Found Obsession

Chapter 63: Running

Rose resisted the urge to rush forward and hug them. Instead, she turned to her father, her face a mix of confusion and urgency.

“What’s going on? Who are they?” she asked, pretending.

She glanced back at Levi and Margaret, who seemed to understand her reaction. They stood silently, both wrapped in thin blankets as if they’d been taken from somewhere abruptly. Her gaze dropped to Margaret’s ankle, where a delicate silver and white bracelet glimmered. Weren’t those hers?

Two gifts…

Her heart raced. Could this be what the note had referred to, to Margaret and Levi?

The air was thick with tension and silence. Rose’s eyes lingered on Levi, noting how he struggled to stay upright, his face pale and drawn. She suspected the mark was taking its toll on him, yet he fought to stand, as if determined not to show weakness.

“Why don’t we head inside?” she said, her voice steady but with an undertone of concern. She led the way to her house, casting quick glances behind her as her parents, Margaret, and Levi trailed in silence.

Questions churned in her mind. What on earth was happening? Where were Riley, Teresa, and the rest?

Inside, Rose gestured to the seating area. “Please, sit,” she offered, and Levi and Margaret sank gratefully into the couch, clearly relieved. Her father and mother entered, casting curious glances around. The warmth in the room, the faint scent of flowers—she mentally thanked Raven for keeping the place welcoming in her absence.

Awkwardly, Rose sat on the edge of the couch, her back straight, waiting for someone to break the silence. Her father picked up a chair from the table and took a seat across from her, his gaze drifting to a folder on the table—the papers they had given her.

“You didn’t have time to go over it?” he murmured, almost to himself.

“I only just got up today,” Rose replied.

Rose stood up, hoping there was something in the fridge, and was relieved to find some strawberry juice. She poured a glass and offered it to Levi and Margaret, who both accepted.

Returning to her seat, she noticed her mother eyeing the fridge, while Lucas sat silently, looking tense.

"Okay, what's going on?" she demanded, breaking the silence.

Before anyone could react, a sharp, impatient knock sounded at the door.

Rose rushed to open it. "Frank?"

"Rose, we’ve been trying to reach you," he said, concern etched on his face.

"I'm sorry; I left my phone behind," she explained.

Frank glanced at her visitors. "Hi, everyone," he said briefly, then turned back to Rose, visibly anxious. "Turn on the news."

Something in his expression made her move fast. She switched on the TV and raised the volume.

"Golden Knight strikes again. Petrified Bodies discovered," the news anchor announced.

Rose’s face went pale. "Bruce Jones... and the rest," she murmured, feeling the floor tilt under her feet.

List three is finished, whispered that small voice inside her. She swallowed hard, realizing it had been exactly two weeks—the time she'd asked for. He was always several steps ahead, and she reminded herself that he still had another list.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

"That's 20 bodies now," Frank said, voice filled with dread.

More than 20. Rose could hear those people screaming in agony as they burned.