Chapter 12 - The Number Behind the Messages
The second video arrived that night. It showed Ethan and Mason arguing over a cardboard tube, a flash, and the fire blooming faster than either boy could understand. Ethan stumbled back, then ran toward the smoke. Daniel reached him and shoved him toward the yard before disappearing inside.
The clip ended there.
Ethan watched it three times, hands pressed over his mouth. "I forgot that part. I ran back. I thought I could get him."
"You were twelve and terrified," Sarah said.
"I still started it."
"Yes. And you tried to help. Neither truth cancels the other."
Sarah called the unknown number. It rang twice before a man's voice went to voicemail, low and controlled. "You know what you need to do. Friday."
She recognized Dean.
"Stop contacting my son," she said after the beep. "If you have evidence, take it to the authorities. You don't get to threaten a teenager into a confession."
A message came back almost immediately: You had three years to do the right thing. Now you have three days.
Sarah took the messages to the police. Officer Patel copied them and told her to preserve every contact. Since Dean had not made a direct physical threat, she could not promise an immediate arrest, but she would warn him to stop. "Keep your son away from him. If he asks Ethan to meet alone, call us."
Ethan didn't look relieved. "Dean thinks he's saving Mason."
"He can love his son and still be doing something wrong."
Ethan picked up Daniel's old birthday card. Inside, his father had written: A mistake is a moment. What you do next is your character.
"I used to think Dad meant never mess up," Ethan said. "Maybe he meant don't hide when you do."
Sarah folded the card carefully. Another message lit the screen.
May you like
If you want the whole truth, come to the old firehouse alone.
This time, Ethan didn't hide the phone. He slid it across the table to his mother.
