Rachael, David, and Kate crept behind the cinema, their footsteps muffled against the damp grass. The night air was heavy with tension. Rachael's breath came in short, shallow gasps.
"She was right here," Rachael whispered, crouching low behind the brick wall.
David scanned the dimly lit area, his eyes alert. "You're sure she didn't see you?"
Rachael shook her head. "I don't think so… but she looked back. Like she was checking."
Kate's voice was barely audible. "If Oscar's involved again, we can't take this lightly. We need help."
David pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen. "I had already texted Spencer. Told him to meet us back at the house."
"Good," Rachael muttered, still shaken.
Minutes later, they were back at David's apartment. The adrenaline in their veins hadn't faded. Moments after they settled in, Spencer burst through the door, his jacket half-zipped, his eyes burning with urgency.
"You said Harriet met with Oscar?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Rachael nodded, her face set in determination.
"she handed him a bag. I think it was cash."
Her eyes locked onto David's, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.
"I know my mom's up to something. Oscar used to work for my dad, doing... questionable things".
"If they're working together again, it can't be good."
David's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched in understanding. "You think they're plotting something, don't you?"
"I do, and I need to find out what exactly it is. We need to find out."
David turned to Rachael and Kate.
"You two should go home. I'll drop you both off, then Spencer and I will go check things out."
They drove through the quiet streets, headlights cutting through the dark. When they reached the house, Kate and Rachael stepped out of the car.
As soon as Rachael walked in, she froze.
Harriet was standing in the living room.
Rachael's eyes widened. "You, what are you doing here?" she gasped.
Harriet turned, puzzled. "What am I doing in my own house? What are you even saying?"
"No…" Rachael stammered. "I just saw you minutes ago. At the back of the cinema. You were with Oscar."
Harriet's brows lifted. Then, slowly, she chuckled. "Rachael, that's impossible. I don't even know who Oscar is. I've been home, worried sick about you. You left without a word, no explanation…"
"I know what I saw," Rachael said, her voice trembling.
"You were behind the cinema. Near the restroom. You gave Oscar a bag."
Harriet tilted her head and smiled faintly. "Sweetheart, are you sure you're okay?"
Just then, Rachael's phone rang.
It was David.
She answered quickly, never breaking her gaze from her mother.
"She's here, David. Right in front of me."
"What?" David asked, alarmed.
Suddenly, Harriet snatched the phone from Rachael's hand.
"Hello? What's going on? "Why are you scaring Racheal?" she snapped.
The call ended. Harriet handed the phone back,
"Rachael, tell me what's going on," she said, calmly but firmly.
Rachael's feet seemed rooted to the spot, her thoughts spinning wildly as she struggled to process the sudden turn of events.
Harriet turned to Kate, who looked just as shaken.
"And you?" Harriet snapped.
"Where have you been all day? Harper and Hayden have been crying their eyes out."
Kate said nothing, she just nodded and hurried upstairs.
Harriet walked closer to Rachael, placing a gentle hand on her arm.
"Rachael," she said softly. "You really should take a break."
"I believe you've been overstressed and perhaps abusing substances, which is causing you to hallucinate. You're clearly overworked."
"I know what I saw mum, you're so unbelievable", Rachael spat.
Without another word, she turned and walked quickly to her room.
Harriet watched her go, a slow, sinister smile spreading across her face.
She muttered under her breath,
"She just doesn't know how to mind her business." A faint smirk played at the corner of her lips as she added.
"No one ever catches me." With a swift motion, she brought the cup to her lips and downed its contents, the bitter liquid burning slightly on its way down. She turned and walked back to her room.
Upstairs, Rachael paced the length of her room, her mind racing with possibilities.
Her thoughts were scattered, unraveling. Was she going crazy? Had she really imagined it all? She wanted to believe she was wrong, that maybe the pressure was finally getting to her, but the image of Harriet with Oscar was burned into her memory too vividly to deny.
She turned to her window, cracked it open, and leaned against the frame, letting the cold air hit her face. Her mind replayed the scene at the cinema again and again.
A knock at the door startled her. She turned quickly.
It was Kate.
"I couldn't sleep," Kate whispered, slipping in and closing the door behind her.
"Something's off. Harriet is hiding something."
Rachael nodded. "I don't trust her anymore."
Kate lowered her voice. "I snooped around before I got here. In the laundry room, behind the cabinet, I found a bag. There's cash. A lot of it. And something else…"
She reached into her hoodie and pulled out folded paper. Rachael took it, unfolding it slowly. It was a printed map, hand-drawn notations circling certain locations across town. One was labeled Mill Bridge, another Silo 9, and another, Spade's Hollow, the abandoned farm at the edge of town.
"What the hell is this?" Rachael whispered.
Before Kate could respond, a loud thud came from downstairs.
They froze.
Rachael's eyes darted to the clock, 2:47 AM.
Another noise followed. This time a creak, slow and deliberate.
Kate moved to the door and cracked it open, peering into the hallway.
"Nothing," she whispered.
Suddenly, Rachael's phone buzzed again.
David.
She picked it up.
"David?" she whispered.
Are you okay? Yes we are,
David continued. "Unfortunately, we didn't see anything but Spencer and I will keep looking out for Oscar".
"You should get some sleep now Racheal". Just before Racheal could say anything, the sound from downstairs became louder and terrifying.
"What is that sound?" David questioned,
"I do not know either," Racheal answered, her voice shaking in fright.
"Give me a moment David", she ended the call and turned to Kate, who was already picking up a baseball bat. Racheal picked another and both looked at each other,
"Are you ready?"
"Yes," Racheal murmured. They both went towards the sound.
As Rachael and Kate crept downstairs, the sound grew louder. It sounded like someone was rummaging through the wine cellar. When they reached the cellar door, Rachael hesitated. Kate nodded, and together they pushed the door open. A faint light flickered from within. Uncle Adam's voice echoed,
"Just getting some wine... Sorry if I startled you."
Rachael and Kate exchanged a skeptical glance. They entered the cellar, bats still raised. Adam stood amidst dusty bottles, a bottle of red wine in hand. But something about the scene didn't add up.
"Uncle Adam?" Rachael's voice was cautious.
Adam turned, a hint of surprise on his face. "Oh, girls. I didn't expect to run into you."
Kate's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing down here at 3 AM?"
Adam's smile faltered for a moment before he regained composure. "Couldn't sleep, so I thought a glass of wine might help."
Rachael's gaze wandered around the cellar, noticing something peculiar. A small, hidden door behind the wine racks was slightly ajar. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.
Adam's expression turned guarded. "Just storage, nothing important."
But Rachael's curiosity was piqued. She took a step closer to the door, her bat still clutched tightly in her hand.
Suddenly, a loud creaking noise echoed from beyond the door. It sounded like footsteps, heavy and deliberate.
Rachael's eyes locked onto Adam's. "What's going on, Uncle Adam?"
Adam's smile had vanished. His eyes darted nervously between Rachael and Kate. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
The creaking grew louder. Rachael's grip on her bat tightened. She took another step forward, her heart racing in her chest.
And then, everything went black.