Chapter 3

January 8, 2012, 10:15 a.m. Saturday

A certain amount of time was spent just to organize their thoughts

as their planned day was filled with so many unnecessary events, going to the library became an adventure one after another as Grey and Maeve finally got the opportunity to climb the staircase going up the main entrance of the city library, they didn't expect a simple signboard will break their hearts. Disappointed, they couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration after all the anticipation and excitement they had built up. They wondered if there was another nearby library they could visit instead.

"closed for fumigation!"

Maeve was a little sad but wanted to see the brighter side of their day and thought it would be a waste to dwell on this situation, and just as Grey is, he was willing to just interview the old native locals of their city because their school project was about the historical achievement of the city as it grew bigger from a small town into a middle area. city with a connection to the military base providing the majority of jobs in the area. Maeve and Grey believed that by interviewing the old native locals, they would gain valuable insights into the city's history and its transformation over time. They were eager to understand how the military base had played a significant role in shaping their community and providing employment opportunities for its residents.

Grey changed the way he saw this small problem and agreed to Maeve's suggestion to just do some old-fashioned legwork to get the needed information for their class. He realized that talking to the older generation would not only provide them with historical facts but also personal anecdotes and perspectives that textbooks couldn't capture. They set out with a notebook and recorder, ready to document the stories and memories of those who had witnessed the city's evolution firsthand.

So with a plan set, the two started going to the oldest known place in the area and starting from there, that was the city hall, a grand building that had stood for over a century. They approached the entrance with anticipation, eager to speak with the employees and officials who had witnessed the city's transformation throughout the years. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a sense of history and a wealth of knowledge waiting to be uncovered.

Meanwhile, at the Chevalier home, Lailah started to clean up their living room. Because the packages were too big and heavy for her, she could only lift up small boxes. Slowly, she was able to arrange the smaller boxes in a more organized manner and just left the heavy ones for her brothers to handle later. As she tidied up, Lailah couldn't help but admire how much space they had regained in the living room. She knew her brothers would appreciate coming home to a clutter-free environment.

Suddenly, her cell phone received a scheduled email message telling them to open the laptop inside her father's small office in the basement. Curiosity piqued, Lailah hurriedly made her way to her father's office, wondering what could be so important. As she opened the laptop, a video message from her father began to play, explaining that he had left behind important documents and instructions for the family in case of an emergency.

It was an hour-long message that has detailed information on certain events that happened two years ago. Lailah's heart raced as she listened intently to her father's voice, realizing the gravity of the situation. The video message revealed shocking revelations about their family's past, raising countless questions that would need answers.

She pressed the pause button, but a certain script was encoded in her father's laptop, so knowing this might be a very important video, she pulled out her cellphone and recorded it so she could show it to her brother later. She was determined to capture every moment of the video, despite the inconvenience of using her cellphone. As she recorded, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that her brother would still be able to watch the important content later on.

Lailah watches intently as she witnesses the strange things they were encountering at their work as a military peacekeeping force in Derbent, Russia. What she saw in the attached video file shocked her to the core. The video showed a group of unidentified creatures emerging from the depths of a hidden underground tunnel. Their eerie appearance and unsettling movements sent shivers down Lailah's spine. She couldn't help but wonder what these creatures were and what their intentions might be, raising concerns about the safety of her parents and the entire peacekeeping team when suddenly the video ended.

Soon after, the moment the video ended, a program command instantly

deleted the file, Lailah's curiosity got the best of her, and she desperately tried to recover the video but it was futile Luckily she was able to save a copy on her cellphone, relieving some of her anxiety. Lailah knew she had to show the video to someone who could provide answers and help ensure the safety of her loved ones. She decided to reach out to a trusted friend who had connections in the field of paranormal research, hoping they could shed light on the mysterious creatures and their intentions.

Lailah has so many questions about the video she just watched, especially the status of her parents. condition and safety, as the video left her feeling uncertain and worried. She wonders if her parents are in any danger or if they are safe and well. Additionally, Lailah is curious about the current situation they are facing and whether they are in a stable condition amidst whatever events unfolded in the video. Seeing actual proof of the supernatural was enough to make her worry about them, even if they have always communicated via satellite with her every Sunday without fail since their deployment.

Lailah contemplates reaching out immediately to her parents to ease her concerns, but she hesitates, fearing that they might not be able to disclose any information due to security reasons. She wonders if there are any alternative ways for her to gather more information about their well-being and the situation.

January 7, 2012, 2:30 pm. Saturday

Grey Finally came back home after dropping Maeve off at her grandparents' home. The moment he entered their house, he saw his experience, which made him worry. His wife, Emily, had a troubled look on her face. Worried, Grey rushed over to her and asked what was wrong. Lailah was using her father's laptop, but they don't have a stable internet connection, and they wonder why she was so adamant about using it. She explains that the laptop received a scheduled email message, and she saw a video that made her upset and worried considering the place that the military officer mentioned was the place where their parents were working.

Grey's heart sank as he listened to Lailah's explanation. He realized that the video she had seen might have contained distressing news about their parents' safety. A sense of urgency washed over him, and he immediately decided to contact their parents and find out more about the situation. She was sitting at the dining table and was searching for any files or documents on the laptop with a small amount of distress. Grey asked her what the video was about. She took out her phone and slid it toward him. As it was gliding toward him, it was already playing. He saw the same scene, and lie his sister Grey was filled with so many questions.

Grey used his own phone to call the military branch their parents were under, but due to the time constraint they had to wait, their only chance was the weekly video chat they receive from their parents on Sundays, and that was tomorrow. The two anxiously waited for the video chat even forgetting to eat dinner and just taking short naps to ensure that would be awake as soon they called their phones Grey's mind was racing with thoughts about the scene they had witnessed. They wondered if their parents were involved in any way and if they were safe. As the hours ticked by, Grey's anxiety grew, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

hoping that their parents were fine, and would provide some answers. In the meantime, Grey decided to do some research online to see if they could find any information about the scene in the video. Even though it was taking too long, it was a huge hindrance because their home was isolated and surrounded by large rocks and trees. Grey's frustration grew as they realized that the lack of internet connectivity was impeding their progress. They contemplated reaching out to neighbors or driving to a nearby town in search of a stable connection, determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious video.

They could wait, and they felt helpless in this kind of situation, but they knew that time was of the essence. They understood that every minute wasted was a step further away from finding the answers they desperately sought. With a heavy sigh, they resolved to explore all possible options and find a solution to their connectivity problem as soon as possible.

January 7, 2012, 5:15 p.m. Saturday