Chapter 5 — The List - by Damiwrites

I stared at the paper. For several seconds, I couldn't breathe. “Mara,” I whispered. Adrian didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the names. “Why is my name on it?” He looked at me. “Because someone put it there.” “That doesn't answer my question.” “I know.” I held the paper tighter. “Then answer it.” He ran a hand through his hair. For the first time since I'd met him, Adrian looked like he didn't know what to say. “Where did you get this?” “I didn't.” “Then who did?” “I told you. The people looking for you.” “Who are they?” His silence was answer enough. “You know them.” “No.” “You're lying.” His eyes snapped to mine. “You don't know what you're talking about.” “Then tell me I'm wrong.” He didn't. I felt something inside me shift. Fear became anger. “You knew.” Adrian's expression hardened. “You knew someone was watching me.” “Yes.” “You knew about Mara.” “Yes.” “And you still came into my life?” His jaw tightened. “I didn't know who you were at first.” I froze. “What does that mean?” He looked away. “Adrian.” He sighed. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were someone else.” “Who?” “Mara.” My heart dropped. “You thought I was Mara?” “No.” He looked at me again. “You looked like her.” The room suddenly felt colder. I looked down at the photograph on my phone. Same woman. Same eyes. Same face. Almost. “That's why you kept staring at me.” “Yes.” “That's why you called me Mara.” His expression changed. “That was a mistake.” “A mistake?” “I was tired. You were standing in the same place she used to stand.” I swallowed. “What happened to her, Adrian?” He didn't answer. “What happened to Mara?” His eyes lowered. “I tried to save her.” “And?” “I was too late.” The words were quiet. Almost emotionless. But something about the way he said them made my chest hurt. “What did you do?” “I found her after she disappeared.” My stomach twisted. “Alive?” He nodded. “Where?” “I can't tell you.” “Why?” “Because the moment you know, you're involved.” I laughed bitterly. “I think we're past that.” He stepped closer. “You don't understand.” “No. You don't understand.” I held up the paper. “My name is on a death list.” His eyes darkened. “It isn't a death list.” I stared at him. “Then what is it?” He took the paper from my hand. “The people on this list aren't necessarily dead.” I looked at him. “Mara is.” He shook his head. “No.” My blood ran cold. “What?” “Mara is not dead.” I couldn't speak. Adrian folded the paper and put it back into his pocket. “The article was a lie.” “Then where is she?” He looked toward the window. “Somewhere they can't find her.” “And you know where?” “Yes.” “Does she know about me?” His silence returned. “Adrian.” “Yes.” My heart began pounding. “How?” “Because I told her.” “Why would you tell her?” “Because she asked me to watch over you.” I stared at him. “Mara asked you to watch me?” He nodded. “Before she disappeared.” Everything suddenly felt connected. The photograph. The warnings. Adrian. The list. Me. But there was still one question. “Why me?” Adrian looked at me for a long moment. Then he said something that made my blood run cold. “Because you have something she wanted them to never find.” “What?” He reached into his coat and pulled out his phone. He opened a photograph. It was old. A little girl stood beside Mara. I stared at the screen. The girl looked familiar. Too familiar. “That's…” My voice disappeared. Adrian watched my face. “You know her?” I nodded slowly. “That girl…” I looked up at him. “That's me.” Neither of us spoke. Then my phone buzzed. One new message. Unknown number. Now you know why she chose you. Another message appeared. Ask Adrian what happened to your mother. I looked at him. His face had gone pale. And for the first time… Adrian looked genuinely afraid of what I might remember.

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