Chapter 11 - The Box
The house fell into darkness.
James ordered Emily to stay behind him.
Ryan moved toward the side door.
James stopped him.
“Where are you going?”
“To make sure we're not surrounded.”
“You're staying here.”
Ryan looked at him.
For once, he didn't argue.
Outside, vehicles stopped.
Doors opened.
Footsteps approached.
Emily's heart raced.
Then the power returned.
Nothing.
No one.
The front door was still locked.
James checked the cameras.
Every camera had gone offline.
Ryan stared at the screen.
“They're inside the system.”
James looked at him.
“How?”
Ryan shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Emily held the key.
“I want to see the box.”
James looked at her.
“No.”
“Dad.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if that box contains what I think it does, opening it could put you in more danger.”
Emily looked at him.
“I'm already in danger.”
James couldn't argue.
The next morning, they went to the bank.
The box was registered under Sarah Bennett.
James's hands shook when the clerk placed it on the table.
Emily inserted the key.
The lock opened.
Inside were three things.
A photograph.
A letter.
And a small recording device.
Emily picked up the letter.
It was addressed to her.
Emily.
If you are reading this, then James finally told you enough to make you ask the right questions.
Emily looked at her father.
James said nothing.
She continued reading.
I need you to understand one thing.
Your father did not abandon you.
He was trying to protect you.
But he made one mistake.
He trusted the wrong person.
Emily looked up.
“Who?”
The letter continued.
The person who betrayed me was someone you will never suspect.
Emily's hands trembled.
Ryan leaned closer.
“Keep reading.”
Emily turned the page.
The final sentence was written in darker ink.
He has been standing beside you for twenty years.
Emily slowly looked around the room.
James.
Ryan.
The clerk.
Then the recording device suddenly activated.
A woman's voice filled the room.
“Emily…”
She stopped breathing.
May you like
The voice continued.
“If you're hearing this, Sarah is already gone.”
