The Silent Takeover of the Only Home I Ever Truly Owned
I threw the manila folder onto the passenger seat.
My hands were wet with sweat and rain.
I took my phone out of my pocket.
The recording was safe.
I stared at the dashboard, my heart still racing.
I needed to go to the police.
I needed to show them the forged signatures, the original deed, and this recording.
I started the engine, the headlights cutting through the darkness of the street.
As I pulled away from the curb, my phone began to buzz in my hand.
The screen lit up with Rylan’s name.
I stared at it as the phone vibrated against my palm, the incoming call screen flashing in the dark car.
My finger hovered over the red decline button.
Then, a text message popped up at the top of the screen from an unknown number.
It was an image.
I tapped it.
The image was a photo of the inside of my car, taken from the backseat, showing the empty passenger seat just minutes before I had gotten in.
Attached was a single line of text.
*We knew you were here, Calla.*