Chapter 4: The Intruder
The knock came again, louder this time. Sarah's stomach clenched as she hid the box back in its place. It was nearly midnight. Who could be at the door at this hour?
She crept to the window, peering out cautiously. A figure stood in the shadows, tall and motionless.
"Sarah, open the door!" The voice was low but insistent.
Her heart leapt. It was Ethan.
Reluctantly, she unlocked the door and let him in. He stepped inside, his face grim.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"You weren't supposed to find the key," he said, his voice heavy.
"How do you know about the key?"
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Because it's tied to the truth I'm trying to protect you from. And now that you've found it, things are about to get dangerous."
"Dangerous? What are you talking about?"
Ethan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The key unlocks something—a secret your father tried to bury. And there are people who'll do anything to make sure it stays buried."
Before Sarah could respond, the sound of shattering glass echoed from the back of the house.
Ethan grabbed her arm. "We have to leave. Now."
"Leave? I can't just—"
"You don't have a choice, Sarah," he said, his voice firm. "They've found you."