()27 years ago an entire class vanished, until a desperate mother noticed a crucial detail…

No, no, no, the Principal said I’d only hurt everyone, dozens of families. Shock coursed through Laura at the mention of Principal Lillian. Lillian Brooks knew you were alive all this time and she discouraged you? Laura could hardly believe it.

Why would she do that? I trusted her, Audrey confessed, her voice cracking. She was the only one who understood my pain. Laura felt a surge of emotion.

Audrey, pain is living in the unknown and we’re all already in pain, it couldn’t get any worse than this. She added, but you testimony, it could help us. You would be saving us all, providing us closure by revealing the truth.

Audrey looked up, her eyes searching Laura’s for sincerity. Really? Laura nodded fervently, her heart aching for both the women’s lost children. Yes, you’d be helping the victim’s family, please, Audrey.

After a prolonged silence, the impact of Laura’s words started to sink in. With shaking hands, Audrey took a deep breath and reached for her phone. I think you’re right.

I’ve wrestled with this decision for a long time, but Lillian always discouraged me and I believed she had her reasons. But seeing you here now, I’ll call the police, she said, her voice gaining strength. As they waited for the officer to arrive, Laura’s mind raced, desperation clawed at her throat.

Audrey, please, do you know where my daughter Rory is? Audrey’s expression shifted to one of sadness. She nodded slowly, her gaze heavy with unspoken sorrow. What do you mean? Laura pressed, her heart pounding in her chest.

Where is she? Just then Helen and Matthew approached, their eyes scanning the area for Laura. The tension thickened as Audrey’s fear intensified, the realisation that another victim’s family was near, filling her with dread. Laura, what’s going on? Helen asked, looking between her friend and the stranger.

Who is this? Laura took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Helen, Matthew, this is Audrey Whitman. She—she was on the bus that day.

She’s alive. Just as Audrey opened her mouth to respond, the distant wail of police sirens pierced the air. The sound seemed to freeze the moment, and Audrey instinctively flinched, her instincts urging her to flee.

But Laura’s voice broke through the chaos. Audrey, if you love Rory and Sally, you owe it to them to tell the truth, she called, her tone firm yet compassionate. Audrey paused, her feet rooted in place as she turned to face Laura, Helen and Matthew.

She saw the confusion etched on their faces, and the desperation in Laura’s eyes which felt like a lifeline amidst her turmoil. OK, Audrey finally said, her voice trembling but resolute, I’ll talk but only at the station. Just then two police officers arrived, their presence adding an air of urgency to the scene.

They approached Audrey, confirming if she was the one who had called. What’s your name? one of the officers asked. Audrey Calloway.

I’m one of the survivors of the missing children from twenty-seven years ago, she stated, her voice growing steadier as she spoke the words that had been trapped inside her for so long. The officers exchanged glances before one of them radioed the station, requesting a system check on her name. While they waited for confirmation, the officers turned to the small group gathered in the cemetery.

We need everyone to come with us to the station, we can’t have any disturbances here, one officer said firmly. Audrey nodded, her face pale but determined, and she followed the officers to their squad car. Laura walked alongside Helen and Matthew as they made their way to their own car, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Once inside Laura couldn’t hold back. You won’t believe what just happened, she began, her voice shaking with disbelief. She recounted everything to Helen and Matthew, the revelation about Audrey, the principal’s knowledge of a survivor, and how it all felt like a sinister puzzle with missing pieces.

Matthew frowned, furrowing his brow. This is all so strange, why would the principal keep something like that from us? I don’t know, Laura admitted, but it feels like there’s something deeper at play. Whatever truth Audrey holds, it must be significant enough that it could put Lillian in danger.

As they arrived at the police station, the trio stepped inside, the atmosphere tense with uncertainty. Laura spotted Officer Jensen, the same officer she had tried to reach before. He looked up from his paperwork and immediately approached them…