Chapter 1

My clothes were soaked with sweat, and the car was unbearably hot.

Every breath hurt my throat.

"Daddy, I feel horrible. Can you please come check on me?"

I leaned weakly against the car window, dragging my fingernails across the glass and making a horrible screeching sound.

My vision was blurry, but through the car window, I could see inside the living room through the half-open door.

My mom, Lena Whitmore, was cutting up a fresh watermelon. Then she gently fed Timmy Yarnell, my little brother.

My dad, Jim Yarnell, held a tissue and lovingly wiped the sweat from Timmy's forehead.

They chatted and laughed without either of them looking toward the yard.

The temperature inside the car kept rising, and even the tears at the corner of my eyes were almost drying up.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, Daddy came out of the house carrying a bag of trash.

Was he coming to take me home?

I felt a surge of hope and used all my strength to knock my forehead against the window.

The faint sound made Daddy stop in his tracks, but he only frowned in disgust before walking straight to the trash can.

When he returned, he stood outside the car window and spoke to me impatiently.

"Your Mommy hasn't been herself since Timmy was born. The doctor says she has postpartum depression. Don't blame us, Zoe. You're older now, so you should know better. I'll come get you tomorrow morning once your Mommy has calmed down."

With that, Daddy turned and went back inside the house.

A second later, the front door slammed shut with a loud bang.

I gritted my teeth and tried to lift my head to tell Daddy that I understood. I knew Mommy was sick and that I would behave.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move at all.

As the sky slowly darkened, I fell asleep.

In my dream, I returned to the day Mommy found out she was pregnant with Timmy.

She was overjoyed as she looked at the report in her hands. Daddy picked her up and spun her around in the yard.

When they saw me standing nearby, they stopped at once.

Mommy smiled and pulled me into her arms. "My sweet Zoe, I'll love you just as much even after your little brother is born."

Daddy smiled and gently kissed both Mommy and me. "You three are all precious to me. From now on, your little brother and I will protect you and Mommy."

I was so happy. I thought Mommy and Daddy loved me again.

But then I saw a series of other scenes.

Mommy pushed me away in tears after giving birth to Timmy, refusing to let me near her.

Mommy and Daddy fought bitterly over taking care of Timmy and me.

They also tried to send me to Grandma's house. I cried and clung to their legs, refusing to let go.

There were so many other scenes.

When I opened my eyes again, I was floating right through the roof of the car. The burning sensation in my chest was gone.

Without thinking, I drifted toward the house to tell Mommy and Daddy I didn't feel sick anymore.

As soon as I reached the doorway, I heard voices from inside.

Mom sounded furious. "Zoe, that brat! Is she still refusing to admit she was wrong?"

Daddy sighed.

"She made some noise earlier, trying to make me feel sorry for her. I told her I'd let her out first thing in the morning. Alright. That's enough. Let's get some sleep. I'm exhausted from driving all day."

I floated outside, wanting to shout that I was already out, but I couldn't make a sound.