The Hide and Seek Game That Lasted a Lifetime novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Dad’s heart jolted violently, as if seized by a sudden, uncontrollable tremor. He stood there, frozen in place, unable to move or speak. The air around him seemed to thicken with tension.

In Mom’s eyes, something dark and unhinged flickered, replacing the hollow emptiness that had been there before. It was a chilling transformation.

“The bastard’s been found?” she whispered, her lips curling into a smile that sent shivers down Dad’s spine — a smile so terrifying it felt like a warning.

“Take me home, James,” she commanded sharply, her voice dropping to a low, vengeful whisper. “I want to kill him myself.”

Dad’s grip tightened around Mom’s wrist, his expression grave and unyielding. “Did you hear what Mrs. Davies just said?” he asked quietly.

Mom’s steps faltered, her voice rough and hoarse, like rusty gears grinding painfully in her throat. “What?”

“That man… he said he never touched you.”

Mom’s hand trembled, and the medicine bottle slipped silently from her fingers onto the floor. Disheveled and trembling, she snatched up the phone, her voice erupting into a furious roar. “Put him on! Does he really think he can deny it after what he did? Does he think I don’t remember a single thing?”

When the call reconnected, Mom unleashed a barrage of venomous curses, but on the other end, a long, heavy silence stretched out, taut and fragile, like a wire on the verge of snapping. Finally, a calm, measured voice cut through the tension. “Your delusional disorder… hasn’t it improved?”

Those words hit Dad like a thunderclap, shattering the fragile calm in his mind.

“Delusional disorder…” he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

His whole body shook uncontrollably. For several seconds, he stared at Mom, disbelief etched into every line of his face. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze toward me, eyes wide with shock.

“Impossible. I’m not sick,” Mom insisted, her voice shaking but defiant.

“Take her to the hospital. Now!” he ordered, voice trembling with urgency.

“Doctor, please! Save my daughter! She accidentally took sleeping pills!” Dad begged, his voice breaking as he pleaded with the medical staff.

Outside the hospital, Dad held me tightly, his grip fierce and protective as he charged toward the emergency room like a man possessed.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt the warmth of Dad’s embrace — solid, safe, and real.

I was so tired. So very tired. I just wanted to close my eyes.

If only time could freeze right here, right now. Then maybe… dying wouldn’t seem so terrifying after all.

“Dad,” I whispered weakly, “I want to sleep for a while. Just a little while.”