The dilapidated building was old and worn, with peeling paint and faded lettering on the sign. Char from the fire was visible on the bottom half. The vines were growing up the side, twining around the window frames and curling around the door handles. The building looked abandoned, as if it had been forgotten by the world. The sign that read 'Sunrise Homes' was faded and cracked.

"This place is deserted," Ken muttered.

Nicky nodded. "It's the last place on earth I want to be."

After parking, she stepped out of the car and gazed at the building. The windows were either gone or smashed in, and there was not a soul was in sight. As Nicky and Ken walked across the lot, their footsteps echoed.

But as Nicky made it closer to the building, something off to the side of it gleamed in the moonlight.

The trunk of a car emerged. It was a black sedan.

"Shit," Nicky said. Her heart leapt into her throat. "Ken. Someone's here."

"Jesus," Ken said. "It could be him. Be careful."

Nicky couldn't believe it. All this time, she'd been chasing Meghan Salinger. And now, if she were right, then Meghan was here. This was why she'd become an FBI agent.

I can still save you.

Ken had his gun out as they went up to the car, slowly, checking their surroundings, but there was nothing but the old lot and the trees surrounding it.

But as they got closer to the car, they heard a sound.

A thumping sound.

Nicky's pulse roared.

"Someone's in the trunk."

The thumping got louder. Nicky exchanged a look with Ken before they both hurried up to the vehicle.

Someone screamed something unintelligible from inside.

Meghan. Nicky's chest wouldn't stop thudding. This was it. She'd found Meghan. She'd found her alive.

"Ken, we need to get this thing open," Nicky said.

"I'm on it." Ken went to the driver door, and with his gun, he punched the window. It shattered, echoing through the night. Nicky hovered her sweaty hands over the trunk of the car, waiting for Ken to pop the trunk.

He did it.

And they were in.

A woman was inside of the trunk, bound and gagged. Redhead. This had to be Meghan. Her eyes watered at the sight of them, and when Nicky reached out to her, the woman broke into sobs. Nicky removed the gag.

Only to see that this wasn't Meghan at all. This was the new girl, Lauren Klein.

"Oh, God, help me!" Lauren cried.

"It's okay. It's okay." Nicky whispered to her. "We're here to help you."

Nicky didnt mean to seem disappointedshe was glad Lauren was okay, but if Meghan wasnt in the car, then Nicky feared that what shed been most afraid of was coming true.

She feared that Meghan was already dead

Lauren's eyes widened. "That crazy bastard, he--"

"Was there another woman with him? Nicky asked desperately. Was she with you?