Chapter 5: Behind the Kitchen Door
Malcolm reached the service corridor first.
Tasha followed close behind, gathering her wedding dress in both hands as she ran.
The elegant ballroom disappeared behind them.
Here, the lighting was harsher.
The polished marble gave way to gray tile.
Metal carts lined the walls.
A refrigerator hummed somewhere nearby.
Malcolm stopped at the kitchen entrance.
“Nia?””
No answer.
Tasha caught up, breathing hard.
“Wait.””
Malcolm looked at her.
“You said she was afraid.””
“I said she might be.””
“You're hiding something again.””
Tasha shook her head.
“Not now.””
A metallic crash came from inside the kitchen.
Malcolm pushed the door open.
“Who’s there?””
The kitchen was empty.
A tray lay on the floor.
Water dripped from a faucet.
The air smelled of soap, roasted meat, and spilled champagne.
Malcolm walked farther inside.
“Nia?””
Nothing.
Tasha remained near the door.
“Malcolm, we should leave.””
He turned.
“You wanted eighteen minutes.””
“I changed my mind.””
“You don't get to.””
He noticed a silver charm on the floor.
His heart stopped.
He crouched and picked it up.
It was the other half.
The broken star.
The two pieces fit together perfectly.
Tasha stared at it.
“Oh God.””
Malcolm looked at her.
“You knew.””
“I didn't know she still had it.””
“She?””
Tasha's eyes filled with tears.
Malcolm stood.
“Say it.””
Tasha shook her head.
“Say her name.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because once I say it, there's no going back.””
“There was never going back.””
A door slammed somewhere behind them.
Malcolm spun around.
Tasha screamed.
A figure moved through the narrow hallway.
“Hey!””
Malcolm ran after it.
The figure disappeared around a corner.
He followed.
Nothing.
Only a row of storage rooms.
Then he heard a soft knock.
Three taps.
From behind one of the doors.
Malcolm approached.
“Who's there?””
A woman's voice answered.
“Don't open it.””
Malcolm froze.
“Nia?””
“Yes.””
Tasha stopped several feet behind him.
Malcolm looked back.
“Stay there.””
Nia whispered through the door.
“Is she with you?””
Malcolm didn't answer immediately.
“Yes.””
Silence.
“Then don't open the door.””
Tasha stepped forward.
“Nia, please.””
The silence changed.
Nia's breathing became audible.
“You remember me?””
Tasha closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
Malcolm turned sharply.
“What does she mean?””
Tasha didn't answer.
Nia spoke again.
“You shouldn't have married him.””
Malcolm's expression hardened.
“Why?””
Nia whispered, “Because she knew.””
Tasha pressed her back against the wall.
Malcolm stared at her.
“Knew what?””
Nia said, “Ask her about the night at the lake.””
Tasha shook her head.
“Stop.””
Malcolm turned toward her.
“What lake?””
“Malcolm…”
“What lake?””
Tasha's voice cracked.
“It was twelve years ago.””
His stomach dropped.
“My sister disappeared twelve years ago.””
“I know.””
“And you were there?””
Tasha covered her face.
“Yes.””
The corridor seemed to tilt.
Malcolm stared at her.
“You were there when she disappeared?””
“I didn't hurt her.””
“I didn't ask that.””
“I didn't hurt her!””
Nia suddenly pounded against the door.
“Then tell him what you saw!””
Tasha looked toward the door.
“You don't understand.””
“I understand everything,” Nia replied.
Malcolm stepped closer to Tasha.
“What did you see?””
She backed away.
“I saw your sister get into a car.””
“Whose?””
“I don't know.””
“You took the photograph.””
“Yes.””
“You knew where she was.””
“For a while.””
“And you never told me?””
“She made me promise.””
“You chose her promise over my family.””
“I was trying to keep her alive!””
Malcolm stopped.
“What?””
Tasha looked at him.
“She wasn't running from your father.””
“Then who?””
Tasha's lips trembled.
“Someone who wanted her dead.””
A sudden crash came from inside the storage room.
Malcolm turned.
“Nia!””
He grabbed the handle.
Locked.
“Nia, step back!””
No answer.
“Nia!””
Tasha rushed toward him.
“Don't!””
He slammed his shoulder into the door.
Once.
Twice.
The lock broke.
The door flew open.
The room was empty.
A small ventilation window stood open above the shelves.
Malcolm looked down.
On the floor lay Nia's broken necklace.
Beside it was a folded piece of paper.
He picked it up.
Three words were written in black ink.
*ASK YOUR MOTHER.*
Malcolm's blood ran cold.
“My mother?””
Tasha didn't speak.
His phone suddenly rang.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice whispered through the line.
“Malcolm, don't go back into that ballroom.””
“Who is this?””
“You're asking the wrong questions.””
“Where is Nia?””
The man laughed softly.
“You still don't understand.””
Malcolm gripped the phone.
“Tell me where she is.””
“She was never the one in danger.””
The call ended.
Malcolm lowered the phone.
Tasha stared at him.
“What did he say?””
Malcolm looked at her.
“He said Nia was never the one in danger.””
A loud crash echoed from the ballroom.
Then another.
Guests screamed.
Tasha grabbed Malcolm's hand.
They ran back toward the doors.
And when Malcolm entered the ballroom, every guest was standing.
May you like
Except one.
His mother's chair was empty.
