Chapter 2

Instead of feeling relieved, Rhonda became even more determined after hearing that.

"I'm telling you one last time. Give me the key and let Chris out! I swear, you–"

Before she finished her last sentence, she suddenly screamed, "David! You're insane!

"You actually tossed the key down the drain!"

My already sluggish thoughts seemed to freeze completely.

Nicole rushed to the drain and began tearing through the clogged muck with her bare hands.

"N-No! Don't!"

Rhonda shoved David away. Her voice trembled with rage. "You've completely lost your mind! You're gambling with Chris's life!"

David ignored her.

Instead, he grabbed Nicole, who was nearly breaking down beside the drain, and pulled her up. His expression was stern, but there was concern in his voice.

"What's the point of groping around in there? You'll hurt yourself!"

Nicole stared at him in disbelief. "Hurt myself? Aren't you worried that Chris will get hurt?"

Without hesitation, David blurted out, "Why should I care? Boys are tougher. What's going to happen to him?"

Inside the freezer, I could feel my heart breaking. I used the last bit of strength I had to speak.

"Dad, I really can't take it anymore. Please let me out. It's so cold in here."

Nicole threw herself against the door. Her voice was full of guilt. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Chris. This is all my fault."

David sneered.

"No. I've given you enough chances, Nicole. I never expected you to keep pretending to obey me.

"Today, I'm going to make sure you remember this forever!"

Rhonda trembled with anger. "Chris, move away from the door. I'm going to kick it open. Don't be afraid!" She shouted.

Hope flickered inside me again, but my body had already frozen stiff. I couldn't move, and I had no strength left.

"Chris! Have you moved away?" Rhonda asked anxiously.

I leaned against the door and murmured, "Yeah."

The next second, the heavy iron freezer door was kicked with tremendous force. The impact made my ears ring, but I didn't make a sound. I didn't want Rhonda to worry even more.

"Rhonda! I think you're the one who's gone crazy! Have you forgotten that this freezer door was custom-made? Without the key, even a power saw couldn't cut it open!"

David snorted beside her before looking at her sarcastically.

Rhonda acted as if she hadn't heard him.

She kicked the door again and again. Her voice was trembling. "Chris, don't be afraid!"

Nicole broke free from David's grip and ran back to the drain, but the key was nowhere to be found.

Her eyes widened in horror.

"Mom! What do we do?"

Rhonda spun around to answer, but the commotion had already attracted the attention of a neighbor.

"What are you people doing? It's still early in the morning!"

I fluttered my eyelids when I heard the voice. I no longer had the strength to open my eyes.

Nicole dropped to her knees before David again.

"Dad! Let Chris out!"

The neighbor, Justin Walker, stared at David in shock. "David, did you lock Chris in the freezer?"

David immediately tried to defend himself.

"He made a mistake. I was just giving him a little punishment!"

He waved Justin off.

"Go back home! This is my family! It's none of your business!"

Justin was kind-hearted. He didn't leave. Instead, he pointed at David in disbelief.

"Do you know how cold that freezer is? How could you lock a child in there! Besides, Chris is so frail. This is abuse!

"I could call the police!"

David became furious.

"Who the hell do you think you are? I'm disciplining my own child! What gives you the right to call the police on me?

"Justin, don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. You're trying to get close to my two kids and replace me as their father!

"You're trying to become Rhonda's new husband!"

Rhonda stared at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? You've completely lost your mind!"

David had a stubborn and crazed look in his eyes.

"Aren't I right? Why else would he care so much about my family? He's always bringing food over for Nicole and Chris. Don't think I haven't noticed!"

Justin was utterly stunned. He looked as if he'd swallowed something rotten. "Unbelievable! I try to help, and this is what I get?

"Your family's problems are none of my business!"

He turned to leave.

David sneered. "Get out! You have no right to interfere with how I raise my children!"

Rhonda slapped David across the face. "I know you have a spare key. I'm telling you one last time. Let Chris out!"

David gasped and screamed.

"How dare you hit me? Fine! Then let me tell you, the spare key is gone too! I threw it away with the first one! I won't let him out even if he dies!"

There was silence outside.

I smiled bitterly. Suddenly, my body felt unbearably hot. It was as if I were burning from the inside.

'It's so hot.'

I couldn't stop myself from taking off my shirt, my shoes, and finally my pants. I pressed my body against the cold floor.

It felt very comfortable. It was so comfortable that my heart slowly stopped beating.

Eventually, I could no longer open my eyes.