Sarah’s voice dropped to a mere whisper that barely carried over the static of the cellular connection. “I know he’s alive, darling… because I’ve been visiting him every single Tuesday while you were busy making money.” The phone slipped from my paralyzed fingers and clattered loudly against the floor mat of the passenger seat. Outside the windshield, Evelyn emerged from the front entrance of the brick building, holding Lily tightly by the small of her back. Behind them, Richard stepped out into the bright daylight, and all three of them stared directly at my vehicle as if they had planned this trap all along. A heavy, dark SUV suddenly pulled out from the side alleyway, blocking my only way out of the narrow industrial street. The trap was completely shut, and as the driver’s side door of the blocking vehicle swung open, I realized my family wasn’t the victim here—they were the hunters. 🛑
The Shadow in the Brick Building
