Chapter 3The Death Notice Arrived Before 7:55

The first one read: [Tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.. Leaving for the testing center. Your sister disappears.]

Because I hadn’t taken the message seriously and left for the testing center at 6:30, Molly really did disappear.

The second message read: [Traffic jam. You're in the car. Your father isn't. Dead.]

Dad was fine, and so was I, because I had gotten out of the car.

I hadn’t followed the message’s , so the prediction hadn’t come true.

The thought made my whole body relax.

That was what I told myself.

As long as I didn’t follow the messages’ , everything would be fine.

A short while later, the car pulled up outside the school. It was already past eight.

Mom paid the fare and turned to look at me.

“We’re here. Let’s get out.”

At the exact moment I opened the car door, I failed to notice the phone in my pocket vibrate.

A new message lay quietly in my inbox.

7:30 a.m.

I stood outside the testing center and glanced down at my phone.

There was a new message.

It was from the same unfamiliar number.

My finger hovered above the screen, and I unconsciously held my breath.

I opened it.

[At 7:40, Your mother walked away. The head burst open.]

The blood drained from my face.

“Kelly, hurry inside. The test is about to begin. They don’t allow phones inside. Give it to me, and I’ll keep it for you.”

Mom urged me along and reached for my phone.

I grabbed her hand.

“Mom.”

Her voice was already edged with impatience.

“What is it now?”

I held my phone out to her.

She glanced at the screen, and her expression immediately darkened.

Then she gritted her teeth and snapped, “Kelly, are you ever going to stop?”

“Mom, it’s real. The first two messages came true. I’m scared this one will too.

“Molly is already missing. I can’t lose you too...

“How am I supposed to focus on the test when I don’t even know you’re safe?

“It’s only a few minutes until 7:40. Just wait until 7:41, and I’ll go inside. I’ll still have time.”

Mom was about to pull her hand away, but her expression gradually softened when she heard me.

She pulled me into her arms and gently rubbed my back.

There really were only a few minutes left until the time I had mentioned.

There were many students lining up to enter the school.

Waiting a few more minutes wouldn’t make much difference.

“All right, but this is the last time, okay? I know you’re under a lot of pressure, so don’t be nervous or worry about anything else. Your father and I are here for you.”

I let out a sigh of relief, but I still clung tightly to the hem of her clothes.

The seconds ticked by.

I stared at my phone, watching the time change from 7:36 to 7:37, then to the next minutes.

Mom stood there helplessly, glancing at the time from time to time.

I knew she was anxious to go look for Molly.

But I couldn’t worry about that now.

At 7:39, my breathing grew rapid.

My eyes darted around, ready to intercept anything from any direction that could hit Mom in the head.

7:40.

Nothing happened.

Mom was still standing there.

She was still alive.

No one's head had burst open.

I let out a long breath, feeling as though all the strength had been drained from my body. I nearly collapsed onto the ground.

“Are you satisfied now?”

Mom glanced at the time as she asked.

I nodded and released my grip on her clothes.

“Can you go in and take your test now?”

I nodded again.

Mom forced a faint smile and reached over to straighten my collar.

“Don’t think about all that nonsense. Do your best. Your father and I will find Molly.”

Just then, her phone rang.

Mom froze for a moment before answering it.

“Did you find Molly?”

It was probably Dad calling.