Is That Mom

Part 5 of Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

Into the Shadows

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Part 5:

The Encounter with an Old Ally

Ethan's mind was still reeling from the letter as he moved through the darkened hallways of the facility. The place felt even colder now, as if the building itself had absorbed the weight of all the secrets it harbored. He had come here searching for the truth, but what he had found was something far more complex—a plea from his mother to abandon his quest, to leave the past buried. But he couldn't. He needed to know, no matter the cost.

As he approached the exit, the crunch of footsteps on the gravel outside brought him to an abrupt halt. He froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn’t seen or heard anyone else in the facility, but that didn’t mean he was alone. Panic surged through him, and he quickly ducked behind a stack of rusted metal crates, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever was outside. The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside, their silhouette backlit by the pale light filtering through the open doorway.

For a moment, Ethan thought about running, slipping out a side exit and disappearing into the forest. But before he could decide, the figure stepped further into the room, and he saw their face. Ethan’s breath caught in his throat. It was someone he hadn’t seen in years, but he recognized them immediately: Dr. Marcus Hale, an old colleague of his mother’s. Hale had been one of her closest associates during the peak of the research projects, but he had disappeared without a trace around the same time she had.

The doctor’s eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on Ethan, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. But it wasn’t just surprise—there was something else, a hint of recognition, almost as if he had been expecting Ethan to be there, even if he hadn’t anticipated it happening today.

“Ethan,” Hale said, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you here.”

Ethan stepped out from behind the crates, his mind whirling. “Dr. Hale... what are you doing here?” His voice was sharper than he intended, the tension bleeding through. “How did you know—”

“I didn’t know,” Hale interrupted, raising a hand to stop him. “I’ve been coming back here from time to time, to see if... well, it doesn’t matter. But finding you here—of all people—seems like more than a coincidence, don’t you think?”

Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. “What do you mean?”

Hale took a step closer, his expression unreadable. “I mean that whatever brought you here, it’s dangerous. You shouldn’t be digging around in this place, Ethan. There are people who have been keeping an eye on it, and on anyone who gets too close.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened. “What people? What are you talking about?”

The doctor sighed, and for the first time, Ethan saw a flicker of something like regret in his eyes. “There are things happening that you don’t understand. Things your mother didn’t want you to know about. She tried to keep you out of it, but you’re here now, and that means you’re already in over your head.”

Ethan took a step back, his mind racing. This was too much—first the letter, and now this. “I don’t understand. You’re saying there are people watching me? Who? And why?”

Hale hesitated, and Ethan could tell he was choosing his words carefully. “Let’s just say that there are... remnants of the project. People who want to ensure that certain information remains buried. And if they think you’re getting too close, they’ll make sure you don’t get the chance to dig any deeper.”

Ethan felt a cold knot form in his stomach. “Are you threatening me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“No,” Hale said quickly, shaking his head. “I’m warning you. There’s a difference. You’ve stirred up something dangerous, and I’m trying to give you a chance to walk away before it’s too late.”

Ethan’s mind was spinning. Could he trust Hale? There was a time when he would have, but now... everything felt different. He had been lied to, manipulated, and led down a path that he didn’t fully understand. But one thing was clear—if Hale was right, then he was no longer just searching for answers. He was being hunted, and that changed everything.

“What do you know about my mother’s involvement in all this?” Ethan asked, his voice low and tense. “I found documents—her name was everywhere. She wasn’t just a part of the project; she was one of the leaders. Why didn’t she ever tell me?”

Hale’s expression softened, and for a moment, he looked almost sad. “She thought she was protecting you. From the truth, from the consequences. She believed that if you never knew, you could live a normal life, free from the shadows that have haunted her.”

Ethan shook his head, frustration bubbling up inside him. “But that’s not how it worked out, is it? I’m here. I’m involved. She tried to keep me in the dark, but all she did was make sure I had to find out the hard way.” His voice cracked, and he realized just how tired he was—tired of the lies, the secrets, the endless searching.

Hale was silent for a moment, as if weighing whether to say what was on his mind. “She was trying to save you, Ethan. But sometimes, trying to protect someone can do more harm than good. She knew that better than anyone, but she still hoped...”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “If you really cared about her, if you’re really trying to help me, then tell me the truth. What was she involved in? What happened here?”

Hale glanced over his shoulder, almost as if he expected to see someone lurking in the shadows. When he turned back to Ethan, his eyes were steely, resolved. “The truth is dangerous, Ethan. More dangerous than you realize. The people behind this project... they don’t take kindly to loose ends. And if you keep pushing, you’ll be painting a target on your back.”

Ethan’s chest tightened. “I don’t care. I need to know.”

There was a long, heavy silence. Then, finally, Hale nodded. “I can tell you some of it, but not here. This place isn’t safe, and I don’t want to be seen here any longer than I have to. If you want answers, meet me tomorrow night, at the old docks on the east side. Midnight. I’ll tell you everything I can.”

Ethan hesitated, his mind awash with conflicting emotions. Could he trust Hale? There was a chance this was a trap, a way to lead him into a dead end—or worse. But it was also the only lead he had, the closest he had come to getting real answers since he started this journey.

“I’ll be there,” he said, his voice firm. “But if this is some kind of setup, I’ll find out.”

Hale gave a small, sad smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But be careful, Ethan. You’re walking a dangerous path, and there are people who would do anything to make sure you don’t reach the end of it. Keep your eyes open, and trust no one.”

With that, Hale turned and slipped back out the door, leaving Ethan alone in the cold, empty facility. For a long time, Ethan just stood there, his mind buzzing with everything he had just heard. The warning echoed in his ears, and for the first time, he truly understood how deep he had gotten himself. This wasn’t just about uncovering secrets anymore—this was a fight for survival, and he was more vulnerable than he had ever realized.

But despite the fear gnawing at his insides, Ethan felt a flicker of determination. He would go to the docks. He would listen to what Hale had to say, and he would find out the truth, no matter how dangerous it was. Because he had to believe that somewhere in all this darkness, there was a light. And he wasn’t going to stop until he found it.