Olivia barely heard the bell that dismissed school for the day. Her heart still thudded from her earlier conversation with Mrs. Haven. The librarian had looked so unsure when she handed her the tiny scrap of paper.
"She told me to keep this safe," Mrs. Haven had whispered. "Only give it to you."
It wasn't a letter. Not a diary page. Just a name and a number scribbled in Phoenix's handwriting.
Lyn – 0807 341…
No last name. No message. But Olivia's instincts screamed this matters.
By the time Olivia reached Harper's place, her friends were already waiting: Harper curled up on a beanbag, Savannah pacing, and Peter leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, trying to stay calm.
"She left me a number," Olivia announced as she walked in. "I'm calling it."
Peter sat up. "Now?"
Savannah looked worried. "What if it's dangerous?"
"I don't care." Olivia's voice cracked with emotion. "I need to know."
She stepped outside to make the call, the others watching her from the window. The phone rang twice.
Then someone picked up.
"Hello?" a woman's voice said. Calm, but cautious.
Olivia froze. "Hi… um, my name is Olivia Carter. I think you knew my sister… Phoenix?"
Silence.
Then, the woman answered slowly, "Who gave you this number?"
"She did. Through someone else. Please—did she stay with you?"
More silence.
Then: "I—I can't talk right now. It's not safe. But yes, she—"
"Please!" Olivia said, her voice rising. "Is she okay? Is she still alive?"
"I don't know," the woman said. "But if you're really her sister, you deserve to know the truth. Meet me—"
Click.
The line went dead.
---
Olivia stared at her phone, heart hammering.
Someone knew something.
And they were scared too.
---