Chapter 3 The Locked Room

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I sat at the table in the dark, thinking about what Ash said.

You should've died instead of her.

And what Caleb said.

You look just like her.

I was starting to feel like a ghost.

A ghost wearing my sister's face.

I walked through the quiet halls of Langford Hall. The lights were dim. The house was too big, too cold.

I stopped at the door we never opened.

Evelyn's old room.

After the fire, Caleb locked it and never went back in.

He told me never to enter. Said it was "too painful."

But that night, I needed answers.

I found the spare key in the study drawer.

My hands were shaking as I unlocked the door.

It smelled like her.

Roses. Vanilla. And something older like smoke.

Everything was just how she left it. Her books. Her favorite red sweater on the chair. Her diary on the table.

I opened the first page.

If something happens to me check under the floor.

My heart stopped.

I dropped to my knees, looking around, The floorboards were old. One near the bed had a crack.

I pried it open with a spoon.

Inside was a small black box.

I opened it.

Inside were photos letters and a small USB drive.

I didn't have time to look through it, I heard footsteps in the hallway.

I closed the box quickly and slid it into my pocket.

Just as I stood up, Ash was standing at the door.

Watching me.

You're not supposed to be in here, he said.

His voice was calm, But his eyes were not.

I just wanted to remember your mom, I said softly.

Ash stared at me for a long time.

Then he smiled but it wasn't a child's smile.

It was cold. Too old for his face.

She's still here, you know, he whispered.

Who? I asked.

He tilted his head.

My mom.

Then he turned and walked away.

I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs. The black box felt heavy in my pocket, like it was made of lead instead of plastic Ash's words echoed in my mind.

She's still here.

What did he mean? Was it just the wishful thinking of a grieving child? Or something more?

I forced myself to move, to replace the floorboard, to make it look like nothing had been disturbed. As I straightened the room, my eyes fell on a photograph I hadn't noticed before. It sat on Evelyn's nightstand, partially hidden by a stack of books.

It showed three people Evelyn, radiant in a white sundress Caleb, his arm around her waist and a woman I didn't recognize. She was tall blonde, elegant. Her hand rested on Caleb's shoulder, and she stood too close to him for casual acquaintance, The three of them smiled at the camera, but there was something in the blonde woman's eyes something possessive.

I turned the photo over On the back in Evelyn's flowing script The three of us, Meridian Bay, Summer 2023. Before everything changed.

Last summer. Just months before the fire.

I slipped the photograph into my pocket alongside the black box and shut the door behind me, locking it carefully. The hallway was silent now, no sign of Ash or where he might have gone.

Back in my room Evelyn's old guest room, not the master bedroom I was supposed to share with Caleb I sat on the edge of the bed and took out the black box. My fingers trembled as I opened it again.

The photos were mostly of places I didn't recognize. A beach house. A lighthouse. A forest clearing with wildflowers. In one, Evelyn stood beside a tall oak tree, her hand pressed against the trunk, looking over her shoulder with fear in her eyes.

The letters were addressed to someone called M Short notes, mostly.

He doesn't suspect anything.

Meet me at the usual place, 3 PM.

I can't keep doing this, We need to tell him.

And the last one, dated just a week before the fire.

I know the truth now, About everything, We need to talk before I confront him.

I set the letters aside and looked at the USB drive. It was small, unmarked. I needed a computer to see what was on it.

Caleb kept his laptop locked in his study. I'd need to find another way.

A soft knock at my door made me jump. I quickly hid the box under my pillow.

Come in,I called, trying to keep my voice steady.

The door opened slowly Caleb stood there, his tall frame silhouetted against the hallway light. He was still fully dressed despite the late hour.

I saw your light on, he said. Couldn't sleep?

I shook my head. Just thinking.

He stepped into the room, leaving the door open behind him. About what?

About Evelyn, I said, watching his face carefully. About how she died."

His expression didn't change, but his posture stiffened slightly. "The fire was an accident, Riley. The investigators confirmed it.

Did they? Or did they just tell you what you paid them to say?

The words hung between us like smoke. Caleb's eyes narrowed.

Be careful, Riley, he said softly. Some questions are dangerous.

Like why you really married me?I challenged. It wasn't just for Ash, was it?

He moved closer, sitting beside me on the bed. So close I could smell his cologne sandalwood and something sharper underneath.

No, he admitted. It wasn't just for Ash.

His hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. His touch was warm, almost feverish.

You remind me so much of her, he whispered. It hurts to look at you sometimes.

I'm not Evelyn, I said.

I know. He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, And that's what terrifies me.

Before I could respond, his phone rang. He checked it, his face darkening.

I have to take this, he said, standing abruptly.

As he walked to the door, I called after him, Who's M?

He froze mid step but didn't turn around. "What did you say?

"In the attic, I lied. There was a photo. Someone labeled M.

Slowly, he turned to face me. His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with something I couldn't read. Stay out of things that don't concern you, Riley. For your own sake.

After he left, I waited ten minutes, then slipped out of my room and down the hall toward his study. If he was on a call, now might be my only chance to see what was on that USB drive.

The study door was ajar, light spilling into the hallway. I crept closer, listening.

She found something, Caleb was saying, his voice low and urgent. "I don't know what, but she's asking questions.

A pause.

No. No, we can't do that. Not again.

Another pause.

She's different from Evelyn. Smarter. More careful."

My blood ran cold. I backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound.

As I turned to retreat, I bumped into something solid. Looking up, I found myself staring into Ash's solemn face. He put a finger to his lips, took my hand, and pulled me down the hall to his room.

Once inside, he closed the door and turned to me with eyes too old for his seven years.

She left something for you, he whispered. Not just under the floor. There's more.

What do you mean? I asked. What else did your mother leave?

Ash moved to his closet and pulled out a shoebox decorated with superhero stickers. From inside, he withdrew a small, leather bound book.

Her real diary, he said. The one in her room is fake For him to find.

I took the book with shaking hands. How did you

She gave it to me the night before she died, he said. Told me to keep it safe until you came. Said you were the only one who would believe her.

I opened the diary to the first page and read the inscription written in Evelyn's familiar handwriting

Riley, if you're reading this, then I was right. He killed me. And you might be next