Chapter 1

My Mom's Secret Identity

From the moment I could remember, Mom and I played the death game many times.

The first time I found her lying motionless, without even breathing, I was so scared I broke down and cried.

Gradually, I learned Mom was just teasing me, and I stopped being afraid.

The cemetery was somber and silent.

Beside a newly dug grave, a coffin lay still.

Everyone was crying, except for me.

I looked at the national flag draped over her coffin and thought:

"She's really going all out this time, even Dad's putting on quite a show."

The coffin slowly descended into the grave, and uncontrollable sobs erupted from the crowd.

I tugged on Dad's hand and asked:

"Is the game over? I want to go back and wait for Mom now."

Dad held me, tears streaming down his face.

"Skylar, Mom isn't coming back."

I touched the military dog tag around my neck and shook my head.

"Mom said she'd be back."

But no one believed me, everyone said I was sick.

Soon after, Dad brought a woman home, saying she was my new mother.

But Mom was still alive, I saw her. If Dad didn't believe me, I'd find Mom myself.