“We will begin now,” he said gently.
Kimberly nodded, unable to speak. Her phone vibrated as the camera connected to the live feed. She opened the video.
At first she saw darkness, then a faint glow from the overhead lights reflecting off white satin. Tyler face filled the screen. His eyes were closed. His lips slightly parted. The image shook as the coffin began to move forward on the conveyor.
Then the camera slipped. The image shifted to his feet. Kimberly breath caught. Something about the movement felt wrong. Too much motion. Too alive.
Her pulse spiked. “Stop,” she whispered.
The conveyor continued forward.
“Stop everything,” she screamed suddenly. “Turn it off.”
Everyone froze. Curtis jerked his head toward her.
“Maam, please,” he said. “This is very difficult, but the process must continue.”
Kimberly held up her phone, her voice breaking.
“Look at this. Look at the video. Something is wrong.”
Brian grabbed her arm. “Kim, the camera just fell. You are exhausted and grieving. Let him rest.”
Sandra stepped closer with a soft smile.
“Dear, you are hurting yourself. The boy is gone. Please trust us.”
But a mother heart does not listen to comfort. Kimberly stared at the screen again. The image shifted once more. Slowly. Deliberately. The camera turned upward. Tyler face returned into view.
Kimberly eyes widened. The camera had moved by itself. Curtis noticed her expression and leaned closer.
“What am I seeing,” he murmured.
On the screen, Tyler fingers twitched. Once. Twice. Then his hand curled around the small camera. The picture steadied as if guided by intention.
Kimberly screamed. “Open it. Open the coffin now.”
Curtis hesitated. Regulations screamed in his mind. But the terror in her voice cut through protocol. He slammed the emergency stop and pulled the lever that raised the lid.
The metal creaked upward. Steam rolled out. Gasps filled the room.
Inside, Tyler moved.
His fingers flexed. His chest rose in a shallow breath. His eyes fluttered open, glazed with confusion and fear.
Kimberly lunged forward and lifted him into her arms, sobbing.
“My baby. My God. You are alive. You are alive.”
Tyler clung to her neck with surprising strength. His voice was a weak whisper.
“Mom. Do not go with them. They wanted me gone.”
The words sliced through the room like broken glass.
Brian stepped backward, his face draining of color.