Chapter 2

Dad's face shows a flicker of conflict.

He looks at Emma's tear-streaked face.

Finally, he sighs.

"She's right."

Mom looks at him.

"Honey, we really have focused too much on Lily these past years. We've neglected Emma."

"Lily's older now. We can stock the fridge and set up the cameras. A three or four day trip shouldn't be a problem."

Mom's resolve begins to crack.

Emma sees it. She kneels at Mom's feet.

"Mom, I'll teach Lily how to use the microwave. Please, Mom. Just this once."

Mom lets out a long sigh. She turns to me, her voice careful.

"Lily, what if Mommy, Daddy, and Emma go away for a few days? Can you be good and wait for us at home?"

"Where's Mommy going? Why isn't Lily going?"

Mom forces a smile.

"Mommy's going to bring you something yummy. You're a big girl now. You can stay home by yourself for a few days, right?"

I nod quickly and puff out my chest.

"Lily's a big girl! Lily can stay home alone!"

The next few days are busy.

Mom fills the fridge.

Emma holds my hand and shows me everything again and again.

"If you're hungry, take a meal from the top shelf. Put it in the microwave and press the red button. If you're thirsty, the milk and juice are on the second shelf."

I nod seriously, repeating after her.

"Got it! Red button when Lily's hungry! Milk when Lily's thirsty!"

On the morning they leave, Dad stands by the door with two big suitcases.

Emma is smiling for the first time in days.

Mom kneels in front of me and sits me on the little stool behind the door..

"Lily, be good. Wait for Mommy right here."

She grips my shoulders.

"And listen—you absolutely cannot open this door yourself. There is the Big Bad Wolf out there who takes little girls away. You wouldn't want to never see Mommy again, would you?"

I nod hard, scared.

"Lily won't go out. Lily will wait right here."

Mom kisses my forehead.

"Good girl. When we come back, Mommy brings you your favorite strawberry cake."

"Strawberry cake! I want a BIG one!"

Mom smiles. She looks at me one last time. Then she turns and walks out.

Bang. The deadbolt closes.

The apartment goes quiet. Just the clock on the wall.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

I stare at the closed door without blinking.

Outside, the sky darkens, making the lights inside seem brighter.

My stomach growls. I'm just about to get up and head to the fridge when—

Click.

Every light goes out. The whole apartment goes dark.

Startled, I fall back onto the stool.

“Mommy?”

My voice echoes through the empty rooms. The darkness presses in from all sides. I can't even see my own hands.

“Mommy! I'm scared!”

Tears start streaming down my face.

I fumble for the smartwatch on my wrist and tap Mom's contact.

A moment later, her voice comes through the watch.

"Hello? Lily, what's wrong?"

Mom sounds rushed. I hear ocean waves behind her.

"Mommy, it's dark! The apartment is dark!"

I cry into the watch.

"Lily's scared of the dark! Mommy, come home!"

Silence for a second.

Then Dad's voice.

"What's wrong? What'd she say?"

"She says the house is dark. You think the power's out?" Mom sounds tense.

A moment later, Dad again: "That's impossible. I just checked the power company app. The bill's paid. There's no way it's out."

Mom's breathing gets heavier.

"Should we… go back early?"

Emma's voice cuts in from somewhere nearby, guarded.

"Mom, don't freak out. If you're worried, just check the camera feed."

A few seconds of silence.

"Why is the camera offline?" Mom sounds confused.

Emma again: "Probably the WiFi. Our router glitches all the time. I bet she's just throwing a tantrum because we're not back yet."

Mom pauses.

"You're right… she pulls this every time I'm gone."

"Lily, are you being difficult?"

Mom's tone hardens.

"You're a big girl. Big girls don't lie."

I shake my head hard. Tears fly off my face.

"Lily's not lying! It's really dark! I can't see!"

"Enough, Lily. Listen to Mommy."

She cuts me off.

"You can't just lie because Mommy went out. If you keep this up, Mommy won't want you anymore."

The instant I hear “Mommy won't want you,” I go completely still.

"Lily's good. Lily won't be trouble. Mommy, please don't stop wanting Lily."

"Mm. Good girl. Go turn on the lights. Eat your dinner."

Mom hangs up.

"Lily will turn on the lights. Lily's a good girl."

I feel along the wall in the dark. I find the switch. I press it hard.

Click.

No light.

I press it again. And again. Still dark.

Tears run down my face without a sound.

"Mommy lied. The light's broken."

I don't dare call again. What if Mommy really doesn't want me?

"Lily's not scared. Mommy's coming home soon."

I whisper it to myself, over and over, until exhaustion pulls me under.