In 1990, their daughter went missing during her prom night, and after 22 years, her father discovered an ancient yearbook that left him in shock upon spotting something astonishing inside. …

On one photo, the same phrase repeated dozens of times, filling the entire back. «You should still love me. You should still love me…

You should still love me.» On another, it read «Had a great time on the cliffs with you. Yours, Sam.»

The most disturbing was the inscription on the back of a photo where Mary’s face showed clear fear. Here, Samuel had written a long note about how he couldn’t hold on anymore, that people were looking for Mary, and that she, using profanity, refused to talk to him. The note ended with an apology for having to kill her, because otherwise she’d be found and he’d be caught, adding that she’d always be in his heart, even if no one knew about their relationship.

«We’ll need to question Samuel about the details of how he killed Mary,» the detective said quietly to another officer. An officer searching the vicinity approached with a grim report. «Detective, we’ve found something,» he said, his voice somber. «About five meters from here, there’s a patch where the soil composition differs.

We did a preliminary dig and found bone fragments.» John’s legs buckled, and he sank to the ground. After 22 years of uncertainty and false hopes, the horrific truth was finally emerging.

The forensics team expanded the search, carefully digging at the indicated spot. As the day wore on into evening, they uncovered more of Mary’s remains. The detective approached John, who watched the excavation in silence.

«John, do you want us to call your wife?» «She needs to know about this.» John nodded, numb. «Yes, and please contact Olivia Kowalski too.

She was Mary’s best friend. She deserves to know.» While waiting for Nancy and Liv, the detective suggested John wait at the station, but he refused.

«No, I need to stay here,» he said firmly. «They should see this, all of it, before anything is removed. We’ve waited for answers for 22 years.

I need to see this through.» When Nancy arrived an hour later, her face pale with shock. She rushed to John, and they clung to each other as the detective gently explained what they’d found.

Soon after, Olivia arrived, her eyes red from crying during the drive. The three stood together at the edge of the crime scene, united in grief as the full picture of what happened to Mary became clear. Nancy turned to the detective, her voice trembling but resolute.

«We want to take her remains from here. She deserves a proper burial in a peaceful place, not this horrible spot where he left her.» «We’ll arrange that once forensics are done,» Detective Doran assured her.

«It shouldn’t take more than a day or two.» Olivia stepped closer to the bone remains, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice broke as she whispered, «Why didn’t you tell me, Mary?» «We were best friends.

I could have helped you. We laughed at girls who fell for guys like Samuel. I, I don’t understand.»

As the sun began to set over the river, casting long shadows across the cliff, John, Nancy, and Olivia stood guard over Mary’s remains. Finally found after 22 years of searching, waiting, and questions. «She’s coming home,» John whispered, squeezing Nancy’s hand tightly.

«She’s finally coming home.» A week later, a small procession gathered by the river, just below Windy Cliff. The day was unusually clear for the West Virginia region, sunlight pouring over the calm river waves…

At the center of the procession were John and Nancy Peterson, along with Olivia Kowalski, retired Detective Roman Shepherd, who came out of retirement to offer support, and Detective Doran, who had brought Mary’s case to its final resolution. Following them in the procession were Mary’s former classmates, teachers, and the principal from Misty Ridge High. News of Samuel Levine’s arrest and the discovery of Mary’s remains had spread quickly through the small town, shaking the community that had never fully recovered from her disappearance 22 years ago.

John stood at the front, holding a small urn. After careful discussion, he and Nancy had decided against a traditional cemetery burial. Instead, they chose to scatter Mary’s ashes in the river, freeing her spirit from the place where she’d been trapped for so long.

«Today we gather to finally say goodbye to Mary Peterson,» the minister began. For 22 years, her family and friends have carried the burden of her absence, the pain of the unknown. «Today we lift that burden and commit Mary’s remains to the river, where she will never again be bound or confined.»

Nancy stepped forward, standing beside John, her hand on his shoulder. Mary loved the river, she said, her voice carrying over the water to the other participants. She studied to become an ecologist.

She’d love knowing she’s becoming part of the river she adored. John opened the urn, and together with Nancy, they scattered Mary’s ashes into the water. White hyacinths followed, tossed by the procession members, creating a floating garden on the river’s surface.

Olivia approached, tears on her face, and placed the worn copy of «The Secret Garden» on the waves. «Goodbye, my friend,» she whispered. «Sorry I never returned your book.»..