Chapter 4

Vanessa was back!

I stared at the front door, my peripheral vision catching Mom and Dad eating.

After a long moment, I took a deep breath and walked to the door, gripping the doorknob.

Just as I was about to turn it, an impossibly cold hand suddenly clasped the back of my neck.

I froze instantly.

Mom's face appeared from behind me, and as she spoke, a chilling breath brushed my face.

"What are you doing?"

My palms were sweating uncontrollably. "I heard someone knocking."

Mom's voice was a hollow whisper, "Knocking in the rain, who knows if it's a person or a ghost."

"Don't open it!"

She and Dad stared intently at the front door, their eyes glinting with a sinister coldness, as if preparing for a serious threat.

After two more knocks, the outside fell silent.

But Mom and Dad didn't move. They just stood there stiffly by the door.

Mom waved her hand. "Go back to your room."

I grabbed my backpack and ran.

Back in my upstairs bedroom, I shut the door tightly, but still feeling uneasy, I reached to lock it from the inside.

Just as I turned the latch, Dad's low, menacing voice warned me.

"Chloe, don't you dare lock that door from the inside."

"Otherwise, I'll take the door right off its hinges."

My breath hitched. I stared fixedly at the door.

I could almost picture their pale faces, pressed tight against the door, listening for any sound from my room. When they sensed my intention to lock the door, they immediately gave their grim warning.

I instinctively held my breath, not daring to move.

It was a full ten minutes before I dared to open my door again.

The lights downstairs were off. In the dim light of the hallway, I didn't see Mom or Dad.

They must have gone back to their room.

I let out a soft breath, wiping the clammy sweat from my palms.

I carefully closed the door again, locking it this time.

Leaning against the door, I turned on my smartwatch screen.

Vanessa's message popped up right away.

"Chloe, why aren't you opening the door for me?"

"It's raining outside, I'm freezing to death."

"Hurry up and open the door, I have something important to tell you!"

Was it really her knocking earlier?

Could she still be waiting outside?

I hesitated for a few seconds, then gritted my teeth, crept downstairs, and opened the door.

Vanessa was really standing outside!

Vanessa was soaked to the bone, her face deathly pale.

Blood mixed with rain streamed down her cheeks, leaving streaks of crimson.