x
Jayden froze.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZIsYLbzmJ
His eyes locked onto the figure imprisoned behind a cold, steel wall that had slowly peeled open almost mockingly, like it was welcoming him into a nightmare. There was no doubt. The man inside, blood trailing down from his eyes like tears, his body a living map of pain and old wounds... was Elliot Crowe.
Jayden’s brother.
The brother he'd believed to be dead for seven long years.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbuin7NgYq
Elliot’s past was riddled with darkness: a soldier, an elite interrogator, and eventually, a suspect in the massacre of fellow soldiers during a black ops mission the government had buried. Jayden had been assigned to investigate that very case had signed off on the official report that Elliot had taken his own life.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs9bTzJr9Q
But now… staring into those hollow eyes, that truth began to shatter.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHmmtQ6SZ8
“How… how are you here?!”
Jayden shouted, lunging toward the steel barrier with bare hands, desperate to reach him.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg36aGPWhD
Before he could get close, The Host’s voice rumbled from above, smooth and cold as ever:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcMxJavHbS
“This is not a reunion. It is a reminder of what you chose to forget… and what you chose to bury.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuQhGTLFFK
The ceiling lights flared on, revealing a massive chamber. Jayden spun around.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6aHSjwgKI
More prisoners were being dragged into the room people who had vanished off the grid. One of them was Naomi Vasquez, the journalist who had chased after the truth behind The Chosen Eye, a secret society linked to countless disappearances. Two others were former inmates ghosts from Jayden’s past investigations.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9u5yTC1Up
Rhea stepped beside him.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfny19WOwg
“Your brother’s not the only ghost in this place.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRfKYchTLT
Meanwhile, Ezra was bent over a hand-built device made from scraps of copper and wire. With it, he’d gained a brief tap into one of the compound’s interior feeds. What he found made the air freeze.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdU4GCnJmU
A grainy surveillance clip. Jayden… in conversation with a hooded figure. The audio was low, but clear enough.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uUQpRamFK
“If Elliot talks, we’re all exposed. Make sure the file disappears. Burn everything.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHSwB2KH4D
Jayden staggered back.
His voice. Clear as day. But… he had no memory of ever saying those words.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKadBnm55I
“That’s... impossible.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XpC3EPOEQ
Dr. Lena Mbeki’s eyes met Jayden’s. Her gaze held no accusation just understanding.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HCn3yZLkE
“This place isn’t a prison. It’s a mirror. And it’s showing you the version of yourself you tried to erase.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM1lhTAugu
Suddenly, a steel door groaned open.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMtMBgBtwX
The same door that had been sealed with a crimson warning:
“Do Not Open Unless Ready.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MwX6FvKjq
Everyone stood still.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS9bIgqyeY
And then… the voice returned.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9WdwT22pu
“One of you knows the truth about why Elliot was buried. Open the door, and the price will be betrayal.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaUg9dOuMZ
Jayden stepped forward.
Rhea placed a hand on his shoulder.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnsdVUNPyr
“Are you sure? What if this is exactly what they want?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu11ZnQeUBj
He glanced at the camera embedded in the top corner of the room.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQvcjELTQk
“I need to know… if I’m the villain in my own story.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZv6lwVyM2
Jayden turned the handle.
The door creaked open revealing a room flooded with screens. Footage, images, and recordings looped relentlessly.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM9dAdsEeY
They showed Jayden. Rhea. And the man behind the mask -The Host discussing something called “the final protocol of silence.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ki9xLz6ma
Then, Jayden’s voice again calm, resolved:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9rB3qqg6d
“They won’t stop until we destroy each other. If silence is the only way… then let it be eternal.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0yxcTgXDh
Jayden collapsed to his knees.
His face pale. His breathing shallow.
Tears sliding down as his voice cracked:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eAAzWrVE7
“What did I become…?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlT7nU093V
Elsewhere, inside the dark cell, Elliot opened his eyes.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukp8mix6Za
He looked straight into the camera and whispe
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7trAwJbgdS
red, for the first time:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZy6xvDPAX
“Jayden… you put me here.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNtjEY8u1E
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd058D1iHyP
🩸 To Be Continued...
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZAJXJ4P5M
