And Samuel was no longer on the screen.
Then Sophia sent one final message.
I'M SORRY. I'M TAKING YOU TO YOUR FATHER.
Ethan stared at his phone.
Before he could react, someone grabbed him from behind.
A cloth covered his mouth.
The room spun.
The last thing he heard was a woman's voice.
"Please forgive me, Ethan."
Then everything went black.
When he opened his eyes, he was lying on a cold concrete floor.
His wrists were tied.
A single light hung above him.
Across the room sat Daniel Cole.
Alive.
But beside Daniel stood Sophia Bennett.
She was holding a gun.
And behind her, smiling in the darkness, was Samuel Cole.
"Welcome home, nephew."
The room smelled of gasoline, rust, and damp concrete.
Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
His head was pounding. His wrists were tied behind a metal chair, and a bright light hung directly above him.
Across the room sat Daniel Cole.
His father looked exhausted. Blood covered one side of his face, and his shirt was torn at the shoulder.
But he was alive.
For several seconds, Ethan simply stared at him.
Then he looked toward Sophia.
She stood beside Samuel Cole, holding a gun.
"Why?" Ethan whispered.
Sophia didn't answer.
Samuel smiled.
"Family reunions are always emotional, aren't they?"
Ethan struggled against his restraints.
"Let him go."
Samuel laughed.
"You're still making demands? You really are your father's son."
He pulled a chair toward Ethan and sat down.
"There's something you've never understood about the Riverside disaster. You believe your father was an innocent engineer who discovered a conspiracy. You believe I was the monster who destroyed everything."
Samuel leaned forward.
"But the truth is much more complicated."
He turned toward Daniel.
"Tell him."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Samuel was right about one thing. I wasn't innocent."
Ethan stared at him.
"What?"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"Before Riverside became a crime scene, I helped design the original Nightfall system. I believed it could revolutionize energy production. I knew the early experiments were dangerous, but I trusted the people funding the project."
Samuel smiled.
"Exactly."
Daniel continued.
"I made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. But when I discovered that Samuel was using the project to develop an unstable chemical weapon, I tried to shut everything down."
Ethan shook his head.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was ashamed."
Daniel's voice broke.
"I had spent years telling you that science should serve humanity. Then I discovered that my own work had been turned into something that could destroy lives."
Samuel stood.
"Enough sentimental nonsense."
He walked toward a large metal cabinet and opened it.
Inside were several old documents and a small video recorder.
"Your father has spent seven years pretending to be a victim. But he conveniently forgets that he helped build the machine that started everything."
Ethan looked at the documents.
"What do you want?"
Samuel smiled.
"The original master recording."
Ethan remained silent.
Samuel continued.
"I know you have it. Your father hid it somewhere. And I suspect your mother left you the key to finding it."
Ethan's expression changed.
"Don't talk about my mother."
Samuel laughed.
"Your mother was a remarkable woman. Too intelligent for her own good."
Daniel suddenly stood.
"Leave Laura out of this."
Samuel turned toward him.
"Why? Because you still feel guilty?"
He approached Daniel.
"Tell Ethan what happened that night."
Daniel looked away.
Samuel continued.
"Your mother discovered the truth about Nightfall. She wanted to expose us. But she also discovered something else."
Ethan leaned forward.
"What?"
Samuel smiled.
"Your father had already signed an agreement to transfer the original research to me."
Ethan stared at Daniel.
"Is that true?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Samuel nodded.
"Of course it is. Your father wanted to save himself. He was prepared to let the project continue if he could secure enough money to disappear with his family."
Daniel finally spoke.
"I never wanted the project to continue."
"But you signed the agreement."
"Because I was trying to get access to the original recordings!"
Samuel laughed.
"Excuses."
Sophia suddenly stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Samuel turned toward her.
"Be careful, young lady."
Sophia lowered her weapon slightly.
"You promised that Ethan would be released after the exchange."
Samuel smiled.
"And I keep my promises."
He pointed toward the door.
Two armed men entered carrying a laptop.
Samuel opened a video file.
It showed the inside of an old underground laboratory.
A woman sat in a chair.
Her hair was gray, and her face was partially hidden.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then his heart nearly stopped.
"Mom?"
The woman slowly raised her head.
It was Laura Cole.
Alive.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Sophia covered her mouth.
Samuel smiled.
"Now you understand why your father never told you everything."
Ethan could barely speak.
"Where is she?"
"Somewhere safe. For now."
Samuel shut the laptop.
"Bring me the master recording. And perhaps this family can finally be reunited."
He walked toward the exit.
Before leaving, he turned back.
"Oh, and Ethan?"
"WHAT?"
Samuel smiled.
"Your mother has been waiting seven years to tell you who really betrayed her."
The door slammed.
Ethan turned toward Daniel.
His father was crying.
"Is she alive?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
"Why did you let me believe she was dead?"
Daniel struggled to find the words.
"Because I thought it was the only way to protect you."
Ethan stared at him.
"You let me bury an empty coffin."
Daniel lowered his head.
"I know."
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Sophia quietly approached Ethan.
"I'm sorry."
He looked at her.
"Are you working for Samuel?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Then why are you holding a gun?"
Sophia looked down.
"Because if I hadn't played along, Samuel would have killed your father."
Ethan studied her face.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
Sophia reached into her jacket and removed a small memory card.
"Because I have something Samuel doesn't know exists."
She placed it in Ethan's hand.
"The original security recording from the night of the explosion."
Ethan looked at her.
"Where did you get this?"