Chapter 21

I ran into the bathroom, tears streaming down my face. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the tears and the pain that were consuming me. I felt dirty and hopeless, like I was drowning in a sea of despair.

I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over my body, trying to scrub away the filth and the guilt that seemed to cling to me like a second skin. I didn't know how I was any better than the person who had killed my son. I was a failure as a father and as a human being.

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, I heard my phone ringing in the bedroom. I grabbed a towel and rushed to answer it.

But when I saw the caller ID, I felt my heart sink. It was the same strange number that had called me before.

I answered the call, but there was no one on the other end.

Just silence.

In a fit of rage, I hurled my phone across the room, watching as it smashed against the wall and fell to the floor. I collapsed