The truth didn't feel like the truth anymore.
As Elena walked out of the library, her mind was filled with confusion. Every answer she found only created more questions.
Ryan's family.
The organization.
People being "changed."
And now…
The possibility that Ryan was part of it all.
Outside, the sky over Blackwood was dull and grey.
Elena stopped near the college gate, taking a deep breath.
What if Adrian is right?
The thought refused to leave her.
But something inside her resisted it.
Ryan didn't seem like someone who would hurt people.
But then again—
How much did she really know about him?
"Thinking too much can be dangerous."
The voice came from behind.
Elena turned.
Ryan.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
There was tension now.
Distance.
"You've been avoiding me," Ryan said calmly.
Elena crossed her arms slightly.
"Maybe I have a reason."
Ryan didn't react.
"What did he tell you?" he asked.
Elena's eyes narrowed.
"So you already know."
"Adrian talks too much," Ryan replied.
Elena stepped closer.
"He said your family is connected to the organization," she said. "That you knew about everything."
A pause.
"Is it true?"
Ryan looked at her.
Silent.
Unreadable.
"That's not the full truth," he said finally.
Elena let out a small, bitter laugh.
"There's always something you're not telling."
Ryan's voice lowered.
"If I tell you everything, you won't stay."
Elena didn't answer.
Because part of her knew—
He was right.
"Then try me," she said.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Ryan spoke.
"My family didn't create the organization," he said.
"But they worked with it."
Elena's heart sank.
"So it's true…"
"They believed they were doing something right," Ruan continued. "Something bigger."
"And you?" Elena asked.
Ryan's eyes darkened slightly.
"I don't believe anything they did was right."
That surprised her.
But it wasn't enough.
"Then why are you still involved?" she asked.
Ryan didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"Because my brother is inside it."
Elena froze.
"He's alive," Ryan said quietly. "And whatever they did to him… it changed him."
The words hit harder than anything Adrian had said.
Elena's voice softened.
"You're trying to save him…"
Ryan didn't confirm it.
But he didn't deny it either.
Before Elena could say anything else—
A message notification appeared on Ryan's phone.
He looked at it.
His expression changed instantly.
"What is it?" Elena asked.
Ryan turned the screen toward her.
A single message.
Unknown sender.
"Stop believing lies."
"Meet me tonight if you want the real truth."
Below it—
A location.
Elena looked at Ryan.
"This could be a trap."
Ryan's eyes remained fixed on the message.
"I know."
A pause.
Then he said—
"But it could also be the truth."
Across the street…
Hidden behind a parked car…
Adrian watched them.
Silent.
Still.
And slowly—
He smiled.
Because in this game…
The hardest part wasn't finding the truth.
It was knowing…
Which truth was real. 🌑📖