Chapter 3

Time passed slowly. My consciousness began to fade.

The air inside the coffin had become filthy and stale, filled with the smell of my own waste and the scent of death.

I no longer pressed myself against the crack in the coffin, desperately chasing that tiny bit of hope, nor did I waste the little strength I had left to call out whoever walked by, begging for some attention.

I simply lay there in silence, holding Andy's hand, because I knew I was going to die.

When I was little, I once asked Mommy what death meant while watching TV. She gently stroked my hair and answered softly, "Dying means saying goodbye forever."

I buried my face in her arms and mumbled like a spoiled child, "Then I never want to die. I don't want you to die either, Mommy."

But now, it was time for me to go. After all, no one in this world welcomed me anymore—not Daddy, not Mommy, and not Grandma. If my death could make them all happy, I would do it.

On the last day—the seventh day of the punishment—Andy was going to be buried. It was loud and lively outside. Organs played, people sobbed, and the whole place was filled with noise.

It sounded like everyone was mourning Andy's death and celebrating mine at the same time.

I heard Mommy weeping outside. "Rest in peace, Andy! In your next life, I'll still be your mommy!"

What about me, Mommy? When I died, would you be my mommy again?

It didn't take long before I got my answer from her own mouth. "As for that cursed soul, I hope I never have anything to do with him in this life or any life after! If I hadn't carried him for nine months, and if it wasn't for propriety, I really, really wish I could…"

Mommy never finished that sentence, but I already knew what she meant. She wished she could kill me with her own hands. Was that right, Mommy?

As my body slowly became weightless, a ray of light shone down on me amid the darkness. It felt oddly warm and gentle.

Mommy stood in the glow of the light, waving at me. "Come on, Adam. Hurry up, or we'll miss your favorite cartoon!"

Daddy crouched down and patted his shoulder. "Come here, Adam. Hop on! I'll give you a piggyback ride home!"

Grandma carried a basket of vegetables in one hand and held Andy in the other. He waved his little hands excitedly as he looked at me. In his baby voice, he kept mumbling, "Adam…"

I couldn't help reaching my hand toward the light. Then, I saw them moving farther away from me. I panicked and ran forward.

"Wait for me!" I screamed. "I'm almost there! I'm coming home!"

A hurried knocking sound interrupted my vision, pulling me back to the cold, dark reality. I struggled to open my eyes. The darkness and suffocating air drowned me, leaving me breathless.

It turned out that even death was a luxury I couldn't have.

Noisy voices filled the air, and countless footsteps surrounded me. Just when I had fallen into despair, a familiar voice shouted, "Adam, are you in there? Answer me!"

That was Ms. Clark, my teacher! Was she here to save me?