Maya froze. “But he's been missing for five months.”

Daniel nodded. “Exactly.”

Her phone buzzed.

A location appeared.

Come alone.

Then another message:

Or I'll send Maya the video.

Maya looked at Daniel.

“What video?”

He didn't answer.

Maya looked at the location on her phone.

Then at Daniel.

“You're not going.” Daniel's voice was firm.

“No.”

“I wasn't asking.”

“Maya, this is dangerous.”

She let out a bitter laugh.

“Everything about your life has been dangerous lately.”

Daniel reached for her hand. “Please. Just stay here.”

She pulled away.

“You’ve spent months deciding what I should and shouldn’t know. I’m done letting you make those decisions.”

Before Daniel could respond, Maya grabbed her bag and left.

The location led her to an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town. She hesitated at the entrance, then stepped inside.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: You’re early.

Maya looked around, tense. “Who’s there?”

A light flickered on.

A man stepped out of the shadows.

Maya recognized him immediately—Daniel’s brother.

He looked exhausted, like he hadn’t slept in days.

“You’re Maya.”

“Yes.”

He held up his phone.

“You want the truth?”

“I’ve been asking for it.”

He nodded.

“Then watch.”

He pressed play.

The video was dark and shaky.

Rain. A road barely visible.

Headlights cutting through the night.

Then Daniel’s voice, sharp with panic.

“Slow down!”

A scream.