Chapter 1 - THE FREEZER
Ryan Carter heard Lily screaming before he saw the freezer.
The garage was cluttered with:
old tools,
plastic bins,
holiday decorations,
a broken bicycle,
and the white chest freezer Ryan had promised to move to the basement months ago.
It was nearly ten at night.
He had returned early from a work trip because his flight connection was canceled.
Evelyn was supposed to be watching Lily until morning.
That had been normal once.
Before Claire died.
Before everything between Ryan and his former mother-in-law became careful and brittle.
Ryan stepped into the garage.
“Lily?”
A muffled bang answered.
Then:
“DADDY!”
His blood went cold.
The sound came from the freezer.
Ryan sprinted.
The lid was locked with the small exterior latch Evelyn used to keep Lily from playing with it.
He tore at it.
The latch snapped.
He yanked the lid open.
Lily was inside.
Six years old.
Gray hoodie.
Face wet with tears.
Arms wrapped around herself.
Ryan grabbed her.
Pulled her out.
Held her against his chest.
“Who did this?!”
Lily sobbed.
“Grandma…”
Ryan froze.
He looked at the freezer.
Then back at his daughter.
“She put you in there?!”
Lily nodded.
“When I’m bad…”
Ryan felt something inside him turn black.
A car door slammed outside.
Footsteps.
Evelyn walked into the garage carrying a grocery bag.
Sixty-two.
Blonde.
Perfect coat.
Expression already irritated.
Then she saw Ryan.
Saw Lily.
Saw the broken latch.
Her face drained.
Ryan moved toward her.
“WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!”
Evelyn stopped.
For one moment, she looked afraid.
Then the fear vanished.
She set the groceries down.
“Ask her what she did.”
Ryan stared.
“She’s six.”
“She lies.”
Lily buried her face in Ryan’s chest.
Evelyn pointed at her.
“That is exactly the problem.”
Ryan stepped between them.
“No.”
His voice was quiet now.
“That’s your problem.”
Evelyn’s eyes hardened.
May you like
Then she said the sentence that told Ryan this was not the first time.
“You have no idea what she’s been like when you’re not here.”
