The Fridge That Rot, The Promise That Rotted Too Chapter 05

The Fridge That Rot, The Promise That Rotted Too Chapter 05

Day seven.

A key turned. Mom’s voice: “Pearl! We’re back! Look what we brought you!”

Silence.

She slipped off her shoes and walked in-then stopped cold.

I was curled on the kitchen floor, stiff, surrounded by blackened vomit. Het scream cut through the

silence.

“Pearl! My Pearl!”

I floated overhead, watching her scramble to me. “Mom, I’m right here.” I reached for her, but my hand passed through.

I froze.

“What’s wrong?! What happened?!” Dad dropped the suitcases and rushed in. Serena followed, still holding her milk tea.

They saw the body. Dad stumbled. “Pearl-get up-you’re scaring us-”

He reached for me and recoiled. Cold. No warmth.

Mom shook me, shrieking. “Wake up! Mommy brought your cake!” She tore my shirt open and held me close, the stench filling the air.

Serena gagged and staggered back.

“Call 911! Now!” Mom screamed.

Dad dialed, hands shaking. He screamed the address and collapsed, gripping his hair.

I floated to him. “Dad, don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” But he couldn’t hear.

The ambulance came. The doctor checked my eyes, my neck. He stood up.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing we can do. She’s been dead for days.”

Those words hit Mom and Dad like a hammer to the chest.

Mom’s head snapped up, her eyes hollow as she stared at the doctor. “You’re lying!”

She suddenly threw herself at him, grabbing his white coat, refusing to let go. “She called me four days ago! She was talking! You save her! You have to save her! I’ll pay anything!”

The doctor stepped back, letting her cling to him. “Ma’am, please calm down. Based on the decomposition and the vomit at the scene, she likely died of severe dehydration and organ failure caused by food poisoning. The exact time of death will need to be determined by a medical

examiner.”

“Food poisoning?”