Chapter 1: The Warning I Almost Ignored
The warning from my neighbor sounded impossible — until I realized my daughter might be keeping a terrifying secret.
I was getting ready to leave my Massachusetts home when Mrs.
Patterson stopped me.
**"RENEE!
I KEEP SEEING MAYA COME HOME DURING SCHOOL HOURS!"**
My daughter Maya was only 13.
She was supposed to be at school.
So I confronted her in our kitchen.
She avoided my eyes and clutched her blue school uniform backpack.
**"Mom, I swear I'm at school every day!"**
I wanted to trust her.
But the fear on her face stayed with me.
The next morning, I watched her leave.
Then I came back.
I parked where nobody could see me.
I unlocked the front door and whispered,
**"I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON."**
I hid beneath Maya's bed.
I stayed perfectly still.
Then the quiet house changed.
The front door opened.
Someone stepped inside.
Heavy boots crossed the wooden floor.
The hallway went silent.
The bedroom door slowly opened.
A mysterious man walked in.
His boots stopped beside me.
He leaned closer toward the bed.
But I still couldn't see his face.
---
Who is this man in Maya's room — and what has she been hiding?
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