Briefnow

Chapter 1: The Door Wouldn’t Open

Smoke clawed at Amelia’s throat as she pounded on the bedroom door with both fists.

“Mom! Jessica, please open the door!”

The orange glow beneath the door grew brighter.

Outside, she heard footsteps, then Jessica’s cold voice.

“Let her burn.”

Amelia froze. Her own stepmother and stepsister were standing on the other side of the door while the house filled with smoke.

Her knees gave out. She slid to the floor, coughing violently, tears streaming down her face.

Then she saw it—a brown suede shoe hidden beneath the bed.

Inside was a black cell phone.

Her father’s emergency phone.

The one he’d hidden years ago “in case something ever happened.”

With trembling fingers, she powered it on.

One voicemail notification appeared.

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FROM: DAD

If you’re hearing this, don’t trust Margaret.

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