Chapter 4

My mother's scream was like a jagged blade, instantly shredding every last bit of joy and peace in the house. My father and Sophie came charging up the stairs, tripping over their own feet in their haste.

"What happened?"

"Mom, what are you screaming for?"

They burst into the room, and the first thing they saw was my mother, collapsing on the floor like a heap of wet laundry. She was white as a sheet, shaking like a leaf in the wind. And there, on the bed, was my body—lying perfectly still.

"What is this..." Sophie muttered, frowning in annoyance.…