Ryan stepped out of his car and stared at the church, his chest heavy with grief. Today was his father Arnold’s funeral, but something felt…off. Bella, his usually calm German Shepherd, barked sharply from the backseat. Her ears were alert, her posture rigid.
“Easy, girl,” Ryan murmured, giving her a calming signal. She obeyed reluctantly, lying down, though her eyes still followed him with unease as he turned toward the church.
Inside, mourners had gathered. The closed casket near the altar was surrounded by white lilies, a precaution taken due to Arnold’s passing from a contagious illness. The cremation was scheduled to follow immediately after the service. Ryan took his seat beside his mother, emotions swirling.
As the final hymn filled the church, Bella’s barks rang out once more—this time from inside. She had broken free. In an instant, she sprinted down the aisle, leapt onto the casket, and knocked flowers to the floor, barking with intense urgency.
Gasps filled the room. Ryan stood frozen as Bella fell silent, staring straight at him. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.
“Open the casket!” he shouted.
Amid stunned whispers, Ryan stepped forward and lifted the lid—only to find it empty.
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