Mom, I'm a Ghost Now

Chapter 2

This was the worst case the city had seen in a decade, and a heavy atmosphere hung over the entire police station. 

The higher-ups were paying close attention, ordering Dad, the captain, to solve the case within a limited time frame. 

Following the leads they had, the police quickly retrieved surveillance footage from the vicinity.

They soon honed in on a particular scene: three masked men were shown abducting a schoolgirl using a van.

However, the footage was blurry, and their faces were indiscernible.

The kidnapping was swift, precise, and ruthless, leading the police to believe it was premeditated.

Only Dad stared at the unclear faces, lost in thought. "I don't know why, but I feel like I know these people."

"Could it be someone we know or someone who's been inside before, back to harm society?" Gabriel pondered.

Just then, David's phone rang. It was the leading teacher, Mr. Porter.

"Hello, this is Isaac, Layla's leading teacher. Did something happen? Layla didn't come to school this morning." The teacher's voice was laced with concern.

Dad frowned. "I don't know. I'm busy with work right now. Don't call me about her anymore. Go to her uncle."

The teacher tried to speak, but Dad hung up in frustration. Gabriel spoke with a hint of worry, "Layla isn't a disobedient child. Could something have really happened?"

"What could happen? She's at her uncle's house." Dad didn't want to mention me, his voice laced with impatience. Seeing this, Gabriel could only shake his head helplessly.

Dad would occasionally take me to the police station when I was little. Gabriel and the others, seeing how small and soft I was, all adored me and treated me very well. After that incident, I never went to Dad's workplace again. 

And they knew that I always spent the anniversary of Mom's death at my uncle's. Dad's prejudice against me ran deep; it wasn't something their simple words of persuasion could erase.

"David... today's your wife's death anniversary, you..." Gabriel wanted Dad to rest, but the pressure from the higher-ups was also immense.

"Don't worry. The busier I am, the less I'll think about her." Dad's voice was tired but resolute.

"Alright then, let's try to solve this case soon. Also... your wife's death wasn't Layla's fault. How long has it been since your wife passed? How long have you been neglecting her...

"Layla is also to be pitied. Not only did you lose your wife, but your child lost her mother too...

"I see her all quiet all the time. She must be hurting inside.

"This poor child who passed away is about the same age as Layla. How heartbroken her family must be when they find out. After this case is over, be kinder to Layla. There shouldn't be such a chill between a parent and their child."

Gabriel's words stung my heart. As an outsider, he could see things clearly. But why was Dad, who was in the thick of it, so stubborn?

Dad seemed stunned as if Gabriel's words had touched a nerve.

"Oh," was all Dad said. Seeing this, Gabriel knew his words had gotten through.

*****

Dad, Gabriel, and a few others rushed to the scene identified in the surveillance footage, hoping to find something.

It was a small alley, usually bustling with people, but eerily deserted at night. It was here that those thugs had abducted me.

Suddenly, Gabriel discovered a student ID card, broken into several pieces. It was from the Third Middle School.

On my birthday, not wanting to go home and face the hatred in Dad and Samuel's eyes, I lingered outside until very late before heading back.

On the road, someone suddenly grabbed me from behind and dragged me towards a vehicle.

Terrified, I found an unexpected surge of strength and kicked with all my might, desperately trying to break free.

But the difference in our strength was too great, and I was dragged into that fateful van. In the struggle, my student ID card had shattered.

Dad stared at the ID card for a moment, lost in thought. I held my breath, anticipating the outcome. Would he recognize it as mine?

But he simply said, "Call the principal of the Third Middle School. Ask if there are any girls who didn't show up for class this morning."

Gabriel rubbed his chin, staring at Dad as if a thought had crossed his mind. Then he shook his head vigorously as if trying to banish the bad notion.

At nine o'clock that evening, the list of absent students and their parents' contact information compiled by the principal of the Third Middle School was sent to Dad and his team. 

My name was on it, along with Dad's phone number. But Dad automatically disregarded it.

The young police officer started making calls, verifying each case one by one. Dad's eyelids twitched, his phone constantly buzzing. He excused himself, telling everyone he had to go home for a bit, and left.

Sitting in his car, he glanced at his phone before starting the engine. His eyes instantly softened. After Mom's death, only Chloe could elicit such tenderness from him.

He answered the call. "Chloe, I'm a bit busy today. I'll be home soon, don't worry."

A sweet, cheerful voice came from the other end. "Drive safe, Daddy. Samuel and I are waiting for you at home."

Dad chuckled. "Don't worry, my sweet Chloe. I will bring you something fun, okay?"

I watched him stop at a toy store. 

He emerged a while later, carrying a LinaBell doll, his face beaming. It was pink, cute, and lovely, just the kind of thing Chloe would like.

Hearing the sound of the door, Chloe came running over and took the doll from Dad's hand. She twirled around excitedly, her skirt billowing. She was beautiful.

Dad's eyes followed her every move, his smile so wide that his eyes were reduced to slits.

"Chloe, this is a belated birthday present for you. The shopkeeper said they didn't have it in stock a few days ago, so I had it rushed."

"Daddy, even if you didn't give me anything, I'd still love you. You and Samuel have given me a warm home. I'm very happy," Chloe said sweetly.

Dad held his precious Chloe close, relieved that his beloved daughter hadn't suffered any harm.

"Good... Did Layla come back today?" Dad glanced at my room and asked Chloe casually.

Finally remembered to care about me, huh?

Chloe's smile faded. "She hasn't come back yet. She didn't go to school today either."

Dad's expression turned serious. "Chloe, I have a case I haven't finished yet. I'll be back late tonight. Samuel is busy too. Stay home alone, lock the doors and windows, and call me or Samuel if anything happens." With that, he hurriedly left the house and rushed back to the station.

Dad's eyelids twitched even more violently now, to the point that it was affecting his driving. He rubbed his eyes, trying to dispel the unease.

His phone rang abruptly. It was Gabriel.

"David, we've checked everyone. The only one left... is Layla."