Chapter 25

Chapter 25
THE NEW SECRET

Point of View: Luna Hart

My heart is pounding like a drum while I freeze in bed. Outside the window of the safe home, the shadow in the trees gazes back with darkly gleaming eyes. My face is still lit up by the message on my phone: You think it's over, Luna? Victoria is only the beginning. Be mindful of your back. My stomach turns, making me feel nauseous. With trembling hands, I pull the blanket over my head, but I can't get away from this. Ethan is in jail and Victoria has been caught, but someone else is out there observing me. I'm Luna Hart, the missing girl from Hart Global, and now that I've told my mother and Mr. Cole everything, I'm not keeping my secret. Even if the cops are watching over us in our safe house, the shadow makes me feel chilly.

The window is now black when I peep out from behind the covers. Even when the shadow has vanished, my skin still prickles like insects. With icy fingers, I reach for my phone and erase the message. Neither Mr. Cole nor my mother can find out. Since I don't want to frighten them, they believe it is over. For the first time, my mom smiled joyfully this morning, and Mr. Cole's eyes were gentle as he murmured, "I'm here for you." I tiptoe to the window after slipping out of bed, my feet soft on the wood floor. There is no shade, but the trees swing in the wind. Perhaps my eyes were deceiving me.

I stealthily approach the door and slowly open it, causing a slight groan in the hinge. With the exception of a tiny kitchen light, the hall is dark. As he speaks to the police guard, Mr. Cole's voice wafts in. He says in a low, solemn voice, "Keep watch." "Ethan may have pals."

With his rifle gleaming in his belt, the guard nods. With a firm voice, he declares, "We got it covered."

With my heart still pounding, I slip back into bed. I lie down and pull the blanket tight, but I can't fall asleep. I can't stop hearing the message. Be mindful of your back. By whom was it sent? Ethan and Victoria, however, are imprisoned. Someone new, or perhaps someone who has always been there for them.

The following morning, the room becomes warm and yellow as the sun peeks through the curtains. With a bright smile, my mother kisses my forehead to wake me up. Her voice is quiet as she murmurs, "Good morning, Luna." "Time for breakfast."

My body is exhausted from lack of sleep, so I rub my eyes. I force a smile and murmur, "Good morning." I don't show it, but my stomach is still twisted. As we enter the kitchen, we smell the delicious aroma of Mr. Cole flipping pancakes. While drinking coffee at the table, the police officer keeps an eye on the outside world.

"Do you get enough sleep?" As he places a pancake on my dish, Mr. Cole asks.

I poke the meal with my fork while I nod. "Yeah," I say in a false voice. I ignore the shadow that exists in my mind. When Mr. Cole burns one pancake black, we chuckle a little while we eat. I genuinely laugh when my mom shares a tale about me when I was younger. I momentarily lose sight of the message.

The policeman checks outside after breakfast, his rifle at the ready. He smiles at me and says, "All clear." "You are welcome to play in the yard."

The grass is soft underfoot when my mom and I step outside. As the sun warms my skin, we throw a ball. When my mother sees it, she laughs joyfully. She throws it back and remarks, "You're good at this."

With a lighter heart, I catch it. However, the shadow from last night suddenly appears in my mind as soon as I notice the trees. When I look more closely, nothing moves. My mother's smile fades as she realizes. "What's the matter, Luna?"

I throw the ball hard and say, "Nothing." It rolls into the trees and bounces away. My feet move quickly as I chase after it. The leaves of the dense trees are rustling. I locate the ball beneath a bush, but before I can pick it up, I see a tiny, shining button on the ground that appears to be from a coat. My stomach turns. There was a visitor.

Cold-handled, I cram the button into my pocket and dash back to my mother. "I found it," I say, pretending to smile while clutching the ball.

Her eyes study me as she nods. Her voice is quiet as she says, "Let's go inside."

Inside, Mr. Cole seems serious as he talks on his phone. "Learn who came to Ethan's aid," he says, ending the call. His eyes are kind as he looks at me. "Are you alright?"

I nod, the button heavy in my pocket. "Yes." But I feel like I'm being watched because of the message and the shadow.

Mia's voice is cheerful when we sit on the phone later. She says, "Luna, I miss you." "When are we able to play?"

"Soon," I answered in a low voice. I didn't tell her the message, but I did tell her about my mom. I'm concerned, but she's safe now.

I lie in bed with the cover pulled close that night. My mother gives me a forehead kiss. "Get enough sleep," she advises.

I nod, but I look out the window as she goes. The wind is blowing and the trees are black. My skin prickles, but there is no darkness. I flip it over and take the button out of my pocket. It's silver and has a tiny bird-like mark on it. It hurts, but I'm not sure what it implies. I conceal it with the locket and key beneath my pillow.

We visit the police station the following day to ask questions. The bright room with the paper-strewn desks. A policewoman with her notebook open smiles at me. In a soft voice, she asks, "Tell me what happened."

I tell her about the woman with the pistol, Ethan, and the warehouse. My mother's fingers are warm as she grips my hand. Mr. Cole crosses his arms and stands near the door. Nodding, the policewoman writes quickly. She promises to keep you secure.

I nod, but the pain in my stomach persists. Mr. Cole drives slowly on the way back, his gaze fixed on the mirror. "What's wrong?" my mother asks.

He gives a headshake. "Just making sure."

I play outside once again at the safe house, kicking a ball by myself. I pause and stare at the rustling trees. My heart leaps when a branch snaps. Breathing quickly, I dash inside. I shout, "Mom!"

Her eyes are troubled as she approaches. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," I say in a tremulous voice. But I can still hear the snap.

I had trouble sleeping that night. Branches tap the window as the wind howls. My heart is pounding as I sit up. With the trees moving, I peep out. Then I spot it—a shadow, approaching, clutching something gleaming. My breath catches. I dash to Mr. Cole's room and rap loudly. "There's someone out there!" I yell in a whisper.

With startled eyes, he quickly opens the door. He says, "Stay here," and takes out his phone. There is no response when he contacts the police officer. My stomach turns around. Peeking out the window, Mr. Cole enters the living room. His voice is hard when he continues, "I see it."

My mother approaches and gives me a hug. "It's alright," she murmurs.

However, it isn't. It sounds as though someone is attempting to open the door. Mr. Cole takes a chair leg and holds it in a bat-like manner. A message slips under the door as the rattling stops. My heart stops. Pale-faced, Mr. Cole picks it up. He reads, "Luna," in a tremulous voice. You are unable to conceal. The true boss will arrive.

Outside, we hear a wicked, low laugh. Not Ethan or Victoria, but a pale face with dark eyes leans against the
window as the shade shifts. Someone fresh is grinning maniacally.