Chapter 2: The Video
Lily walked slowly into the living room.
Her phone screen glowed against her pale face.
Dad frowned.
“What is it?””
Lily didn't answer.
Chloe wiped her cheeks.
“Lily, this isn't funny.””
“I know.””
Mom looked confused.
“Sweetheart, go upstairs.””
“No.””
Everyone froze.
Lily had never spoken to Mom like that.
Mom blinked.
“What did you say?””
“I said no.””
Lily placed the phone on the coffee table.
“I have a video.””
Chloe stood up.
“What video?””
“The living room.””
Chloe’s face changed.
It happened quickly.
A tiny flicker.
But I saw it.
“What about the living room?”” Chloe asked.
Lily tapped her screen.
“Watch.””
The video began.
The angle was high and slightly crooked, aimed toward the couch and the lamp.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then Chloe walked into frame.
Alone.
She looked toward the hallway.
Then toward the front window.
She checked the room again.
Dad leaned closer.
“What is this?””
Lily didn't answer.
On-screen, Chloe walked to the lamp.
She stared at it.
Then she grabbed it with both hands.
Mom's breathing changed.
Chloe lifted the lamp.
And dropped it.
The crash exploded from Lily’s tiny phone speaker.
Nobody moved.
Chloe's face drained of color.
“That doesn't show anything,” she said.
Lily looked at her.
“It shows you broke the lamp.””
“I was upset.””
“You weren't crying.””
“I was about to.””
“You were alone.””
Chloe turned toward Dad.
“She was spying on me!””
Dad didn't respond.
On the recording, Chloe crouched beside the broken lamp.
She picked up one of the pieces.
Then she looked toward the front door.
Footsteps sounded outside.
Lily paused the video.
“That's Ethan coming home.””
Dad stared at the screen.
“Keep going.””
Lily pressed play.
Chloe quickly stood.
She straightened her hair.
Then she waited.
The front door opened.
Ethan's voice came from somewhere outside the camera's view.
“I'm home.””
Chloe grabbed the collar of her shirt.
She looked directly toward the hallway.
Then she pulled hard.
The fabric ripped.
Mom made a sound like she had been punched.
“No…”
Lily continued.
Chloe threw herself onto the floor.
Then she screamed.
The same scream that had brought us running downstairs.
The scream that had sent Ethan out into the rain.
The scream that had convinced Dad his son was dangerous.
Dad slowly turned toward Chloe.
“Why?””
Chloe backed away.
“I can explain.””
“You have thirty seconds.””
“I was scared.””
“You just watched yourself manufacture the entire thing.””
“I didn't hurt anyone!””
Dad's voice thundered.
“You accused my son of attacking you!””
Chloe pointed at Mom.
“She told me to!””
The room went completely still.
Mom closed her eyes.
Chloe realized what she'd said.
I stared at her.
“What?””
Chloe shook her head.
“I didn't mean—”
Dad turned toward Mom.
“What did she mean?””
Mom's lips parted.
Nothing came out.
Lily looked down at her phone.
“There’s more.””
Mom suddenly stepped toward her.
“Give me that.””
Lily backed away.
“No.””
“Lily.””
“No, Mom.””
“Give me your phone.””
“Why?””
Mom’s face had gone white.
“Because you don't understand what you're showing.””
Lily held the phone against her chest.
“I understand.””
She looked at me.
“I watched this yesterday.””
My stomach dropped.
“Yesterday?””
Lily nodded.
“I didn't know what it meant until tonight.””
Dad stared at her.
“What else did you record?””
Lily swallowed.
“The camera wasn't pointed at the hallway.””
She turned the phone around.
“It was pointed at the bookshelf.””
Dad's expression hardened.
“What happened near the bookshelf?””
Lily whispered the answer.
May you like
“Something happened after Chloe thought everyone had left.””
Then she pressed play.
