Making an Example Of

Mom and Dad came rushing downstairs. The moment they saw Andrew and Megan at the punishment room door, their faces changed.

"What are you doing? Sneaking around in the middle of the night trying to break a lock?

"This is theft. Thieves do things like this. Is this how I raised you?"

Megan threw herself at Dad and grabbed his arm, crying so hard she could barely breathe.

"Dad, please. Let Zack out.

"Open the door and let us look at him, okay? Just one look."

Dad shook her off.

"He cannot hold out?

"Zack Reed, answer me. Are you pretending to be pitiful again?"

There was not a single place on my body that did not hurt.

I wanted to speak, but I no longer had the strength to open my mouth.

Dad's face darkened.

"You are getting better and better at taking shortcuts. Now you have learned to act mute.

"Do you think this will make me let you out? Dream on."

Mom hesitated.

"All right. It is only one night.

"Maybe let him out. What if something really happens?"

Dad's voice shot up.

"No. I finally got them to admit their mistakes and swear.

"If you let him out now, everything today was for nothing. They will do it again next time."

With that, he turned and rushed into the storage closet.

Andrew and Megan exchanged a terrified look.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Dad came back gripping a can of expanding foam and sprayed it wildly at the little window of the punishment room.

White foam sealed the opening solid.

Megan threw herself forward to stop him.

"Dad, you cannot seal it! The room is completely enclosed. That window is the only air opening. Zack will suffocate!"

Dad did not stop.

"Stop scaring me with death.

"When we renovated, I had a vent installed. Do you think I am an idiot?

"I hate this hysterical attitude of yours. You act as if I am some evil stepfather."

As he sprayed, he turned to glare at Megan.

"You two, go back to your rooms and sleep right now.

"Otherwise, I will shut off the vent too."

Andrew and Megan shook with anger, but Mom grabbed their arms and dragged them back.

"Did you hear your father?

"He is right. You are both too ungrateful. Go to your rooms."

I curled up in the corner. The air began to turn heavy.

I opened my mouth to breathe, and the taste of blood in my mouth grew stronger.

Dad did not know the vent had been broken for years.

I wanted to tell him, but as soon as I opened my mouth, a clump of bloody foam choked me.

My temples throbbed. My brain began to starve for air.

I opened my mouth like a fish thrown onto dry land, desperately trying to breathe.

To get air, I clawed at my own throat.

My nails dug into my skin, leaving deep red marks.

In the end, my face swelled purple, and my awareness faded.

...

At dawn, Megan ran over with tear tracks still on her face.

"Dad, it is morning. Open the door."

Andrew stood beside her, dark circles under his eyes. He had not slept all night.

Dad calmly straightened his clothes.

"Why are you rushing me? I have not finished breakfast.

"I told you, I know what I am doing. Your brother will be fine.

"You two spoil him too much. That is why he spits blood every time he wants attention."

Megan glared at him and screamed.

"Dad, how can you say that about Zack?"

Dad's hand paused, and his eyes went cold.

"What are you shouting for? Shout again, and I will not open it today."

Megan's tears fell at once, and she swallowed the rest of her words.

At last, Mom and Dad leisurely finished breakfast.

"All right, all right. Stop calling. I am here, am I not?"

Dad walked to the door and entered a few numbers on the keypad.

"You two watch your brother carefully."

He turned his head toward them with a boastful tone.

"Remember, this is what happens when you eat things behind our backs. Whoever dares to order takeout again will end up like this."

Dad pulled open the heavy metal door.

Light poured into the small room that had been dark all night.

The terrible scene inside was laid bare before everyone.