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"The house."

"The fog."

"And him."

I don't answer. Because there isn't one. Outside, Rhett circles toward the side yard. His flashlight briefly disappears behind a hedge. Then reappears.

He checks every window. Every gate. Every shadow. Methodical.

The tapping has stopped. Which somehow feels worse.

Outside, Rhett is walking back toward the porch. He must see something on my face because he picks up his pace.

By the time he reaches the front steps, I'm already opening the door. He looks from me to Sayer.

"What happened?"

"We’re just spooked, that’s what happened."

His face is grim as he enters

"Same."

He nods once.

"But you’re still not panicking. Which is impressive."

"Yeah, well. Don’t be too impressed. The lambs are screaming on the inside."

I see a hint of a smirk fly across Rhett’s face before it disappears.

I blink. For a second, I'm speechless. After all these years…

He still remembers how my mind works enough to be amused. I’m not sure whether to be comforted or furious. Probably both.

Rhett walks to the front window and studies the yard again.

"Whatever’s doing this wants you afraid."

"They succeeded."

"No."

He turns to face me.

"They wanted you to stop asking questions."

I think about the words on the security monitor.

STOP LOOKING.

Then the carving upstairs.

YOU REMEMBER NOW.

Different messages. Same purpose. Control.

Someone—or something—doesn't want the truth uncovered.