BELIEF

Damien adds to the heavy atmosphere with his next words, grounding their reality further. "This was received a few days after Daniel was declared dead."

Confusion and a tinge of frustration color Shana's response. "Why now? Why reveal this to us at this moment?"

Lucian, maintaining his composed demeanor, explains, "We needed to confirm the authenticity of the letter before we could take any action. This matter required absolute certainty."

Shana finally takes a seat, a storm of thoughts swirling through her mind as she processes the revelations and weighs their implications. The room is filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional sniffle from Thalia and the quiet shuffle of the agents adjusting their stance.

After what seems like an eternity, Shana speaks again, her voice steadier but laden with skepticism. "This still doesn't explain why you need me."

Damien steps forward, locking eyes with Shana, delivering his next words with a gravity that underscores their importance. "Your father recommended you should anything happen to him."

The revelation strikes deep, indicating not only her father's faith in her abilities but also the depth of the situation they were now entangled in. Shana's declaration of intent to join the mysterious men in their quest to find her father was met with immediate objection from Thalia. "I don't think this is a good idea, Shana. It's too dangerous," she voiced her concern, her voice strained with the weight of impending loss.

"But I have to do this, Mom. It's Dad we're talking about. I can't just sit back and do nothing," Shana countered, her resolve as clear as the determination in her eyes. It was a moment of stark revelation, a daughter's love for her father becoming the beacon guiding her decision.

Lyra, who had been silently wrestling with her own whirlwind of thoughts, finally let her worry surface. "Shana, are you out of your mind? What about everything else? School? Your dreams?" she blurted out, her voice laced with incredulity and fear for her friend's safety.

"This is my family, Lyra. My dad needs me. How can I ignore that? Besides, he believes I can do this. That belief... it's enough for me," Shana responded, her voice imbued with a mix of fierceness and a strange sense of calm. It was clear that her decision was made, not on a whim, but with a deep, unwavering conviction.

Thalia, caught between the instinct to protect her daughter and the understanding of Shana's unshakeable resolve, voiced her concern, "But Shana, these men... they couldn't find your father. What makes you think you can?"

"Because he's my dad. And somehow, I know I can make a difference," Shana stated, her confidence not arrogance but a testament to her faith in the bond she shared with her father.

The room fell silent, the heavy weight of her decision hanging in the air. Thalia, with a heart heavy with worry yet buoyed by the trust she had in her daughter, finally nodded in silent agreement. "Promise me you'll be careful. And... if things get too dangerous..."

"I'll come back home. I promise," Shana assured her, her voice a soft but firm promise.

Just then, Luke re-entered the room, his interruption cutting through the heavy emotional atmosphere. "Sorry to interrupt, but we really must get going."

After a long, tight hug with her mother, Shana whispered her goodbyes, her heart heavy yet determined. She reassured her mother with a final look of resolve, a silent promise to return safely, before she turned to follow the men who held the key to her father's whereabouts and, perhaps, her future.