CHAPTER 2: THE SOUND INSIDE THE COFFIN

Ethan’s eyes remained fixed on the coffin.

The room was silent.

Too silent.

Then he heard it.

Tap.

A tiny sound.

Almost impossible to notice.

Ethan froze.

Did he imagine it?

A second passed.

Then another.

Tap.

This time louder.

Coming from inside the coffin.

His blood turned to ice.

The mourners looked around nervously.

Some had heard it too.

“What was that?” someone whispered.

Vivian immediately stepped forward.

“It’s nothing.”

Her answer came too quickly.

Too urgently.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

Then the sound came again.

Knock.

Knock.

The room erupted in gasps.

A woman screamed.

Several people jumped to their feet.

The unmistakable noise echoed through the funeral home.

From inside the coffin.

For the first time all afternoon, Vivian looked afraid.

Real fear.

Not grief.

Fear.

Ethan slowly turned toward her.

“What did you do?”

Vivian’s face went pale.

“Stop this.”

“What did you do to my father?”

The guests stared between them.

Suddenly the funeral no longer felt like a memorial.

It felt like a crime scene.

Ethan rushed toward the coffin.

Two security guards stepped in front of him.

“Move.”

“Sir, please calm down.”

“MOVE!”

The coffin shook.

Barely.

But enough.

Enough for everyone to see.

The room exploded into chaos.

People screamed.

Phones appeared.

Someone dialed 911.

And Vivian backed away as if the entire world was collapsing around her.

Because the secret she thought had already been buried...

was trying to come back out.