Chapter 83

The Sound in the Nursery

That night, sleep didn't come easily.

Rhea paced the nursery, rocking her daughter gently in her arms. The mobile above the crib spun slowly—stars, moons, and one little silver key that glinted oddly in the dark. She didn't remember placing it there.

She stopped.

The baby stirred, but didn't cry.

A sound broke the silence—a soft chime. Not from any toy. Not from the baby monitor.

From the wall.

She stepped back, breath caught.

The sound came again—like a musical note echoing from behind the plaster.

She pressed her ear to the nursery wall.

And heard it.

A child's voice, muffled, gentle, barely a whisper.

> "You have to find the mirror."

She stepped back, heart thudding. The baby's eyes opened—wide, calm, far too focused.

Rhea whispered, "Who are you?"

The baby blinked.

And somewhere in the house, the mirror they brought back from the honeymoon cracked down the center.