Chapter 1: The Voice Behind the Door
My name.
Soft. Familiar.
Wrong.
Every muscle in my body locked as Lily’s fingers dug into my arm. The whisper came again, slightly louder this time.
“Emily… open the door.”
It sounded like Derek.
But Derek had left.
I forced myself to move, slowly stepping back from the door instead of toward it. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure whoever stood outside could hear it.
“Mommy…” Lily whimpered.
I pressed a finger to my lips.
Another knock. Gentle. Patient.
“Emily, it’s me.”
No.
No, it wasn’t.
Because Derek never used that tone. Not with me.
I grabbed Lily’s hand and backed us toward the kitchen. My mind raced. If someone was outside pretending to be him, then Lily had been right.
Something was happening.
And we were supposed to be inside when it did.
I turned off the kitchen lights. Quietly.
Then I whispered, “We’re not going out the front.”
Lily nodded instantly.
Smart girl.
We moved toward the back door, every step careful, controlled. The house suddenly felt too small, too loud, every creak a betrayal.
Behind us, the voice stopped.
May you like
Then—
The doorknob rattled violently.
