Chapter 42 - The Hall of Mirrors
The newly revealed corridor descended gently beneath the estate.
The walls gradually changed from rough stone to polished black granite, reflecting distorted images of the investigators' flashlights.
"It almost looks like glass," Mercer whispered.
Arthur reached toward one wall but stopped short.
"Volcanic obsidian."
Collins looked around.
"The Council."
Arthur nodded.
"They named themselves after this stone."
After nearly two hundred feet, the corridor widened into a circular chamber unlike anything they had encountered before.
Tall mirrors surrounded the room.
Dozens of them.
Each reflected a different angle.
At first glance they seemed ordinary.
Then Mercer noticed something unsettling.
Arthur's reflection appeared in every mirror.
Everyone else's appeared only in some.
The forensic photographer stepped closer.
"It's an optical illusion."
Arthur disagreed.
"No."
He slowly walked toward the largest mirror.
The frame bore an inscription carved into the stone.
Those who seek one truth must survive many reflections.
Mercer studied the room.
"No doors."
"No visible exits."
Arthur's eyes moved from mirror to mirror.
"They built this chamber to test observation."
Reeves accidentally brushed against one mirror.
Instead of solid glass, it swung inward silently.
A hidden room lay behind it.
Not large.
Barely large enough for a desk and one chair.
On the desk rested an antique film camera.
Beside it sat dozens of undeveloped rolls of film.
Collins picked up one carefully.
The label read:
Grayhaven - Year 1999
Another.
Grayhaven - Year 2003
Another.
Grayhaven - Year 2011
Arthur's expression darkened.
"They documented everything."
Mercer looked at the dates.
"For decades."
Then Reeves opened the desk drawer.
Inside lay a modern digital memory card.
Freshly labeled.
Grayhaven - Yesterday.
Silence swept across the chamber.
Whoever maintained the Hall of Mirrors had continued recording events until less than twenty-four hours earlier.
May you like
Someone had left only recently.
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