Chapter 8 - THE UNDERGROUND CITY The tunnel opened into a massive underground complex.
It wasn't a bunker.
It was a city.
Dormitories.
Offices.
Medical rooms.
Archives.
Hundreds of locked doors.
Julian stared in disbelief.
"How did this exist beneath my property?"
Reed answered:
"Your father built it."
They found records dating back decades.
People who had supposedly died were listed as residents.
Some had lived there for years.
Others had vanished.
Then Julian found Emily's file.
It contained a photograph.
She was pregnant.
Julian's hands began shaking.
The date was six months before Lilly's birth.
Beside Emily stood another woman.
Julian recognized her.
His mother.
Alive.
The file stated:
SUBJECT E-17 — PROTECTED.
CHILDREN: TWO.
FIRST DAUGHTER: NORA.
SECOND DAUGHTER: LILLY.
Julian stared at the page.
Nora stepped beside him.
"So it's true."
He nodded.
"You and Lilly are sisters."
Nora began crying.
Julian pulled her into an embrace.
For the first time, the girl who had spent her life believing she was abandoned finally had a family.
Then a door opened.
An elderly woman stepped out.
Julian recognized her immediately.
His mother.
She whispered his name.
"Julian."
He couldn't move.
For years, he had mourned her.
Now she stood before him.
Alive.
She touched his face.
"I'm sorry."
Julian's eyes filled with tears.
"Why?"
"Because I thought keeping you ignorant would keep you safe."
He looked at her.
"Where is Emily?"
His mother closed her eyes.
"Hale took her to the original facility."
"Where?"
She hesitated.
May you like
Then answered:
"Under the Vance cemetery."
Related Stories
