John: whispering Did you see it too? The... the old man in the study?
gilded
Yeah, that dream… I saw it too…
paces back and forth, clearly distressed It's been so long since I had a dream about that. How could this be? What does it mean?
gilded
So what did you see, exactly?
pauses, takes a deep breath I saw him... the old man in the study. He was there, just like he used to be when we were kids.
gilded
yeah..that old man… he looks like…
frustratedly interrupts No! Don't you dare say it! That old man... he's not someone we should be reminiscing about.
gilded
he looks like my dad
narrows his eyes, voice filled with determination Your dad? That old man may look like your dad, but he's not him.
gilded
wait… i never knew my dad
takes a step closer, voice softens I know you never met your dad. But maybe... maybe it's time for you to learn the truth.
gilded
Are you saying you know him?
hesitates, then nods Yes, I do. I know the old man in the study. He was... a significant figure in my past.
gilded
Why don’t you tell me?
pauses, glances around cautiously Look, it's not that simple. The old man... he's connected to some things, some things that are better left buried.
gilded
I’m not gonna post it online, or tell anyone
sighs, leans in closer Fine. But you have to promise me, gilded, that you won't let this information get out. It's dangerous.
gilded
ok. I promise
pauses, searching gilded's eyes I trust you. I trust that you'll keep this to yourself. But in return, I need you to do something for me.
gilded
ok. what is it?
takes a deep breath, steadies his voice I need you to help me uncover the truth. We need to find out what really happened all those years ago.
gilded
uncover the truth about what?
As gilded and John delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a hidden journal that reveals shocking secrets about gilded's father's involvement in a clandestine organization.
gilded
oh…
opens the dusty journal, flipping through the pages This journal... it belonged to your father. He was part of a secret group, an organization that dealt in espionage and sabotage.
gilded
so he was involved in spy stuff… that makes sense because I saw him on the news once… he was charged with espionage
pauses, looks at gilded with a grave expression Yes, that's true. Your father was indeed involved in some serious stuff.
gilded
…
closes the journal, his face serious We need to find out more about this organization. They might have been responsible for your father's disappearance all these years.
gilded
how do we even start?
stands up, determined We start by retracing your father's steps. We'll visit the places he was last seen, talk to people who knew him.
gilded
so we go where he was last seen?
clenches his fists, determination in his voice Yes, we start where it all began. We head to the abandoned warehouse outside of town. That's where your father was last seen.
gilded
that’s kinda creepy…
grabs his coat and heads towards the door I know it's creepy, but we have to go. We owe it to your father.
gilded
let’s go then
grabs gilded's arm, urgency in his voice We need to hurry. Time is of the essence. We can't waste a single moment.
gilded
yeah
rushes to the car, starts the engine Buckle up, gilded. We're going on a ride you'll never forget.
gilded
buckles up
zooms down the road, speaking quickly Alright, gilded, listen up. We're heading to the old industrial district. It's deserted now, but back in its heyday, it was a hotbed of activity. Your father was last seen there, involved in some top-secret business. We need to dig up the dirt, find out what he was doing, and who he was working with. Are you ready for this, gilded?