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"Comeon," Jake said, opening his door and stepping out into the humid summerair. "Let's take a look."
Fionafollowed him, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. Theheat seemed oppressive, weighing down on her like a heavy blanket. Her throatfelt parched, and she wished she'd brought water. Every step she took towardsthe RV felt heavier than the last as if her feet were sinking into the softearth beneath her.
"Wedon't know for sure if he's here," Jake said quietly, moving to standbeside her. "But we have to be careful, just in case."
"Ofcourse," Fiona agreed, her voice trembling. She took a deep breath andtried to steady herself, drawing on every ounce of courage she could muster.
As theyapproached the RV, the hum of insects filled the air, accompanied by therustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. It was a peaceful scene, one thatbelied the darkness lurking within their hearts. If it weren't for theknowledge of what might lie inside that vehicle, Fiona could almost believethey were simply out for a walk on a beautiful summer day.
"Stayclose," Jake instructed, his eyes scanning the area for any sign ofdanger. "And if you see anything...anything at all, let me know."
"Alright,"Fiona nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of what they might find inside theRV. Each possibility seemed more terrifying than the last, and she couldn'thelp but shudder as they reached the door.
"Ready?"Jake asked, meeting her gaze.
Fionaswallowed hard and nodded. "Let's do this."
Circlingthe RV, Fiona's fingers traced the peeling paint on its rusted exterior as shepeered through the grimy windows, searching for any sign of life inside.Nothing stirred in the dim, shadowy interior; it seemed abandoned, devoid ofany presence. Jake moved to join her, his gaze just as sharp and intent.
"Doesn'tlook like he's here," he murmured, wiping away a layer of dust from thewindow, trying to get a better view. "But we can't be sure."
"Canwe go in?" Fiona asked, her voice barely audible even to herself. The merethought of trespassing into this man's lair made her stomach churn with unease,but she knew they had to take the risk.
"Letme handle this," Jake replied, giving her a reassuring smile before movingtowards the door. With a few swift movements, he managed to pick the lock,pushing it open with a muted creak. "Stay close, okay?"
Fionanodded, swallowing hard against the lump forming in her throat. They steppedinside together, the air inside the RV stale and heavy, thick with the scent ofold sweat and dampness. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to weigh down on hershoulders, making it difficult to breathe, but she fought to steady herself,refusing to give in to the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.
Thecramped living space was cluttered with an assortment of belongings—ahalf-empty beer bottle on the counter, a stack of dog-eared paperbacks piledhaphazardly by the small sofa, and filthy clothes strewn about without care.Fiona shuddered at the thought of touching anything, but she forced herself tofocus, her eyes scanning the space for any clue that might lead them closer toJoslyn.
"Lookthrough everything," Jake instructed quietly, already sifting through astack of papers on the small table. "But remember, we're here to findanswers, not destroy his life."
"Iknow," Fiona replied, her voice tight with barely suppressed anger. Shecould feel the heat of her fury simmering just beneath her skin, threatening toboil over if she didn't keep it in check.
Shebegan to dig through the disarray, trying to ignore the sickening sensation ofviolating someone's personal space. Her hands shook as she opened drawers andcupboards, rifling through their contents. With each new item she uncovered,the reality of what they were doing became more and more tangible—she wassearching for evidence that this man had taken her sister away from herforever.
"Jake,"she whispered, her voice strained as she turned to him, her eyes wide withfear. "What if we don't find anything? What if this is all just a deadend?"
Hepaused in his own search, meeting her gaze with a solemn expression. "Thenwe'll keep looking, Fiona. We won't give up until we've found the truth."
Hiswords brought little comfort, but she clung to them like a lifeline, forcingherself to continue her meticulous search. Time seemed to stretch on endlesslyas they combed through the RV, their silence punctuated only by the occasionalrustle of paper or the sound of objects being moved. And then, finally, whenhope had begun to fade into despair, Fiona discovered something that made herblood run cold.
Fiona'spulse raced as she continued her search, the eerie silence hanging heavy in theair. The RV was a chaotic mess, and she couldn't help but feel that everyobject she touched held secrets and hidden darkness. As she opened the door toa cramped closet, her breath caught in her throat. Inside was a small wickerbasket filled to the brim with an assortment of trinkets and baubles.
"Jake,"she called out, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Heappeared by her side in an instant, his eyes narrowing as he took in thecontents of the basket. "What did you find?"
"Lookat this." Fiona reached into the basket, her fingers trembling as shelifted out a handful of strange mementos. There were earrings, lipsticks, andeven a few strands of hair tied together with ribbon. It was a chillingcollection, one that made her chest tighten with anxiety as she wondered whatit all meant.
"Maybethey're just... souvenirs?" Jake suggested hesitantly, though the doubt inhis voice spoke volumes.
"Ortrophies," Fiona countered, her mind racing with the implications. Sheknew, deep down, that these items belonged to other women—victims, just likeher sister. It was a horrifying thought, and it only fueled her determinationto find the truth.
Fionacarefully sifted through the remaining objects, her heart hammering in herchest. And then, like a bolt of lightning, recognition struck her. Her handclosed around a delicate silver chain adorned with a butterfly pendant. Tearsstung her eyes as memories flooded back—the excited laughter of her sister theChristmas morning she had given her the necklace, Joslyn's genuine delight asshe clasped it around her neck.
"Jake,"she choked out, holding up the necklace for him to see. "This is Joslyn's.I gave it to her the year before she was taken. It was her favorite."
"Jesus,"Jake muttered, his eyes darkening with anger and determination. "Thatbastard has been keeping it all this time."
