Chapter 2

Liam had insisted on driving her.

"I don't like this," he said, killing the engine. The car sighed into silence. "She shows up at the deli, pulls out a matching note, and suddenly you're supposed to meet her alone before work?"

"She's scared too, Liam." Terra gripped the note in her pocket. She could feel the sharp edges where the paper had been folded and refolded. "Maybe someone's targeting both of us."

"Or maybe she wrote both notes."

Terra hadn't considered that. The thought settled cold in her stomach.

"Stay in the car," she said. "I'll be quick."

Liam grabbed her arm. "No way. I'm coming with you."

Before she could argue, headlights swept across the lot. A blue sedan pulled into the space beside them. Kayleigh stepped out, her red hair pulled back, dark circles under her eyes.

She looked at Liam, then at Terra. "I said alone."

"He's my best friend. He stays."

Kayleigh's jaw tightened. For a moment, Terra saw something flicker behind her eyes—something that didn't match the friendly librarian from yesterday. But then it vanished, replaced by a tired smile.

"Fine. But we talk fast." She led them toward the library's back entrance, keys already in hand. "The note I found—it's not the first one."

Terra stopped walking. "What?"

"Someone's been leaving them for weeks. In my bag. On my desk. My locker." Kayleigh unlocked the door, holding it open. "They all say the same thing. That I'm not who people think. That I should watch my back."

"Did you tell anyone?" Liam asked.

"Who would I tell? The police? 'Someone left me a mean note'? They'd laugh me out of the station."

They stepped inside. The library was dim, empty, the air still and cool. Terra's footsteps echoed on the polished floor.

Kayleigh led them past the circulation desk, through the stacks, to a small office near the back. She closed the door behind them.

"I think it's someone who works here," she said, voice low. "Someone who knows our schedules. Our lockers."

"Any idea who?" Terra asked.

Kayleigh hesitated. She looked at Liam, then back at Terra. "I have a theory. But you're not going to like it."

"Try me."

"The previous assistant director. He was fired six months ago for stealing from the donations fund. He blamed everyone. Swore he'd get even."

Liam crossed his arms. "So why leave notes for Terra? She just started."

"Maybe he's watching. Maybe he saw her talking to me and decided to scare her off before she became a threat."

Terra's mind raced. It made a kind of sense. Barely.

"What's his name?" she asked.

Kayleigh opened her mouth to answer—

The lights went out.

Complete darkness. Terra heard Liam curse, heard Kayleigh gasp.

"Stay still," Liam whispered. "Don't move."

Footsteps. Soft. Deliberate. Coming from somewhere in the stacks.

Terra's heart hammered. She reached out, found Liam's arm, gripped it tight.

"We need to get out," she breathed.

"Back door," Kayleigh said, her voice trembling. "Follow me."

They moved in a line, hands on each other's shoulders. Terra could smell dust and old paper. The footsteps grew louder.

Then the emergency lights kicked on. Dim, orange, casting long shadows.

A figure stood at the end of the aisle. Tall. Hooded. Face hidden.

It raised an arm. Something glinted in the light.

"Run!" Liam shouted.

He shoved Terra toward the exit. She stumbled, caught herself, looked back.

Liam was facing the figure. His hands were up. "Back off!"

The figure lunged.

Terra saw the blade catch the light, saw it arc down, saw Liam fall.

A sound came out of her. Not a scream. Something worse. A raw, animal noise that tore her throat.

Kayleigh grabbed her arm. "We have to go!"

"Liam!"

"He's gone! Move!"

Terra couldn't breathe. Her feet moved without her permission. Through the back door, into the parking lot, the cold air hitting her face.

Kayleigh pulled her toward the sedan. "Get in!"

"No—Liam—"

"He's dead, Terra! That thing killed him! We have to get help!"

Terra's legs gave out. She hit the asphalt, hands scraping against the rough surface. Kayleigh was still pulling, still yelling, but the words were muffled, distant.

The library doors burst open.

The figure stepped out. Hood still up. Blade still in hand.

Kayleigh screamed. She let go of Terra and ran for her car.

Terra couldn't move. She watched the figure walk toward her, slow, deliberate.

It stopped three feet away.

A voice, low and raspy. "She's not who you think she is."

Then the figure turned and disappeared into the night.

Terra lay on the cold asphalt, staring at the sky, the words echoing in her head.

The figure had said "she."

Not Kayleigh. Not Terra.

Someone else.

The library was dark. Liam was dead. Kayleigh was gone.

And Terra was alone.

She forced herself to stand, legs shaking. Her phone was still in her pocket. She pulled it out, dialed 911.

"What's your emergency?"

"I—" Her voice cracked. "There's been a—at the library. Crestwood Public Library. My friend—he's—"

"Ma'am, is the attacker still there?"

"I don't know. I don't—"

Sirens in the distance. Growing louder.

Terra sank to her knees. The note was still in her pocket. She pulled it out, read it one more time.

Don't trust everything she tells you.

She looked at the library. At the dark windows. At the place where Liam had fallen.

Who was "she"?

And what had she walked into?