Her sarcasm was obvious, and Asher’s expression changed instantly. He shouted, “I locked her in the freezer because of you, and you couldn’t let her out while I was gone?”
“You call yourself kind…”
When interests were at stake, the two who were once inseparable turned on each other, shirking responsibility as if my death had nothing to
do with them.
But Asher seemed to have found a clue. He looked at Cora suspiciously. “You say Adeline’s death had nothing to do with you, but I only locked her in the freezer. Why was her death so gruesome?”
Cora felt guilty. She didn’t dare mention that she had soaked me in hot water out of spite and was left speechless.
The air was filled with silence, and I grew more desperate, wondering who else could seek justice for me.
D
3:14 PM
11
But unexpectedly, my parents, whom I hadn’t been able to reach, went through great lengths to find their way here.
When the doorbell rang, both Asher and Cora flinched, exchanging glances. Finally, Asher cautiously opened the door.
My mom’s smile disappeared upon seeing Cora. She pointed at Cora and asked Asher, “Is this a friend of Adeline’s?”
Asher didn’t expect it to be my mom, so he nodded awkwardly. Then my mom walked in, looked around without calling for me, and turned her gaze to Asher.
“Asher, where’s Adeline? Isn’t she home? We haven’t been able to reach her for days. Where did she go?”
Unable to find me in the house, my mom visibly panicked, grabbing Asher’s arm for answers.
My dad, while comforting her, asked Asher to call me. Asher glanced at Cora, and after she nodded subtly, he dialed my number.
“Dad, Mom, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. Adeline’s phone hasn’t been reachable, and we’re looking for her too.”
Hearing this, my parents were shocked, their already weary bodies seeming to shrink instantly. My dad quickly took out his phone, muttering, “Call the police, we need to call the police!”
But Asher stopped him.
“Dad, we can’t call the police.”
When my dad looked at him suspiciously, Asher quickly changed his tone, “I mean, we should first check the places Adeline often visits. If we can’t find her, then we’ll call the police. Adeline is usually low–key. If she returns and finds out it’s become such a big deal, she might regret it for a long time.”
My parents were temporarily persuaded by Asher and started searching for me based on the addresses he provided. But Asher, who was supposed to act with them, began racking his brain for solutions once they were gone.
Under the scorching sun, my parents searched for three days and nights. I watched, heart aching unbearably.
In my short life, I only have one regret after death: leaving home for Asher, making my parents worry and now leaving them to bury their child.
“Dad, Mom, I’m sorry.”
I knelt before my parents, bowing my head in repentance, tears streaming down my face. But when I tried to embrace them, my hands passed through their bodies.
I forgot I was just a spirit, unable to touch anyone anymore.
But what about my parents? They love me so much!
I cried uncontrollably, powerless to stop what was happening.
