Chapter 3

I didn't come home for a whole week.

All week, Mom cried to anyone who'd listen, saying I had no shame. Saying I was dating at school and even threatened her with a baby.

The neighbors comforted her and called me ungrateful.

Only Ms. Johnson downstairs frowned.

"They're teenagers. Sometimes friendship feels like love. Mrs. Keene, let me talk to Kaia. I'm a school counselor. Maybe I can help."

She glanced inside.

"I haven't seen Kaia in forever. Mrs. Keene... don't tell me you never even looked for her?"

Mom's face fell. She slammed the door in Ms. Johnson's face.

"Don't be ridiculous. She's fine at school. Breaking up a marriage is a terrible sin. Do you know how many good deeds I'd have to do to make up for that?"

Ms. Johnson knocked a few more times.

No answer.

I hugged my knees and sank to the floor, watching her walk away as I sobbed.

"Ms. Johnson, I'm here! I've already been murdered! Mom just won't believe me!"

I screamed until my voice gave out, tears pouring down my face.

Then—

Her footsteps stopped.

She turned around.

My heart jumped.

Could she hear me?

I froze, hope and fear twisting together.

"Ms. Johnson?"

But after staring down the empty hallway, she shook her head and left.

I never thought the person who'd finally tell Mom I was missing would be my teacher, Ms. Appleton.

That day, our apartment complex was hosting Animal Care Day.

With everyone watching, Mom pulled out a sweater she'd spent a month knitting and slipped it onto one of the stray cats.

"Sharon, you're so thoughtful. That must've taken forever."

"Mrs. Keene is so kind. She even cares this much about stray cats. Her daughter must be so lucky."

I stood in the cold wind, still wearing the thin jacket I'd died in.

Looking at those cats, I suddenly felt jealous.

They didn't have to do good deeds.

They didn't need receipts.

Mom still fed them and knitted them sweaters.

Whenever dogs chased them, Mom was always the first to step in.

But I was her daughter.

So why was I always cold and hungry?

Why had no one even noticed I'd been murdered?

That was when Ms. Appleton called.

At first, Mom was too busy chatting with the neighbors to answer.

After several calls, she finally picked up.

"Ms. Appleton, what can I do for you?"

The voice on the other end sounded urgent.

"Are you Kaia Keene's parent?"

Mom instantly went on alert.

"Ms. Appleton, did Kaia get in trouble at school? Go ahead and lecture her. Punish her if you have to. Spare the rod, spoil the child!"

My heart sank.

Mom, I'm your daughter, not some bad kid you need to punish.

Ms. Appleton went quiet. Then she lowered her voice.

"Kaia isn't home either..."

She paused.

"Could you come to the school right away?"