Chapter 13 – The Forgotten Wing
The C-1 key unlocked a section of the mansion that had been sealed for decades.
Dust floated through the air as the heavy oak doors creaked open.
Grace entered first.
Furniture remained exactly where it had been abandoned.
Family portraits still hung on the walls.
Children's toys rested untouched beneath the windows.
It looked as though time had stopped.
Charles slowly walked into an old nursery.
His breathing became uneven.
He picked up a faded wooden horse.
"I remember this."
Grace looked at him.
"You were here."
Charles nodded.
"I thought those memories were dreams."
Detective Brooks examined the fireplace.
"The bricks don't match."
Workers removed several loose stones.
Hidden inside the chimney was a metal box.
Unlike the others...
It had never been opened.
Inside rested dozens of cassette tapes.
A tape recorder.
And one handwritten note.
If Charles ever returns, let him hear the truth himself.
Silence filled the room.
Charles inserted the first tape.
His father's voice filled the nursery.
"If you're listening..."
"...I have failed to protect this family."
Grace looked toward Charles.
His hands were shaking.
Then another voice interrupted the recording.
A woman's terrified scream.
May you like
The tape suddenly stopped.
End of Chapter 13
