Chapter 33: Shadows in the Frame
The glow from the monitors paints Elara’s face in haunting blues and greys. She hasn’t spoken in minutes. Her tear-streaked gaze remains locked on the frozen surveillance image—her parents, lifeless, discarded like refuse—haunting the corner of the screen where she’s paused the footage. Damien stands behind her, tense and furious. He tried to speak when they first exited the basement, but Elara became a storm. A silent, spiraling storm. And now, seated before years-old surveillance files, she looks like she’s unraveling. “I need to get in touch with the town’s sheriff,” he says tightly. “I’m calling the police, Elara. This is—this is a crime scene. They were murdered.” “No!” she barks, spinning in her chair to face him. “You don’t understand. The moment the police come in here, I’ll be
- Writer
