Chapter 70 - The Forgotten Photograph
While Daniel examined the ledger, Lily wandered toward a narrow stone alcove beside the tunnel wall.
Something beneath a layer of dust caught her attention.
A simple wooden picture frame.
The glass had cracked years earlier.
She carefully lifted it.
Inside was a family photograph.
Not of the Carters.
At least...
Not entirely.
Daniel recognized his grandparents immediately.
His father stood beside them as a young man.
But another child stood between them.
A little girl no older than five.
Daniel frowned.
"I don't know her."
Neither did the caretaker.
Samuel photographed the image before removing it from the frame.
On the back someone had written:
Summer Gathering — Before the Separation
"What separation?" Lily asked.
The stranger slowly approached.
His expression softened when he saw the photograph.
"I wondered where that ended up."
Daniel looked directly at him.
"Who is the little girl?"
The stranger remained silent for several seconds.
Finally he answered.
"She was raised under another name."
Daniel felt a chill run through him.
"Is she still alive?"
"Yes."
"Where is she?"
The stranger's eyes shifted toward Lily.
"Much closer than any of you have imagined."
Before Daniel could ask another question, Samuel noticed something tucked behind the photograph.
A folded hospital bracelet.
The faded print had nearly disappeared.
Only one line remained legible.
May you like
Infant Carter — Female
---
