Chapter 1

Mom and Dad always used to tell me I was their precious little princess.

They bought me countless pretty dresses and hair clips.

Every weekend or holiday, they took me on road trips.

I truly believed I was the happiest kid in the entire world.

Until my dad's late military buddy's daughter, Cecelia, came to live with us.

From that day on, my lovely bedroom belonged to her.

My clothes and hair clips became hers, too.

I was even forced to eat only whatever leftovers she didn't want.

Earlier today, I picked up the half-eaten popsicle she had tossed onto the floor, and she suddenly burst into tears.

Mom was furious. She kicked me hard, knocking me straight to the ground.

"Are we starving you or something?! Why do you always have to steal Cecelia's food?!"

"A bully like you needs to be taught a harsh lesson!"

Without another word, Mom grabbed me and threw me into the deep chest freezer in the pantry.

"You love ice so much, don't you?! Then stay in there and eat all the ice you want before you come out!"

With that, Mom took Cecelia out to the mall to buy her an apology gift.

Before they left, Cecelia had secretly plugged the freezer's power cord into the wall outlet and clicked the child safety lock into place without Mom noticing.

"Joy Miller," Cecelia whispered with a smirk, "from now on, I'm the only little princess in this house."

A biting chill swept through my entire body. I felt like the blood in my veins instantly turned to ice.

I curled up tightly into a tiny ball, trying my best not to make a sound.

Just hold on a little longer. Mom will calm down soon.

I tumbled headfirst into the bottom of the deep freezer.

The icy frost rushed up from my lower body, making me shiver violently.

My clothes soaked up the condensation, freezing instantly against my skin like jagged needles.

I scrambled desperately to push open the heavy lid, but my feet kept slipping on the slick frost.

After falling several times, raw terror finally seized me.

"Mom! I'm so cold!"

"Please let me out! I'm sorry, I know I was wrong!"

I slammed my tiny fists against the metal walls, praying someone would hear me.

"Mom! My legs are freezing solid!"

"Please save me! I'm sorry, Mom, I know I messed up!"

My arms and legs grew completely numb, gradually losing all sensation.

I watched helplessly as frost crept across my body, freezing me from the outside in.

It reminded me of an afternoon when Mom and I were caught in a sudden downpour.

We had gotten drenched like drowned rats.

The rain had felt freezing against my skin, too, but the moment we got home, Mom ran a steaming hot bath for me.

Even though her own clothes were dripping wet, she bustled around getting me warm, cozy pajamas and brewed me a warm drink.

Mom loved me so much. How could she bear to let me freeze to death?

If I just hold on a little longer, Mom will come back and pull me out into a warm hug!

I tried to cheer myself up, praying Mom's anger would fade quickly.

The air inside the freezer grew dangerously thin.

Every breath required me to gasp with my mouth wide open.

Frost clung to my eyelashes and coated my lips.

My limbs were completely rigid, unable to move an inch.

I could feel my core temperature plunging, and even my heartbeat was slowing down.

I wanted to scream for Mom to save me, but when I parted my lips, not a whisper came out.

Just before darkness swallowed me whole, a memory flashed before my eyes.

I saw Mom and Dad holding me tight in their arms.

"Sweetheart, you're the little princess of our family."

"Mom and Dad will love you forever and ever."

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on our living room hardwood floor.

Did I escape from the freezer?

I wanted to head into the kitchen to see how I managed to get the lid open.

But before my hand could touch the kitchen door, my entire body passed straight through the wood.

I floated up to the chest freezer. The heavy lid was shut tight, locked from the outside.

I reached out to lift it, but my fingers went right through the handle.

I couldn't touch anything solid anymore.

Had I... become a ghost?

While despair washed over me, the sound of keys jiggling came from the front door.

I rushed over to the foyer.

It was my grandma! She came to visit me!

"Joy! Grandma's here!"

"Come see what delicious treats Grandma brought for you!"

Grandma muttered to herself as she swapped her outdoor shoes for slippers.

"That's strange. Normally this sweet girl would come flying into my arms by now!"

"I'm right here, Grandma!"

"I'm right here waiting for you!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs, but Grandma couldn't hear a thing.

She walked straight through my translucent body.

Calling my name, she checked the living room and my bedroom.

When she couldn't find me, she walked over to the kitchen.

Grandma placed her hand on the kitchen door handle.

Right then, the front door clicked open again.

Mom, Dad, and Cecelia walked in, their arms full of shopping bags loaded with new toys.

Grandma peered behind them, looking for me.

"Where have you all been? Where is Joy?"