Clara sat at her desk, reviewing Elise’s notes for the hundredth time. The Node remained a frustrating enigma, its existence seemingly erased along with Jonathan Blackthorn’s plans to safeguard the liquid. Yet one line in his journal—almost overlooked in the chaos—kept tugging at her thoughts:
"Only one person truly understands the stakes beyond myself, but trusting him comes at a cost."
The line was ambiguous, but Clara had a hunch it pointed to someone Jonathan had kept hidden from the public eye. As she dug deeper into the Blackthorn family archives, an unfamiliar name surfaced: Daniel Blackthorn.
“Jonathan had a brother,” Clara murmured, her fingers racing over the keyboard. She found scant mentions of Daniel in official records. A few childhood photos, an outdated address in another state, and a cryptic note in an old article referring to Daniel as the "estranged sibling." The trail went cold after the mid-1980s.
Hensley, leaning over her shoulder, whistled low. “Estranged sibling? Sounds like a good lead. You think he had a falling out with Jonathan?”
Clara nodded. “It’s possible. But if he’s the one Jonathan referenced, he might know something about the Node. Or the liquid. Either way, we need to find him.”
Tracking down Daniel wasn’t easy. His name had been scrubbed from most modern databases, and the last traceable address led to a house that had been sold years ago. Clara and Hensley spent hours combing through public records, social media, and obscure genealogy sites until they finally found a lead: a man matching Daniel’s description who had been spotted in a small town called Willow Creek.
The drive to Willow Creek was long and uneventful, the landscape shifting from urban sprawl to quiet countryside. When they arrived, the town seemed frozen in time—a cluster of aging brick buildings surrounded by dense woods. A local diner provided the final piece of the puzzle. The waitress—a middle-aged woman with a sharp gaze—recognized the photo Clara showed her.
“That’s Daniel Blackthorn,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Lives up on the hill. Used to come down here more often, but he’s been keeping to himself lately.”
“Do you know why?” Clara asked, trying to sound casual.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
The waitress shrugged. “He’s always been a bit of a recluse. Quiet, though. Nice enough if you don’t pry. But something about him… can’t quite put my finger on it. Just feels like he’s carrying something heavy.”
Clara exchanged a glance with Hensley. “Thank you. We’ll try to catch him at home.”
Daniel’s house was a modest cabin tucked into the woods. The yard was overgrown, and the structure itself looked weathered but sturdy. Clara knocked on the door, her heart pounding. After a long pause, it creaked open to reveal a man in his late fifties, his eyes sharp and wary. He had Jonathan’s angular features but wore them with a harder edge.
“Who are you?” Daniel asked, his voice gravelly.
“My name is Clara Dorne,” she began, holding out a hand. “This is Detective Hensley. We’re investigating your brother’s work.”
The mention of Jonathan’s name made Daniel stiffen. He didn’t take Clara’s hand but opened the door wider. “Come in. But make it quick.”
Inside, the cabin was cluttered with books, papers, and tools. It looked like both a workshop and a library. Clara’s eyes were drawn to a dusty photo on the mantelpiece: a young Jonathan and Daniel standing side by side, smiling.
“What do you want?” Daniel asked, crossing his arms.
“We’re trying to stop Malcolm Wexler,” Clara said bluntly. “He’s after the liquid your brother developed. And the Node.”
Daniel’s expression darkened. “Jonathan was a fool to think he could handle Wexler. I warned him not to trust anyone, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Clara leaned forward. “You knew about the liquid? And the Node?”
“Of course I did,” Daniel snapped. “Jonathan and I worked on the early stages together. But when the risks became clear, I wanted to destroy it. He thought it could still be controlled. That’s why we split.”
Hensley cut in. “Did Jonathan ever tell you where the Node was?”
Daniel hesitated, his gaze flicking to the photo on the mantel. “No. But he didn’t need to. The Node wasn’t just a device—it was a failsafe. If it’s gone, the liquid will neutralize itself eventually. But that process could take years. Until then, the liquid remains unstable and dangerous.”
Clara’s mind raced. “So Wexler can’t control it either?”
“Not without the Node,” Daniel confirmed. “But that won’t stop him from trying. And if he triggers a resonance cascade… well, you’ve seen what happens.”
The cabin fell silent as the weight of Daniel’s words settled over them. Finally, Clara asked, “Will you help us stop him?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened. “I walked away from this once. I’m not sure I’m ready to walk back into it.”
“If we don’t stop Wexler, more people will die,” Clara said softly. “Including anyone who gets in his way.”
Daniel sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. “Fine. I’ll help you. But don’t expect me to clean up all of Jonathan’s messes.”
Clara nodded, relief washing over her. “Thank you.”
As they left the cabin, Clara glanced back at Daniel, who stood silhouetted in the doorway. He might have distanced himself from Jonathan’s work, but the burden of their shared legacy was still etched into his features. The fight against Wexler wasn’t over, but now they had someone who understood the stakes better than anyone else.