Hidden Truths

Chapter 4: The Hidden Truth

Zara's heart beat faster as she stood by her bedroom window, the moonlight casting pale streaks across her room. The weight of the journal in her hands felt heavy with untold secrets. She had tried to focus on schoolwork, on trying to find some normalcy, but every time she looked at the journal, the unanswered questions kept gnawing at her.

This time, Zara wasn't going to sit idly by. She was going to figure out what was going on—no matter what it took.

The pages of the journal were worn, some of the ink smudged with age. Zara flipped through them, stopping at one marked with a thick red "X." Her eyes scanned the page, and as she read, her pulse quickened. 

"*The artifacts, when combined, have the power to unlock hidden knowledge. But they're not just ordinary objects. They were scattered to protect humanity, to prevent a dangerous truth from being revealed.*" 

Zara's mind raced. *What was this truth?* She knew the artifacts were important, but her father had never explained why. The idea of them having some hidden, dangerous power sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn't thought much about them after the funeral, but now the stakes seemed much higher.

Flipping a few more pages, Zara discovered a list. It was brief but ominous: 

- **Artifact 1** – *The Seal of Solitude* – *Located in New York* 

- **Artifact 2** – *The Ring of Legacy* – Location unknown, once hidden in Africa* 

Artifact 3** – The Stone of Truth*– *Currently in government custody

She stared at the list for a long time, reading and rereading the locations. The names were cryptic, but the mention of New York, Africa, and government custody struck her as deeply unsettling. *What did this all mean?*

The next morning, Zara couldn't focus in school. Her mind was consumed by the journal and the clues it contained. It felt like her father had hidden these pieces of a puzzle for a reason, but what reason? Why had he kept it from her mother? Why was she being kept in the dark?

She couldn't sit with it any longer. By the time she came home, Zara had made up her mind. She was going to confront her mother. 

"Mom," Zara said as she walked into the living room, her voice unsteady but determined. "We need to talk."

Her mother was sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine. She looked up and gave Zara a tired smile, but there was an underlying unease in her eyes. 

"What is it, sweetie?" 

Zara hesitated, her thoughts swirling. She couldn't exactly ask about *artifacts* without sounding crazy. But she had to start somewhere. 

"Why did Dad keep all this secret from you?" Zara blurted, surprising herself with how forcefully the words came out. 

Her mother's face froze. The smile disappeared, and for the first time, Zara saw a flicker of something else in her eyes—fear. 

"Zara, I don't think you should be going through your father's things. It's not healthy," her mother said quickly, her voice tight. 

Zara's stomach twisted. "Why? What aren't you telling me?" 

Her mother stood up, her hands trembling slightly. "I don't want you getting involved in things you don't understand." 

"You're the one keeping me in the dark!" Zara shouted, the frustration building in her chest. "I found the journal, Mom. I know what he was hiding. I need to know the truth." 

Her mother's eyes widened, then softened, as if she were weighing something heavy. Slowly, she crossed the room and sat beside Zara on the couch. She took a deep breath, then whispered, "I was trying to protect you, Zara. Your father... he was involved in something dangerous." 

Zara's heart skipped a beat. "Dangerous?" 

Her mother nodded, her face pale. "I'll tell you everything, but you have to promise me that you'll stay out of it. You're too young to understand the risks." 

Zara swallowed hard, her hands shaking with anticipation. She nodded, even though a part of her knew she couldn't walk away from this now. 

"Your father was part of an underground group," her mother began, her voice low and steady. "They were trying to uncover truths about the artifacts and their real purpose. He believed they held the key to stopping a global disaster, but…" 

"But what?" Zara pressed, leaning forward, her pulse racing. 

Her mother's eyes darkened. "But there were people who didn't want that knowledge to get out. Your father's life was at risk. He thought he was being followed. And then... well, you know the rest." 

Zara's mind reeled with the implications of her mother's words. There were *people* who wanted the artifacts hidden. People who would go to any lengths to ensure that the truth remained buried. And now, they were all involved—her mother, her father, and even herself.

The artifacts were more than just valuable objects. They were the keys to something far greater, something dangerous. And if she wanted answers, she would have to dig deeper—no matter the cost.