Felix's phone vibrated softly in his pocket, breaking the tense silence of the night. His stomach immediately contracted. He pulled out the device with trembling hands, feeling the blood leave his face as he read the message on the screen:
"Open the door."
His heart raced wildly. They had found him.
A wave of panic swept over him. But he couldn't afford to panic. Not with Althea still nearby and watching him. He took a deep breath and suppressed the trembling in his body. Without wasting any more time, he lifted her in his arms next to little Mian, who was sleeping curled up on a blanket, and hurried down to the basement.
—Dad, what's wrong? — asked Althea in a trembling voice.
Felix didn't answer. His mind was focused on protecting her. Every second counted. He hurried down the basement steps, his footsteps echoing loudly in the darkness. Once down, he lowered her carefully to the floor, placing her in front of a seemingly normal section of wall.
—Stay here, Althea—he said in a firm voice, though his voice barely managed to hide the urgency.
He approached one of the walls and began to feel it urgently, as if searching for something hidden in the cracks.
—Come on... it has to be here...— he murmured, as his fingers scoured the surface with desperation.
Finally, his fingers found a familiar crevice. A small, barely perceptible square, wedged between the cracks. He pressed it hard, and the hidden mechanism activated with a faint click. A low, metallic hum echoed from within the structure, and slowly, a section of the wall began to slide aside, revealing a narrow passageway, dimly lit by faint emergency lights embedded in the walls.
—Dad? — whispered the girl, watching the scene in awe and fear, clinging to Mian, who was also watching with droopy ears, sensing the tension in the atmosphere.
Felix knelt down in front of her and took her small hands in his.
— Honey... Do you remember that day we went on a picnic with mommy? There was a log cabin, near a stream, where the air smelled of dried flowers and sunshine. Do you remember?
Althea nodded, still confused.
—This tunnel leads to the basement of that cabin. I want you to cross it and wait there. The friend I told you about will come and get you there —Felix added
—What about you? Aren't you coming with me? —Althea murmured, her voice cracking.
Felix felt his chest tighten, but he had to be strong.
—I can't, Althea. I have to do some things first. But I'll catch up with you soon, don't worry.
She looked at him sadly.
— Promise...
Felix swallowed hard. He couldn't promise something he didn't know if he could deliver. But he would do it so she could rest assured.
— I promise you, my little one.
Felix pulled a small necklace out of his pocket. It was gold, with a beautiful purple diamond dangling in the center.
— I want you to wear it with you…
Althea shook her head gently, and with steady hands placed Mian in front of her father.
— Put it on Mian— she said in a trembling voice—. When we meet again, you will put it on me yourself.
Felix felt his heart break a little more, but he nodded with a faint smile. He carefully fastened the necklace around Max's neck and then leaned toward his daughter. He leaned close to her ear and whispered something softly.
Althea's eyes widened in surprise, but she said nothing. She just nodded earnestly.
Felix gave her one last loving look and handed her a phone.
— This cell phone has only one line enabled. When you get to the cabin, use this number to call Delma. She'll find you.
Althea took it with trembling hands and put it in her pocket. The tunnel in front of her seemed darker than ever, but it was also the only hope.
Felix hugged her tightly, as if for the last time. Mian, between them, let out a small bark.
— Go, Althea. Don't look back. Be brave… and take good care of yourself.
Althea tried to hold back tears and nodded.
—You too… — she said, barely in a whisper.
Althea slowly let go of her father, her eyes still moist, and took a step into the tunnel... then another... and, after one last glance at her father, her small figure vanished into the shadows of the hidden passage.
Felix stood motionless, alone, staring into the emptiness he had left behind. The tunnel was still open, silent and dark, like a reminder of the distance that had just arisen between them. But she was gone.
With his chest tight and his vision blurred by tears, he slowly sat up. Then, with a trembling hand, she reached out her fingers to the small square still sunk into the wall and pressed it firmly. It slowly descended until it clicked back into its original position, melting into the surface as if it had never been there. Instantly, the moving section of the wall slid back with a slight snap, closing completely and hiding the secret passage.
The tunnel disappeared. And with it, his daughter.
He was silent for a moment, staring at the floor.
—I'm sorry… — he murmured.
He wiped her tears quickly and took a deep breath. Then, her face hardened with determination, she climbed the stairs and returned to the living room.
She had to make time and make sure her daughter escaped.
As he returned to the living room, he heard banging on the door. They were trying to force it.
Felix closed his eyes for a moment, holding back his fear, and then went to open it.
Four men were waiting for him outside. Three were burly, with weathered faces, cold looks and worn clothes. The fourth, however, wore a perfectly pressed suit, his hair neatly combed back, and a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Felix recognized him instantly.
Without a word, he stepped aside to let them in. Before closing the door, he took a quick glance at the street. There were several infected lying on the ground, meticulously shot down. Apparently, his unexpected visitors had taken care of them along the way.
The man in the suit looked around the place with a mixture of curiosity and contempt.
— Long time no see, Felix. Though I must admit I would have preferred a different kind of meeting... perhaps with tea and crumpets— he said with a crooked smile, steeped in irony.
Felix did not react to the mockery.
—Same here— he replied indifferently.
The visitor stopped in front of a shelf and stared at a framed photograph: a warm, simple picture of Felix, his wife and little Althea laughing in the sunlight. He took the frame between his fingers with calculated slowness, as if savoring the moment.
—Wow... how touching. Your family, right?
Felix nodded briefly.
—And where are they now?
Felix kept his face serene, showing no emotion.
—They are gone. Today was my daughter's birthday. My wife and daughter went out... but they didn't make it back.
—It's a pity— said the man, although his tone made it clear that he didn't feel an ounce of compassion.
Felix looked at him, this time with a hard, dry look.
—What are you here for?
The man in the suit carefully put the photograph back in its place and turned to him again with a serpentine smile.
— Don't get defensive, Felix. I was just trying to create a more... pleasant atmosphere— he smoothed the lapels of his jacket with measured elegance—. But all right, to the point. The boss wants to know how the payment is going.
—I haven't got anything yet —Felix replied in a low but firm voice.
—That doesn't sound very encouraging —the man replied, folding his arms—. Time is running out, and you know he doesn't like to wait.
Felix felt the weight of the moment, struggling to keep the trembling out of his hands.
—I'm doing everything I can.
—Everything? —the man arched a cynical eyebrow—. Then show me the latest documents. Maybe there's something useful… something that will help us "negotiate" …
Felix clenched his fists, holding back his anger, but ended up nodding.
—Follow me.
Without turning around, Felix led them through the house and they followed him. However, the man in the suit gave a slight signal to his subordinates. The three thugs nodded discreetly before following them.
As they reached the office door and entered, Felix turned slightly.
—What about them? Why aren't they coming? —he asked the man in the suit.
—I asked them to wait there. This is private, after all —the man replied with a calculating smile.
Felix watched the thugs for a second, but said nothing. He just pushed the door and entered.
—Come in… —he said to the man in the suit.
The man entered and the door closed behind them with a soft click.