13: Connections Ava’s fingers trembled as she held the worn photograph. edges were frayed, the over time, but the faces were unmistakable. Her father, and smiling warmly, stood beside an unfamiliar woman. Ava’s heart pounded in her as she stared at image, her racing with questions. stormed the living room, where her father sat engrossed in a book. The moment she air grew thick with tension. photo tighter, knuckles turning white. “Dad,” Ava’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Who is woman?” Her father looked up, his eyes as fell upon the photo in her hand. For split second, a flicker of something crossed his perhaps—but it vanished quickly as it came. He closed the book slowly, setting it down with deliberate care. “Where did you find that?” asked, his carefully neutral. Ava took a deep trying steady herself. “In the attic, Grandma’s old things. Why have I never this before?” Her father up, his shirt as if buying himself time. He over to the window, out into the sky. “It’s… a story, Ava. One that’s not important as think. “Not important?” Ava’s voice rose, a mix of disbelief and frustration. “This woman is in photo looking like she means something. can’t just brush it off. to face her, his expression unreadable. “Some things are better left in the past, Ava. This one of them. Ava felt her boiling over. “That’s not good enough! I have a to know. you being so evasive?” Her father’s silence was deafening. He back to the window, his her, as if conversation was over. But Ava, it was far from over. Liam chose that enter the room, sensing the charged atmosphere. “What’s going he asked, looking Ava and her father. Ava thrust the him. “Look at this, Liam. Dad won’t tell me who she is. Liam examined the photo, brow furrowing. we should find out ourselves,” he suggested, his voice calm but firm. Her father spun around, his eyes wide with alarm. Leave it alone. for your own good. Ava demanded. “Why is it dangerous to know the truth?” Her father his head, refusing to meet gaze. “Just trust me, Ava. But trust was the thing on Ava’s mind. turned to Liam, her determination mirrored in his eyes. “We’re doing this,” said, her voice resolute. Liam nodded. One evening, as sat surrounded papers and Ava’s buzzed. She glanced the screen and froze. It was a text from an number. “Stop your investigation or face the consequences. Ava’s hands shook as she showed the message to Liam. “Who could this be? do they know what we’re doing?” Liam’s jaw tightened. “Someone who doesn’t want truth to come out. But this only means on right track. Ava trying muster courage despite the fear gnawing at her. “We stop now. As they their search, a knock at the door startled them. Ava’s heart raced as opened it, revealing a package return address. Inside, a single piece of paper a chilling message: “Last warning. Her found them then, his face ashen. “You should have he said quietly, his voice laced with a mix of fear and resignation. Ava looked at the in her eyes by plea for understanding. “Please, Dad. Tell us what’s going on. Who is Evelyn, and why are we being threatened?” He into a chair, weight of of secrets visibly crushing him. “Evelyn… she was more than just a friend. She was involved in something dangerous, something that could ruin us all if it to light. Liam stepped forward. “What kind of danger are we talking about?” Her father glanced at the photo still in hand. “She part an organization. dealt with… sensitive the kind that people kill to keep hidden. Follow episodes on “BunnyBookery”. Ava’s reeled. were involved with them?” “I didn’t have a choice,” he admitted, voice breaking. was young foolish, and I got in too deep. By time the danger, it too late to get out. Ava felt a chill run down her spine. “And now they’re trying to us from digging up the past. Her nodded. “Exactly. They’ll do whatever it to keep their secrets buried. And means all in danger. Liam a grim look Ava. “We need to be careful. But we also need to know the whole truth. Her father sighed, a look of resignation in eyes. “There’s more, but it’s to talk here. We need to go can’t reach us.