“The one who was never supposed to exist,” Ruth said.

She handed me the key.

“Open it.”

My hand shook as I reached for the lock.

The sound of footsteps started on the stone steps above.

They had found the cellar.

“Hurry,” Ruth whispered.

I turned the key.

The lock clicked.

The door to the cellar began to rattle.

Someone was trying to force it open.

The wood began to splinter.

I pulled the lid off the box.

Inside was a small, leather-bound diary.

And a single, dried rose.

The diary was open to the first page.

The handwriting was Daniel’s.

And the first line made my breath stop.

“She has no idea who I really am.”

The door splintered.

A hand reached through the gap.

The flashlight beam hit the box.

“Got you,” a voice said.

The match went out.

And the dark returned.

But this time, I knew the truth.

And it was more terrifying than the fire.

I gripped the diary to my chest.

And I waited for the door to break.

Because now, I had a weapon.

And I was going to use it.