Chapter 2: The Secret Beneath the Box
Caroline took Sophie’s hand and was about to walk into the school, but Liam did not follow. He rushed toward the trash bin, ignoring the whispers behind him.
“He’s actually going to pick it up!”
“That’s so gross!”
Liam did not care. He reached into the trash, pulled out the lunchbox, and wiped the dirt from the lid with his sleeve. The smell of garbage clung to his hands, but he still hugged it tightly to his chest.
“Don’t throw it away…” Liam said through tears. “This was my mother’s lunchbox.”
Caroline stopped. She turned sharply, her eyes cold.
“Liam, if you keep making a scene in front of the school, don’t expect dinner tonight.”
A few parents nearby started turning their heads. But Caroline was not afraid. She was used to making Liam stay silent.
Liam lowered his head and tried to close the lunchbox.
Just then, the bottom of the box made a tiny click.
He froze.
A thin gap appeared underneath it. Liam had never seen it before. He touched it with trembling fingers, and a small metal panel popped loose.
Inside was a secret compartment.
And inside that compartment was an old envelope.
On the envelope was the soft handwriting Liam had once seen on the little notes his mother used to stick on the refrigerator.
“To my Liam — open this only when someone tries to make you forget me.”
The laughter around him stopped.
Caroline saw the words too.
Her face changed instantly.
Liam looked up, tears still on his cheeks.
“Did you know about this?”
Caroline stepped toward him quickly.
“Give it to me.”
Liam hugged the lunchbox tighter.
“No.”
“Liam, I said give it to me!”
Caroline’s hand had just reached out when a stern voice came from the school steps.
“What are you doing to my student?”
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Everyone turned.
Principal Harris was standing there.
