Page 286
She took a shaky breath.
"If you're hearing this..."
"...I'm probably already gone."
Every person in the library stopped breathing.
"Emma..."
"If you're still out there..."
"...I'm sorry."
"I tried to keep my promise."
Rylie closed her eyes.
Sheriff Tate gripped the edge of the table.
Emily continued.
"If anyone finds this..."
"Please don't waste time looking for me."
"Find Emma."
"She's the one who still needs you."
The tape hissed.
Then...
Emily gasped.
A door slammed somewhere in the background.
Her breathing changed.
Fast.
Terrified.
A man's voice echoed in the distance.
Too muffled to understand.
Emily whispered one final sentence.
"He's here..."
The recording ended.
The machine clicked.
Silence filled the library.
No one moved.