrified.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father wasn’t Michael.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen why did he call you that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked toward the abandoned station.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJames.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere is something I never told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father wasn’t my biological father.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James swallowed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was adopted.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Silence.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd I never knew who my biological father was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma slowly understood.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUntil today?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe man on the roof\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI think he knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n

    THE LIBRARY<\/h3>\n

    Two hours later, Emma and James stood outside the old town library.<\/p>\n

    It looked exactly as Emma remembered.<\/p>\n

    The stone steps.<\/p>\n

    The tall windows.<\/p>\n

    The huge wooden doors.<\/p>\n

    Emma hadn’t been there since she was six.<\/p>\n

    She looked at the building.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI remember coming here with my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cTry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

    She saw her father holding her hand.<\/p>\n

    She saw books.<\/p>\n

    A long hallway.<\/p>\n

    A blue door.<\/p>\n

    Then\u2014<\/p>\n

    A woman.<\/p>\n

    Red scarf.<\/p>\n

    Anna.<\/p>\n

    Emma opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet’s find the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

    They entered.<\/p>\n

    The librarian looked up.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma glanced at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe’re looking for something.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSomething specific?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cA blue door.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian frowned.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere aren’t any blue doors here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s heart sank.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James walked toward the old map of the building.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe there used to be one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian looked at the map.<\/p>\n

    Then paused.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian pointed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBasement.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma and James exchanged a look.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCan we go down there?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian hesitated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt’s been closed for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian lowered her voice.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFlood damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCan we see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The librarian sighed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFive minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n

    The basement smelled of dust and old paper.<\/p>\n

    They followed the librarian down a narrow staircase.<\/p>\n

    At the end was a corridor.<\/p>\n

    Emma looked around.<\/p>\n

    Then stopped.<\/p>\n

    There it was.<\/p>\n

    A faded blue door.<\/p>\n

    Her heart began pounding.<\/p>\n

    On the door was a number.<\/p>\n

    42.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma pulled out the silver key.<\/p>\n

    The librarian stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere did you get that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

    She inserted the key.<\/p>\n

    The lock turned.<\/p>\n

    The door opened.<\/p>\n

    Inside was a tiny room.<\/p>\n

    A single table.<\/p>\n

    A chair.<\/p>\n

    And a cassette player.<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped inside.<\/p>\n

    There was another envelope on the table.<\/p>\n

    Her name was written on it.<\/p>\n

    EMMA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    She picked it up.<\/p>\n

    This time, there was something else written beneath her name.<\/p>\n

    Five words.<\/p>\n

    READ THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma opened the envelope.<\/p>\n

    Inside was a letter.<\/p>\n

    She began reading.<\/p>\n

    Emma,<\/em><\/p>\n

    If you’ve reached Door 42, then you’ve met Anna.<\/em><\/p>\n

    That means the Circle knows you’re looking.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Don’t panic.<\/em><\/p>\n

    They want you to panic.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Fear makes people careless.<\/em><\/p>\n

    And you must not be careless.<\/em><\/p>\n

    There is something you need to understand.<\/em><\/p>\n

    The Circle was never interested in me.<\/em><\/p>\n

    They were interested in you.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma stopped.<\/p>\n

    Her hands began shaking.<\/p>\n

    James looked over her shoulder.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKeep reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She did.<\/p>\n

    When you were six years old, you witnessed something you were never supposed to see.<\/em><\/p>\n

    You may not remember it.<\/em><\/p>\n

    That’s because I made sure you forgot.<\/em><\/p>\n

    I thought I was protecting you.<\/em><\/p>\n

    I was wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Your memory will return when you find the photograph.<\/em><\/p>\n

    The photograph of the woman in the red scarf.<\/em><\/p>\n

    When you remember what happened that day, you will understand why they are looking for you.<\/em><\/p>\n

    And why I had to disappear.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDisappear?\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked at James.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father didn’t die?\u201d<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma continued reading.<\/p>\n

    One final warning.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Do not trust the person who tells you your father is dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Because that person is the reason you have been searching for him all these years.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma stopped.<\/p>\n

    The room seemed to spin.<\/p>\n

    James whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere’s something written on the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma turned the letter over.<\/p>\n

    There was one final sentence.<\/p>\n

    Her father’s handwriting.<\/p>\n

    HE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Emma slowly raised her eyes.<\/p>\n

    The cassette player suddenly turned on.<\/p>\n

    Neither of them had touched it.<\/p>\n

    A voice came from the speaker.<\/p>\n

    A man’s voice.<\/p>\n

    Older.<\/p>\n

    Familiar.<\/p>\n

    Emma stopped breathing.<\/p>\n

    She knew that voice.<\/p>\n

    It was her father’s.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    Her knees nearly gave way.<\/p>\n

    James grabbed her arm.<\/p>\n

    The recording continued.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you’re hearing this, then you’ve found Door 42.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at the cassette player.<\/p>\n

    Her father’s voice became quieter.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd if you’ve found Door 42\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    A pause.<\/p>\n

    \u201c\u2026then I know you remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cRemember what?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The recording continued.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou were six years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

    The memory came.<\/p>\n

    Suddenly.<\/p>\n

    Completely.<\/p>\n

    A room.<\/p>\n

    A blue door.<\/p>\n

    Her father arguing with someone.<\/p>\n

    Anna standing beside him.<\/p>\n

    A man.<\/p>\n

    A gun.<\/p>\n

    Her father shouting:<\/p>\n

    \u201cRUN, EMMA!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then\u2014<\/p>\n

    A flash.<\/p>\n

    A loud sound.<\/p>\n

    Her father falling.<\/p>\n

    Emma screamed.<\/p>\n

    James grabbed her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma!\u201d<\/p>\n

    She opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

    Tears were streaming down her face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    She could barely speak.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe didn’t die.\u201d<\/p>\n

    James stared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe was taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The cassette continued.<\/p>\n

    Her father’s voice whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd the person who took me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    A long silence.<\/p>\n

    Then:<\/p>\n

    \u201c\u2026was someone you trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The recording stopped.<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at James.<\/p>\n

    Neither spoke.<\/p>\n

    Then they heard footsteps upstairs.<\/p>\n

    Someone was entering the library.<\/p>\n

    The librarian shouted from above.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n

    A man’s voice answered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe’re looking for someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked at James.<\/p>\n

    James whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

    He pointed toward a second door in the basement.<\/p>\n

    Emma opened it.<\/p>\n

    A narrow tunnel stretched into darkness.<\/p>\n

    James looked at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour father knew we’d need an escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma looked back at Door 42.<\/p>\n

    On the wall beside it, someone had written something.<\/p>\n

    She hadn’t noticed it before.<\/p>\n

    Three words.<\/p>\n

    PART THREE \u2014 STATION 9.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma stared.<\/p>\n

    James looked over her shoulder.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma held the silver key tightly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI think we’re about to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Above them, the basement door slammed open.<\/p>\n

    Someone shouted:<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey’re downstairs!\u201d<\/p>\n

    James grabbed Emma’s hand.<\/p>\n

    They ran into the darkness.<\/p>\n

    Behind them, footsteps echoed through the tunnel.<\/p>\n

    Faster.<\/p>\n

    Closer.<\/p>\n

    And somewhere far ahead\u2026<\/p>\n

    A door opened.<\/p>\n

    Light spilled across the tunnel.<\/p>\n

    Emma stopped.<\/p>\n

    A figure was standing there.<\/p>\n

    Waiting.<\/p>\n

    She couldn’t see his face.<\/p>\n

    Then the figure spoke.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmma.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She froze.<\/p>\n

    The voice was familiar.<\/p>\n

    Far too familiar.<\/p>\n

    The figure stepped into the light.<\/p>\n

    Emma’s eyes widened.<\/p>\n

    It was the man from the photograph.<\/p>\n

    The man who had been standing beside her father.<\/p>\n

    The man she had never recognized.<\/p>\n

    He smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt’s been a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n

    James whispered:<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man looked at James.<\/p>\n

    Then smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou really don’t remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stared at him.<\/p>\n

    Something inside her broke open.<\/p>\n

    A memory.<\/p>\n

    A voice.<\/p>\n

    A face.<\/p>\n

    A name.<\/p>\n

    And suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n

    She remembered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUncle David\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man’s smile disappeared.<\/p>\n

    James looked at Emma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma stepped backward.<\/p>\n

    Her face went pale.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe was my father’s brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man smiled again.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, Emma.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was never your uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He stepped closer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Emma’s world went silent.<\/p>\n

    TO BE CONTINUED\u2026<\/strong> 🔥📖<\/p>\n

    <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The rain had been falling since early morning. By the time Emma arrived at the small caf\u00e9 on the corner of Maple Street, the sky was dark and the streets … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=326"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":327,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326\/revisions\/327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyinside.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}