The high-pitched, deafening ringing in my ears slowly began to fracturing, the subterranean sounds of the basement garage rushing back in a chaotic, overwhelming wave. The low, heavy rumble of the luxury sedan’s idling engine, the dripping of water from a distant pipe, and the sharp, rapid sound of Mason’s breathing all collided inside my head. But the return of my senses brought no relief. It only solidified the living nightmare standing right in front of us.
I watched in absolute horror as my mother stepped fully out from the dark shadow of the concrete pillar, the harsh, white fluorescent tubes overhead catching the cruel, triumphant lines of her face. She was grinning like a cat who had just caught all the cream, her painted lips curving into a wide, sickening smile that made my blood
