The Fridge That Rot, The Promise That Rotted Too Chapter 02

The Fridge That Rot, The Promise That Rotted Too Chapter 02

The next few days were busy.

Mom packed the fridge full. Serena took my hand and taught me, over and over.

“When you’re hungry, open the top shelf. Put the box in the microwave and press the red button. When you’re thirsty, grab milk or juice from the second shelf.”

I repeated it back. “Hungry, red button! Thirsty, milk!”

On the day they left, Dad stood at the door with two big suitcases. Serena was finally smiling.

Mom walked over, sat me down on the stool behind the door, and grabbed my shoulders.

“Pearl, wait for Mommy at home. And never—never—open the door. There are wolves out there that snatch bad children away. You’d never see me again.”

I nodded, terrified. “Pearl won’t go out. Pearl will wait.”

She kissed my forehead. “Be good. We’ll bring you a big strawberry cake.”

“A big strawberry cake!”

She looked at me one last time, then walked out.

Click. The security door closed.

The house went quiet—only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

I stared at the closed door. When it got dark, the light felt strange. I was about to get something to eat—

Pop.

The lights died. Everything went black.

I fell back onto the stool, terrified. “Mom?”

The sound echoed in the empty house. I couldn’t even see my hands. “Mom! I’m scared!”

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

I fumbled for the watch on my wrist and pressed Mom’s photo. It rang a long time.

“Hello? Pearl? What’s wrong?” Mom sounded rushed, waves crashing in the background.

“Mom, it’s dark! The house went dark! Pearl is scared—come home!”

A pause. Dad’s voice: “What’d she say?”

“She says it’s dark. Power outage?” Mom’s voice was tense. “Maybe we should go back?”

Serena’s voice cut in from a distance. “Mom, just check the camera. She’s probably just upset we’re not there.”

Silence. Then Mom: “The camera’s offline.”

“Sounds like the Wi-Fi. You know how it is. She’s just trying to get attention.”

“Pearl, are you throwing a tantrum?” Mom’s voice hardened. “You’re a big girl now. No lying.”

I shook my head desperately, tears flying off my face. “Pearl isn’t lying! It’s really dark!”

“Enough.” Mom cut off my sobbing. “If you keep lying, I won’t want you anymore.”

I stopped crying immediately. “Pearl is good. Mom, please don’t leave Pearl.”

“Be good. Turn on the light yourself. Eat on time.”

The line went dead.

I felt my way to the switch and pressed it.

Click. Nothing.

I pressed it again. Still dark.

Tears ran silently down my face. “Mom lied. The light broke.”

I didn’t dare call again—I didn’t want her to leave me for good.

“Pearl isn’t scared. Mom is coming back soon.”

I told myself that until I fell asleep.