CHAPTER 2: THE HOUSE THAT LOOKED PERFECT
Fourteen Birchwood Lane looked like every safe place should.
Porch lights glowing.
Lawns trimmed.
Silence everywhere.
The officers arrived with no sirens.
A calm approach.
Routine.
At least on the surface.
The father opened the door, annoyed.
“Our daughter has an imagination,” he said.
The mother nodded, tired. “She’s been doing this all week.”
All week.
That mattered.
Fear doesn’t repeat without reason.
“We still need to check,” the officer replied.
Upstairs, Mia whispered into my ear.
“That’s them.”
“You’re doing great,” I told her.
Footsteps echoed.
A door opened.
Pink walls.
Nightlight glowing.
Everything normal.
Too normal.
“Clear under the bed,” the officer said.
Relief filled the parents’ voices.
But Mia spoke again.
Urgent now.
“No… not under the bed.”
I leaned forward.
“Where, Mia?”
A pause.
Then—
“Under the floor.”
CHAPTER 3: THE SOUND THAT DIDN’T BELONG
