I couldn't breathe. The words Tara had just whispered hung in the air like smoke, choking me. "If you dig any deeper… you won't survive what comes after."
I wanted to scream, to demand she explain, but my throat felt raw, dry. Every instinct told me to run, but every memory of the years we'd shared held me frozen. Tara had been my best friend since we were thirteen. She knew me, and I trusted her. Or at least, I thought I did.
"You're lying," I said finally, forcing the words past my lips. My hands were shaking, but I tried to keep my voice steady.
"No," she said, meeting my eyes. Her pupils were wide, the whites showing. "I'm surviving."
A strange heat rose in my chest. Fear, anger, confusion. I didn't know which was stronger.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, stepping closer, ignoring the blood dripping onto the tile. The shards of glass reflected my fury back at me.
Tara swallowed. Her lips trembled. "You weren't supposed to find out. Not yet."
I felt a chill run down my spine. Not yet? What did that mean? What had I stumbled into?
Before I could speak, my phone buzzed. A new message. Unknown number. I hesitated, then opened it. The message was short:
"You don't know the whole story. Meet me tonight. Don't tell her you got this."
My heart thudded. A name flashed in my mind—him. The man from the voice note, the one Tara had been hiding. I hadn't seen him, but I felt him in the room like a shadow stretching across the floor.
"Lila," Tara's voice cut through my thoughts. "You need to leave. Now."
"Or what?" I shot back, anger overtaking fear. "You threaten me, you lie to me, and now you want me to just leave?"
She shook her head, eyes brimming with tears. "It's not like that. You don't understand what's at stake. If he finds out you know…" She faltered. "…it won't just be you in danger."
I froze. My mind spun. I wanted to ask who "he" was, but I knew the answer would break the fragile thread of trust left between us.
"You think I'll let you play the silent hero while I watch?" I whispered. "I've been standing in the dark long enough. You can't protect me anymore, Tara."
Her hands flew to her face. "I've done everything to keep you safe. You don't know what… what it cost me."
I swallowed hard, trying to force the bile down. "Then tell me. Just tell me. If I can survive it, we can fix this. If not… then I'll know what kind of friend you really are."
Tara looked at me, and I saw the truth flicker behind her eyes—fear, regret, guilt. The person I knew, and yet not. The air between us thickened, the room heavy with secrets neither of us could fully grasp.
And then it happened.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. She grabbed it too quickly. My eyes followed the screen, and my stomach dropped. The name flashing across the display made my blood run cold:
"He's here."
Tara froze, fingers shaking. Her gaze darted toward the door. I followed, heart hammering. Outside, the hallway was empty. I could feel my pulse in my ears.
"Who is here?" I demanded.
Tara's lips parted. No sound came out. And then, the floor beneath us vibrated—barely perceptible, but enough to make the hairs on my arms stand on end.
A shadow moved past the frosted glass of the front door. Slow. Deliberate. Watching.
I didn't have time to think. Before I could react, the door handle turned… and the door began to open.
The shadow paused. Then, a low, familiar laugh echoed through the apartment.
Tara stepped in front of me, hands raised like a shield.
"I warned you," she whispered.
And that's when I saw him.
Wow… Chapter 8 took a dark turn 😳
Lila's trust is being tested, and danger is closer than ever.
If you want to find out what happens next, add the book to your library and support with Power Stones — every bit helps me keep the story coming!
Don't miss Chapter 9… you won't believe who's really behind all of this.