Steemit Challenge s28wk4: Hidden Truth Unveiled

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The pages of the diary were crinkled just like dry leaves, David lifted it from the box. Timothy on the other hand held the torchlight steady, he pointed the light at the hardcover page where an inscription was boldly written:

"For the one brave enough to look beyond the lies."

David and Timothy exchanged a glance, they were both fearful and curious. Each page they read mapped the slow corruption of their town's former treasurer, Mr Howard Clayden, one of the most respected officials everyone believed had vanished decades ago when the treasure was stolen. But the last entry made both men freeze.

"I'm scared Tony has discovered my plan. He knows the tunnels. Yes, he knows too much. If anything happens to me, the truth lies where the walls whisper."

Timothy's heart almost jumped out of his mouth. Tony? The same friendly old man who always visited his garage to change his car oil. The same man who used to tell him little stories about their town?

Both men decided they needed answers, so they climbed out of the tunnel with the treasure box in Timothy's hand they walked quietly to Tony's house. They felt uneasy, like something big awaited them.

Tony opened the door and his face changed the moment he saw the diary in David's hands. He was sad and tired, just like someone who kept a big secret for many years.

"You found it, didn't you?" Tony said softly.

*Timothy stepped forward. "Why didn't you tell us? Were you part of this from the beginning?"

Tony sighed and opened the door wider. "Come in you deserve the whole truth."

His house was so quiet. There was a picture frame hanging on the wall, and Tony was standing with a young handsome man wearing a uniform. His badge clearly showed it was Mr. Clayden a respected official who used to work for the town. David recognized instantly:

"That's Clayden!"

Tony sat down slowly. He began to talk, "Clayden was my childhood friend, we grew up together. He was honest and diligent, and people loved him so much. But he became tempted when he was put in charge of the town's treasure. He wanted to steal the treasure and disappear, but he trusted the wrong people, criminals who promised him protection and escape. They betrayed him, they wanted to kill him instead and get the treasure themselves. He tried to fix his mistake, but it was too late for him."

Tears were dropping from Tony's eyes, he continued, "I found him dying in the tunnel many years ago. He was hurt and scared. Before he died, his last words were that he never meant for his town to suffer. He begged me to hide the treasure and protect it from the criminals. He also told me to protect the truth until someone brave came looking."

David asked, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Tony shook his head and answered. "Those criminals were powerful. Had I opened my mouth, they would have come for me and anyone close to me. So I remain silent."

Timothy now understood why Tony was hiding the truth all these years, It's not out of wickedness but he was just afraid.

But right then, they heard a loud crash from the kitchen window. Glasses flew everywhere. Then a tall man dressed in all black jumped inside and grabbed Tony by his collar and shouted:"

"You should've remained silent."

David rushed at him, and they wrestled across the sitting room, knocking over everything there, the chairs, table, and shelves. Timothy pulled Tony away from danger. The fight was loud, scary, and messy. But David won; he pushed the man down and pinned him down, and then Timothy quickly tied his hands with a lamp's cord.

When David looked at the man's face, he recognized him, and he gasped:

"It's Councilman Reeves, an important town leader."

"You were after the treasure right?" David firmly asked.

Reeves glared at Tony. "Clayden was weak, he was supposed to give the treasure to us, not hide it! And you, Tony ruined everything!"

Police sirens were filling the air already, and when they reached Tony's house, they filed a report and arrested Reeves while he shouted angrily.

Tony was relieved 😌 he breathed slowly and said, "Finally, I'm glad the truth is out, I always wanted to tell it before my time was over."

Timothy gently held his hand and said. "You did the right thing, even when it was hard."

A few days later the whole town gathered at the town hall. They all wanted to see the treasure that had been lost long ago. It was safely displayed for all to see. They were so happy and thanked Tony for being brave enough to protect the treasure.

But the biggest surprise came when David showed Timothy the last page of the diary again

"Read the bottom," David said.

Timothy noticed the faint writing which was almost hidden.

"One day, an honest man with simple hands will bring the truth to light."

Timothy blinked. Was Clayden foreseeing him?

He was not famous, nor powerful, he fixed cars in a small garage. But he helped bring the truth out.

And that day Timothy realized something very important:

You don't need to be a hero to do something great, you just need to be honest, brave, and kind, even when the truth is hard to face.

Indeed, the hidden truth unveiled not only the corruption but also Destiny.

I'm inviting my friends @dasudi @dequeen and @josepha to join this contest