Page 21 of A Sister's Secret

He handed her purse to her, and she pulled it out and then opened an app.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Getting my magnifying app. I think I might see something….” She used her phone to magnify a part of the photo, then gasped. “I see it. I can see a person!”

“What? How?” Oliver asked.

“In the pupil of her eyes. There’s a reflection of the person taking the photo.”

“Let me see,” Oliver said.

She showed him, and he let out a light gasp. “I know who that is.”

She nodded. “I do, too. And it’s terrifying me. Show me the old picture again, the one from ten years ago.”

He pulled it out of his pocket, and she used the magnifying app again, then let out a small shriek. “It’s the same person.”

A branch snapped, the sound sharp and deliberate in the quietude of the surrounding forest. Instantly, Lisa's heart leaped into her throat, her phone slipping from numb fingers as she locked eyes with Oliver. Fear flickered there, a reflection of her own alarm.

"Did you hear that?" she hissed, her ears straining for more sounds, her body tensing for flight or fight.

Oliver nodded, silent, his protective instincts flaring to life as he moved toward the window, peering into the encroaching dusk. There was no mistaking the feeling that washed over them—the oppressive sense that the mountain held more than just echoes of the past—it may also harbor the eyes of the present, watching and waiting.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," he murmured, though his posture spoke of readiness—of a man who would face whatever threat loomed just beyond their makeshift sanctuary.

Lisa took both photos and put them in her pocket. These puzzle pieces were too precious to leave behind, keys to unlocking the web of secrets that entangled Michelle's disappearance. With one last glance around the cabin, a haven of clues now turned precarious, they steeled themselves for what lay beyond the wooden walls.

Together, they edged toward the back door, the thrill of the hunt now overshadowed by the chilling realization that in seeking the truth, they may have exposed themselves to dangers untold.

The crunch of boots on forest litter seemed unnaturally loud as Lisa and Oliver, laden with the weight of discovery, moved swiftly away from the cabin, leaving out the backdoor. Each rustling leaf and snapping twig sent shivers down Lisa's spine, a constant reminder that they might not be alone in the impenetrable woods that cloaked the mountainside.

"Keep going," Oliver whispered, his voice barely audible above the pounding of their hearts and the rush of the wind through the trees. Their hands clasped tightly were an unspoken pact of protection and solidarity. The evidence inside Lisa's jeans pocket felt like both a treasure and a target, the Polaroid pictures a mosaic of Michelle's lost years.

They emerged into the clearing where their truck waited like a loyal steed, moonlight glinting off its hood. The familiar sight was a balm to their jangled nerves. They wasted no time climbing inside, the door thuds echoing finality and urgency.

The engine roared to life as Oliver turned the key in the ignition, punctuating their escape. They drove in silence, the only sounds being gravel crunching beneath tires and the rapid breathing that filled the vehicle's cabin. In the passenger seat, Lisa's mind raced as fast as they were retreating, piecing together the new information with the old.

The warm glow of streetlights welcomed them back to civilization, and for a moment, Lisa allowed herself to relax. But the thread of unease remained, tugging at her conscience. She glanced over at Oliver, noting the set of his jaw, the way his hands gripped the steering wheel—signals of a resolve tempered by fear.

"Thank you for coming with me today," she said softly, breaking the silence. Her words were more than gratitude; they were an acknowledgment of their shared journey, both physical and emotional.

Oliver gave her a tight smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, which were still shadowed with thoughts of what might lurk in the mountains. "This was important to me."

As they pulled up to Maggie's house, the comforting sight of the cozy dwelling offered a promise of safety and normalcy. Yet, Lisa's heart ached with the knowledge that she could not fully share in this refuge. Trust was a fortress she'd built around her children, and though Oliver's sobriety was a beacon of hope, it was also a fragile flame easily extinguished by the winds of past demons.

"Are you sure you won't come home?" Oliver asked, his voice laced with concern and the faintest trace of hurt.

Lisa reached over, squeezing his hand and finding strength in the touch. "I need to be with the kids tonight. And Maggie… she understands. We'll figure this out together, I promise. Small steps."

He nodded, accepting her decision, recognizing the silent battles she fought within the walls of her heart. They parted with a lingering look that spoke volumes—their connection transcending words, the quest for truth binding them tighter than ever.

Inside, the laughter and warmth of family enveloped Lisa as she embraced Ethan, Abigail, Julia, and Daniel. Their innocent faces were a reminder of all that was at stake. Maggie welcomed her with open arms, a steady rock in the turbulent sea of uncertainty.

"Everything okay?" Maggie asked, her eyes searching Lisa's.

"Getting there," Lisa replied with a small, hopeful smile. "We're getting there."

With the children tucked in bed and the house quiet around them, Lisa sat at the kitchen table with Maggie, poring over the evidence once again, each clue a step closer to unraveling the mystery. Outside, the night held its breath, and inside, two women stood guard over a family, ready to face whatever the dawn might bring.

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