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Chapter 4

Author: Resilience
The car did not go very fast on the way to Willow Creek.

Dad even took a detour to a gas station and bought a pack of cigarettes.

"Keep a firm attitude when we see Anna."

Mom was reappling lip balm for Jacey.

"No matter how much she cries, throws a tantrum, or rolls around on the ground, we must remain 'gentle but firm' in our refusal.

"Especially you, Jacey."

Mom turned to look at her in the back seat. "Don't give in, and don't give her any candy."

Jacey nodded obediently. "I know. You said it's for my sister's own good."

I floated above the dashboard and stared at the digital clock.

8:45 p.m.

Four hours had passed since I fell into the canal.

The car finally turned onto the dirt road leading into Willow Creek.

The headlights illuminated an old oak tree ahead.

A crowd had gathered around it, with flashlight beams sweeping wildly through the darkness. Three police cars and an ambulance were parked nearby.

"What's with all this commotion?"

Dad frowned, his voice filled with displeasure. "Mom really went too far. She used all these public resources just to help Anna put on an act. This is nothing but a waste of taxpayers' money."

He honked the horn to signal for the crowd to move aside.

The villagers turned around, shielding their eyes from the glare of the headlights.

Someone recognized the license plate.

"They're here! Those monsters who call themselves parents are here!"

No one knew who shouted it.

The crowd automatically parted, and people pointed at Mom and Dad while murmuring among themselves.

Dad parked the car, straightened the hem of his suit, and opened the door.

Mom took Jacey's hand and stepped out in her high heels, carefully avoiding the mud on the ground.

"Which one of you is the officer?" Dad called out loudly, his voice filled with an educated man's arrogance. "I'm her father. Sorry to trouble you."

A middle-aged police officer stepped out from behind the police tape. He was soaked from head to toe, with mud covering his pant legs and his face set in a grim expression.

"Are you Anna Lee's father?"

"Yes." Dad nodded.

"Where is the child? Is she hiding in someone's haystack again? Bring her out. I'll take her home and teach her a lesson."

The officer said nothing. He simply stepped aside.

A black body bag lay on the stretcher behind him.

The zipper was pulled tightly shut.

Mom glanced at it and let out a scornful laugh.

"Officer, isn’t using something like this to scare a child taking things a little too far?

"Anna's too intellectually disabled to understand a hint like this.

"Besides, this kind of death-simulation therapy is far too extreme for an eight-year-old…"

"Shut up!" the officer suddenly roared, making Mom stumble back.

"A prop?" The officer's hand trembled as he pointed at the black bag. "You call this a prop?"

Dad frowned and pushed up his glasses.

"Officer, watch your attitude. We pay taxes, and we're experts in education.

"I know my daughter better than anyone. She can lie on the floor pretending to be dead for half an hour just to get a piece of candy.

"Jacey, go wake up your sister."

Dad patted Jacey on the shoulder.

Jacey looked frightened, but she still walked over and called out to the bag.

"Anna, stop pretending. Mom and Dad are angry."

The bag did not move.

The wind blew past, making the yellow police tape rustle.

A deathly silence fell over the area.

Dad lost patience.

He strode forward and shoved aside the officer blocking his way.

"Fine. You don't want to get up? Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

He bent down and grabbed the zipper.

"Anna Lee, I'm counting to three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three!"

Riiip—

He yanked the zipper open.

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