Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
The blackout began at 8:14 p.m.
Adeline was helping Posy with homework when the apartment lights flickered.
Then died.
The refrigerator stopped humming.
The streetlights outside remained on.
Adeline looked toward the hallway.
Only their apartment had lost power.
Her phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
COME DOWNSTAIRS ALONE.
Adeline's stomach dropped.
A second message appeared.
OR THE GIRL COMES WITH US.
She stared at the screen.
Then looked at Posy.
The child was still working on her spelling words.
"Addie?"
Adeline forced herself to remain calm.
"Put on your shoes, sweetheart."
"Why?"
"We're going to Mrs. Dempsey's."
Posy frowned.
"But my homework—"
"Bring it."
Adeline called emergency services and reported the threats.
Then she called Mrs. Dempsey.
The older woman answered immediately.
"Adeline?"
"Someone is threatening us. Can we come to your apartment?"
"Of course."
Adeline grabbed Posy's medication bag.
They moved toward the door.
Then footsteps sounded outside.
Heavy.
Slow.
Someone stopped in front of their apartment.
A shadow appeared beneath the door.
Posy gripped Adeline's hand.
"Who is it?"
Adeline shook her head.
"Quiet."
The doorknob turned.
Once.
Twice.
Then a man's voice spoke.
"Miss Vance. Open the door."
Adeline held Posy close.
"No."
The man sighed.
"We only want to talk."
She didn't answer.
A loud crash came from the hallway.
Then shouting.
"Police! Hands where we can see them!"
Posy screamed.
Adeline dropped to her knees and covered the child's ears.
Minutes later, officers knocked and identified themselves.
They confirmed the immediate hallway was secure before Adeline opened the door.
Two men had been detained.
One carried tools.
The other had a photograph of Posy.
Adeline looked at the picture.
May you like
Then at her sister.
And realized that whatever had happened three years earlier, someone was still willing to threaten an eight-year-old to keep it buried.
