Chapter 29 - The Map Behind the Wall
Henry approached the stone fireplace at the far end of the bunker.
"This isn't why I stayed."
He removed an old lantern hanging from a hook.
Behind it was a loose section of concrete.
Elias immediately understood.
"A hidden compartment."
Henry nodded.
Together they pried away the panel.
Inside rested a large rolled parchment sealed with wax.
Its edges had darkened with age.
Henry carefully placed it on the table.
"This map was drawn nearly sixty years ago."
Samuel leaned closer.
"It's older than the park."
Henry unrolled it completely.
Modern trails were absent.
Instead, forgotten tunnels stretched beneath the hills surrounding the lake.
Several passages connected directly beneath the shoreline.
The rescue team leader frowned.
"So that's how people moved supplies without being seen."
Henry pointed toward a red X near the center.
"No."
He slid one finger farther north.
"That's where they wanted everyone to look."
Then he tapped a symbol shaped like an anchor.
"This..."
"...is where everything actually began."
Elias quietly memorized the location.
He had never seen that symbol before.
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But somehow...
It felt strangely familiar.
