AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nodded in encouragement. “You got this,” he mouthed.
I bit my lip. My skin broke out into a cold sweat, but as I fisted my hands, I believed him. I could do this. Not for me, but for Lily. If telling my story was going to get hers out, then that’s what I would do.
Forcing my gaze back to Emersyn, I nodded. “Let’s get started,” I said, relieved my voice was steady and not letting on how shaken I felt inside.
Emersyn smiled. “Lets.” She turned her attention down to her notebook. After taking a breath, she started to read. Her voice shifted into a calm, melodic tone as she told the story of a woman named Lily Baker.
As Emersyn read, it was clear that she was a born storyteller. I was instantly drawn into the story of a girl who grew up just outside of Ember Hollow. Lily tried all her life to do the right thing and be somebody her parents could be proud of. Emersyn had obviously done extensive research, and I learned who Lily’s best friend was and what sports she played growing up. I learned that she volunteered at her church by leading youth groups and she donated blood whenever she could because she had a desired blood type.
Emersyn made Lily come to life; she made her a real person that anyone would care about. At the end, when she told of the devastating way she simply vanished, tears welled in my eyes.
“If you know anything, or have any information about Lily Baker and her disappearance, please contact the Ember Hollow Police. In the show notes of the podcast, you’ll find a number to call, and a link to donate to help fund the search for her and to assist her family with any needs they have.”
My heart swelled as my eyes widened. “I had no idea there was a fundraiser for her,” I said, not even caring that I was interrupting Emersyn.
She glanced up at me, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Well, there isn’t yet, but I’m planning on starting one.”
“That’s amazing,” Reid said, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you.”
Her pale face reddened, but she waved a hand dismissively. “It’s the least I can do.”
I opened my mouth to thank her, too, but she was already staring back down at her notebook and speaking again. This time, her story wasn’t about Lily…it was about me. About us. About what happened at that house near campus nine years ago on Halloween night.
The story she told was so familiar, one I’d heard a thousand times on the news and in documentaries. The story of how two young college students lost their lives one tragic night and no one knew why. How they were brutally stabbed to death and no one heard a thing.
And no one was held accountable.
When she finished with the opening monologue, she officially introduced me and started the interview. Emersyn was good at what she did, and even though I wasn’t a natural public speaker, she made me feel comfortable, as if this conversation was only between us and not going to be watched by hundreds, maybe even thousands of people.
She began with simple questions that eased me into a dialogue with her that, surprisingly, didn’t feel forced. She had sent me all the questions beforehand, which helped because I’d thought them through already.
As we got deeper into the interview, which started to feel more like two friends confiding with each other, Emersyn took a longer pause. “I want to start asking you about that night directly, now.” She took in a breath.
I steeled myself.
“What do you all remember? What were your last words and interactions with your roommates before you went to bed that night?”
My pulse escalated. I remembered every detail of that night. I remembered exactly what my last words to my best friend were.
19
Lark
Nine Years Ago
The door thudded closed as Reid Ramsey left me standing there, still a bit drunk after the night’s festivities, but no longer feeling like I was going to vomit all over the place. That trick he’d shown me with the pulse points was handy.
I turned to the staircase and cautiously climbed it. I grabbed onto the banister, wobbly on my feet, but managed to make it to the top without falling to my doom.
Thea’s bedroom door was ajar, and I peeked inside. She was sprawled out, face-down on the bed in her costume and shimmery, blue high heels. I knocked lightly, and when she didn’t answer, I pushed inside. The lights were all on, but Thea looked sound asleep, her mouth slightly open and wisps of dark hair fallen over her face.
Trying not to jostle her much, I carefully pulled off her shoes. She was lying on top of her comforter, so I covered her with the fluffy blanket tossed over the end of the bed so she wouldn’t get cold. I turned on the small bedside lamp before flipping off the overhead one, when Thea suddenly grabbed hold of my arm. I jumped, my gaze snapping toward her.
“You should sleep in here tonight,” she whispered without opening her eyes.
I paused. We each had our own rooms, but every once in a while, we’d slept in the same one. It reminded us of being kids and having a slumber party. Sometimes, it was simply nice not to be alone.
I brushed the hair back from her face. “Maybe in a little bit.”
