Chapter 4: The Second Photograph
Marcus stared at the photograph on the floor.
For several seconds, he couldn't bring himself to pick it up.
The image was faded, scratched across the middle, but the face was unmistakable.
His mother.
Lorraine Reed.
She stood in a hospital corridor wearing a pale cardigan, one hand resting on the shoulder of a small boy Marcus had never seen before.
Beside her stood Nia.
Older than the baby in Marcus's arms from the first photograph.
Younger than the girl hiding behind the wall.
Marcus's breathing became shallow.
“My mother died eight years ago,” he whispered.
Elena didn't move.
Marcus bent down and picked up the photograph.
His thumb brushed over Lorraine's face.
“Where did you get this?””
“I didn't,” Elena said.
“Then who did?””
“I told you. I don't know.””
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
There was writing on the back.
He flipped it over.
A single sentence.
*She was never supposed to leave the hospital.*
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“What's that supposed to mean?””
Elena shook her head.
“I don't know.””
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it's true.””
Marcus turned toward the hidden space.
“Nia.””
The little girl looked at him.
“Have you seen this woman?””
Nia nodded.
Marcus's chest tightened.
“Where?””
“At the hospital.””
“When?””
“She came into my room.””
Marcus crouched.
“What did she say?””
Nia looked at Elena.
Marcus noticed.
“It's okay,” he said gently.
“You can tell me.””
Nia rubbed her eyes.
“She said I had to be quiet.””
Marcus's voice dropped.
“Did she tell you why?””
“She said Daddy couldn't know.””
Marcus looked toward Elena.
Nia continued.
“She said if Daddy found me, the man would come back.””
Marcus stood.
“What man?””
Nia pointed toward the pantry.
“The blue man.””
Marcus stared at the door.
Elena's voice trembled.
“Marcus, please don't do this right now.””
He turned on her.
“My mother was involved.””
“I don't know.””
“She was standing beside my daughter.””
“I didn't know who she was.””
“You recognized her.””
Elena went silent.
Marcus stepped closer.
“You recognized my mother in that photograph.””
“I recognized her after I saw the name.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
Elena's eyes filled.
“I've been afraid of this moment.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
She shook her head.
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because if I tell you, you'll go looking for them.””
“Who?””
Elena swallowed.
“The people who made sure Nia disappeared.””
A sharp sound came from the front hallway.
Marcus turned.
The house fell silent again.
Then came the faint scrape of something against the front door.
Nia crawled farther into the hidden space.
Marcus moved toward the hallway.
“Stay here.””
Elena followed him.
“Marcus—”
He raised one finger.
Listen.
Another scrape.
Then silence.
Marcus reached the front door.
He looked through the peephole.
Nobody.
He unlocked the deadbolt.
Elena grabbed his wrist.
“Don't open it.””
Marcus looked back.
“Why?””
Her face had gone white.
“There was never supposed to be anyone here tonight.””
He opened the door anyway.
The porch was empty.
But something sat directly in front of the threshold.
A small cardboard box.
Marcus bent down.
There was no address.
No name.
Only a black marker symbol on the lid.
Three circles.
He carried it inside.
Elena backed away.
“What is that?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus opened the box.
Inside was a child's hospital bracelet.
Tiny.
Faded.
He lifted it carefully.
The name printed across it made his stomach twist.
*NIA REED.*
Below it was a date.
The date of the night Marcus had been told his daughter died.
Marcus stared at Elena.
“She was alive.””
Elena whispered, “Yes.””
“You knew.””
“I knew she survived.””
“Who told you?””
Elena's lips parted.
Before she could answer, Marcus heard movement behind him.
He turned.
Nia was standing inside the hidden opening.
She was staring at the hospital bracelet.
Then her eyes moved to the box.
She whispered,
“That isn't mine.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
May you like
Nia pointed at the bracelet.
“That belongs to my sister.””
