Zyroth

They were childhood best friends who became each other’s first love.

But one night, Adrian disappeared—without a word, without an explanation.

All he left behind was a box of letters that Evelyn never received.

Seven years later, she is engaged to another man, ready to start a new life.

Until Adrian returns.

Holding the letters.

And with them, the truth she was never meant to know.

Evelyn thought she had moved on. She thought she had healed. But when she finally reads the letters, she realizes—his disappearance was never a choice.

Someone had kept them apart.

Someone had hidden the truth.

And now, the past is unraveling, piece by piece.

But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she begins to wonder…

Some secrets were meant to stay buried.

And maybe, just maybe—loving him again will cost her everything.

A Thousand Letters Unsent

Chapter 11 – The War for Freedom

Evelyn sat on the motel bed, watching Adrian closely.

The weight of his past was etched into every scar on his body.

Now, she wasn't sure if she was ready for the answer.

Adrian's fingers curled around the edge of the table, his storm-gray eyes distant, haunted.

Then, in a quiet voice, he continued.

Seven Years Ago – The Breaking Point

It was a place where men were forgotten.

For five years, Adrian had played their game. He fought when they forced him to. He endured the torture. He waited.

So he watched. Listened. Memorized the guard rotations, the blind spots, the moments when security was weakest.

Until, one night, he finally made his move.

It happened during a scheduled prisoner transfer.

Adrian had spent months earning the trust of a few prisoners—men who also wanted out.

Together, they orchestrated a riot.

✔ Three prisoners faked a fight, drawing the guards' attention.

✔ When the guards stepped in to break it up, Adrian struck from behind.

✔ A guard's keycard was stolen. The doors to the lower levels unlocked.

Alarms blared. Guards flooded the halls. The prisoners fought desperately, some for freedom, some simply for chaos.

✔ He took out one guard. Stole his weapon.

✔ He moved through the lower corridors. Avoiding unnecessary fights.

✔ He reached the main security room. And that's when he saw the real problem.

There was one final lockdown protocol.

If it was activated, the entire facility would seal itself shut.

Just as Adrian reached the control room, he found himself face-to-face with Blackgate's head of security.

A former black ops soldier. Bigger. Stronger. More experienced in combat.

Adrian barely had time to react before Reddington attacked.

✔ The first punch slammed into Adrian's ribs. He staggered, gasping for breath.

✔ Reddington moved fast, trying to grab him. Adrian twisted, countering with a sharp elbow to the jaw.

✔ They crashed into the control panel. Sparks flew. Time was running out.

Adrian fought like a man with nothing left to lose.

But Reddington wasn't just any opponent.

And Adrian was running out of time.

He lunged, going for Adrian's throat.

Adrian sidestepped—grabbed the man's wrist—and slammed his head into the metal console.

He punched in the override code he had memorized weeks ago.

Adrian sat across from her, his expression unreadable.

Adrian's fingers curled into fists.

"Everyone I killed… every choice I made… it was the only way to survive."

For seven years, she had wondered why he never came back.

Now, she realized—he never stopped trying.

She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.

"You're here now," she whispered. "That's all that matters."

And for the first time in years, the nightmare didn't seem so impossible to escape.

Because this time, he wasn't alone.