The Lost Legacy

5.Veritas

The basement was eerily quiet, the only sounds being our breaths and the occasional creak from the old house above. I tried to steady myself, gripping the photo frame tightly as I fought back tears. Liam and Aida hovered nearby; their concern evident.

"Caci, are you okay?" Aida's voice was soft, her usual cheerfulness replaced by a serious, comforting tone.

I nodded, but my eyes were fixed on the photograph, unable to shake the feeling that my entire world had just been turned upside down. "I need to find out more," I said, my voice trembling with determination. "There must be something here that explains all this."

Liam and Aida started rummaging through the dusty boxes and shelves, their movements careful and deliberate. It didn't take long before Aida found an old, leather-bound diary tucked away in a drawer. She held it up, her face lighting up with a mix of excitement and hesitation.

"This looks important," she said, handing it to me.

My hands shook as I opened the diary, its pages yellowed and fragile. The handwriting was neat and precise, each word carefully penned. As I read, I realized I was holding the personal thoughts of Frode Menken, the man in the photograph. My heart raced as I skimmed through entries detailing his deep love for his daughter—me. He spoke about his daughter's early years with tenderness and affection, recounting moments of joy and pride. And his Unconditional love for his wife.

But there was more. The diary revealed Frode's dual life as a journalist and the leader of a secret organization named "Veritas." His writings described how Veritas helped people solve crimes that couldn't be reported to the police. They operated in the shadows, offering a lifeline to those in desperate need of justice. Once a case was solved, they published evidence in their own secret newspaper to ensure the perpetrators faced the consequences of their actions. Veritas had been instrumental in uncovering many hidden crimes, providing a voice to those who had none.

My eyes were drawn to an entry detailing how he had to hide the organization's existence to protect its members and their work. As I read, the weight of the revelation settled heavily on my shoulders. My real name was Bahira Menken? Frode Menken was my biological father? The man I had called "Dad" all my life, Ambrose Neils, was not my real father? But He is my dad...

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to reconcile this new truth with the life I had always known. The diary painted a picture of a man who was deeply devoted to his daughter, who fought for justice and truth through Veritas. It was clear that Frode Menken was a good man, a loving father who cared deeply for me.

Liam and Aida watched me with empathetic eyes, sensing the depth of my struggle. Liam broke the silence, his voice filled with concern. "Do you know where he is now? Is he still alive?"

I shook my head, struggling to catch my breath. "The diary doesn't say. But if he was hiding this much, maybe he's... maybe he's dead. The house was cleared out, and people say the owner is dead."

Aida reached out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Caci, I'm so sorry. This is a lot to take in. But whatever happened, we're here for you."

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. If Frode Menken was truly dead, then I had never had the chance to meet him. The possibility that my real father might be gone forever was a painful thought. The man who had raised me, Ambrose Neils, had been the only father I had known, the one who had given me love and stability. Now, the life I had built, the love I had for dad, felt like it was crumbling around me.

I sank to the floor, clutching the diary to my chest. My emotions were a chaotic mix of grief, confusion, and anger. The truth was too much to bear all at once.

Liam knelt beside me, his hand gently resting on my back. "Caci, whatever you're feeling, it's okay. We'll figure this out together. We're your friends, and we're here for you."

Aida joined him, her eyes filled with sympathy. "You're not alone in this. We'll get through it, and we'll uncover the whole truth about your past. Just take it one step at a time."

Their support was a lifeline, anchoring me amidst the storm of my emotions. I knew that I couldn't face this alone. The truth about Frode Menken, Veritas, and my own identity was overwhelming, but with my friends by my side, I felt a glimmer of hope.

As we sat there, surrounded by the remnants of ahidden past, I realized that my journey was far from over. The secrets ofVeritas, the truth about my family, and my own identity awaited discovery. Itwas going to be a long and challenging road, but I was determined to uncoverthe truth, no matter how painful it might be.