My family locked me in the basement to give birth. Days later, they returned to find a dark red liquid seeping from the door. As my mother screamed, a voice whispered behind her, “Looking for me?”

casually, nodding toward the puddle. “I had to sacrifice your most sacred vintage, Walter. It was the only currency I had left to guarantee you’d open that door.”

My father’s arms went limp, the heavy revolver dropping to his side. My mother collapsed against the wall, her voice cracking under the weight of her guilt. “Why… why would you do this to continue reading …