Chapter 5 - The Message
Grace’s father picked her up without asking questions in the parking lot.
David Morgan worked nights repairing hospital equipment. He was tired most days, careful with money, and allergic to drama.
But when Grace got into the truck wearing someone else’s sweatshirt, his hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“What happened?”
“I’m okay.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Grace told him everything.
He listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he stared through the windshield for a long moment.
“Did you start it?”
“No.”
“Did you keep hitting after they stopped?”
“No.”
“Then we deal with facts.”
Grace almost smiled.
That was her father’s answer to almost everything.
Facts first. Anger later.
At home, she changed clothes and put her stained jacket in the sink.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She opened the message.
I HAVE THE VIDEO. DON’T TELL ANYONE.
Another message arrived.
THEY DID THIS TO ME TOO.
Then a photo.
Maya Torres stood in a bathroom mirror with a purple bruise on her shoulder.
Grace sat down hard on the edge of her bed.
A third message appeared.
Brittany and Kayla made me delete my report last month. Ms. Crane was there.
Grace called immediately.
Maya answered in a whisper.
“I can’t talk long.”
“Are you safe?”
“For now.”
“Send the cafeteria video to Officer Reed.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because my mom works for the Vale family.”
Grace closed her eyes.
Maya’s voice shook.
“If Mr. Vale finds out, she loses her job.”
“We can protect you.”
“You don’t understand. They already know I recorded it.”
Grace stood.
“How?”
There was a knock somewhere on Maya’s end of the call.
Maya gasped.
Then the line went dead.
Thirty seconds later, Grace received one final message.
May you like
It wasn’t from Maya.
STOP DIGGING, GRACE.
