need you to come quick. Kevin’s truck is out here and he doesn’t appear to be in it.”
“Now, calm down, Dani. Where are you?”
“I don’t really know exactly where we are, but I think there was a sign that said three miles to Holden Ridge. We’re on Edgemount Road. Please hurry and bring backup. Something doesn’t feel right,” I explain, knowing full well something isn’t right. I need my dad to see this in hopes that he might believe what I’ve been saying is true.
“I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for this. I’ll be there soon, okay?” he replies calmly, which only succeeds in frustrating me more.
“Dad, I know there’s something wrong here. Just hurry, please.”
I hear him sigh into the receiver. “I’ll be there soon.”
Hanging up the phone, I stare at the abandoned vehicle in front of me. “He says he’ll be here soon,” I murmur, not taking my eyes from the truck.
“Oh, thank God.” I look over and see Alex making the gesture of the cross on herself. It looks like both of us have had a spiritual moment tonight. “Now, we just wait this out until the sheriff gets here, and—”She stops talking when she hears my car door unlock. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“You don’t understand. I have to check the front of the truck. The last time I ignored a message from Unknown, it didn’t end well,” I respond and pull on the door handle.
“Have you ever thought that’s what he wants you to do? And don’t think you’re leaving me in here by myself,” she argues, grabbing my arm.
“Alex, just stay in the car. I’ll be right back. I’m tired of running from this fucker.”
“Well, then I’m coming with you. Two’s better than one, right?” she asks, and I can tell she’s just as scared as I am—maybe even more so.
We open our doors at the same time and cautiously exit the car. The darkness is thick around us, even with my lights on high beam. I can make out Alex’s face over the roof as we exchange worried glances before moving toward the truck. Once she reaches the space between the vehicles, she bolts across in front of the headlights in order to cling to my arm. Her heart is beating so quickly, I feel it through her hands.
Apprehension really sets in when we move toward the driver’s side door. I reach out to grab the handle and push in the button with my thumb, causing the door to pop unlocked. The slightly rusty door creaks open when I slowly pull back, causing us both to wince at what we might find inside. We’re on a slope, so when I let go of the door, it practically falls open.
Together, we peer into the front seat and find that it’s empty. I groan. Unknown’s just screwing with me. I hate this guy with every ounce of my being.
“Okay, so there’s nothing there. Can we go back into the car, please?” Alex asks, pulling on the sleeve of my sheriff’s jacket.
The instant I’m about to reply, my phone vibrates. Checking it, I see that my dad is calling me.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“I’m on my way. I’m about five minutes out.”
“Good. See you soon, and please hurry.”
When I hang up the phone, I see Alex standing by the bed of the truck with her back to me, but she isn’t moving. I notice the light from her phone is on and she seems highly concentrated on what she’s looking at.
“Alex?”
“Dani,” she responds, seeming like she’s in a daze. “I think there’s blood on this truck.”
I take a few steps toward her and see that it’s her hand she’s studying so closely. The deep red color on her palm and fingers reflects in the bright light from her phone. My wide eyes meet hers when she stares up at me. Her frightened look turns to one of disgust as she wipes her hand along the truck in an attempt to get the blood off.
The vibration in my pocket has me drawing out my phone again.
“It’s a message from Unknown,” I blurt out.
“What does it say?” she asks, her voice quivering from fear.
“It says: ‘Check inside the truck’s bed.’”
“That’s it. I’m done playing around, Dani. I am way too fucking drunk for this, and I think we’ve made a huge mistake. I’ve got blood on my hands, and I’m about to lose my shit,” she says, her voice rising on every word.
I move closer to the