Chapter 5

"Don't go near it! Call the cops! Get the officers downstairs!"

We rushed to the hallway and bumped right into Zoe’s dad, who was panting as he ran up the stairs.

His face was white as a sheet, his finger pointing wildly downstairs.

Maya’s family was right behind him. Maya’s mom was practically being dragged by her husband, her legs too weak to stand.

All the parents who could make it were gathering, as if staying in a pack could keep them safe.

Soon, sirens wailed in the distance, getting louder as more police cars arrived.

They quickly taped off the area. Forensic techs in hazmat suits carefully opened the car door.

A metallic, copper smell of blood mixed with some chemical scent drifted into the air.

Slumped over the steering wheel was Mia’s dad, Frank.

His eyes were wide open, frozen in sheer terror. A fatal slash ran across his throat.

In the passenger seat was Mia’s mom, Clara, also dead.

But Mia wasn't there.

The backseat was completely empty.

Except for one thing.

A small bronze figure of a girl in a pink dress.

Its body was cleanly cut in half at the waist.

"Ahhh!" Maya’s mom shrieked hysterically before fainting dead away.

The scene was pure chaos.

Mia was missing.

The killer's target was crystal clear: the children.

The parents... were just obstacles to be cleared out of the way.

Just then, my phone buzzed again.

It was the Snapchat group.

The user with the black profile picture posted again.

[Unknown User: Reunited? Beautiful.]

[Unknown User: Who's next?]

[Unknown User: (Image attached)]

It was the numbered graduation photo again.

But this time, the number '1' for Leo and '5' for Mia had bloody red 'X's drawn over them.

The number '3' for Mason had a red question mark over it.

The remaining numbers: 2 (Chloe), 4 (Harper), 6 (Zoe), 7 (Maya), 8 (Lily).

"Oh my god!"

Harper’s mom screamed, clutching her daughter's music box to her chest as if it could shield her.

Their bronze figure was only cracked, not fully broken yet, corresponding to number 4.

Who was next?

What did the question mark mean?

Was Mason still alive?

Panic erupted among the parents.

"It's him! It has to be him!"

Zoe’s dad suddenly pointed at Harper’s dad, screaming hysterically.

"You were the only one who went outside a minute ago! You said you were going to your car! Are you the insider? How do we know you weren't paid off?!"

Harper’s dad froze, then exploded in rage.

"Bullshit! I went to get a phone charger! The police can check the cameras!"

"Enough!" Detective Carter roared, snapping everyone back to reality.

"Panicking is exactly what the killer wants! We need leads! Anything about that accident three years ago! Any weird detail! Did you all honestly believe it was an accident back then?!"

The living room fell dead silent.

The details we parents had deliberately ignored three years ago when the kids came back from the canyon...

At this moment, they were ripped open like a rotting wound.

I pulled Lily tighter. Her small body was shaking violently in my arms.

I looked down to comfort her, only to meet her tear-filled, glassy eyes.

Her lips trembled, and in a whisper so quiet I could barely hear it, she mumbled:

"Mom... Daisy didn't fall by herself... We pushed her..."