Chapter 8
+25 BONUS
Luca pressed his tiny hands to his face, then gently placed one of mine against his cheek.
“Mommy, it hurts. Can you blow on it for me?”
He held onto me tightly, completely unaware of the foul odor filling the room.
At their shiny new home, Bill and Ima sat talking about Luca.
“He’s just being stubborn,” Ima said sweetly, guiding Bill’s hand to her stomach. “Once he becomes a brother, he’ll behave better. Bill, I’m pregnant.”
Her face lit
up
with a smile.
Bill’s eyes widened, his excitement bubbling over as he cupped her face and kissed her. ” Have you been to the doctor? Do we know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
Ima shook her head. “It’s only been a little over a month. It’s too early to tell.”
“Alright, alright.” Bill stood up and started pacing, his grin stretching ear to ear.
From that moment on, he dumped all his work onto his staff and dedicated himself to doting on Ima.
In the apartment, Luca’s stomach growled painfully, the emptiness gnawing at him. Days alone had worn him down.
He glanced over at me, still lying there, unmoving. For a moment, something like realization flickered in his tear–filled eyes.
His little face crumpled as he leaned over and kissed my cold cheek.
“Mommy, Daddy doesn’t want me. Do you not want me either?” His voice was raw, hoarse
from thirst and exhaustion.
Tears streaked down his face as he whimpered, “I’m very good. I don’t make trouble.
Please don’t leave me.
I screamed beside him, my words desperate and useless. “I would never leave you! My baby, you’re my most precious one!”
But he couldn’t hear me.
I sat by his side, pretending, wishing I could hold him close just one more time.
Two days. Bill was still MIA, probably off playing house with Ima while Luca starved in ours.
1/3
Chapter 8
+25 BONUS
I watched helplessly as Luca scraped the burnt egg from the pan, grimacing as he forced it down.
“Mommy, it’s bitter,” he said, shooting me a glance. When I didn’t respond, he just wiped his face with his little hands, smearing egg everywhere like a kitten learning to groom itself.
‘Luca, you have to find help. Go outside, find someone–anyone,‘ I thought, pacing.
He ate in silence and then curled up next to me on the bed. No tears this time. Those ran out a day ago.
“Mommy, why won’t you talk to me?” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have gotten up to watch TV. I don’t feel so good.” His voice faded, and his eyes slowly closed, as though he had fallen asleep.
And then–there it was.
His spirit floated up.
“Mommy, I found you!” Luca cried, barreling into my arms.
This time, I could hold him. Really hold him.
I hugged him tight, his tiny fists pounding my shoulders as he sobbed.
“Luca, baby, I’m so sorry,” I said, rocking him. “This is all my fault. But don’t cry anymore, okay? Mommy’s here. I’ll always be here.”
He sniffled, looking over at his small, lifeless body on the bed. His head tilted, confusion setting in.
“Luca, we’ve passed on,” I explained softly, trying to lead him away.
But something stopped us. The walls pressed in, like invisible hands were holding us back. We couldn’t leave.
Why? What was keeping us here?
Luca seemed unfazed, bouncing in place. “Hey, Mommy, now I have two mommies!” he giggled, pointing at my ghostly form and my body on the bed.
My heart broke. He didn’t get it. He didn’t understand what had happened.
Days blurred into weeks. Half a month, maybe more.
Our bodies were decaying now. Maggots crawled over what used to be me. Luca’s little frame was bruised and gray.
Neighbors started complaining about the smell People held their noses as they passed by our door, muttering about the stench.
2/3
Chapter 8
+25 BONUS
One day, the guy upstairs finally snapped. He banged on our door, then called the cops. when no one answered.
The police came fast, forcing the door open. They found us two bodies, side by side, rotting in the bed.
Our remains were taken to the morgue, where forensic specialists started their work. Meanwhile, the police tracked down Bill and got him on the phone.
When Bill showed up, he looked annoyed, like this was some elaborate prank. But the second his eyes landed on the bodies, his face crumpled. His eyes went red.
Chapter 9.
