The voice came from the darkness behind us.

Every muscle in my body locked.

I turned slowly.

The hallway was empty.

No footsteps.

No shadow.

Nothing.

But the voice had been real.

I knew it.

Vanessa knew it.

Even Brooks, who had spent years walking into dangerous situations, looked shaken.

“Who said that?”” I demanded.

No answer.

I moved toward the hallway.

Brooks grabbed my arm.

“Don’t.””

I looked at him.

“My son is still under that floor.””

“And whoever is in this house knows that.””

I pulled away.

“I’m not standing here waiting.””

The lights flickered again.

Lily grabbed Vanessa’s hand.

“Mom…”

Vanessa pulled her close.

“I’m here.””

But she wasn’t looking at Lily.

She was staring at the hallway.

Like she was seeing a ghost.

I stepped closer to her.

“You know that voice.””

Her face tightened.

“No.””

“Vanessa.””

She looked at me.

Her eyes were filled with fear.

Not the fear of being caught.

The fear of something returning.

“I haven’t heard that voice in twelve years.””

The room went silent.

Brooks looked toward the hallway.

“Marcus, we need to move.””

“Move where?””

“Somewhere away from the opening.””

I looked down at the broken floor.

“No.””

My voice was firm.

“I’m not leaving Noah.””

As if he heard me, Noah squeezed my fingers.

“Dad.””

“I’m here.””

His breathing sounded weak.

“Please.””

I leaned closer.

“What is it?””

A pause.

Then he whispered:

“Don’t trust everyone.””

The words hit me hard.

I looked at Vanessa.

Then Brooks.

Then the dark hallway.

“How long have you been down there?””

Noah didn’t answer.

“Buddy?””

“I don’t know.””

My chest tightened.

“What do you mean you don’t know?””

“It was dark.””

His voice cracked.

“I tried to count.””

Lily started crying again.

I hated hearing that.

I hated knowing my children had been afraid while I was right there.

I reached farther into the crawlspace.

“I’m going to get you out.””

“No.””

I stopped.

“What?””

Noah’s fingers tightened around mine.

“Dad, listen.””

I leaned down.

“He told me not to let you pull me out.””

My heart sank.

“Who told you?””

A long silence.

Then:

“The man who helped me.””

Vanessa whispered:

“Elias.””

“No.””

Noah’s voice came quickly.

“It wasn’t him.””

Everyone froze.

Brooks looked at the opening.

“Then who?””

Noah’s answer was quiet.

“Someone who knew Dad.””

My blood went cold.

“Someone who knew me?””

“Yes.””

“Who?””

Before Noah could answer, a loud noise came from upstairs.

A door slammed.

Brooks immediately turned.

“We’re not alone.””

He pulled his flashlight.

I looked at Vanessa.

“How many secrets are in this house?””

She didn’t respond.

That was the answer.

Too many.

Brooks moved toward the stairs.

I followed.

“Marcus, stay back.””

“No.””

He looked frustrated.

“Your family is involved in something bigger than you realize.””

I stared at him.

“My family?””

I pointed toward the living room.

“My son is trapped under my floor. My daughter is terrified. My wife has been lying to me.””

I stepped closer.

“Don’t tell me I’m not involved.””

Brooks looked away.

Then he said something quietly.

“Your father knew Elias.””

I stopped.

“What?””

Vanessa looked at him.

“Daniel.””

“No.””

Brooks shook his head.

“He deserves to know.””

I felt the room tilt.

“My father died ten years ago.””

“I know.””

“Then explain.””

Brooks took a breath.

“Before he died, your father was investigating Elias.””

I laughed once.

A confused, angry sound.

“My father was a mechanic.””

“He was also helping people escape from dangerous situations.””

I stared at him.

“That makes no sense.””

“It will.””

Brooks looked at the photograph in my hand.

“Your father knew what Elias was capable of.””

Vanessa whispered:

“Marcus…”

I turned.

“You knew about my father too?””

She looked away.

That hurt more than anything.

Because it meant this had been happening long before Noah disappeared.

Long before we met.

Long before our family existed.

A noise came from the living room.

A sharp crack.

We all turned.

The broken floorboard had moved.

I ran back.

“Noah!””

The opening was wider.

Dust fell from the edges.

But Noah’s hand was gone.

My heart stopped.

“No!””

I dropped to my knees.

“NOAH!””

Lily screamed.

“Dad!””

I reached into the darkness.

Nothing.

Only cold air.

Then I saw something.

A small object sitting where Noah’s hand had been.

His bracelet.

The one Lily recognized.

But it wasn’t alone.

Tied to it was a folded piece of paper.

My hands shook as I opened it.

Four words.

Four words that made Vanessa collapse.

*Ask your father’s journal.*