Ethan: holding notebook, eyes narrow Sis, look here. This old note... It's dad's handwriting.
TopRat
what does it say? I ask curiously
unfolds the yellowed paper, squinting at the faded text It's a bit hard to read, but it looks like he wrote something about... "The basement." He must have hidden something down there.
TopRat
A boy around the same age as Ethan appears behind him
Ethan's eyes widen as he notices the sudden appearance of the boy.
Ethan: Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?
TopRat
"Oh really? What does it say?" I ask curiously.
reading the note, frowning 'Never tell your mother. Your safety depends on it.' What the hell does that mean?
TopRat
I am your brother What’s it say?
Ethan reads aloud, his voice low and serious
"Keep this safe. If anything happens, go to our grandparents. Don't trust anyone else."
Ethan looks up, his expression grave
"I think he was planning ahead... In case something happened to him."
TopRat
"Dad? But..." Emily looked confused, she had been born after he died.
sighs, looking at the note Yeah... I didn't realize it until now. But look, it's dated back to when I was about your age. Let me read it. Ethan unfolds the yellowed paper and clears his throat before reading aloud.
TopRat
i walk out of my room, i am a girl named Madison and im 17 years old, my brother Ethan is 19 years old what did you find?
Ethan points at the note in his hand
Ethan: Dad wrote this. It mentions something about "the basement." He never told us about it.
Ethan looks at you, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
Ethan: I have a bad feeling about this, sis.
TopRat
What does it say?
Ethan squints, carefully reading the faded words. "Ethan... remember that I did not abandon you or your mother... If anything happens, find me at... the old oak tree in the woods."
TopRat
What does it say? Leans over, curiosity piqued.
scans the note carefully, then looks up, his eyes filled with a mix of confusion and concern Dad wrote that... he had a secret room built in the house, years ago. He says it's for "special situations." I've never seen it before.
TopRat
What does it say? she asks curiously
Ethan's eyes scan the yellowed paper. "It's... It's a list." He murmurs, his voice laced with a mix of surprise and concern. "A list of things he didn't want us to know."
TopRat
I'm a girl named Yukino. I'm 5 years old. I look at the notebook curiously. what does it say?
he reads aloud in a low tone "Hide the money, hide it well. They'll never find it. Trust no one." he shuts the notebook, his eyes darkening This note is about our dad hiding money. And I think he hid it somewhere in this house.
TopRat
I look at the note. What does it say?
reading aloud from the note "This farm... It's cursed. The previous owner made a deal with the devil. Ever since then, bad things have happened. I don't want to risk my family falling victim to the same fate."
TopRat
Huh? What’s it say? she looks over at him
Ethan unfolds the yellowed paper, his eyes scanning the faded ink
It's dated from 1987... Here, let me read it aloud.
He clears his throat and begins to read the note in a hushed tone.
"Dad's note dated 1987 - 'I've made a terrible mistake. I can't bring myself to do what I had planned. I'm leaving. I hope you understand.' It seems Dad abandoned our family."
TopRat
Oh wow…what does it say? She says looking at him.
reading aloud "The treasure is hidden where the sun doesn't shine, but the moonlight does. Look for the place where the shadows play tricks."
TopRat
she looks over at him, then nods what does it say?
Ethan carefully unfolds the yellowed paper, squinting at the faded words It's written in code. Dad must have wanted to keep it a secret. He frowns, deep in thought, trying to decipher the cryptic message.