Chapter 24 - The Hidden BoxThey returned to the old house with police protection.
The house felt different now.
Not frightening.
Worse.
Familiar.
David entered his childhood bedroom.
He remembered the wallpaper.
The wooden closet.
The window where he used to watch his father leave for work.
He knelt beside the floorboards.
One plank was slightly different.
He pried it loose.
Beneath it was a metal box.
His hands trembled.
Miller opened it.
Inside were old photographs.
Receipts.
Hospital papers.
Letters.
And a cassette tape.
David picked up the tape.
His father's handwriting was on the label.
FOR DAVID — IF HE EVER ASKS ABOUT EMILY.
David stared at it.
“Why would my father hide this?”
Miller looked at him.
“Maybe because he knew someone would try to destroy it.”
They found an old cassette player.
The tape crackled.
Then his father's voice filled the room.
“David, if you're hearing this, I failed to protect you.”
David closed his eyes.
His father continued.
“Your mother will tell you Emily died.”
David opened his eyes.
“She didn't.”
Silence.
Leah covered her mouth.
David whispered:
“What?”
May you like
His father's voice continued.
“Emily survived.”
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