The days that followed felt like a blur to Ada. She had no idea how long she had been locked away in the cold, sterile room, the days blending together as the weight of her father's secrets pressed down on her. Each time she tried to piece together the fragments of her past, something else shattered—another truth, another lie, and more questions that only led to darker answers.
The photograph with the cryptic message had burned itself into her mind. "Trust no one." The words echoed in her thoughts, a constant reminder that she couldn't rely on anyone—not even the people who had promised to protect her.
Despite the isolation, Ada had made her decision. She could no longer sit idly by while everyone else played their games. She needed to uncover the full truth about her father and what had really happened to him. But that meant stepping into the unknown, into a world where danger lurked at every turn.
The door to her room opened suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up to find the same man in the suit from the other day standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"You've been here long enough," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "It's time to move."
Ada narrowed her eyes. "Move where?"
"Out," he replied. "We need to take you somewhere else. We can't keep you here any longer. The situation's too volatile."
Ada's pulse quickened. "What do you mean, volatile?" She had learned enough over the past few days to understand that nothing here was as simple as it seemed.
"The people who are after you are closing in," he said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "We need to get you out of the city. We've prepared a new location. Safer."
"Safer?" Ada repeated, skeptical. "How can I trust you? Or anyone at this point?"
The man didn't respond immediately. He seemed to weigh her words carefully, and when he spoke again, there was a hint of something—regret, maybe?—in his eyes. "I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to trust the situation. If we stay here much longer, they'll find you. And then, it won't matter who you trust."
Ada stood up, her thoughts swirling. She had no real choice. The danger was closing in, and she didn't want to wait around to find out who was going to come for her next. She had already waited long enough.
"Alright," she said, her voice low but determined. "Let's go."
The man nodded, motioning for her to follow him. They walked out of the room and down the long hallway, Ada's footsteps echoing in the silence. As they passed the security rooms, she noticed that the place had an almost militaristic feel—everything in its place, everything locked down tight. But something about the entire facility felt off, like there were hidden doors she wasn't meant to see.
They reached the parking garage, where a sleek black SUV was waiting. The man opened the door for her, and Ada stepped inside without a word. As they pulled away from the building, Ada couldn't shake the feeling that she was leaving something important behind.
The city lights flashed by in a blur, and the silence between them stretched out like a thick rope that no one dared to cut. Ada wanted to ask more questions—wanted to know exactly who was pulling the strings and what was really going on—but she knew she wouldn't get any answers now. For once, the mystery had to be solved by her own hands.
The car made its way through the labyrinth of Lagos' streets, taking turns and avoiding major roads. Ada leaned back against the seat, her eyes scanning the darkened city through the tinted windows, trying to spot any sign of danger. It felt like the world outside was alive, a beating heart of movement and chaos, while she was stuck in this cold, controlled environment.
After what felt like hours, the car finally slowed, pulling into an area that Ada didn't recognize. The surroundings were quiet—too quiet—and the buildings were different from anything she'd seen before. This part of Lagos felt like another world, disconnected from everything else.
The SUV stopped in front of a large, nondescript building, its concrete exterior unremarkable and uninviting. Ada felt a chill run down her spine as she glanced up at it.
"This is where you'll stay," the man said, his voice calm but sharp. "It's not much, but it's safe for now. You'll have a room, food, everything you need. But we're keeping a low profile."
Ada opened the door and stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the area. She had no idea where she was, but her instincts were telling her that this place was even more dangerous than the last. There was something in the air, a sense of urgency, as if time was running out for them all.
"Come on," the man said, motioning toward the building. "We'll get you settled inside."
Ada hesitated, her hand resting on the door handle as she took one last look at the car. Something about this whole situation felt wrong, but she had no other option. She had to keep moving forward.
She followed him inside the building, her footsteps slow, deliberate. The interior was far different from the cold, sterile atmosphere of the last place. The walls were rough, the lighting dim, and the space felt more like a hideout than a safe house. There were no signs of luxury here—just a place to survive.
Once inside, the man led her down a narrow hallway to a small room. "This is yours for now," he said, opening the door. "Stay here. We'll contact you soon."
Ada stepped inside the room, which was furnished simply—a bed, a desk, and a small window overlooking the city. It was sparse, but it felt like a prison. She stood in the center of the room for a moment, the weight of everything pressing down on her.
But as she turned to sit on the bed, her gaze landed on something on the desk—a small, weathered envelope, her father's handwriting on the front.
Her pulse raced as she reached for it, tearing it open with trembling hands. Inside was a single sheet of paper. The message was short, but it hit her like a hammer:
"They're watching. Trust no one. The truth is in your blood."
Ada's breath caught in her throat. Her father's final warning. But what did it mean? What was the truth buried in her blood?
And who was she really becoming in all of this?