Chapter 8

The Second Warning

The note haunted me for the rest of the day. I kept glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting someone to come forward and explain. But no one did.

By the time I got home, my nerves were frayed. I sat on the edge of my bed, turning the note over in my fingers for what felt like the hundredth time.

"You don't know the whole truth."

What truth? Was there more to that night than Olivia and Jake? The idea made my stomach twist with dread. If there was someone else involved—someone I hadn't even considered—I needed to know.

I thought about showing the note to Daniel but hesitated. His anger was already simmering beneath the surface, and I didn't want to pour fuel on the fire. Besides, a part of me was terrified that if I involved him, he'd do something reckless.

I was still debating what to do when my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

"Stay quiet, Sarah. You don't want to make things worse."

My heart slammed against my ribs. I stared at the message, my blood running cold.

Whoever this was, they were watching me. And they wanted me to be afraid.

I wasn't sure how much more fear I could take.

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The next day, I kept my head down and tried to act normal. But the text lingered in the back of my mind, a warning I couldn't ignore. Every time I passed Olivia or Jake in the hallway, I felt their eyes on me. I couldn't tell if I was imagining it or if they knew I was getting closer to the truth.

At lunch, I sat with Daniel beneath the oak tree, my hands clenched in my lap to keep them from shaking.

"You're too quiet again," he said softly, watching me.

I hesitated. "Someone left me a note," I admitted. "And a text. They… they told me to stay quiet."

Daniel's whole body tensed. "What? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because I knew you'd react like this," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Daniel, I'm scared. What if there's more? What if—"

"I'm not going to let them hurt you again," he said, his jaw tight with anger. "Whoever it is, they're not going to scare you into silence."

He made it sound so simple—like he could protect me from everything. But he couldn't protect me from the nightmares. From the memories that wouldn't leave me alone.

"I'm going to find out who's behind this," he said, his voice low and fierce.

I wanted to believe he could fix it. But I knew the truth.

Some things were already broken beyond repair.