Chapter 3

I trembled with fury.

Then I remembered the blocked air vent.

Rosa and I were the only people left in the house. Who else could have done it?

Through the narrow gap, I watched her deadbolt the front door, gather all her belongings, and flee the estate.

The steam grew hotter, while my heart raced wildly inside my chest.

The exposed skin had begun to split, and a sickening smell rose around me. This time, I truly felt I was going to die.

With the last of my strength, I called 911.

The fire department and ambulance would need at least twenty minutes. I didn't think I could last that long.

Deciding that I should at least leave a final message, I lifted the burning phone and called one last person.

"Grandma... It's Micah. I miss you so much... I really can't hold on this time. Dad and Mom locked me in the sauna because of Trevor..."

The more I spoke, the more wounded and childish my voice became.

"Grandma, I miss you so much... You were the only person in this family who loved me. I shouldn't have been rude or argued with you all the time. Grandma, I was the one who didn't understand..."

Grandma had always loved me most, but when I was younger, I thought her values were old-fashioned. I argued with her constantly until we became estranged.

After growing older, I had always wanted to apologize, but I never found the opportunity.

No one spoke on the other end. After what felt like forever, someone suddenly laughed.

It was Trevor again.

"Sorry, Micah. Grandma is carefully making oatmeal for me. She said nobody was allowed to interrupt her while she cooked for her precious grandson, so she handed me her phone.

"Oh, and your parents were desperate to make sure I beat you on the final exam. They burned all your study materials and even went to school to withdraw you from classes for the rest of the term. Aren't you happy?"

Tears ran from the corners of my eyes.

They had gone that far for Trevor.

Then I heard Grandma's elderly voice in the background, hopeful and uncertain.

"Trevor, who is that? I thought I heard Micah's voice."

Trevor answered quickly.

"No, Grandma. He spends every day playing video games. Why would he have time to think about you? He has probably forgotten you even exist."

Grandma murmured in acknowledgment, disappointment filling her voice.

I turned toward the phone and tried to shout.

"Grandma, it's me! It's Micah!"

But at that moment, the phone finally surrendered to the heat and burst apart.

Sharp fragments sliced across my face.

In the wet heat, the blood showed no sign of clotting.

My breathing slowed, and my head grew heavier.

Through the haze, I heard sirens outside.

"Is someone inside? Why is the front door deadbolted? We're here to rescue you!"

I no longer had enough strength to answer.

All I could do was lie dying on the scorching floor and listen.

The fire captain's voice outside sounded familiar. It seemed to be Daniel Mercer, Dad's closest friend.

"Are we certain this is the address? Micah has to be in trouble. Damn it, why is the front door locked?"

"We don't have time, Captain! Whoever is inside is fading fast. We need to break through now!"

Daniel's voice was grave.

"Cutting through the security door could take too long. I'll call Richard and get the key."

"Richard, where is the emergency key to your estate? Tell me now. Your boy called 911. He's trapped in the sauna and close to death!"

Dad sounded thoroughly annoyed with me.

"That little brat is getting bolder every day. Now he's filing false emergency reports? Trust me, Daniel. Turn around. Nothing is wrong."

Daniel lost his patience.

"Richard, give me the key. We traced your son's emergency call directly to the sauna. He has a heart condition. How could you do this?"