The Atoning Page #2

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So, I'm dead?

Yes.

Are you and dad, too?

Yup.

How did I die?

In your sleep.

Why?

I don't know.

How long ago?

I really... I really don't know, no.

So, if I'm dead,

why do I still need to eat?

I don't know, but we still feel and...

And get hurt.

We get hungry.

But I'm gonna make sure

that you never hurt again.

You can't protect me from dying.

You didn't before.

So we can't leave?

No.

You tried pulling really hard?

I've tried every window and door,

believe me.

I'm gonna give it a shot.

See?

Maybe dad should try.

He's stronger than both of us.

Does this mean I don't

have to go to school?

No, I don't guess so,

but I should probably

start home schooling you.

So, what do we do now?

We wait.

For what?

We don't know.

I'm sure dad will figure it out.

Maybe that psychic lady did something.

I'm gonna go try the back door.

Do you really think

that woman did anything?

I don't know.

Nothing feels different.

Sam's different.

He's taking it a lot better

than I thought he would.

Well, I'm not.

Can dad tuck me in tonight?

I always tuck you in.

I want dad to do it.

Sam, what's up?

I want you to tuck me in.

Go to bed, bud.

I'm sure you're tired.

So now that we're ghosts,

do we have powers?

Not that I'm aware of.

Are you stronger?

No, I wish I were.

Dad, will you and mom

ever be like you were before?

I don't know, Sam.

Let me know if I can help.

Good night, Sam.

How's Sam?

He's a tough kid.

I couldn't do anything about it,

he should know that.

He just needs time.

I'm just so tired.

Well, maybe you can rest now.

Things can change.

Things have already changed so much.

What if... what if this is god's way

of giving us a second chance?

God doesn't exist, ray.

We'd be somewhere

other than here if he did.

Or we're here for a reason.

We can start over.

Maybe this is our way out.

I just want Sam to be happy again.

He can be.

Hey, we didn't mean to wake you.

No, I slept really well.

I didn't need to sleep any longer.

Um, I was just showing dad

what I learned.

Hope you like it.

Ray.

I'm sorry, babe. I didn't...

I didn't mean to scare you.

I don't know why you fool

with the makeup anyway,

you're already so beautiful.

Really?

I'm serious.

These aren't even my colors, anyway.

It looks fine.

I'll give you some privacy.

Sam, you wanna help me

put together another puzzle?

Who's gonna be first to get a corner?

I'll find one first.

What's the bet?

Uh, got one.

Your bet.

I think we picked a puzzle

with way too many pieces, buddy.

Probably should have bet you.

Who's there?

You don't have to be scared.

I'm not a mean ghost.

Whoa, that's impressive, Sam.

Well, I didn't...

I didn't do a very good job.

Yeah, well, dinner

will be ready in a bit.

So, what do you want to eat?

All we have are frozen dinners.

That's fine.

Wish they had better taste in groceries.

Are there more people like us?

What do you mean?

Ghosts?

Good ghosts.

I'm sure we're not the only ones.

Are they here, too?

I don't think so.

This is kind of our little spot...

For now at least.

Why?

I was just thinking that...

Maybe they knew the way out.

What if that's the only answer?

I'll figure it out.

How?

Your dad and I are working on it.

Can I help?

I don't want you

having to worry about it.

I'm not worrying mom,

I just... just want to help.

Hello?

Hello?

Vanessa.

Are you there?

Are you still here?

I need to ask you a question.

How do we get out of here?

Why can't I tell them about you?

I just wanna help.

I wish that family would invest

in a dishwasher that works.

Then we'd be in heaven.

I guess we're not missing much.

Do you... do you think there's a hell?

I don't know what I believe.

You don't think we're getting

out of this, do you?

I don't know, Vera.

Do you remember

when we first got married?

We were so broke.

We'd take bets on how long we could

make a bottle of shampoo last.

We'd go to every pot luck at church

to save on groceries.

I thought we'd never

get out of that rut.

But we did.

We pushed through.

Made a better life for Sam.

Maybe that's how we get out.

We have to resolve this.

Make it work.

For Sam.

For Sam.

Mom, dad.

What is it, honey?

There's someone in my room.

Who?

He said he wanted to play with me.

I thought he could help.

Who?

He said his name was...

Sam!

Sam! / Sam, open up, honey!

Sam!

Sam!

Sam! / Sam, what's happening?

Sam!

Sam!

When's dad coming home?

I wanna show him what I learned today.

No, I already let you stay up too late.

I lost track of time.

Plus, I don't know when

your dad's gonna be home.

So, come on.

I want you to be asleep

by the time uncle Danny gets here.

We've got a long drive ahead of us.

Yes, Sam.

No! Please!

Sam!

Ray?

What are you doing?

What did you get?

Yes, Sam.

Yes, Sam.

Ray. / What the hell, Vera?

Ray. / Who did you tell?

No... no one I...

I didn't tell anyone.

That's a lie.

No, I... I told my brother,

that is it, I promise.

You're gonna make me lose everything.

No, this is not my fault.

She is 16, ray.

How could you?

So, what are you gonna do, just leave?

What do you expect me to do?

I've put up with this long enough,

and I'm not gonna put up with it anymore.

Not... not with her.

No one is gonna find out.

You're drunk.

Okay, just... we'll...

We'll just talk about it

when... when you're sober.

Oh, no, you're gonna forget

about this now.

No, I can't, I can't.

Shut your mouth.

No, ray.

You know this isn't right.

Shut up!

I'm leaving with Sam.

Does he know?

Not yet.

You can't tell him. / Let me go.

Promise me you won't tell... /

Let me go!

Yes, Sam.

No!

No!

Yes.

Vanessa?

Hey, ray.

What are you doing here?

I miss you.

You need to leave.

Just one more time?

No, no.

You gotta leave me alone.

Come on, ray.

I know you missed me, too.

Let's do it again.

Like that night in the rain.

No.

Please, ray?

Let me go.

Come on! / Let me go.

Are you okay? / Mommy!

Dad did it.

Get away from us.

Sam. / Go away!

Sam.

We don't deserve this.

What do you want me to do?

Get out!

Get out! / Vera.

Vera.

Go away.

No.

Listen...

No, no, not any more.

It wasn't the real me.

Yes, it was.

It wasn't the me I wanted.

It doesn't matter, you did it.

I don't know why I did it.

Yes, you do.

I was scared.

I didn't... I didn't know

any other way out.

I didn't know what to do, I...

It was hell.

It was hell for us.

I'm sorry.

For what?

For everything.

You and Sam deserve more.

I'm sorry for taking

you and Sam with me.

I know it's worthless...

I just wanna fix it, I really do.

I can't do that without you and Sam.

It's our only way out.

Sam.

Sam, please, look at me.

Look at me.

Vera, give him to me.

No, ray.

He's my son!

He was your son.

Sam, I'm sorry.

Stay away from us.

Let him go! / Leave us alone.

We have to stay together.

It's over, ray.

Give him to me! / Go to hell!

Vera! Vera!

Please!

Vera.

Vera, let me in!

If something is unresolved in life,

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