But just as she prepared to lift the lid, a voice screamed. No! Henry lunged forward like a rabid animal, his eyes bloodshot, his face contorted with pure terror. No one opens the coffin! Leave Samuel alone! Smack! Matthew delivered another crushing punch, sending Henry sprawling onto the cold stone floor.
He writhed in pain, but he still shrieked like a madman. Don’t open it! Don’t open it! Clara trembled with rage. What are you so afraid of, Henry? I’m not afraid of anything! Henry screamed, thrashing like a man possessed.
You don’t understand! Don’t open it! Don’t open it! But Clara had no patience left. She turned to Matthew and James. They nodded.
Her hands shook, but her resolve was unshaken. She placed both hands firmly on the coffin lid. Beside her, Lucy sobbed, gripping her mother’s dress.
Mama! Papa is scared! Clara bit her lip hard. She was about to lift the lid. But! Clara, stop! A deep voice boomed from the entrance of the church.
Everyone turned. Father Manuel had arrived. His long black robes fluttered slightly as he stepped forward, his face grave and tense.
What are you all doing? Matthew quickly approached him. Father, something is wrong. There are noises coming from the coffin.
We have to open it. The priest slowly walked forward, his piercing gaze scanning the fearful faces of the villagers before settling on Clara. Are you sure, Clara? Her breath hitched.
Was she sure? Beside her, Lucy clutched her hand tighter, her teary eyes glistening. Papa! Papa is scared! Her daughter’s words sliced through Clara’s heart. She took a shaky breath and looked straight at the priest.
I’m not sure, she admitted, her voice trembling. But I can’t bury Samuel with doubt in my heart. Father Manuel nodded solemnly.
He stepped toward the coffin. The church was deathly silent. No one even dared to breathe.
The priest reached out and lightly touched the lid. A suffocating stillness filled the room. And then! Thud! Thud! Another knock! Louder! More frantic! Madame Rose screamed and several villagers bolted for the door in sheer terror.
Henry writhed on the ground, mumbling like a lunatic. Don’t open it! Don’t open it! You’ll regret this! But no one was listening to him anymore. Clara met the priest’s gaze.
He nodded. Open it! But! Wait! A voice suddenly rang out from the church entrance. Everyone turned in shock.
A man burst in, panting heavily, his clothes disheveled as if he had run a great distance. It was Esteban the forensic doctor. Stop, he shouted.
Do not open that coffin! The entire church froze. Clara’s eyes widened in disbelief. Why? She choked out.
Esteban rushed forward, his face drenched in sweat. There, there’s been a mistake, he gasped. I checked Samuel’s death certificate and something isn’t right.
No one made a sound. Matthew’s fists clenched. What are you saying? The forensic doctor swallowed hard, his expression grim.
The death certificate was signed by a doctor I don’t recognize. I checked with the hospital and no one officially confirmed Samuel’s death. The air in the church turned to ice.
Clara felt her entire body go numb. Henry let out a strangled wail, like a cornered animal. No, no! No! Matthew tightened his fists, his voice like thunder.
What does that mean? Esteban turned to Clara, his voice heavy as a tombstone. It means, there’s a chance Samuel was never dead. The entire church screamed.
Clara collapsed to her knees, clutching Lucy. Lucy sobbed, whispering. Mama! I told you! Clara’s eyes widened.
Her trembling hands clenched her daughter’s dress. She turned to the coffin. Her hand reached for the lid.
She was going to open it. But! No! Henry lunged forward like a madman, screaming hysterically. And! The church doors suddenly slammed shut.
Everything plunged into darkness. Bang! The church doors slammed shut, plunging everything into darkness. Terrified screams erupted.
A few villagers shoved each other, desperately trying to escape, but the doors were locked tight. The heavy scent of damp stone, burning candles, and the rapid breathing of dozens of people mixed together, creating a suffocating, almost unbearable atmosphere. Clara clutched Lucy tightly, feeling the child’s small body trembling.
Mama! Lucy’s voice was so small it was almost inaudible. Clara squeezed her daughter’s hand, her heart pounding violently. It’s okay, baby.
Mama’s here. Suddenly, a voice shrieked in the darkness. We can’t stay here.
We need to open the doors. A man rushed forward, banging on the church doors, but they wouldn’t budge. Who locked the doors? Matthew pulled out his phone, but there was no signal.
Madam Rose began trembling, whispering frantic prayers under her breath. This is an omen, a punishment. Clara fought to stay calm, but she knew something was terribly wrong.
Someone, please open the doors, a woman screamed. But no one responded. Then! Ha ha ha ha! A crazed, maniacal laughter rang through the darkness.
Everyone turned at once. Henry! He stood in the middle of the church, sweat dripping down his face, his bloodshot eyes filled with madness. Don’t open the coffin! Don’t open it, he howled, but his voice, once commanding, was now weak with desperation.
Father Manuel stepped forward, his tone firm. Henry, what do you know about this? Henry staggered back, shaking his head violently. No! No! Don’t ask me! Don’t ask! Matthew stormed toward him, grabbing him by the collar.
What did you do to Samuel? Henry broke down, but this time, he was no longer the arrogant, controlling man he had been. He crumpled to the floor, his entire body shaking. I! I didn’t mean to! Clara clenched her fists, her voice razor-sharp.
What did you do? Henry sobbed, his words barely comprehensible. I just wanted what was mine. I just wanted Samuel to sell the house.
But he refused. He said, he’d never sell it. A cold shiver ran down Clara’s spine.
So, you killed him? No! Henry screamed, then collapsed into helpless sobs. I didn’t kill him. I only wanted to scare him.
I put something in his drink just to knock him out. But, but he never woke up. The entire church was paralyzed with horror.
Clara felt the world spin, a deafening ringing in her ears. You drugged my husband? Henry nodded, sweat dripping from his brow. I didn’t know he was allergic.
I didn’t know. When I realized he wasn’t waking up. I panicked.
So you forged the death certificate? Matthew growled. Henry shuddered. I had no other choice.
I bribed a doctor to fake the paperwork. I thought he was already dead. You thought? Clara’s voice cracked, her fists trembling.
You didn’t even check. Henry cowered, unable to meet her gaze. I… I was too afraid.
And you let them bury him? Henry sobbed uncontrollably, but there was no pity left for him. No! No! I didn’t know. I didn’t know.
I never thought. But he couldn’t finish his sentence. Because at that exact moment… Bang! Bang! Bang! The pounding inside the coffin grew so violent the entire church trembled.
A chorus of screams erupted. Henry’s eyes bulged, his face drained of all color. No! No! I.T. can’t be! Father Manuel made the sign of the cross before commanding.
Open the coffin! Clara took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking, but she knew this was the most important moment of her life. She turned to Matthew and nodded.