Shadows in the Field

[Singapore – Industrial Site Visit]

The factory was loud. Metal grinding. Conveyor belts humming. Elias walked ahead, silent and efficient, clipboard in hand. Adeline followed, slightly distracted, her mind still tangled in fragments of memories and Elias's half-confession the night before.

She jogged to catch up. "You've been quiet all morning."

"I'm working," he said without looking at her.

She narrowed her eyes. "You're avoiding."

He stopped, shot her a sidelong glance. "Do you want me to continue playing like I wasn't here two years ago?"

Adeline blinked. "No."

"Then don't ask me like I'm a stranger."

That left her speechless.

They moved into a side room. He shut the door after them.

"No cameras in here," he said, taking out blueprints from his briefcase.

"No cameras?" she repeated. "Why bring that up?"

Elias's gaze went upward, voice barely above a growl. "Because you were kept somewhere just like this. Soundproof side room. Steel walls. Single drain. No windows."

She sucked in air.

He indicated on the blueprint. "These are the specs. Many of the older factories shared the same floor designs. I remembered when I came in the first time."

"You've been searching," she breathed.

"For years."

He stood up, gazing at her thoughtfully. "The guy who took you. he wasn't alone. There were others."

Her voice shook. "And Luke?"

Elias hesitated.

Then: "I don't know how far he was involved, but I do know this—he knew."

Adeline stepped back, fingers around the edge of the table.

"I—" she began, and then hesitated.

Take your time," Elias told her, his voice softer now. "We're not finished here. But I'll not let you go through this again by yourself."

For the first time, she noticed something in his eyes that was not control. It was pain. And guilt.

Perhaps even. fear.