Chapter 144. Freedom

Maddie’s heart raced as she approached the door. The electronic padlock looked intimidating, but she remembered the sequence of numbers Elder Roy had whispered to her in his final moments. 

Her hands shook as she typed in the code, and for a moment, she feared she had forgotten it in her anxiety. But then with a soft beep, the lock clicked open. 

She pushed the door open and stepped into a narrow, dimly lit corridor. The air was cooler and carried a faint, musty odor. She could hear the distant sound of water dripping, echoing through the stone passageway. 

Maddie pressed on, her leg throbbing with each step but her determination not wavering. 

After what felt like an eternity, she reached another heavy door. This one was unlocked. She pushed it open and found herself in a small, dank room. There, chained to the wall, was her father. He looked weak and disheveled, but his eyes lit up with recognition when he saw her. 

“Maddie,” He croa