âHe promised me he wouldnât go far.
He should be just around the corridor,â Raegan replied with certainty.
Erick fell silent again.
âRaegan!â Landen suddenly interjected.
âMitchel hasnât been around forâ¦â
âFather!â Erick sharply cut him off, causing Landen to halt.
After a brief pause, Erick suggested, âYou take the children and Janey outside first.
â
Landenâs eyes met Raeganâs, conveying a deep sadness as he nodded slowly.
Once only Raegan and Erick remained in the room, she persisted, âErick, why arenât you going? I want to see Mitchel.
â
âRaeganâ¦â Erickâs face was marked by reluctance and sorrow.
âMitchel⦠Heâ¦â
Erick choked up, unable to continue, and after a moment, he gathered his courage and said, âMitchel⦠Heâs not here.
How could you forget?â
âWhat? Erick, what are you talking about?â Raegan sat up abruptly.
âWhat kind of joke is this?â She had seen Mitchel just over an hour ago.
How could he be not here.
.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Raegan asked, âSince heâs not here, where did he go?â
âRaegan.
â Erick explained slowly, âWhen I say heâs not here, I mean he has passed away.
He died five months ago from a gunshot wound that was fatalâ¦â
The room fell silent.
Raegan felt as if she had been struck by Lightning, completely stunned.
âDeadâ¦â Her lips trembled as she struggled to form the words, âYouâre saying Mitchel⦠Heâs dead?â
âYes.
â Erick paused, his voice hoarse after a long silence.
âHeâs deadâ¦â
Raeganâs entire body froze.
Tears streamed down her face, unchecked and rapid.
âHow could it beâ¦â
Raegan couldnât accept it, whispering in disbelief, âNo, itâs impossible⦠Erick, Mitchel had talked to me a while ago.
He promised to wait for meâ¦â
âMitchel had passed away, Raegan.
â Erick embraced Raegan, and the siblings wept together, their sorrow profound and raw.
Through her tears, Raeganâs mind replayed the scene.
She saw the cold steel door marked âMortuary.
â Pushing it open, she was confronted by a stark, lifeless form on the metal examination table, concealed by a white sheet.
Raeganâs body shook violently at the sight.
âMitchelâ¦â she cried out, her voice filled with agony.
Her heart felt as though it would shatter.
Why⦠Whyâ¦
She silently implored, âGod, canât you see what youâve done?â
At that moment, Katieâs haunting words echoed in Raeganâs thoughts.