His smile spreads as he unlocks my door."Come to me, my doll face."
I shuffle toward him, trying to control my trembling.The moment I'm within reach, his hand shoots out, gripping my chin with bruising force.
"Look at me."His grey eyes bore into mine, a thunderstorm of madness raging in their depths.He brings his face inches from mine, whispering through clenched teeth, "If I find out you're playing me or trying to pull any stunt, I'll kill him and make you watch.Is that clear?"
I ball my fists to hide their shaking and nod.Like flipping a switch, his threatening demeanor vanishes, replaced by that unsettling smile."Good girl.Now let's eat."
As he turns away, I press my hands to my thundering heart, fighting for control over the terror threatening to overwhelm me.
Think of why you're doing this.Think of Samantha.
Her sweet face appears in my mind, giving me strength.After a few steadying breaths, I step forward.
Let's do this.
41
SAMANTHA
My fingers glide over the Bösendorfer's keys, each note hollow and empty.I've been playing for over an hour, trying to find comfort in the music, but my soul feels carved out.Five days.Five days since Dad and Alisha vanished into thin air.
The melody shifts to something darker as memories of the past few days flood back.Amanda and Bella haven't left my side, taking turns staying at the apartment while Nick, Emma, and Brian check in daily.Even Carmen – my grandmother – showed up the morning after, her usual hesitation melting away when she saw me crying.She held me like a real grandmother should, while Nick used his TV contacts to broadcast Dad and Alisha's photos across Boston news.
But nothing.No leads.No traces.Just silence.
As night falls outside the window, my mind drifts to another wait that ended in tragedy – the day Mom died.I was at my piano lesson, getting increasingly annoyed when she didn't show up to pick me up.After two hours of calling and waiting, my teacher finally drove me home.The police cars outside our house told me everything before anyone spoke a word.A truck ran a stop sign.Head-on collision.She died instantly.No chance to say goodbye.
Why does every person I love die or disappear?Is there something wrong with me?Am I jinxed?
My hands still on the keys as tears blur my vision.Every night for the past five days, I've stood at the baluster – Dad and Alisha's favorite spot – staring at the stars and praying for their return.But with each passing hour, that knot in my stomach grows tighter.
A soft knock breaks through my dark thoughts."Sam?"Bella's voice is gentle but urgent."Can you come to the kitchen?Police Officer Garson is here.It's important."
My heart stutters as I follow her.The older officer who interviewed me two days ago sits at our kitchen table, his expression unreadable.Amanda's already there, her face tight with tension.
"Are they dead?"The words burst out before I can stop them.
"Sam!"Amanda's horror matches the tremor in her voice.
"What?It's not a weird question."My voice cracks slightly."It's been five days."
"Samantha," Officer Garson's tone is careful, measured."We have a lead on who the stalker is."
He slides a piece of paper across the table.My breath catches as I study the sketch – dark brown hair, almost charcoal.But it's the eyes that make my skin crawl.Even on paper, those grey orbs seem to pierce right through me.
"Who is that?"
"This is what we believe the stalker looks like.We received this from a reliable source telling us that this man sent your father and Alisha the videos of you walking in the street.He's now our prime suspect.Do you recognize him?"
I shake my head, studying every detail of the face."No, he doesn't look familiar."My hands twist together on the table."Can I ask you something?"
"You can, but please, call me Garreth."
"Garreth..."I swallow hard."Do you think they're still alive?"
"I wish I had an answer, Samantha.But keep the faith, young lady, because this," he lifts the sketch, "is a big lead.I—"
His phone cuts him off.We all freeze, watching as he answers."Officer Garson."He nods several times, his expression shifting."Okay, great.I'll update the family.I'll be back at the station in half an hour."
