Emily stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at her reflection. The face looking back at her was both familiar and different—an altered version of herself. Her naturally brunette hair was now a pale shade of blonde, a stark contrast to the deep blue of her eyes. It was a change that made her uneasy, but it was necessary.

Only blonde, blue-eyed cheerleaders had gone missing from Willow Creek High, and now, Emily looked the part.

She ran a hand through her freshly dyed hair, still getting used to the lighter color. It was strange seeing herself this way, but she knew it was essential for her plan to work. She had to fit the profile, to become one of the girls who had vanished, so she could find out what happened to them—and to her sister.

There was a soft knock on the bathroom door, and Jake’s voice filtered through. “Em, you almost ready?”

Emily took a deep breath, giving herself one last look in the mirror before she opened the door. Jake stood in the hallway, his expression a mixture of concern and admiration as he took in her new appearance.

“Wow,” he said, his voice low. “You really look the part now.”

Emily gave a small, nervous smile. “That’s the idea. If I’m going to do this, I need to go all in.”

Jake nodded, though the worry in his eyes was still evident. “I just want to make sure you’re ready for this. Once you step into that school as Emma Clarke, there’s no turning back.”

“I know,” Emily replied, her voice steady. “But this is for Ashley. I need to find out what happened to her. And if looking like this helps me do that, then it’s worth it.”

Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I still don’t know how you managed to get all that paperwork done so fast. I mean, a fake identity, transcripts, everything… It’s impressive, but also kind of scary.”

Emily smirked, a hint of her old self shining through. “I have my ways, Jake. Besides, I’ve had help. It’s all legit enough to pass a basic check. They won’t suspect a thing.”

He looked at her, a mix of pride and fear in his eyes. “Just… be careful, alright? I can’t lose you too.”

Emily’s smile softened, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. “You won’t. I promise.”

She stepped past him and headed to her room, where she had laid out the clothes she would wear as Emma Clarke—nothing too flashy, just enough to blend in but still catch the attention of the cheerleaders she needed to infiltrate. She slipped into a pair of jeans and a simple top, completing the look with a pair of sneakers. The transformation was nearly complete.

As she dressed, she thought about the backstory she had crafted for Emma Clarke. Emma was a transfer student from out of state, someone looking to make new friends and join the cheerleading squad. The story was simple enough to be believable, but with just enough mystery to keep people interested. Emily had to be convincing—every detail had to be perfect.

She knew the stakes were high. Only blonde, blue-eyed cheerleaders had gone missing, and now she fit that profile. It was a dangerous game she was playing, but it was the only way to get close to the truth. She would be walking straight into the lion’s den, but she had no choice. Ashley’s life—and the lives of other missing girls—depended on it.

Finally ready, Emily took a deep breath and headed back downstairs. Jake was waiting for her, holding a small silver bracelet with a tiny charm.

“This has a tracker in it,” he said, fastening it around her wrist. “Don’t take it off, no matter what. And remember, you’ve got the earpiece too. I’ll be able to hear everything.”

Emily nodded, the weight of the situation settling in. “I’ll be careful, Jake. I promise.”

He pulled her into a tight hug, holding on a little longer than usual. “For Ashley,” he whispered.

“For Ashley,” Emily echoed, feeling the familiar ache in her chest at the mention of her sister’s name.

With one last look at Jake, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door. As she walked to her car, she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that clung to her. She was about to step into a world of danger, but it was a risk she was willing to take.

She had to. For Ashley.

The drive to Willow Creek High felt like a blur, her mind focused on the task ahead. She had to play her role perfectly, to become Emma Clarke in every sense. As she pulled into the parking lot, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.

This was it. The beginning of her mission to uncover the truth. And with any luck, it would lead her to the answers she desperately needed.

Emily—or rather, Emma—stepped out of the car, her heart racing as she approached the school entrance. There was no turning back now. She was in this, fully and completely.

As she walked through the doors of Willow Creek High, blending into the crowd of students, Emily couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and determination. She was about to step into the unknown, but she knew one thing for certain: she wouldn’t stop until she found out what happened to her sister.

And if that meant becoming someone else, then so be it.