Margaret let out a dry, humorless laugh.

“This town belongs to my family,” she said, rising from her chair.

“We built it.”

“We decided who succeeded and who failed.”

“Emily was a threat to everything we built.”

“She was going to destroy our legacy.”

“Your legacy is built on graves, Mother,” Caleb’s voice came from the doorway.

He was escorted by two officers, his head hung low.

Margaret’s expression cracked for a fraction of a second, a flicker of genuine anger in her eyes.

“You weak, useless boy,” she hissed.

“You ruined everything.”

“No, Margaret,” Sophia said, stepping between them.

“You did.”

Sophia produced the warrant and read her rights.

A trooper stepped forward, pulling Margaret’s arms behind her back.

The metal handcuffs clicked loudly in the quiet room.

Margaret didn’t struggle, but her eyes remained locked on me as they led her out.

“You won’t survive this town, Daniel,” she whispered as she passed me.

“Without us, there is nothing here for you.”

“Good,” I said.

The next morning, the rain finally stopped.

The gray clouds parted, allowing a pale autumn sun to rise over the coast.