Chapter 27

Chapter 27
THE KNIFE'S WARNING

Point of View: Luna Hart

In the dark room, I scream loudly and sharply. My heart continues to beat like a drum, but the pale face at the window vanishes. My mother leaps out of bed and envelops me in her arms. "Luna! "What's wrong?" she says in a trembling, terrified voice.

With his flashlight beam swinging wildly, Mr. Cole storms in. He glares at the window and asks, "What happened?" The ray glints sharply when it strikes a little knife lodged in the wood sill. The handle has a letter attached that reads, "Time's up, Luna."

My stomach turns into a knot. My finger trembles as I gesture toward the window. "A face," I mumble in a low voice. "A monstrous face, observing me."

With his flashlight exploring the darkness outside, Mr. Cole dashes to the window. "Remain here," he urges in a firm voice. The frigid air rushes in as he rushes out the door after grabbing a coat.

With her pulse pounding rapidly against mine, my mother gives me a tighter embrace. She says, "It's okay, Luna," but her voice trembles as well. With the exception of the wind roaring outside, the room is silent as we wait on the bed. My fingers are white as I grip the blanket.

Mr. Cole returns, his breath blowing white and his cheeks flushed from the cold. He locks the door firmly and declares, "There is no one outside." The letter crinkles when he takes the knife from the ledge. Footprints in the mud, however. There was a visitor.

My mother's eyes enlarged. "Who?" Her voice is quiet as she asks.

He unfolds the message and shakes his head. His voice is low as he continues, "Same handwriting as before." "We must relocate once more."

My throat tightens as I nod. I can't get the monster's visage out of my head—its snarly, menacing grin. Even with the cops observing, they are aware of our whereabouts. While Victoria and Ethan are incarcerated, someone else is out there having fun with a new game.

We pack quickly, and I cram clothing into a bag with unsteady hands. My mother assists, her expression concerned. She kisses my forehead and whispers, "We'll find a safer place."

Mr. Cole uses his phone to quickly contact the police. He claims, "Someone broke close." "We're heading out now."

The night is dark as we cram ourselves into the automobile. The woods are blurring as Mr. Cole drives quickly. My mother's icy fingers grip my hand. She murmurs, "Luna, close your eyes." "Aim to get some rest."

I nod, but I continue to observe the black road with my eyes open. I can still hear the knife's note: Time's up. What does it signify? Will I be the next victim of the monster? I rock a little while the vehicle hums, but I can't fall asleep. My stomach is twisted too much.

The sign for a new hotel flickers red as we pull over. Mr. Cole uses a new identity and speaks softly to the clerk as he checks in. We have a TV and two beds in our little room. With her palm on my forehead, my mother tucks me in. "Go to bed now," she adds in a quiet voice.

I close my eyes and nod. I'm exhausted, but the bed is bumpy. Dreams appear, gloomy and terrifying—the low chuckle of the monster's face at the window. The room is gloomy in the morning light when I wake up, perspiring. My mother is sleeping, breathing slowly. When I sit up, Mr. Cole's eyes, which are closed in the chair, open.

His voice is calm as he says, "Are you okay?"

With a dry throat, I nod. "Just a nightmare."

He rubs his face and nods. "We'll overcome this."

My stomach aches, yet I nod once more. Chips, candy bars, and a vending machine provide breakfast. We dine in silence while watching news on the TV. With their faces on TV, the reporter discusses Victoria and Ethan's incarceration. "No way out," she declares.

With a stern expression, Mr. Cole switches it off. "But there is still someone out there."

My mother nods, concerned in her eyes. "Who?"

He gives a headshake. "We'll discover."

We take a car to a new, secure location—a cottage on a lake surrounded by dense forests. Birds chirp as the water gleams in the sunlight. The bread is soft when my mom prepares sandwiches. The air is nice as we eat outdoors. Mr. Cole keeps a close check on the trees. "Remain near," he says.

I kick a stone into the water while nodding. Calmly, the ripple spreads. I forget about the monster for a while. Then I see a little button, similar to the one I had discovered, shining in the grass. My stomach turns around. I conceal it in my pocket as I take it up. There was another person present.

I keep it from them. I do not want to frighten them more. When Mr. Cole loses, we chuckle while playing cards inside. My mother's voice is pleasant when she relates tales. As night falls, the stars shine brightly outside. With the blanket warm, I go to bed. My mother gives me a forehead kiss. "Dreams of sweetness," she says.

I close my eyes and nod. The water laps gently while the cottage is peaceful. I saw the monster's visage at the window in my dream once again. The room is dark as I wake up, perspiring. There's a tap-tap sound at the door. My heart leaps. I sit up and pay attention. Again, tap-tap.

My feet are freezing as I tiptoe to the door. "Who is present?" I mumble.

No response. The hall is dark as I slowly open it. Although the front door is closed, a message has been slid under it. Picking it up makes my hands tremble. Luna, you cannot run indefinitely. The true boss is fully aware of everything. It's modern, elegant, and curly handwriting.

Outside, I hear light footsteps on the grass. I dash to the window and take a quick look. A tall, narrow shadow creeps toward the lake. My stomach aches. Mr. Cole is sleeping, but I have to inform him. I silently sneak out the back door after grabbing my coat. The grass is damp under my feet, and the night is chilly. I chase after the shadow, my heart pounding. I must find out who it is.

The shadow turns and pauses beside the lake. The lady is wearing a black coat and has long hair. Her face is pallid in the moonlight as she stares at me. "Luna," she adds in a quiet voice. "I have been expecting."

I pause, gasping for air. "Who are you?" With a weak voice, I ask.

Her teeth are gleaming as she grins. "Luna, your family. The one that was concealed from you.

My heart stops. Family? Similar to Victoria? However, she is incarcerated. The lady extends her hand and takes a step closer. Join me. I will reveal the truth to you.

My stomach twists as I take a step back. I'm afraid, yet I want to know. Behind me, I hear footsteps and hear Mr. Cole calling my name. The lady disappears as her grin wanes and she dashes into the forest.

Mr. Cole tightens his arms around me. "Luna! How come you're out here?

With a low voice, I gesture toward the woods. "A female. She claimed to be family.

His eyes widen and his face becomes pale. "How did she appear?"

My words come out as I tell him. His jaw is clenched as he nods. "We must go. Right now.

We quickly pack and wake up my mom. I glance back at the lake as we drive away, the trees black. I can still hear the woman's words: Your family. However, who is she? What truth is she aware of?

The lights are bright at the petrol station where we stop. With his eyes on the road, Mr. Cole fills up the tank. In the vehicle, my mother gives me a gentle embrace. "We'll be all right."

I nod, but the letter is as heavy as a stone in my pocket. the actual boss. Family. My mind is racing. We check into a new hotel; the room is tiny and musty. The blanket is scratching me while I lay on the bed. My mother's voice is soft when she sings a lullaby. I shut my eyes, but I don't fall asleep.

I'm awakened by a gentle click at the door. My heart leaps. The room is dark as I sit up. A darkness creeps in as the door slowly opens. The lady is there, her long hair gleaming in the moonlight. "Come with me, Luna," she murmurs. before they discover it.

I take a step back, panting heavily. "Who?"

Her eyes are sad as she grins. "Your actual family. The one that your mother concealed from you.

My stomach turns around. Hid? My mother wakes up. The woman's eyes widen, and she rushes out, slamming the door behind her. My mother sits up, looking alarmed. "Luna? What was that?

With a trembling voice, I gesture toward the door. "The female. She has returned.

With his headlamp on, Mr. Cole dashes in. "What took place?"

I speak quickly as I tell them. I remember what the lady said: Your true family. What is she trying to say? My mother's eyes widen as her face becomes pale. She says, "Luna," her voice cracking. "I need to share something with you."

But before she can say anything, the hotel is shaken by a huge blast. Ther
e is glass flying when the window breaks. Outside, a harsh, loud voice cries, "Give us the girl!”