Chapter 13 - THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE ROAD
The house was abandoned.
Or appeared to be.
Claire entered through the side door.
Dust covered the furniture.
Old photographs lined the walls.
Daniel was everywhere.
Young.
Older.
With Evan.
With their father.
And in one photograph, Claire saw something impossible.
Daniel was holding Noah.
The photograph had been taken before Noah's birth.
Claire stared.
The date was written on the back.
Nine months before Noah was born.
The attorney whispered:
"That's impossible."
Claire turned the photograph over.
A message had been written beneath the date.
He knew before she did.
Claire searched the house.
She found a locked room.
The brass key opened it.
Inside were boxes.
Medical records.
Letters.
Corporate documents.
And a small video camera.
Claire turned it on.
The screen flickered.
Daniel Bennett appeared.
Older.
Tired.
Alive.
Claire stopped breathing.
Daniel looked directly into the camera.
"If you're watching this, Claire, then my brother failed to keep his promise."
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
Daniel continued.
"Evan will tell you Noah was his son."
A pause.
"He wasn't."
Claire covered her mouth.
Daniel leaned toward the camera.
"But that isn't the worst thing Evan did."
The video suddenly stopped.
The screen went black.
A sound came from behind Claire.
A floorboard creaked.
May you like
She turned.
The door was slowly closing.
