Chapter 3The Final Hide-and-Seek

The flames climbed higher, and Dad tossed the teddy bear from Mom's arms into the fire.

Mom's face went white. She spun around and threw herself at the suitcase, stumbling as she wrapped her arms around it.

"Please. Just let me stay with Ellie a little longer."

Tears streamed down her face as she begged, practically groveling. Dad's expression twisted with pain.

Guilt hit me out of nowhere. If my parents opened the suitcase and found my body inside, they'd be furious. I just had to go and die today of all days and ruin Ellie's send-off.

My soul circled frantically around them, helpless. But all I could do was watch as Dad pried the suitcase from Mom's grip and, like he'd made up his mind, kicked it straight into the fire.

The flames crackled and popped.

"Wait. That's not Ellie's suitcase!" Mom suddenly screamed.

Her hand trembled as she pointed at the suitcase in the fire, absolute certainty in her voice. "Ellie loved pink stickers. Her suitcase had a Hello Kitty one right on it."

Dad froze, confused.

"That's Landon's suitcase!"

I jolted, instantly panicking. I thought Mom was about to remember that I'd been locked inside and never let out.

But the next second, Mom's voice rose to a shriek, her face wearing that familiar mix of fury and disgust.

"Were you not paying attention when you packed? How could you put Ellie's things in Landon's filthy suitcase? Ellie deserves better than that!"

Dad blinked. So did I.

That was what she cared about? Not only did Mom never think of me, she couldn't even stand the sight of my suitcase.

"No. I won't let my daughter's things be burned in something this dirty…"

Mom lost it and tried to throw herself into the fire. Dad grabbed her just in time. He held her thrashing body against his chest, trying to calm her down.

"Hey, it's okay. Just breathe. It's just a suitcase. It won't change anything."

Mom fought against him, the firelight washing over her ashen face. Her eyes were wide, her hands clamped over her nose and mouth, looking like she was about to faint.

When Dad realized how far gone she was, he stared at my suitcase, and his expression darkened too. He was probably cursing me in his head for not being able to stay out of the way even now.

"That's enough. Let's go home."

All he could do was pat Mom's back and help her to the car, leaving the dying fire behind. He gave her a pill and watched until she fell asleep, then sent a text to someone.

"Thanks, Doc. We took care of Ellie's things. When the time is right, could you tell my wife that her daughter has successfully moved on?"

The reply came quickly.

"Of course. I hope this approach helps your wife heal. Let's schedule another session soon."

That was when I realized there had never been any medium. It was all a performance Dad and the therapist had put together to help Mom find her way out of the nightmare.

It was a brilliant plan, really—if it weren't for me.

I stared out the window. My body was still trapped in that suitcase somewhere in the rubble, and I silently prayed that no one would ever find it. I wanted my remains to rot in that wasteland, right there beside my sister.

But that hope didn't last.

When the car pulled into the driveway, I saw a group of people standing in the front yard. As Dad helped a groggy Mom out of the car, Mrs. Gallagher, looking visibly relieved, finally let out a breath.

She pointed toward my parents and spoke quickly, "There, those are Landon's mom and dad. They're back now. You can talk to them."