CHAPTER 2 — THE KEY
Emily didn’t sleep.
The envelope sat on her kitchen table like it was alive.
At 3:17 AM, she opened it.
Inside: a black iron key… and a note.
“If you’re reading this, I’m either dead… or I made them believe I am.”
Emily’s breath stopped.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
“Who is this?” she whispered.
A man answered:
“Don’t trust the police report.”
“My husband is dead,” she snapped.
A cold laugh.
“That’s what they want you to believe.”
Click.
Engraved on the key:
M.C. — Vault 7
One hour later, Emily stood in an alley.
No sign. No name. Just a door.
She inserted the key.
CLICK.
Unlocked instantly.
Too easily.
Inside: darkness.
Then a voice:
“I was wondering when you’d come.”
Light turned on.
Emily froze.
Michael was there.
Alive.
May you like
Waiting.
“Hi, Em,” he said. “We don’t have much time.”
