Chapter 4: The Old House
For three seconds, nobody moved.
Then I grabbed Vanessa’s phone.
She tried to pull it away.
“Marcus, stop!””
“Who was that?””
“I don’t know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I said I don’t know!””
My mother stepped between us.
“Vanessa, enough.””
Vanessa looked at her with something close to hatred.
“You knew about this.””
My mother’s face hardened.
“I knew Elena was afraid of you.””
Vanessa went silent.
That silence told me more than any confession could have.
I looked at the phone again.
The call had ended.
I dialed Nia.
It rang once.
Then went to voicemail.
I called again.
Nothing.
“Give me the address,” I said.
Vanessa didn't answer.
“The old house.””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“You heard her. She said she was at the old house.””
“I don't know where she is.””
“Then why did you look terrified when she said it?””
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward the blue box.
My mother noticed.
So did I.
I stepped closer.
“What happened there?””
“Nothing.””
“What happened on November 14?””
Her lips parted.
No words came.
My mother whispered, “Answer him.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“I know exactly what I'm talking about.””
“No, you don't.””
My mother’s voice shook.
“I was there when Elena called me.””
Vanessa’s expression changed.
“You weren't there.””
“I heard her voice.””
“You heard a frightened woman who didn't understand what she was saying.””
I stared at Vanessa.
“Why was Elena frightened?””
She looked at me.
For the first time since I had known her, she didn't look angry.
She looked trapped.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
“Because she knew what you were capable of.””
I stepped backward.
“What did you just say?””
Vanessa grabbed her coat.
“I’m leaving.””
“No.””
She turned.
“You can't keep me here.””
“I’m not keeping you anywhere. But you're going to tell me where my daughter is.””
“I don't know.””
“You're lying.””
“I don't know!””
Her voice cracked.
Then she ran downstairs.
I followed.
My mother shouted behind me.
“Marcus, don't let her leave!””
I reached the front door just as Vanessa opened it.
I caught the edge.
She turned.
“Move.””
“Tell me where Nia is.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
She stared at me.
“Because if I tell you, they'll know I talked.””
“Who?””
She didn't answer.
“Vanessa.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“They've been watching this family for years.””
I felt my grip loosen.
“Who has?””
She looked past me.
At the photographs scattered across the kitchen table.
Then she whispered,
“The people who took Elena.””
She slammed the door behind her.
I stood there, stunned.
My mother came down the stairs.
“What did she say?””
I turned.
“She said Elena was taken.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“She never told you?””
“Told me what?””
My mother walked to the kitchen table.
She sat down.
“I didn't tell you everything six years ago.””
“I figured that out.””
She looked exhausted.
“Elena didn't die the way you were told.””
I stared at her.
“What do you mean?””
“The hospital report said she suffered a fall at home. That part was true.””
“Then what isn't true?””
“She wasn't alone.””
I waited.
“She told me Vanessa was there that night.””
My chest tightened.
“Vanessa was at our house?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“I don't know.””
“You keep saying you don't know.””
“Because Elena wouldn't tell me.””
“Then what happened?””
My mother rubbed her hands together.
“Elena said she had found something.””
“What?””
“She said your brother had left something behind.””
I stared at her.
“My brother?””
She nodded.
“His name kept coming up.””
I pulled out my phone.
“Where is the old house?””
My mother looked at me.
“The one your brother lived in?””
“Yes.””
She hesitated.
“You shouldn't go alone.””
“I’m not going alone.””
“I meant you shouldn't go at all.””
“Mom.””
“Marcus, listen to me.””
She grabbed my wrist.
“Whatever is in that house, Elena wanted it hidden.””
I looked at her hand.
Then at the clock.
“Nia is there.””
“I know.””
“So I'm going.””
My mother released me.
“I'll come.””
“No.””
“Marcus—”
“You stay here.””
She shook her head.
“You don't understand.””
“What don't I understand?””
She stared at me.
“Your brother didn't die twelve years ago.””
The room went silent.
I laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because my brain refused to accept the sentence.
“Mom.””
“He disappeared.””
“You told me he died.””
“I told you what the police believed.””
“You went to his funeral.””
“There was no body.””
I felt the room spinning.
“You buried an empty coffin?””
She looked away.
“I thought I was protecting you.””
“From what?””
“From him.””
I couldn't breathe.
Then my phone buzzed.
A text.
Unknown number.
*COME ALONE.*
Below it was another message.
*OR NIA PAYS FOR WHAT ELENA HID.*
I stared at the screen.
My mother read over my shoulder.
“No.””
I grabbed my keys.
“Marcus, don't.””
“I don't have a choice.””
“Yes, you do.””
I looked at her.
“What choice?””
“Call the police.””
I stopped.
She was right.
For the first time all night, I thought clearly.
I called 911.
I gave them Nia’s name.
Her age.
The address of the old house.
Then I described the photograph, the threats, the unknown caller.
The dispatcher told me officers were being sent.
I was still on the phone when another message arrived.
*If you bring police, she disappears forever.*
I looked at my mother.
She shook her head.
“No.””
I closed my eyes.
Then I typed one response.
*What do you want?*
Three dots appeared.
They disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Finally:
*The blue box.*
I looked toward the kitchen.
The photographs were still spread across the table.
My mother whispered, “Don't give it to them.””
“I won't.””
Another message appeared.
*Then bring the whole box to the house.*
I typed:
*And Nia?*
The answer came immediately.
*Alive. For now.*
I grabbed the box.
My mother caught my arm.
“Marcus, if you go there, don't trust anyone.””
“Not even Vanessa?””
“Especially not Vanessa.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
My mother swallowed.
“Because she was the last person Elena called before she disappeared.””
I froze.
“Disappeared?””
My mother covered her mouth.
She realized what she'd said.
“Mom.””
She looked at me.
“What happened to Elena after the fall?””
May you like
My mother whispered,
“She wasn't dead when they took her out of the house.””
