Chapter 2The Death Notice Arrived Before 7:55

I couldn’t let that happen.

What if another message came through after Mom confiscated my phone?

I bit my lower lip and reluctantly pulled my hand back.

After hesitating for two seconds, I replied to the unfamiliar number.

[Who are you?]

[Why are you sending me messages like this?]

I waited for two minutes, but there was no response.

I looked out the window again as the taxi crawled forward and stopped repeatedly.

Just then, a traffic report came through the driver’s radio.

“There’s been a serious accident at the intersection of Main Street and Oak Avenue.

“The resulting traffic restrictions have caused severe congestion. Drivers with students on board, please take note and consider taking an alternate route.”

There really was a traffic jam.

The taxi came to a complete stop.

My fingers slowly curled into a fist.

The message was still glowing on my screen.

[Traffic jam. You're in the car. Your father isn't. Dead.]

I was in the car.

Dad wasn't...

The message didn’t say who was dead, but if the prediction was real and I did nothing to change it...

At least one of us would die.

I couldn’t just sit back and wait for it to happen.

I picked up my phone and immediately called Dad.

He didn’t answer.

I called again, and there was still no answer.

I had to get out of the car.

I took a deep breath and grasped Mom’s hand.

“Mom, we need to get out.”

Mom’s expression changed, and she immediately looked ready to lose her temper again.

“Kelly, can you stop making a scene? Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Do you even want to take your SATs?”

I shook my head, trying to keep my voice calm and rational.

“The traffic is so bad that even if we took a detour, we wouldn’t be able to get out.

“We should get out and take another taxi from somewhere less congested. It’ll definitely be faster than sitting here waiting.”

The driver also turned around and joined in.

“There’s no way to get out and take a detour right now. If the young lady is taking her SATs, she can’t afford to lose any time.

“She’s right. It’ll be faster to get out and walk to the next intersection before taking another taxi.

“I can help you contact a nearby taxi, so don’t worry about finding one.”

Even the driver was saying so.

Mom bit her lip, glancing between me and the gridlocked traffic outside.

At last, she nodded.

“All right.”

We paid the fare and got out of the taxi.

The moment my feet touched the ground, I let out a long breath.

I wasn’t in the car anymore.

So, the second half of the message wouldn’t come true, right?

I took out my phone and called Dad again.

Ring, ring, ring...

He answered!

The moment I heard Dad’s voice, mine began to tremble.

“Dad, are you all right?”

He sounded confused.

“I’m fine. I’m still looking for your sister. I just heard she was seen chasing someone, so I’m heading over to check.

“You go to the testing center first. Don’t let it make you late for your exam.”

Relief nearly made me go weak at the knees.

I wanted to remind him to be careful, but Dad had already hung up.

I held my phone and told Mom what Dad said.

Mom didn’t say a word. With a grave expression, she took my hand and started walking.

I knew she was worried about Molly.

But Dad said Molly had gone after someone.

Who was she chasing?

I kept thinking about it as we walked. I had no idea how much time had passed when Mom called out from ahead.

“Kelly, we found a car.”

I took a deep breath, slipped my phone into my pocket, and ran over.

Once the car started moving, I leaned against the window and went over the two messages again and again.