Lieutenant Liana walks down a hallway. When she turns a corner and finds herself alone, she wipes the sweat from her forehead.

  Every so often, she takes a short pause and tries to calm her heart, which feels like it’s trying to escape her chest with every beat. “Courage, you can do this. You can make it.”

  A noise at the end of the corridor. She straightens up and starts walking. She doesn’t let anything show, and when she passes soldiers heading in her direction, she gives them a brief wave.

  As she reaches a door, she stops and places her hand on the doorknob.

  She knows she has to go in, but she pauses, listening intently. Every little sound is scrutinized. Is someone coming? Will the creak of the door attract attention?

  Once she’s sure no one is nearby, she gently turns the knob. Inch by inch, she opens the door, doing everything she can to make as little noise as possible.

  When the door is open enough, she slips inside. With the same discretion, she closes it behind her.

  Once it’s shut, she leans against the door and lets out a long sigh. She grabs her trembling right hand and tries to steady it, but without success.

  Liana scans the small room and immediately spots the large wooden clock.

  She stands in front of it and closes her eyes to better recall the instructions she was given. She murmurs, “Facing the wooden clock. Take six normal steps.”

  Liana obeys and takes six steps forward. She recalls the next part: “Once that’s done, measure seven strides, and you’ll be above it. Take a needle, and when you find the hole, you can open it and find it.”

  Liana carefully measures seven strides and then drops to the floor. She desperately searches for a small hole in the wooden floorboards.

  Minutes pass, and doubt begins to creep into her mind. Did I understand the instructions correctly?

  The more she searches, the more her frustration grows. Tears of anger begin to well up in her eyes.

  The more she feels around the floor, the more her hands tremble uncontrollably. After what feels like an eternity, she drops her head to the floor. I’m an idiot... incapable of finding his hiding place.

  Then, as she opens her eyes again, a small black dot on the floor catches her attention.

  Liana’s breathing quickens, and she hurriedly checks if it’s really what she’s been looking for.

  She runs her finger over the hole, and quickly, a smile spreads across her face. I’ve got it! I’ve got it... yes, this is it!

  She rummages through her jacket pocket and pulls out a small needle. She lowers her head to the floor to get a better view and begins inserting the needle into the hole.

  Left, right, deep inside. She twists and turns the needle in every direction. Her trembling hands make it incredibly difficult to figure out how this lock works. Desperation wells up inside her.

  After several endless minutes of trying, she considers giving up and slams her fist against the floor.

  Suddenly, after hitting the floor, a small piece of the wooden board pops up quickly. It springs open as if propelled.

  Liana crawls closer and peers into the hole. Her eyes light up when she sees it. A book is nestled inside, perfectly intact.

  She takes it and clutches it tightly to her chest. With her eyes closed, Liana loses herself in her memories.

  In the darkness, Liana approaches the bars of a dimly lit cell. She squints, trying to make out what she’s looking for.

  At the back of the cell, Jeffrey lies on a small metal bed. His eyes are open, fixed on the ceiling, as he takes long, labored breaths. They are ragged, and he struggles to breathe properly.

  Liana presses her head against the bars and begins to speak softly. “Jeffrey... Jeffrey, it’s me, Liana. Can you hear me?”

  As soon as he hears her voice, he leaps from his bed and rushes to the bars. His fingers gently touch Liana’s, and he presses his forehead against hers.

  “I can’t let them do this. I don’t want to see you die. It’s too hard... I can’t bear it.”

  “Don’t do anything foolish. Two deaths today won’t change a thing.”

  Liana starts to speak, but Jeffrey places a finger on her lips, silencing her.

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  “If you want to do something to help me, I have a request!”

  “Anything!”

  “Upstairs, I kept a journal. Everything is written in it... could you retrieve it for me and make sure it gets out of these walls?”

  Liana looks at him, uncertain. Question marks fill her eyes.

  “I’ll tell you where it’s hidden. Go get it and make sure it leaves this place.”

  “What do you want me to do with the book?”

  “Take your time to read it. Show it only with those you trust—no one else.”

  Liana hesitates, searching for the right words. But when she meets Jeffrey’s gaze, she sees the weight of his plea in his eyes. Silently, she nods in agreement.

  The smile Jeffrey gives her in return soothes her heart.

  “All right, I’ll get it out. Where is it?”

  “Go upstairs and head to the private library. You’ll find an old wooden clock there. Face it, take six steps. Then, measure seven strides — you’ll be right above it.

  On the floor, there’s a small hole. Use a needle to open it. My journal is hidden inside a book at the bottom. Promise me it won’t fall into the hands of the military... promise me, I beg you.”

  “I promise.”

  The sound of approaching footsteps startles them both. “Go, now... save my journal!”

  Without hesitation, Liana melts into the shadows, heads toward the stairs, and leaves the dungeon section.

  In the small, dark room, she stares at the book. What could this book possibly contain? What’s in it that Jeffrey would rather save it than his own life?

  She unbuttons her jacket to tuck the book inside and conceal it. Once done, she heads to the door and opens it carefully. Liana takes a quick glance to see if the path is clear.

  Her horrified gaze lands on General Khrugel, accompanied by three soldiers. They’re moving quickly, opening every door along the way.

  With a swift glance, they inspect each room while the General remains in the corridor.

  She closes the door quickly and bars it. Liana looks around frantically. Her heart starts racing, and her forehead beads with sweat. “If I keep it on me, they’ll find it.”

  She scans the small room. Desperate, she searches for a place to hide it, but nowhere seems suitable.

  As the sound of footsteps grows louder, she fixes her eyes on the window. She knows it’s her last option. “Maybe someone will find this book,” she repeats to herself.

  She opens the window and takes a step back to throw it as far as she can. But when she spots a man walking along the wall, she hurls it in his direction.

  When the book hits the man and falls to the ground, Liana can’t help but think, Idiot! Then she watches, hoping he’ll get up.

  As the man lifts his head and their eyes meet, she waves her hands frantically and whispers sharply, “Run... don’t stay there! Run!” Then she closes the window and draws the curtains.

  The door bursts open, and a soldier storms in. He draws a pistol and calls for the others to join him. “General! There’s someone here! You! Don’t move—you’re under arrest.”

  Liana raises her hands in surrender.

  Liana stands tall in front of them. The General strides in, shoving the soldiers aside as he passes. He steps directly in front of her, locking eyes with her.

  “What are you doing here... alone?”

  “Nothing, General... I... I just wanted a moment of peace... by myself.”

  He narrows his eyes, scrutinizing her from head to toe. His gaze screams one thing: Liar. Then, suddenly, he shoves her violently against the wall.

  He pulls the curtains aside and looks out the window. A brief “hmm” escapes him as he opens it, sticking his head outside. Frustrated at finding nothing, he slams the window frame and clenches his fists.

  He turns back to Liana. “Tell me the truth, and I’ll guarantee you won’t face a court-martial.”

  Liana remains upright, silent, fighting to keep her right hand from trembling. Her face betrays her, and terror is written plainly in her eyes.

  The General shakes his head slowly. “I had a feeling we’d have traitors on the day of the execution.”

  Pointing a finger at her, he barks, “Soldier, arrest Lieutenant Liana.”

  The three soldiers grab her without resistance. The General steps closer. “Don’t be stupid—talk. It’ll be easier for everyone.”

  Liana opens her mouth, starts to say something, but stops. She closes her eyes and takes a long breath. When she opens them again, she spits in the General’s face. “I’ve got nothing to say to you... go to hell.”

  The General pulls a white handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his face with a small, chilling laugh. The faces of the three guards freeze in fear. They exchange furtive glances.

  Once cleaned up, he punches her in the stomach repeatedly while the guards make sure she stays upright.

  Liana spits blood and goes limp under the General’s relentless blows. With a satisfied look, he grabs her by the hair, yanking her head up.

  He stares into her eyes. “You’ll talk... believe me... you’ll talk.”

  As he orders the guards to take her away, he casts one last glance around the small room. He runs his hand along the walls, feeling the wallpaper for anything out of place. When he reaches the small bookshelf, he quickly scans the books, using his finger to shift them, hoping a hidden door might reveal itself. But nothing.

  After several fruitless minutes of searching, he kicks the wall in frustration and leaves the room. The door slams shut behind him, the sound echoing down the corridor.

  The guards dragging Liana quicken their pace at the sound.

  They lift her off the ground and head toward a place she knows all too well: the dungeons. As they descend the stairs, they disappear into the darkness.