Chapter 3

3

While Sarah napped, Mom finally decided to let me out.

She got in the car with Mr. Peterson and headed out to the wilderness.

Looking at the familiar scenery, I heard Mom's voice.

"Amy, are you happy now that you've hurt everyone? You knew Sarah had a heart condition, and you tricked her into going to the cemetery at night, almost killing her!"

"You took advantage of her kindness! Even if you have my blood, I won't forgive you! How could a vicious person like you be my daughter?"

"I should have strangled you when you were born! It would have saved everyone the trouble!"

"Amy, when you realize what you did wrong, I'll let you out."

Mom still believed Sarah's lies, waiting for me to apologize.

But Mom, I'm already dead, just like you wanted.

Mom stayed in the car.

The others went to the coffin, covered in blood, and eerie in the sunlight.

A terrible stench seeped out.

The bodyguards covered their noses, frowning and backing away.

"Mrs. Thompson... Ma'am, I... I think something's happened to Miss Amy!"

Mr. Peterson held back his disgust and ran to the car.

"Would you like to take a look?"

Mom sneered.

"What could have happened? She's clearly faking to trick us. That demon isn't going to die that easily."

She shouted toward the coffin.

"Amy, you better apologize, or you'll never get out of there. I left you air holes in the coffin, so don't try to act!"

I was stunned.

Air holes?

There weren't any!

I suffocated on the first night!

Before I could think about it, Mom's phone rang.

Sarah's crying voice came from the other end.

"Mom, where are you? I had a nightmare! I dreamed I died in the cemetery! I'm scared! I want to live with you and Dad for a long time..."

"My heart hurts. Come back and take me to the hospital. I don't want to die..."

Mom panicked.

"Sarah, I'm coming home right now! I won't let anything happen to you!"

"Don't be scared. I'm here. I won't let Amy get away with this. She'll have to beg for your forgiveness."

I was numb.

Even after all those years of abuse, I still hoped that one day the truth would come out, and Mom and Dad would love me again.

I studied hard, just to get good grades, so they'd look at me for a second when someone praised me.

When Mom was in the hospital, I prayed at a temple for her.

When Dad was in a car accident, I took the hit for him, which left me with terrible health problems.

I was so naive.

They didn't care.

Sarah's illness and comfort were always more important.

Mom immediately told the driver to head home.

Compared to Sarah, my life meant nothing.

Meanwhile, the bodyguards pried open the coffin.

They threw their tools down in horror.

That's when I saw my body.

My fingers were ripped apart, face covered in blood and tears, white maggots crawled across my skin, eating my flesh.

Shit and piss were beneath me, mixed with the rotting flesh.

Limbs twisted, the coffin was covered in red scratches, a reminder of my struggle.

Several men couldn't help but vomit.

Mr. Peterson fell to the ground.

He watched the car drive away and called Mom.

"Mrs. Thompson... Miss Amy... she's dead. Please, come back..."

"Amy's dead?"

Mom's hand trembled, but then she seemed to understand.

"Mr. Peterson, Amy likes to lie. Are you helping her trick me? After you've worked for the Thompsons for twenty years, I won't hold it against you."

"Tell Amy I don't believe her lies, and that she needs to beg Sarah for forgiveness. Or I'll pretend she was never my daughter!"

I laughed, but my face was wet with tears.

Mom, I'm already dead. You don't have a daughter anymore.