CHAPTER 7 — “The Woman at the Church Wasn’t Supposed to Be Alive”
The photograph changed everything.
For eight years, everyone believed Emily was dead.
Now there she was...
Standing outside a weathered seaside church.
Alive.
Adrian couldn't stop staring at the picture.
"It has to be fake."
One detective shook his head.
"It isn't."
"The metadata confirms it was taken twenty-one days ago."
The little girl reached for the photograph with trembling fingers.
She touched Emily's smiling face.
"Mommy..."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I knew you didn't leave me."
Within hours, Adrian, the detectives, and the elderly woman flew to the quiet coastal town where the photo had been taken.
The church caretaker immediately recognized the woman.
"Oh... Miss Emily?"
"She comes here every Sunday."
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
"Where does she live?" Adrian asked.
The old caretaker hesitated.
"I promised never to tell."
"But..."
He looked at the frightened little girl.
"...she always cried after leaving."
"Every single week."
The caretaker finally pointed toward an isolated white cottage overlooking the ocean.
The group rushed there.
The front door was unlocked.
Inside...
Everything looked as though someone had just stepped outside.
A kettle was still warm.
Fresh flowers sat on the table.
A child's drawing was pinned to the refrigerator.
It showed a woman holding hands with a little girl...
And beside them stood a man with his face completely crossed out in black marker.
Then Adrian noticed something else.
A notebook lay open on the kitchen counter.
It was Emily's handwriting.
The final sentence made his blood run cold.
"If you're reading this, Marcus has finally found me."
Suddenly...
A loud engine roared outside.
The detectives rushed to the windows.
A black SUV sped away from the cottage.
Inside...
A woman was struggling against the window.
She slammed her hand against the glass.
"EMILY!"
Adrian sprinted outside.
But he was too late.
The SUV disappeared around the cliff road.
Leaving only one thing behind.
Emily's silver wedding ring...
May you like
Lying in the dirt.
END OF CHAPTER 7...
