Dark Echo

Chapter 12

January 3, 2015Tara hates leaving her friends after the holiday, but especially this year. After finding the ominous gift, leaving Laura alone was difficult. No matter how she and Leanne tried to stay, Laura protested, saying she didn"t need a babysitter. “After all, Callie"s here; I won"t be alone,” she"d said. However, Tara sensed Laura hid her fear behind a false mask of courage.

“After all, Callie"s here; I won"t be alone,”When Tara enters her townhouse foyer, an instant chill runs down her left arm—an acute foreboding that only strikes her back, never her arm. Warily, she places her bags on the floor and advances inside the home. Beyond the living room, shades are drawn on every window as if done intentionally. When she"s away, she always leaves them down. In the middle of the room, her body lights with greater chills. Fearfully, she circles the room, searching her possessions for anything missing, out of place, or that doesn"t belong. Easing her cell phone from her handbag, she continues into the kitchen and grabs a knife from the counter. Cautiously, she checks the main floor but finds nothing unusual.

Tara"s heart races as she ascends the stairs with a firm grip on the knife. Opening the bedroom door, her heart leaps to her throat at the sight of the ominous silver gift in the middle of her bed. She refuses to take another step and instantly dials Laura"s number.

“Tara?”

“Laura, someone"s been in my house, and they left the silver gift.”

“Did you open it?”

“No, I"m afraid.”

“Tara, open it.”

Hesitantly, she steps toward the bed, picks up the gift, and rips the wrappings to threads. Again, the brown box emerges with the AHD"s keychain and an ominous message—YOU BROKE YOUR PROMISE, is more fearful that the first note. Tara runs down the stairs, out of the house, straight to her car.

“Tara?”

“I left the house, Laura.”

“Have you heard from Leanne? I"m getting worried.”

Quickly, Tara starts the car and backs out of the driveway. “I"m heading to Leanne"s now.”

Leanne

Driving faster than normal, Leanne"s eager to spend time with Adam and ready to give him the long-awaited answer. Pulling into the driveway, through the side alley leading to the garage, the townhouse appears desolate—no lights on anywhere. She notices the patio door is ajar and wonders if Adam forgot to close it. Exiting the car, she enters the house through the open door, alarmed by silence. The TV or music is always playing when Adam"s home.

Adam forgot to close it.“Adam? Adam, are you here?” There"s no reply. Concerned, she cautiously begins inspecting every room. Anyone or anything could have walked right in. She pulls a can of pepper spray from her handbag, turns on all the lights, and walks through the home, making sure windows and doors are locked. Certain no one"s inside; she heads to her office. The answering machine blinks green. She hits play, and Adam"s voice comes through distant and solemn. His voice echoes frustration. Concerned, she picks up the phone, ready to dial his number when beside a stack of mail; blue velvet and silver catch her attention.

Anyone or anything could have walked right in.Grabbing her purse and keys she races from the house, certain whoever left the package left the patio door open. But how did they get in? Did Adam forget to lock the door? She races to the car, puts the car in reverse, backs out of the driveway and immediately brakes, avoiding a collision with Tara"s bumper.

But how did they get in? Did Adam forget to lock the door?