Chapter 4 - THE PHOTOGRAPH
Jared drove through the snow without remembering the route.
By the time he reached Oscar's apartment, his father was waiting beside the kitchen table.
The photograph lay between them.
It was old.
Yellowed.
The edges were curled.
Oscar's wife, Margaret, stood outside a factory.
Beside her stood Oscar.
And beside Oscar stood another man.
Jared recognized him immediately.
Richard Vale.
The man who had supposedly bought Blake Industrial Solutions.
The man who had supposedly died eight years ago.
Jared stared.
"He's dead."
Oscar nodded.
"That's what everyone told me."
"Where did you get this?"
"Inside your mother's old sewing box."
Jared picked it up.
On the back was a handwritten note.
Jared read it.
If anything happens to me, ask Oscar what really happened in 2009.
He looked at his father.
"What happened in 2009?"
Oscar's face hardened.
"I don't know."
"You wrote this."
"No."
"Then Mom did."
Oscar nodded slowly.
"Maybe."
Jared turned the photograph over again.
There was another line.
Don't trust the person who says they saved us.
Jared felt a strange pressure in his chest.
"Who said they saved us?"
Oscar looked toward the apartment door.
"I don't know."
A noise came from the hallway.
Both men went silent.
Footsteps.
Someone stopped outside the apartment.
Oscar lowered his voice.
"Did you tell anyone you were coming here?"
"No."
The door handle moved.
Jared stepped forward.
The door opened.
Lauren stood there.
Her face was pale.
She looked at Jared.
Then at Oscar.
Then at the photograph.
Her expression changed.
"Where did you get that?"
Jared stared at her.
"You recognize him."
Lauren didn't answer.
"Lauren."
She slowly removed her gloves.
"Jared, there are things you don't understand."
"Then explain them."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because if I tell you, you won't believe me."
Jared laughed bitterly.
"Try me."
Lauren looked at Oscar.
"Not here."
Oscar's eyes narrowed.
"Why not?"
Lauren whispered, "Because we're not alone."
Everyone froze.
Jared looked toward the hallway.
"Who is here?"
Lauren didn't answer.
Then the lights went out.
The apartment fell into darkness.
Oscar grabbed the table.
Jared heard something hit the floor.
May you like
Lauren whispered one word.
"Run."
