Chapter 14 - The Door That Was Never Locked
They returned to James's house before sunset.
The front door stood open.
Emily stopped on the driveway.
“It was locked.”
James nodded.
“I know.”
Ryan stared at the house.
“Someone wants us to go inside.”
James looked at him.
“Then we don't.”
A car stopped behind them.
Military personnel stepped out.
The general emerged.
He looked at James.
“You should have listened.”
James walked toward him.
“Is Michael here?”
“No.”
“Then why did you say he contacted us from my house?”
“Because the message originated from this property.”
Emily looked at the house.
The general lowered his voice.
“Someone has been using your father's old communications system.”
James stared.
“My father never had one.”
“He did.”
James shook his head.
“No.”
The general looked at him.
“You were never supposed to know.”
Emily stepped between them.
“What aren't you telling me?”
Neither man answered.
She turned toward the house.
Then she heard it.
Three knocks.
From inside.
Everyone froze.
Three slow knocks.
Emily whispered.
“That's the same signal.”
James looked at her.
“What signal?”
“The one from the basement.”
Another three knocks.
Ryan stepped forward.
James stopped him.
“No.”
Ryan looked at him.
“She might be alive.”
James stared at the house.
“Or someone wants us to think she is.”
Emily's phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A message appeared.
COME ALONE.
Then another.
I HAVE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.
Then a final message.
ASK YOUR FATHER WHY HE NEVER OPENED THE DOOR.
Emily looked at James.
He immediately understood.
“Don't.”
She whispered.
“Twenty years ago…”
James closed his eyes.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“You heard Sarah?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't open the door.”
James's voice broke.
“I was told that if I opened it, you would die.”
Emily stared at him.
“Who told you?”
James looked toward the house.
Before he could answer, the front door slowly began to close.
And someone whispered from inside.
“James.”
He knew that voice.
His entire body froze.
May you like
“Sarah…”
The door slammed shut.
