Page 9

When they arrived, the front door was slightly ajar, creaking softly in the night breeze. Mr. Lay hesitated for only a second before pushing it open.

“Amelia?” he called, stepping inside. The living room lights were still on, illuminating the space in a warm glow, but something felt off. No sign of movement. No sign of Amelia.

Mrs. Lay checked the kitchen, the hallway, even the bedroom—nothing. The house was eerily still. Then, on the table in the bedroom, her gaze fell upon the telephone, lying discarded on the floor, and beside it, something caught her attention.

The Silent Shadow.

It sat there, perfectly placed, as if waiting for them. The ‘For Review’ label still marked the first page, its presence now feeling far more sinister.

“Bang! Bang!” A sudden, sharp knock at the door made her jump.

Mr. Lay hurried over and swung it open to reveal David, slightly out of breath, his tie loosened and worry etched across his face. “I came as fast as I could,” he said, stepping inside. “Have you found her?”

Mrs. Lay shook her head. “No sign of her. But the book… it’s here.”

David’s eyes flicked toward the bedroom, his brows knitting together. He walked over, staring at the book as if it might hold an answer. A heavy silence hung in the air before he pulled out his phone.

“We need to call the police.”

Mrs. Lay swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “Where are you, Amelia? Are you okay?” she whispered.

The room felt colder than before, an unnatural stillness pressing down on them. Mr. Lay paced near the doorway, running a hand through his hair. The only sound was the ticking of the wall clock, each second stretching unbearably long.

David exhaled sharply as the line connected. “Yes, I’d like to report a missing person. Amelia Harvae. She —” His voice caught as he glanced at the book again, its pages slightly fanned out as if it had been read moments ago. "She disappeared under strange circumstances. Could be a kidnapping, or — something even worse."