My Stepmother Said Dad Died of an Infection but the Casket Was Screwed Shut

Leo stared at his stepmother, his grief momentarily suspended by a cold wave of suspicion. Maria had always been protective of his father's estate, but this sudden, secretive funeral felt entirely wrong. There had been no prior warning, no hospital stay, just a sudden phone call claiming Arthur had passed away in his sleep from a mysterious illness.

The Sound in the Dark

"A contagious disease?"

Leo repeated, stepping back from her grasp.

"Dad hasn't traveled in years. What doctor diagnosed this? I want to see the medical reports, Maria. This doesn't make any sense."

Maria’s face paled, her polished facade cracking.

"There isn't time for paperwork right now, Leo! We have to respect the quarantine protocols. The transport team is already on their way to take him to the crematorium. You need to step back,"

she demanded, her voice rising in pitch as she reached into her pocket, her fingers nervously tapping against her phone.

Just as Leo was about to argue, a faint, muffled sound echoed through the quiet room. It was a dull, rhythmic thudding, followed by a frantic scraping noise. It was coming from directly beneath the heavy oak lid.

Leo froze, his breath catching in his throat.

"Did you hear that?"

he whispered, his eyes locking onto the casket.

"It’s just the wood settling! The temperature in here is changing,"

Maria stammered, stepping between Leo and the coffin, her body trembling.

"We need to leave the room right now, Leo. It's not safe!"

But the thumping grew faster, more desperate. Leo's heart hammered against his ribs. The sound wasn't the creaking of wood; it was the sound of someone clawing for their life. Disregarding her warnings, Leo grabbed a heavy brass candle holder from the side table, ready to force the sealed casket open.