Chapter 7 - Melissa Came Back
The door opened.
Melissa stumbled inside.
Dirty.
Bruised.
Terrified.
“Daniel?”
I almost didn’t recognize my sister.
Noah ran toward her.
“Aunt Melissa!”
She hugged him.
Then I grabbed her shoulders.
“Where is everyone?”
She began crying.
“I’m sorry.”
“You left us!”
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
“What was supposed to happen?”
Melissa looked toward the windows.
“We need to leave.”
“No.”
“Daniel—”
“Tell me.”
She finally broke.
Dad had organized the weekend.
But not simply to abandon us.
He wanted something Claire had supposedly left behind.
A file.
“What file?”
“I don't know.”
“Why would I have it?”
“Dad thinks Claire gave it to you before she died.”
“She didn’t.”
Melissa shook her head.
“He doesn't believe that.”
The original plan had been to frighten me.
Leave Noah and me for several hours.
Return.
Force me to answer questions.
But that morning, everything changed.
Dad received a phone call.
Then ordered everyone to pack immediately.
Mom protested.
Melissa protested.
Troy obeyed.
“What phone call?”
“I don't know.”
“Where are your daughters?”
“With Mom.”
“Where?”
Melissa began crying harder.
“I don’t know anymore.”
Then headlights appeared outside.
Melissa’s face drained of color.
“Turn the light off.”
“Who is it?”
She grabbed Noah.
“NOW!”
An SUV stopped outside.
A man stepped out.
Not my father.
Not Troy.
May you like
Melissa whispered:
“He’s the reason Claire died.”
