My Stepmother Locked My Father in a Casket While He Was Still Breathing

The Strange Vibration

Leo stared at Maria, his grief momentarily suspended by a wave of confusion. A contagious disease? His father had been in perfect health when they spoke on the phone just days ago. Why hadn't Maria called him to the hospital? Why was there no official medical staff present, only a quiet wake arranged hastily in their own living room?

As Leo rested his forehead against the cold wood, trying to process the nightmare, he felt it—a faint, rhythmic thudding from deep within the casket. It was subtle, almost like a frantic heartbeat vibrating through the mahogany. He froze, his eyes widening.

"Did you hear that?"

Leo whispered, looking up at his stepmother.

Maria’s composure cracked.

"It's just the house settling, Leo! You are hysterical. We need to let him rest,"

she insisted, her voice rising in panic. She gestured to a burly man standing near the hallway—a hired "undertaker" who looked more like a nightclub bouncer than a funeral director.

"Marcus, please help Leo to his room. He needs to lie down before the transport vehicle arrives."

But the thudding came again, louder this time, accompanied by a scraping sound. Arthur was throwing his entire body weight against the side of the casket. Leo's instincts screamed that something was horribly wrong. He pushed Maria aside and grabbed the heavy brass latch of the casket.

"Get away from me, Maria! Something is in there!"

"Stop him!" Maria shrieked, her mask of grief completely slipping to reveal a cold, desperate rage. Marcus lunged forward, grabbing Leo by the collar of his suit, but Leo fought back with the strength of a son desperate to protect his father's memory—or perhaps, his father's life.