When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 25

Sophie's POV

"I'm fine Zach, honestly I just need to rest," I told him.

"Sophie you look like you were run over by a truck," He retorted.

"I'm fine!" I raised my voice slightly.

Zach sighed and walked away.

I grabbed his hand and said, "I didn't mean to yell I am just tired and I don't want to talk to anyone".

"No offense Soph, but you're overly apologetic because I am not mad or anything," Zach replied.

I felt like I was stabbed in my hard.

I huffed.

Zach is honest.

He knows what he means.

"See you tomorrow," I said my voice barely above a whisper.

He kissed my cheeks and repeated my words.

Dorothy's POV

"So what we know is Naylene is looking for a certain type of guy," I said.

Persons of interest

Alex

Layla(Best Friend)

Roy Mendez

Zach Smith

Ethan

"So you're saying it either Zach, Ethan or Roy," Sophie repeated.

"But it could be Alex or Layle because they are equally suspicious," I retorted.

" But what we do know is that she was looking for Lil Ash so it's either Zach, Ethan or Roy because they all look  similar and fit Lil Ash's description," Sophie responded.

"So I know what we can do, "I smirked.

"And what do you suggest?"Sophie raised her voice slightly.

" Follow Layla and get rid of more suspects,"

                            ***

After tailgating Layle we stopped at an old, run-down barn.

The air outside the warehouse felt thick with tension, the kind that settled on your skin like sweat. I leaned against the car, glancing at Sophie.

"I don't like this, Soph," I whispered, my eyes fixed on the barn. "Something feels off."

Sophie nodded, her gaze scanning the surrounding fields. "We need to be careful. We don't know what we're walking into."

Layla's car was parked outside the barn, and the sound of music and laughter drifted through the night air. Sophie and I exchanged a nervous glance before creeping toward the entrance.

As we stepped inside, the music enveloped us, a pulsating beat that seemed to match the racing of my heart. The barn was dimly lit, the only light coming from flickering lanterns that cast eerie shadows on the walls.
.
“Look at this circus,” I said, my eyes narrowing at the scene. “Anyone else think it looks like a bad reality show?”

Sophie chuckled, despite the nerves twisting in her gut. “I half expect an elimination round any second. ‘You’re off the island, and your prize is a one-way ticket to hell.’”

Just then, we spotted Layla, laughing.

My eyes adjusted slowly, and I took in the scene before me.

People were scattered throughout the barn, some dancing, others laughing and chatting. But what caught my attention was the proliferation of Xz and alcohol. People were passing around bottles and pills, their faces flushed with excitement.

Sophie nudged me, her voice barely audible over the music. "Look."

I followed Sophie's gaze to a corner of the barn, where Zach was standing. He was laughing and chatting with a group of people, but he hadn't noticed us yet. We exchanged a wary glance, deciding not to approach him.

Instead, we focused on finding Layla.

As we watched, Sophie's eyes scanned the ground, her gaze landed on something glinting in the dim light. "Dorothy, look."

I followed Sophie's gaze to a knife lying on the ground outside the barn.

It was the same knife that had gone missing from the Millers' kitchen. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the significance.

"What the hell?" I whispered, her eyes locked on the knife. "This is getting weirder by the minute."

Sophie's face was pale. "We need to get out of here. Now."

As we turned to leave, a car came screeching around the corner, its tires squealing in protest. We froze, our hearts pounding in unison.

"Crap!" I screamed, shoving Sophie aside just in time. The car hurtled past them, mere inches from our faces.

Sophie stumbled back, her eyes wide with fear. "What the hell just happened?"

My face was white. "That was no accident. Someone just tried to run us down."

As we stumbled back to the car, the memory of the staged accident that had nearly killed Mom flooded my mind.

We knew we had to get out of there, fast.

"Let's get out of here before we end up as the next headline," I said, my voice shaky but laced with  dark humor.

As we climbed into the car, the weight of the night hung heavy around us.

"What's going on, Soph?" I asked, my eyes scanning the rearview mirror. "First Naylene goes missing, and now this?"

Sophie's face was set in a determined expression. "We'll find out what's going on, Dori. And we'll make sure whoever is responsible pays."

"So what do you think about you... know?" I trailed off.

"You mean Zach?" She raised an eyebrow.

I nodded keeping my face expressionless.

"I don't know we... we fought earlier and I think he's mad but he says he isn't and I don't know seeing him here it's just awkward," Sophie confessed.

I just looked at her sheepishly.

"Wait, wait, wait I just told you all this expecting you to give me advice or something but you just look at me like that," Sophie said trying to hold it in.

"I'm sure he's not mad you'll work it through," I said, chuckling.

I started my car engine and we began to drive away.

We may have escaped this time, but the real danger was still lurking in the shadows.