The Bound Between Us

The message was from Salma.

Cynthia and Colton had finally split up.

Ever since Gianna died, Cynthia hadn't been herself. Colton couldn't take it anymore-couldn't bear the woman Cynthia had become so he moved out.

Just yesterday, they finalized the divorce.

To be fair, Colton didn't just walk away. He left Cynthia with some money for her old age, and the house, too. It was as fair a deal as anyone could expect.

But now Cynthia was truly alone. No children, no family around her. She had money and a house, but what did any of it matter if there was no one to share it with?

Salma heard about the divorce through relatives. Worried, she decided to check on Cynthia.

She knocked on the door for ages, but no one answered. Still, she could smell something burning from inside, and it made her uneasy. Not wanting to take any chances, Salma called the fire department. They broke the door open.

Turns out Cynthia had left chicken simmering in the kitchen until it burned dry. The whole house was thick with smoke, so the firefighters hurried to open the windows.

Salma rushed to the bedroom, and when she opened the door, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

In broad daylight, the room was weirdly cold and creepy. Cynthia was kneeling on

a mat, surrounded by jars and candles, performing some kind of ritual.

one of the jars was something that sent shivers

just the remains of a child

startling Cynthia out

open. The look in them was enough to

what are you doing?" Salma's face turned white as

along with a birth date written

Anastasia's

cursing

it-Cynthia's mind

stared at Salma blankly,

arrived, the firefighters had already

neighbor had called

and creepy jars

the rules to keep ashes at home, never mind practicing rituals like that. The police started clearing out all the odd stuff. Cynthia didn't react

Cynthia clung to the urn. "No one can take her from me!

your neighbors. Why not find your daughter

this! This is a residential building, not a graveyard. It's just

if word gets out, the property value

in the same building as the

trouble! You don't worry those poor kids will come for