Chapter 4
I hesitated, then accepted the request, almost in a trance.[]
The person immediately messaged me: “I know your dead father has come home. If you want to understand why, meet me tomorrow!”
Then he sent me a location–a small museum. I saved it, still unsure whether to go, when I heard Dad calling from downstairs.
“Charlotte! Come down quick! Mom’s home!“]
I raced downstairs and sure enough, there was Mom.]
**
Something was off about her. Hér smile seemed forced, and she looked weathered. Her skin was much darker and drier, she’d been somewhere parched and desolate.]]
Even with makeup, the changes were obvious. If I could see it, Dad certainly could too.
But he didn’t seem to care. He happily greeted Mom and announced he’d make dinner for our family reunion.]
like
While Dad was cooking, Mom sneaked into my room and handed me a packet of ash–gray powder. She instructed me to mix it into Dad’s food or drink!]
I was confused and asked what it was.]]
“Listen, Charlotte,” she urged. “Only you can give this to him. This man isn’t your father–I’m sure you’ve already noticed!“[]
“He’s been back for two weeks. If we don’t get him to take this soon, he’ll never leave!“]]
I didn’t know who to trust. I kept asking Mom the same question:
“Mom, what is this powder? Will it kill him?”
Mom shook her head with a mysterious smile.]
“No, sweetie, don’t worry. It won’t harm a human. But if he’s not human…“[]
イ
“It will reveal his true form! Trust me, Charlotte. By tonight, you’ll know the truth!“]
Under Mom’s guidance, I mixed the powder into Dad’s food and drink
He didn’t suspect a thing and ate everything.]
By 9 PM, Dad started acting strange.
His face darkened, and he grew increasingly agitated, constantly demanding water.[]
“Water! Water! Give me water!”
1 brought him bottle after bottle, but it wasn’t enough. Finally, he asked me to fill the bathtub, then plunged in headfirst.]
Chapter 4
Worried he might drown, I peeked through the door crack. What I saw left me paralyzed with horror![]
Dad was soaking in the tub, but his entire body had bloated, becoming soft and formless, filling the rectangular bathtub completely.
My tall, strong father had transformed into a “tub of father“![]
His facial features remained, technically human–shaped, but they were like a skin mask–all form, no substance.
He greedily absorbed water in the tub, gulping desperately, yet still unsatisfied.[]
The faucet ran continuously, partially masking his rough, terrifying breathing.[]
The putrid smell grew stronger, almost making me vomit.]
2
I nearly got caught spying, but Mom suddenly appeared, covered my mouth, and pulled me back to my room.]]
“Charlotte, you saw it, right? That’s not your father! Your father died in Death Valley long ago!“]
“Mom, then who is that?“]
“I found an expedition team and made a quick trip to Death Valley these past few days. I discovered the truth and brought back the remedy to reveal his true form!“]]
Mom showed me photos and documents confirming Dad was indeed dead.]
“Charlotte, as for the ‘Dad‘ who came back, he is just a shadow left behi
“A shadow??”
