Chapter 33 - Behind the Anchor Doors
Working together, the rescue team pulled the massive doors open just enough to squeeze inside.
The room beyond looked impossible.
Rows of modern generators lined one wall.
New surveillance monitors glowed softly in the darkness.
Computers.
Satellite equipment.
Communication radios.
Everything appeared recently installed.
"This isn't abandoned," whispered a rescuer.
"No," Elias replied.
"It's occupied."
One monitor displayed live camera feeds from around the lake.
Another showed the dock.
A third displayed the fire lookout tower.
Someone had been watching every movement.
Samuel stared at the screens.
"They've been monitoring the entire park."
Henry quietly pointed toward a wall covered with photographs.
Families.
Visitors.
Rescuers.
Local officials.
Many faces had been crossed out with red marker.
Others remained untouched.
Elias found his own photograph.
Beneath it someone had written:
RETURNED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED.
May you like
The room suddenly felt much colder.
Whoever operated this surveillance center had anticipated Elias's return long before he arrived.
