Police arrived quickly, questioning everyone. But worse news came soon after: there was no morgue record of any transfer at all.

Instead of the son’s name, the log contained a chilling note: “disposal – clerical error.” It meant someone had deliberately erased every trace of him after de:ath… or had staged his de:ath entirely.

The mother collapsed onto a bench, clutching a splinter of the coffin lid. Her eyes no longer held despair, but fierce resolve. She knew: if her son still lived, she would find him. If not, she would uncover who had robbed him of peace, even in the grave.