Chapter 4

At the sound, Mom, Charles, and Susan turned, their faces falling when they saw me.

"Wendy, when did you get back?" Mom got up and walked over, her face as gentle as always.

I didn't say a word, my hand gripping my phone so tight my knuckles went pale.

Charles asked, his voice tentative, "Did you hear anything?"

My heart felt clogged up and heavy, aching with every beat.

My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my daze.

I forced myself to shake my head, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I just got here."

Charles let out a…