The Man Everyone Abandoned

A Stranger Who Knows My Name

Elias tossed and turned all night, his brain stuck on repeat with images of that creepy basement. He couldn't stop picturing the dusty photos, those weird files, and that massive steel safe that looked like it was holding the secrets to the universe.

He remembered the two guys hunting for the "Black Archive" and felt a massive knot of anxiety in his stomach. Gabriel said he was helping, but then why hide everything about Elias's own dad? If he's lying to me, I'm in way more trouble than I thought, Elias realized. By sunrise, he had a plan: keep his eyes open and trust nobody—especially not Gabriel.

"Elias!" Gabriel's voice boomed from downstairs, making him jump. He quickly shoved the pendant under his shirt and ran down to find Gabriel messing with an old radio, his fingers moving fast.

"You didn’t sleep," Gabriel said, not even looking up.

Elias leaned against the doorframe, watching him. "Neither did you."

Gabriel shrugged, muttering that old men don't need much sleep. Elias managed a tiny smile. "That is not what my father used to say."

Gabriel froze instantly, his tools clicking shut. "What did your father say?" he asked.

"He believed tired people made very bad decisions," Elias explained.

Gabriel went quiet for a second, looking thoughtful. "Your father was right," he finally agreed.

"I know," Elias sighed, grabbing a broom. "I will clean the hallway now."

Gabriel just grunted a "Good" and went back to his tinkering. They were both so distracted they didn't see the dark car parked across the street, just sitting there like a shark in the water.

An hour later, Elias headed out to dump some trash. He was halfway across the sidewalk when a calm, smooth voice stopped him dead in his tracks. A guy was standing next to a flashy car, looking like he stepped out of a luxury ad. He was in his thirties, wearing a sharp suit, but his eyes were way too still. It was creepy.

"Can I help you?" Elias asked, his guard up.

The man gave a small, slick smile. "I believe I am the one who can help you."

Elias frowned. "Do I know you?"

The man stepped forward to shake hands. "We don't. Adrian Cross," he introduced himself. Elias hesitated but shook it anyway, giving his name.

Adrian's smile got even bigger. "I already know who you are."

Elias felt his heart do a nervous somersault. "What exactly do you know?" he snapped.

Adrian leaned in and said the name "Elias Kane" really slowly. Elias ripped his hand away, his pulse thumping in his ears. "Who are you?" he demanded.

Adrian just looked up at the apartment. "I used to know your father very well."

Elias went totally still. "You really knew David?"

Adrian nodded. "We were close."

Elias narrowed his eyes. "What do you want from me?"

Adrian held up his hands. "I want nothing at all. I'm here because David saved my life many years ago."

Elias felt a spark of hope. "How?"

Adrian looked back at the street. "It's a very long story."

Elias wasn't letting it go. "Then tell me."

Adrian laughed softly. "You have the same quick temper as your father." It felt weird to hear that, but it made Elias think this guy was legit.

"Tell me the truth about what happened to him," Elias pleaded.

Adrian stopped smiling. "David was trying to protect something important."

"The Black Archive?" Elias whispered.

Adrian actually looked surprised for a split second. "Where did you hear that name?"

Elias didn't answer; he just crowded Adrian's space. "Who are you really?"

Adrian reached into his jacket, and Elias nearly bolted, but it was just a business card with one number on it. "Call me if you ever need real answers," Adrian said.

Elias stared at the card. "Why should I trust a stranger?"

Adrian shrugged. "You shouldn't. Your father never did."

Elias was totally lost. "What does that even mean?"

Adrian headed for his car. "Your father knew that trust could get a person killed." He opened the door and looked back. "David was not the man everyone said he was. And you are different too."

The car peeled away, leaving Elias standing there, squeezing the card until his knuckles turned white. Who is this guy, and how does he know everything?

Upstairs, Gabriel had seen the whole thing, and he looked like he'd seen a ghost. He charged downstairs, sounding totally panicked. "Elias! Who was that man? Did you speak to him?"

Elias blinked, surprised by the intensity. "He knew my name. And my father."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Tell me everything."

Elias sighed. "He said David saved his life."

Gabriel closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. "It makes sense," he whispered under his breath.

Elias could tell Gabriel was hiding something. "You know him, don't you?"

Gabriel tried to play it cool. "I only knew of him."

Elias wasn't buying it. "Give me a real answer, Gabriel."

Finally, Gabriel looked him dead in the eye. "Stay far away from Adrian Cross."

Elias frowned. "Why?"

Gabriel shook his head. "People like him only show up when something bad is about to happen."

When Elias mentioned "The Circle," Gabriel looked like he'd been struck by lightning. He shoved Elias toward the door. "Go inside. Right away."

Elias tried to fight back. "But—"

"Move. Now!" Gabriel barked, his voice trembling with actual fear. Elias went, watching Gabriel scan the empty street like a soldier.

Gabriel was spiraling. He knew the Circle had finally tracked Elias down. They wouldn't stop with just one guy; they'd bring the whole army. If they found out what Elias had, he was a dead man walking. Gabriel slammed the door and checked the locks and windows three times.

Elias stood in the hallway, feeling the walls close in. "You promised this was a safe place," he reminded him.

Gabriel turned, looking exhausted. "It used to be safe." He didn't say anything else.

Elias tried one more time. "Who is Adrian Cross?"

Gabriel sighed. "He was someone your father once trusted a long time ago."

Elias asked about now. "I don't know what the man has become," Gabriel admitted.

Elias reached for the business card in his pocket but stopped. I can't trust him yet, he thought.

Gabriel headed for the basement stairs. "You must never tell anyone what you found."

Elias's heart nearly stopped. "What exactly do you think I found?"

They stood there in a heavy, awkward silence for what felt like forever. When Gabriel finally turned around, Elias saw the truth in his eyes. He'd known about the secret room the whole time.

But before they could argue, three black SUVs screeched to a halt outside. Gabriel peeked out, his face turning pale. "They are finally here," he whispered.

Elias felt like he was going to throw up. "Who is outside?"

Gabriel double-locked the door and killed the lights. "The people your father spent his whole life hiding from," he explained, pulling Elias into the shadows.

Outside, the world went quiet, followed by the heavy thud-thud-thud of car doors opening. Somewhere in the dark, a cold voice gave the order: "Bring me the son of David Kane."