Chapter 11

The lights in the hall dimmed slowly.

Every face turned to me. Some are curious. Some are uneasy. Many are confused.

I stepped to the side of the stage, where a technician stood behind a small desk. He nodded once, understanding the silent cue. He pressed a button, and the massive screen behind me lit up. A hum buzzed through the hall.

The first image filled the screen.

I was sitting at the edge of a pool. My face was tired, my eyes distant. The crowd gasped.

Another image. A man in black approaches. The next one, his hand raised. A knife. Then... the stab.

A collective sound of horror filled the room.

Lucy's mouth fell open. Her hands gripped the edge of her seat. Her eyes darted around the hall, like she wanted to disappear.

Daniel leaned forward, his face pale. His jaw clenched. My parents stiffened in their seats like they'd turned to stone.

I turned back to the crowd. The mic in my hand felt heavier now, but my voi