Chapter 4

Daddy opened the gate to the yard.

Grandma stood outside with mud on her pant legs, messy hair, and sweat covering her face.

After her phone call with Mommy, she couldn't stop worrying. She had spent six hours traveling from the countryside to get here.

"Where's Zoe?" Grandma was breathing hard.

As soon as she entered, she searched the house. "Where's my Zoe?"

Mommy held Timmy, looking annoyed. "Mom, stop pretending. Didn't you take Zoe home with you? Why are you here?"

"When did I ever take her?" Grandma grew frantic. "When I called to ask about Zoe, you told me she wasn't home. I got so worried that I came straight here."

"Yeah, right!" Mommy curled her lip.

"Who else could it have been? You just keep spoiling her. That little brat went out of her way to make me angry. She even put modeling clay in Timmy's formula. What if he had swallowed some? She's just a rotten child who wants to kill my son. I'll never let her get away with it!"

Grandma's face went pale. "What did you say? Zoe put modeling clay in the formula?"

Then she added, "I raised her for three years. She wouldn't even step on an ant. How could she ever hurt Timmy? You've got it all wrong. You must have!"

Looking at Grandma's gray hair, I felt tears well up. She was the only person who believed me.

Mommy stormed into the kitchen. She grabbed the formula canister and slammed it down in front of Grandma.

"Look for yourself! If this isn't modeling clay, what is it? She's the only one in this house who plays with it. Listen here. Get Zoe back here right now. Just wait until I get my hands on her!"

Daddy chimed in, "That's right, Marsha. Zoe has to be taught how to behave before things get worse. She's getting more and more out of control!"

Grandma said nothing. She just looked down at the formula canister.

When she looked up again, her face was even paler.

"This isn't modeling clay." Her voice shook badly. "It's rat droppings! Didn't you have a rat problem in your yard last year?"

The whole house fell silent.

Mommy froze with her hand in midair. Then she slowly turned around and exchanged a look with Daddy.

It had been almost a full day and night since yesterday morning.

If Grandma hadn't taken me, then where had I gone?

"Zoe!" Mommy panicked and rushed outside at once.

I saw her trembling all over, and Daddy followed her with Timmy in his arms.

"The car! Check the car!" Grandma pointed at the car and shouted.

"She's not there," Daddy replied without turning around. "I checked this morning. The back seat was empty!"

I floated frantically behind Grandma.

I tried to shout, "Grandma, don't listen to Daddy! Please check inside the car. I'm lying right there!"

But Grandma couldn't hear me either.

Seeing how certain Daddy was, she had no choice but to go out and search for me with them.

While holding Timmy, they searched all night through the neighborhood, along the streets, and everywhere I might have gone.

They didn't return home until dawn, exhausted.

Grandma sat on the couch and cried silently.

Mommy leaned against the doorframe, her eyes swollen from crying.

Daddy even started smoking again after quitting for a long time.

I shouted into each of their ears.

Eventually, I was exhausted too.

Morning had fully arrived.

Daddy stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. "No, we have to keep looking. I'll go to the police station and report her missing. You two keep searching."

Mommy and Grandma wiped their tears and nodded.

Just then, there was a sound at the gate.

A young man in a work uniform stood outside, carrying a toolbox. "Hello, I'm here for your scheduled car wash."

The detailer said with a smile, "Sir, could I have your car keys?"

Daddy froze for a moment, and then he remembered he had booked a car wash the day before. He said nothing. He handed the keys to the detailer, then silently headed toward the front gate.

The detailer took the keys, walked over to the car, and pressed the unlock button.

With a click, the back door unlocked.

Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out across the yard.

The moment everyone saw what was inside the car, their faces turned deathly pale.