THE MAN WHO NEVER KNOCKED

Chapter Four

I stared at the photograph in my hands, trying to understand why someone would go to such lengths to frighten me. Daniel stood beside Claire in the picture. They looked happy, almost carefree. His arm rested around her shoulders while Claire smiled at the camera. It was difficult to believe that the cheerful young woman in the photograph had disappeared without a trace three years ago. But it was the message written beneath the photograph that disturbed me most. THE WRONG PERSON IS ASKING THE QUESTIONS. I read it again before looking up at Daniel Who sent this Daniel took the photograph from me and examined it carefully i don’t know That’s becoming your favourite answer He raised his eyes towards me Amara I understand that you’re frustrated but I need you to be careful Careful Daniel someone is sending me photographs, leaving strange messages outside my apartment, and threatening me. I think I deserve to know what’s happening He remained silent for a moment. Then he walked towards the window and looked outside. “Have you noticed anyone following you recently I folded my arms Why don’t you tell me what you know first Daniel turned around Three years ago, my sister Claire disappeared. At first everyone believed she had run away. My mother insisted that Claire had probably left because she wanted a different life. The police searched for her, questioned her friends, and investigated the places she used to visit. But nothing came out of it And you never stopped looking for her No His answer was quiet, but there was something painful beneath it. I studied his face. For the first time since meeting him I noticed how tired he looked. The mysterious expression he always wore seemed to disappear whenever he spoke about his sister Why do you think I’m connected to her disappearance I asked Daniel hesitated Because you were the last person she contacted before she disappeared I shook my head I don’t remember that You may not remember everything Amara but Claire knew you I looked away trying to search my memory for anything that could explain his words There was a time in my life when I had been surrounded by people I trusted. Ethan was part of that life. We had shared conversations memories, and promises. I had believed he was someone I could depend on. But our relationship ended badly and I had done everything possible to forget him. Now his name was appearing in a mystery I never wanted to be part of Daniel I need you to tell me something Did you know Ethan was my boyfriend His expression changed Yes I felt my chest tighten. “How long have you known Before you moved into this building I stared at him in disbelief so you knew who I was before we met I knew your name I knew you had once been close to Claire But I didn’t know whether you remembered what happened I laughed bitterly. “You watched me move into this apartment, didn’t you Daniel did not answer immediately Yes I stepped backwards. “That’s unbelievable You knew exactly who I was and you allowed me to think our meeting was accidental Amara  I didn’t want to frighten you Well you have succeeded I picked up my handbag from the chair. “Please don’t follow me Amara wait But I was already walking towards the door Just before I opened it, Daniel spoke again There’s something else you need to know I stopped without turning around Claire was afraid of Ethan My fingers tightened around the door handle. “What did you just say She told me she had discovered something about him. Something she believed could destroy several people’s lives I slowly turned to face him. “What exactly did she discover Daniel shook his head. “She never told me the whole story. All she said was that she had evidence and she needed your help 

I felt a strange sensation in my stomach. For a moment, the room seemed unusually quiet. Then a memory flashed through my mind. A woman standing beneath a streetlight. Rain falling heavily around us. Someone holding my hand and whispering urgently. Promise me you won’t let them find it I blinked, and the memory disappeared Amara Daniel’s voice brought me back to the present. I looked at him confused i think I remember something He immediately moved closer. “What do you remember I’m not sure It was raining There was a woman, and she was asking me to keep something safe Daniel’s expression became serious Was it Claire I couldn’t see her face clearly He reached for the photograph again Think carefully. Anything you remember could help us I shook my head I need some time 

Daniel nodded, although I could tell he wanted me to say more. I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. As I walked towards my apartment, I noticed something lying on the floor near my doorstep. It was a small silver key. I stopped and looked around. The hallway was empty. I bent down and picked it up. There was a tiny crescent moon engraved on its surface. My heart began to beat faster. I had seen that symbol before. It was the same symbol that appeared on Claire’s handwritten note I turned towards Daniel’s apartment. He was standing in his doorway watching me Where did you get that he asked I found it here He walked towards me and examined the key For the first time I saw genuine fear in his eyes Amara you need to come inside Why He looked towards the staircase before lowering his voice Because I think someone has been inside your apartment My blood ran cold What are you talking about Daniel pointed towards my door. The lock was slightly damaged and there were faint scratches around the handle. I had locked that door before leaving. Someone had tried to enter Daniel reached for his phone Stay behind me I wanted to argue but the fear in his voice stopped me He slowly opened my apartment door and stepped inside. I followed him cautiously looking around the living room. Everything appeared normal at first. My handbag was where I had left it. The curtains were closed and the furniture had not been moved. Then I noticed the photograph on the table. It was the same picture Daniel had shown me earlier except this time someone had written something across Claire’s face. YOU SHOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN HER.

I covered my mouth. Daniel took the photograph and stared at it Whoever is doing this knows we’re getting closer he said I looked at him, my voice barely above a whisper Daniel what if Claire is still alive He turned towards me For a few seconds, neither of us spoke Then he answered That’s the question I’ve been asking myself for three years My phone suddenly vibrated. An unknown number appeared on the screen. I opened the message. Ask Daniel what happened the night Claire disappeared. He hasn’t told you everything I slowly lowered my phone. Daniel noticed my expression What is it I looked directly into his eyes What happened the night Claire disappeared His face became unreadable Amara not everything is as simple as it looks Then make it simple. Tell me the truth He looked down at the photograph in his hand. When he finally spoke, his voice was differentBecause I was the last person who saw my sister alive I stared at him. Suddenly, I understood that the mystery surrounding Claire was much bigger than I had imagined. And Daniel Hayes, the man living in apartment 408, might be hiding the most important part of it. For the first time, I wondered whether trusting him was the biggest mistake I had made since moving to Brookhaven.