Chapter 1
Seven years ago, my twin brother, Leo Harlow, died in a car accident. As a result, Linda completely went insane.
She forgot she'd ever had twins. In her mind, she only remembered that she had "the only son".
To appease her, Arthur wiped me from the family registry, got a death certificate for me, and informed everyone that it was me, Mia Harlow, was the one who died.
I was forced to cut my hair, wear Leo's clothes, and live as Leo for seven long years.
By the time I was twelve, the agony of puberty and getting called names like "sissy" by my classmates finally broke me.
I rushed back home, yelling, "I'm a girl! I'm not Leo!"
Linda was so shocked on the spot, covering her head and screaming.
Upon hearing this, Arthur flew into a rage and pointed at me, scolding, "You little brat, have you lost your mind? Mia's been dead for years. What nonsense are you spouting?"
He dragged me upstairs and locked me in the attic storage room.
"You stay in there and reflect on yourself! You don't come out until you finally accept that you're Leo!" he commanded.
I heard him go downstairs, his voice suddenly soft as he comforted Linda, "Linda, don't be scared. I'll take you out for a drive, get some fresh air. Let's go."
He took Linda on a road trip.
He forgot I was locked up in the house all by myself.
*****
The attic was stifling and dark.
I hadn't had any food or water in five days.
I was curled up in the corner, my mind fuzzy and on the verge of passing out.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door downstairs.
It was Linda and Linda.
They'd finally come back from their road trip.
With the last bit of strength I had left, I scratched weakly at the door with my nails, making only the faintest rustling sound.
I used all my got to a whisper, "Mom... Dad... Open the door..."
But all that came out was a thin, broken hiss from my parched throat.
Downstairs, I could hear them chatting and laughing happily.
Linda said, "That trip to the beach was so relaxing. I feel so much better now."
Arthur replied, "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. I'll take care of the luggage. Go take a shower."
The sound of their suitcase wheels rolling across the floor was so clear.
But no one ever remembered me.
Just as I was fading away, I could still hear Linda complaining.
"What's that nasty smell in the house?" she asked.
When my soul slipped out of my body, I felt my body was so light.
I floated straight through the heavy wooden door and saw Linda and Arthur down in the living room.
They'd just dropped their suitcases and were digging out souvenirs from their trip.
Arthur picked up a conch shell and held it to Linda's ear.
"Linda, listen. Do you hear the sound?" he asked.
Linda closed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "I really can hear it. It's so wonderful."
'How wonderful,' I thought to myself.
Linda was smiling.
Arthur said, "My whole purpose in life is to make you smile."
I floated over, watching as they went through the photos from their trip on the computer. Every single one showed them grinning by the beach, looking so happy.
Not once did either of them glance up toward the attic.
The "nasty smell" Linda complained about was actually coming from my body decaying.
Arthur smelled it, too. He frowned and paced around the living room, trying to figure out where it was coming from.
"Smells like it's coming from upstairs," he said.
He looked up at the attic.
I floated there, watching him nervously.
"Dad, I'm up here in the attic. Please, just open the door," I begged in my head.
Arthur started up the stairs, but then hesitated and stopped.
"Probably just a rat got into the storage room. Don't worry. I'll pick up some rat poison tomorrow and toss it in there," Arthur said.
He walked back over and put his arm around Linda's shoulders. "Don't worry about it. Go take a shower. You must be exhausted after all that traveling."
They'd completely forgotten about me.
They'd forgotten about the tool they used to pretend their son was still locked away in the attic.
I died the moment they went back home.
I floated around the living room all night.
Linda and Arthur were fast asleep. Linda was even smiling in her dreams.
The next morning, Arthur made a big breakfast.
They sat at the table, eating and planning their next trip.
"Where's Leo?" Linda asked suddenly, taking a sip of her milk.
"That little brat, still throwing a tantrum?" Arthur muttered.
I floated right in front of her.
"Mom, I'm right here," I called out.
Arthur paused for a moment while flipping the eggs, then brushed things off and said casually, "Don't worry about him. He's just acting out. He'll show up when he gets hungry enough."
"Boys can handle it," Linda said with an easy smile. "Not like Mia. If she were still around, she'd be so sweet and thoughtful."
Arthur's expression turned cold in a flash.
"Linda! Don't you dare say that name!" he snapped.
Linda's smile froze, and her eyes went blank and scared.
Arthur instantly realized he'd slipped up and quickly switched to a gentle tone.