Chapter 2

That incident was the tragedy of my mother's life.

Because my sister, Serena, died in that attack.

Three years ago, Serena was returning from a sketching trip. The bus she was on was blown up by a recently released criminal seeking revenge on society.

Seeing Mom's reaction, Captain Miller realized his mistake.

"I'm sorry, Evelyn," he said, chiding himself.

"It's fine," she muttered.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Captain Miller tried to change the subject. "Today's Moira's birthday too, isn't it? I feel bad for calling you in to work..."

"Don't you dare mention that murderer to me!" my mother exploded.

"Evelyn, it's been so long... Besides, Moira is your daughter. I'm sure she never wanted anything to happen to Serena," Captain Miller said, trying to reason with her. He knew how much she resented me, but he couldn't help but pity the hollowed-out girl I’d become.

The memories ripped through my mother's heart all over again.

Her voice trembled as she squeezed her eyes shut in pain. "She didn't want to hurt Serena? Ha!"

"Serena was out sketching. She knew Serena was in a remote area with bad transportation. My Serena had already booked a room at a farmhouse for the night! She would have been fine! It was her! That murderer! She had to call and demand Serena come back for her birthday!"

"She knows Serena could never say no to her! How can I not hate her?"

"I wish she would just drop dead!"

Tears streamed down my mother's face, her voice raw with emotion.

Captain Miller let out a long sigh. He tried to hold his tongue, but he had to speak. "Evelyn, you can't put all that hate on a child. Moira just turned eighteen today. Look at her, does she have any of the light a kid her age should have? Let's call it a day. You're tired. Go home and spend some time with your daughter on her birthday."

"She stopped being my daughter the day we buried Serena! She doesn't deserve to live in our house!" Mom's face was a mask of fury, her eyes blazing.

"Evelyn!" Captain Miller stood up abruptly, taking a deep breath. "She just turned eighteen today! You kicked her out three years ago. How is a little girl supposed to survive on her own?!"

My mother refused to listen. She turned and walked away.

I floated beside her, tears streaming down my ghostly face, an endless ache in my heart.

Mom, I'm really dead now. When you find out the truth, will you feel even a little bit of sadness for me?