"Foebe Larson,” someone called out as | made my way through the alley leading back home | turned around, surprised to see James.
His face was etched with panic as he breathlessly said, "Run!" | frowned, puzzled by his sudden urgency.
James hurried over, out of breath. "The cops are onto us.” He grabbed my hand, intending to lead me away, my hand dropping a bag of mini donuts all over the ground. "What do you mean...?" | asked James, confused.
"Have you forgotten? The Mister was finding adoption families for those kids, right? Remember the smartest kid got adopted by that guy named Ignatius?" James paused, then smiled at me. "That Ignatius, he's a human trafficker.” | stood frozen, disbelief washing over me. Before | could fully grasp the situation, the sound of police sirens filled the air.
James's expression turned to one of sheer terror, pulling me urgently. "Foebe, we need to run! Now!” Despite my lack of
memory, it was clear to me, James was setting me up.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Why are you doing this to me, James? We never had any bad blood,” | asked, genuinely confused. To me, James always seemed like the kindest and most normal one from our days in the orphanage.
It turns out, appearances can be deceiving.
It seemed like everyone from the orphanage was against me.
With a cold laugh. James whispered in my ear, "It's every man for himself in this world." I looked at him caldly, trying to understand his motive. Was he trying to frame me for a crime? "Someone wants you gone, and they need a plausible reason, like... evading arrest,” James said with a smirk, suddenly pressing a cloth soaked in chloroform over my face.
The overpowering smell hit me, and | couldn't resist; everything went black. | had an idea of what James was planning. He was making me ‘disappear,’ but not before pinning a crime on me.
The police were investigating a series of murders, and my
connection with the second victim would put me under scrutiny.
Hailey handed over the so-called evidence to the police, and when they came to question me, | was nowhere to be found.
Everyone would assume | fled out of guilt.
They had crafted the perfect excuse for my disappearance.
"If she won't cooperate, we'll just have to replace her," | heard Hailey's voice through the haze.
"It was all going smoothly until she started to become unmanageable," Damian's voice followed, sounding frustrated.
‘It's all been ascanged with Melody. If Foebe couldympersona e Phoebe so convince ngly, then Melody won't > have anita p- ups either. Now, wes jus need Foebe's body to be fatind, and then the story of Phoebes: resurrection’ transferring teMelody
will hold,” Damian said sternly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Will anyone believe that?” Hailey sounded skeptical.
"We don't need everyone to believe, just Caleb and'you son, right? You Said you just wanted your son to live, and I've followed your wishes, x Damiatetorted, clearly annoyed.
‘I've.already planted the seedsin beth your son and Caleb's
minds; th@y just need a push.”
Damian had laid the groundwork for Caleb and Dexter to slowly accept Melody as ‘Phoebe Caldwell.’ And for me, death was the only exit.
"Ha, was all this not your grand design?" Hailey spat. "After those two, are our families next on your list?” ‘I've never targeted your family or the Langleyfamily. We're in this N together, don't let anyone drivea <> wedge bt between us,"Damian ~~ responded calmly. "Clearly, thisis soméone's
attempt to create” disord."
Hailey fell silent "Let's get this over with. make it clean,” Damian commanded before leaving with Hailey. Panic seized me as | struggled helplessly in my mind. They were going to kill me. Colin...
For some reason, my thoughts drifted to Colin. Would he come to save me?