"You shouldn't be here, Melissa." The child's voice went deeper and quieter. The change was definitely spooky--and Melissa didn't spook easily.
"What does that mean, Sarah? I don't understand. Why shouldn't I be here?"
Sarah let out a sigh of impatience at Melissa's lack of understanding.
"Because you look like her. The killer will think Brenda came back. Then you'll have to die, too."
The words were spoken as if they were truth, not conjecture.
"Why would you think a thing like that, Sarah?"
"Because it's true. I only tell the truth. My Aunt Rachel says it's bad to lie."
"Well, I agree with you about that," Melissa replied. "But that stuff you said--"
Sarah didn't let her finish.
"Are you her sister?"
"No, I don't have a sister. Nor brother, either, for that matter."
"Well, it sure is weird how much you look like her. I wonder why that is? How could that be if you're not related? I can't figure it out."
"I honestly don't know, Sarah. I agree. It's strange."
Sarah was getting ready to leave.
"You should be afraid of staying here. The killer will come for you, Melissa. You won't know who to trust. It could be anyone. They'll be watching you." She settled on the seat of the bike. "You never should have come here, Melissa. You're in danger."
"You know something about the murders, don't you?" Melissa asked. "What is it that you know, Sarah?"
"It's too late for you now," Sarah announced, and pedaled away.
)
