Chapter 2 – The Message in the Trash
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure Noah could hear it.
"Stay here," I whispered.
"I'll be right back."
Using the last of my strength, I crawled toward the kitchen trash can.
My hands shook as I lifted the lid.
At first, I saw nothing unusual.
Then...
Hidden beneath paper towels was a small brown prescription bottle.
The label had been partially torn away, but one warning remained visible:
"May cause severe drowsiness. Keep away from children."
Next to it lay a pair of disposable gloves and a folded receipt.
I unfolded it.
A pharmacy purchase made that afternoon.
The medication had been bought using Caleb's credit card.
My stomach twisted.
The anonymous message had been telling the truth.
Then another vibration came from my phone.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
"Police have already been called. Don't let him know you're awake."
Before I could reply, headlights swept across the living room windows.
Caleb was back.
I shoved the bottle into my pocket and quickly lay back on the floor beside Noah.
The front door opened.
His footsteps were slow.
Confident.
"So quiet," he murmured.
He checked my pulse.
Then Noah's.
"They'll never know."
A second voice answered from outside.
"Everything ready?"
My blood ran cold.
Caleb wasn't alone.
Two men carried black plastic sheets into the house.
One whispered,
"We need to hurry before midnight."
Just then...
Red and blue lights flashed through the windows.
Police sirens filled the street.
The two strangers bolted toward the back door.
Caleb stood frozen.
"What?"
The front door burst open.
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"Police! Nobody move!"
Caleb's face turned completely white.
