Secrets beneath the Surface

's

thinking about what happened last night. The noises at the door and the figure I saw on the street felt

side, it didn't ease my anxiety. I went to the kitchen, trying to distract myself by making coffee. As I waited for it to

oping it was Tom with news, but it was just a text from Samantha, saying

d I wasn't going to find them by staying in my apartment. I decided to go back to the community

by the front door, remembering the noises from last night. I took a deep breath, grabbed my keys, and

busy with people, seemed strangely quiet. I kept glancing over my shoulder, h

nerves. The building looked the same as always, but now I knew better. Something

plies hit me, along with the sound of people talking. Everything seemed normal, but

one of the regular volunteers. She was a few years older than me, always frie

id, forcing a smile

ake? No, I haven't seen him today

say. "Yeah, I just wanted to ask

't been around much lately, has he? I noticed he's not be

t sit right with me. "Did he say an

imself." Sarah leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Between you and me,

atching my own thoughts

iding something. But you know ho

racing. If even the other volunteers were suspici

ke wasn't here, maybe I could find something in his records that would give me a clu

h the day's activities. I slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind me. M

r records, sign-in sheets, and old event lists, but nothing directly connected to him. I was getting fru

basic volunteer registration form, with barely any details filled out. No last name, no emergency co

fingers trembled as I debated whether to open it. I knew I was crossing a line

stern expression. He was dressed in a military uniform, and something about him

office. Panic surged through me, and I quickly put the photo and form b

er's director. He looked surprised t

Mr. Collins! I was just looking for some extr

e questions. "They should be in the top draw

a few sheets from the top drawe

ill shaking as I tucked the sign-up sheets under my arm and walked back to the main area. Th

ore I found out, the more questions I had. But one thing was clear-Jake wasn't just some guy volunteering

watching me again. I glanced around, but nothing seemed out of place.

apartment, and I quickly checked

your guy. Call me

couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get even more

elieve this," Tom said as he

ged, gripping th

d to know about Jake. And i