20/07/2026
Chapter One
The Last Christmas Eve
The city of Silverhaven was covered in beautiful white snow.
It was Christmas Eve, and the whole city was shining with colorful lights. Houses were decorated with Christmas trees, lanterns, and sparkling decorations. Children played in the snow while families gathered together to celebrate the holiday.
On the edge of the city was Willow Creek Estate, a quiet neighborhood surrounded by forests and hills.
In one of the cozy houses lived the Dawson family.
Inside their warm living room, a large Christmas tree stood near the fireplace. Golden lights wrapped around its branches, and beautiful ornaments hung from every side.
Five-year-old Alisha Dawson stood on a small stool, carefully placing a silver angel ornament on the tree.
"There!" she said happily. "It's perfect!"
Her father, Joshua Dawson, smiled.
"I think you're becoming better at decorating than me."
Alisha grinned.
"That's because I'm five now."
Joshua laughed.
"Oh, of course. Five-year-olds know everything."
Alisha giggled as he lifted her into his arms.
For a few minutes, Joshua forgot about everything else.
He forgot about work.
He forgot about his worries.
He simply enjoyed spending time with his daughter.
His wife, Alison, had gone to visit her friend Joanne Morgan earlier that evening. Joanne's husband, Morgan, had recently returned from a business trip to London.
Alison had promised she would only stay for an hour.
But almost three hours had passed.
Joshua looked at the clock.
7:43 PM.
Snow continued falling outside the windows.
Everything felt peaceful.
Then suddenly, his phone rang.
Joshua looked at the screen.
Unknown Number.
He hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
For a few seconds, there was only silence.
Then a voice spoke.
Cold.
Calm.
Terrifying.
"We're coming."
Joshua froze.
"What?"
"We're coming to your house, Joshua."
The voice sounded strange, almost robotic.
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes."
Joshua's heart started pounding.
"What do you want?"
The caller laughed softly.
A laugh that sent chills down Joshua's spine.
"We want everyone."
Joshua gripped the phone tightly.
"You have the wrong person."
"No," the voice replied.
"We know exactly who you are."
There was a brief pause.
Then the caller said something that made Joshua's blood run cold.
"Tonight, your family dies."
The call ended.
Joshua stood still.
His face turned pale.
His hands shook.
"Daddy?"
Alisha's voice brought him back to reality.
She looked worried.
Joshua forced a smile.
"I'm okay, sweetheart."
But he wasn't okay.
Not at all.
The threat was real.
And he knew exactly who was behind it.
Quickly, he called Morgan.
The phone rang twice before Morgan answered.
"Joshua?"
"Morgan, listen carefully."
Something in Joshua's voice immediately made Morgan serious.
"What happened?"
"Don't let Alison leave your house."
"What?"
"Please. Just keep her there."
Joshua walked to the window and looked outside.
Darkness covered the snowy streets.
"Morgan, do whatever you have to do. Keep her there."
There was a pause.
Then Morgan asked quietly,
"They found you?"
Joshua closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Morgan cursed under his breath.
"When?"
"A few minutes ago."
"I'll keep Alison here."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
Joshua let out a breath.
"Thank you."
He ended the call.
Then he turned to Alisha.
She was holding her favorite stuffed rabbit and watching him closely.
Joshua knelt in front of her.
"Princess."
She tilted her head.
"Why are you crying?"
Joshua quickly wiped his eyes.
"I'm not crying."
"Yes, you are."
Joshua smiled sadly.
She was too smart.
He pulled her into a tight hug.
The tightest hug he had ever given her.
"I love you, Alisha."
"I love you too, Daddy."
"No matter what happens, always remember that."
Alisha looked up at him.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Are you leaving us?"
The question broke his heart.
Joshua gently touched her cheek.
"I will always be with you."
It wasn't really an answer.
But before she could ask more questions, Joshua went to his study.
A minute later, he returned carrying a small blue parcel.
He handed it to her.
"What's this?"
Joshua smiled.
"It's your eighteenth birthday present."
Alisha blinked.
"But I'm only five."
"I know."
"Then why are you giving it to me now?"
Joshua knelt down again.
"Because I need you to keep it safe."
She looked at the parcel.
"You mean like a secret mission?"
Joshua smiled.
"Exactly."
Immediately, Alisha became serious.
Joshua continued.
"You cannot open it until you turn eighteen."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Then Joshua gave her another instruction.
"I need you to go to our secret garden."
Alisha's eyes widened.
"The secret garden?"
Joshua nodded.
Behind their house was a hidden clearing in the forest. In the middle stood a large mango tree. It was their favorite place.
"Under our mango tree," Joshua said, "there's a hole."
Alisha nodded.
"I know."
"Inside is a safe."
Her eyes grew bigger.
"A real safe?"
Joshua smiled.
"A real safe."
"The password is your birthday."
"July fifteenth!"
"Good girl."
Joshua pointed to the parcel.
"Put this inside the safe. Lock it. Cover the hole again."
Alisha nodded.
"Then run straight to Uncle Morgan's house."
The little girl frowned.
"I don't want to go."
"You have to."
"Why?"
Joshua struggled to answer.
For the first time in her life, Alisha saw fear in her father's eyes.
Real fear.
Slowly, tears filled her eyes.
Joshua kissed her forehead.
"I love you more than all the stars in the sky."
Alisha hugged him tightly.
"I love you more than all the Christmas trees in the world."
Joshua laughed through his tears.
It was their special saying.
Then Alisha turned and ran.
Holding the parcel tightly against her chest.
She ran out the back door and disappeared into the snowy night.
Joshua watched until he could no longer see her.
Then he stood alone.
The house suddenly felt very quiet.
The Christmas lights still sparkled.
The fire still burned.
Everything looked normal.
But Joshua knew it wasn't.
The clock showed 7:51 PM.
Only nine minutes left.
Then suddenly—
BANG!
The front door flew open.
A cold wind rushed into the house.
Joshua spun around.
His eyes widened.
Standing in the doorway was Alison.
Snow covered her coat.
She smiled brightly.
"Surprise! I'm home!"
Joshua's face turned white.
"No..."
Alison frowned.
"What?"
Joshua stared at her.
"You weren't supposed to come home."
Far away, beyond the snowy streets of Silverhaven, bright headlights appeared through the storm.
Several vehicles were driving straight toward the Dawson house.
And they were getting closer.
To be continued...
Comment next for the chapter 2
I love you all muah😘😘😘😘😘
