Buried Secrets: A Deadly Past Resurfaces as a Forgotten Fortune Sparks Revenge and Survival

her childhood now felt like a prison the walls closing in around her. Nathan had been here. In her house. Breathing the same air watching her every move like a predator stalking its prey.
She couldnt stay here. She couldnt trust her instincts anymore.
With shaking hands she dialed Daniel again this time pacing as the phone rang endlessly in her ear. Her frustration mounted until finally on the fifth ring he picked up.
Emily? His voice was rushed breathless.
He was here she blurted out her voice hoarse. Nathan. He came into the house.
There was a pause on the other end of the line and she could almost hear Daniels mind racing. What do you mean he was in the house? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?
Im fine physically she said her voice cracking under the strain of the encounter. But he left me a message Daniel. He said we have two days. He wants something from us and if we dont give it to him hes going to destroy us.
There was silence on the other end and when Daniel finally spoke his voice was low and tight. I think I know what hes after.
Emily stopped in her tracks her breath catching in her throat. What do you mean?
Daniel sighed heavily. When I went out earlier to ask around I found somethingsomething buried in the old archives at the library. Theres a local legend one that ties directly to the cliffs. Its about a hidden fortune that was supposedly left there years ago before the town was founded.
Emily frowned trying to piece together how this had anything to do with Nathan. A fortune?
Yeah. Gold treasure documentsno one really knows for sure. But the legend says that whoever finds it will have power over everything in this town. The kind of power Nathan would kill for.
Emilys stomach twisted. You think Nathan believes in some ancient fortune? That hes after this treasure?
I think its more than just a legend Daniel said his voice tense. And I think Nathan does too. He was obsessed with the cliffs even back then. You remember how he used to talk about them how hed spend hours up there.
Emily did remember. Nathan had always been drawn to the cliffs fascinated by their jagged beauty and by the secrets they might hold. He used to talk about how they were ancient how they hid things that the world had forgotten. But at the time she thought it was just another one of his reckless obsessions a thrill to chase.
Now it seemed like more than that. Much more.
So what do we do? Emily asked panic rising in her chest. We dont know where this fortune isor if it even exists.
Daniels voice softened a flicker of reassurance in his tone. Were going to figure it out. Together. But we cant let Nathan manipulate us. Hes trying to make us afraid trying to push us into doing something stupid.
Emily sat back down on the bed her mind spinning. Hes already done that Daniel. Hes threatening to expose what happened that night. We cant let that happen.
I know Daniel said quietly. I know.
They both fell silent the weight of that night hanging between them like a dark cloud. The memories were raw even after all these years. The panic the shouting the way the world had slipped out from under them when everything went wrong. They had made a pact to never speak of it again to leave Nathans disappearance buried with the truth.
But Nathan hadnt disappeared. He was back and he wanted to finish what they had started.
We need a plan Emily said trying to calm the fear rising in her chest. We cant just wait for him to make the next move.
Daniel hesitated before responding. Theres one place we havent looked yetup on the cliffs near where near where everything happened.
The thought sent a shiver through Emily. The cliffs were the last place she wanted to go but she knew Daniel was right. If there was any chance of finding what Nathan was after it was there.
Meet me at the cliffs tomorrow Daniel said his voice low but determined. Well go together see if we can find anything that ties back to this legendand to Nathan.
Emily nodded though her heart raced at the thought. Okay. Tomorrow.
But as she hung up a cold realization crept into her mind. Nathan was already three steps ahead of them. He had been watching them for years planning this moment. And if he wanted them on the cliffs it wasnt just for the treasure.
It was to finish what he started. 
The fear of what awaited them gripped her but she knew there was no turning back now. If they didnt face Nathan headon the secrets they had kept buried for so long would consume them.
And this time there would be no escape.
The next morning came far too quickly. The sky was overcast and the wind carried a bitter chill as Emily made her way toward the cliffs her stomach in knots. Daniel had insisted they meet at the place where it had all begun where Nathans twisted game had shattered their lives. She felt a heavy sense of dread knowing that whatever awaited them up there was the culmination of everything they had tried to bury.
The cliffs loomed ahead jagged and imposing against the gray sky. Memories of that fateful night came flooding backNathans wild eyes his manic energy as he dragged them into something none of them understood. The storm the shouting and the moment Nathan had fallen disappearing into the darkness below. Emily had thought that was the end. But she had been wrong.
She reached the edge of the cliffs to find Daniel already there pacing anxiously near the spot where it had all happened. He looked up as she approached his face grim his eyes clouded with the same unease she felt.
Are you ready for this? Daniel asked though the question hung in the air like a warning.
Emily nodded though she wasnt sure she