CHAPTER 6 — The Woman Who Was Never Dead
The next morning, Daniel visited Emily's grave for the first time.
He carried white lilies.
Ava stood beside him in silence.
"I'm sorry," Daniel whispered through tears.
"I should've come years ago."
Just as he placed the flowers down, an elderly groundskeeper approached.
He looked confused.
"You must be Daniel Carter."
Daniel nodded.
The old man frowned.
"That's strange."
"I've worked here for twenty-two years..."
"...and no one has ever been buried in this grave."
Daniel froze.
"What?"
The groundskeeper pointed to the headstone.
"It was reserved."
"But the coffin was never delivered."
Ava's face turned pale.
"That's impossible."
"I buried my mom."
The old man slowly shook his head.
"No, sweetheart."
"There was a closed memorial service..."
"But no body."
Daniel's heart pounded.
He immediately called the funeral home.
The manager answered after a long silence.
Finally, he whispered:
"Mr. Carter..."
"I've been waiting years for someone to ask."
"There was a court order."
"We were forbidden from opening the casket."
Before Daniel could ask another question, a black SUV screeched into the cemetery parking lot.
Three men in dark suits stepped out.
One of them held up a photograph.
It was Emily.
Taken...
Just three weeks ago.
The man looked directly at Daniel and said,
"If you want to see her alive..."
"...come alone."
Then he handed Daniel a small key.
Attached to it was a metal tag engraved with just four chilling words:
May you like
"Locker 317. Midnight."
To be continued...
