Chapter 9: The Person Margaret Was Afraid Of
Daniel didn’t speak for almost a full minute.
I watched his face.
The confusion.
The fear.
The disbelief.
Finally, I whispered:
“What did they say?””
He sat down slowly.
“The person who sent the message said they know what happened the night you disappeared.””
I swallowed.
“I told you. I went to the hospital.””
“I know.””
“Then why are you looking at me like that?””
“Because they said you weren’t alone.””
My heart started pounding.
“I was.””
Daniel looked away.
“Then why would someone say that?””
“I don’t know.””
And I hated that answer.
Not because I was hiding something.
Because suddenly everyone around me seemed to know a version of my life that I didn’t.
A knock came at the hospital door.
Before we could answer, someone entered.
A woman.
Older.
Nervous.
Daniel stood.
“Who are you?””
She looked at me.
Then at him.
“My name is Rachel.””
Everything stopped.
The woman from the message.
The woman Margaret had mentioned.
Daniel looked shocked.
“You sent the texts?””
Rachel nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
She closed the door behind her.
“Because I waited too long.””
I felt uneasy.
“Waited for what?””
She looked at me.
“To tell you the truth.””
Daniel stepped between us slightly.
“Start explaining.””
Rachel took a deep breath.
“Margaret didn’t come into your home because she wanted to help with the baby.””
My stomach tightened.
“She came because she was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?”” Daniel asked.
Rachel looked at me.
“Afraid you would remember.””
The words sent chills through me.
“Remember what?””
Rachel reached into her bag.
She pulled out a folder.
Daniel immediately reacted.
“Another document?””
“No.””
She handed it to him.
“Something Margaret tried to destroy.””
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Not like the one from Dr. Hayes.
This one was older.
It showed me sitting in a hospital waiting room.
And beside me…
was Margaret.
But the date on the corner made my blood run cold.
It was the night I supposedly disappeared.
Daniel looked at me.
“You said you were alone.””
“I was.””
Rachel shook her head.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“What are you saying?””
She pointed at the photograph.
“You weren’t alone.””
Daniel stared.
“Then who was with her?””
Rachel’s face became serious.
“The person who knows what Margaret did before she came to your house.””
I felt my hands go cold.
“Who?””
Rachel looked toward the hallway.
Then whispered:
“The person who helped her cover it up.””
A shadow moved beneath the hospital door.
Someone was standing outside.
Listening.
Rachel noticed it too.
Her face turned pale.
May you like
And she whispered:
“She followed me here.””
