Chapter 14 - THE DOOR OPENS
Adrian Vale was waiting for us when we came back up.
He stood in the center of the hallway. Hands in his pockets. Calm. Always calm.
"You found it," he said.
"It's over, Vale."
"Is it?" He smiled. "You have no proof. No evidence. Just a hole in the wall and a few forgotten people."
"They're not forgotten anymore."
"Aren't they? You're the only one who knows. And you've proven you can't even trust your own memory."
He stepped closer.
"You'll forget again. You always do. It's what you are. A man who runs from the truth."
"No."
"Yes. I've seen it before. Eight years ago. You could have stopped me. But you chose to forget instead."
"I was protecting myself."
"You were protecting your guilt."
I felt something break inside me. A wall. A door.
"I'm not running anymore."
I reached into my pocket. Pulled out the recorder.
"Everything you said. Everything you did. It's all here. Thomas has copies. The police have copies."
Vale's smile faded.
"You think that will stop me?"
"No. But this will."
I pressed play.
My voice filled the hallway. The recording from eight years ago. Every detail. Every name. Every room.
Vale's face went white.
"You—"
"I remembered. That's what you were afraid of. That's why you tried to erase me."
May you like
I stepped closer.
"I'm not your patient, Vale. I'm your witness."
