He Wept Over His Father's Casket, Unaware of the Terrifying Secret Trapped Inside

A Suspicious Quarantine

Leo stared at his sister, his tear-filled eyes narrowing as her words registered. Arthur had been perfectly healthy when Leo left for his business trip. How could a sudden, highly contagious disease kill him in less than forty-eight hours without any warning?

"A contagious disease?"

Leo repeated, his voice dropping to a suspicious whisper.

"Why didn't you call me? Why wasn't he in a hospital? Maria, this makes no sense."

"There was no time!"

Maria hissed, her eyes darting nervously toward the parlor doors.

"It was sudden. The doctors said we had to cremate him immediately after this private viewing. You need to leave, Leo. For your own safety."

As Maria reached out to pull him away, a faint, rhythmic scratching sound echoed from inside the casket. It was followed by a dull, muffled thud. Leo froze. His heart hammered against his ribs.

"Did you hear that?"

Leo whispered, pushing Maria's hands off him.

"It's just the wood settling,"

Maria claimed, her face turning pale.

"We need to go, now!"

But Leo wasn't listening. He leaned his ear against the cold mahogany. Another muffled thud vibrated through the wood. It wasn't the settling of timber; it was a desperate plea. Leo grabbed the heavy brass latch, but it was securely padlocked from the outside—a lock that should never be on a casket.

"Give me the key, Maria,"

Leo demanded, his grief instantly hardening into anger.

"No, Leo! You're hysterical!"

she screamed, stepping back and clutching her purse tightly. Realizing his sister would never help him, Leo scanned the room. His eyes landed on a heavy, solid brass candlestick standing on the mantelpiece. He snatched it up, his knuckles turning white.