Chapter 1

I was out shopping when my phone buzzed with a FaceTime call from my mom.

"Luna, run! You're in danger!"

Looking at her pale face and the sandy beach background behind her, I was completely confused.

"Mom, didn't you just go to the food truck to buy me some fries?"

"I can literally see your back right now. Stop messing with me—"

Before I could finish, a cold shiver ran straight down my spine, and my mind went entirely blank.

Because the woman who had gone to buy me snacks turned around. She wasn't holding a phone.

Then who was the person on my screen?

"Luna, don't eat anything she gives you!"

"Don't stay alone with her!"

"Don't let her know I exist!"

"And don't let her touch your personal belongings!"

After shouting these four warnings, the mom on the screen frantically whispered that she would contact me again, then cut the call.

The woman in front of me walked back over with the fries, smiling warmly as she handed them to me.

"Here you go, Luna. Have a bite."

"I remember this food truck is your absolute favorite."

I took the fries, but I didn't dare to touch them.

The warnings from the mom on the screen were still screaming in my head.

But what the hell was going on?

The woman standing right in front of me was my mother!

Even the beauty mark near her lip was in the exact same spot. It was impossible to fake.

Could someone have called me using some high-tech AI face-swapping filter just to prank me?

"Luna? Why are you staring? Do you not like them?"

"Eat them before they get cold."

She pinched my cheek affectionately, her eyes overflowing with motherly love.

She had divorced my dad a few years ago and remarried abroad. Now, she could only fly back to visit me for a few days every year.

I didn't want to ruin the mood and break her heart.

Trying my best to look normal, I took a bite of an onion ring.

But suddenly, I caught the strong scent of black pepper.

Did she ask the vendor to put black pepper sauce on these?

A wave of dread washed over me. I have a severe black pepper allergy; I never touch it.

She remembered this food truck was my favorite, but she forgot I was allergic to black pepper?

I couldn't help but ask, "Mom, didn't you know I can't eat black pepper?"

For a split second, her warm smile froze. But she recovered so fast I almost missed it.

"Oh, really?"

She smiled apologetically, looking down. As she turned her head, she revealed a scar on the back of her scalp.

"I had a nasty fall a while ago and injured my brain. My memory has been a bit hazy lately."

"But I'll write it down. I promise I won't forget your habits ever again."

I reached out and touched the scar. It was real.

I also took a closer, microscopic look at her face. There were no traces of plastic surgery or prosthetics. I finally let out a breath.

It was rare to spend time with her. I couldn't let some bizarre prank call ruin our trip.

Throwing the weird FaceTime call to the back of my mind, I linked my arm with hers and kept shopping.

At noon, we had a huge lunch.

There was nothing wrong with the food. I didn't even get a stomachache.

It seemed that FaceTime call really was just a sick prank!

That evening, she wanted to take me to a rented villa in the suburbs.

I was carrying shopping bags, incredibly excited.

Before we left, she went to the restroom. I pulled out my phone to text my dad so he wouldn't worry.

But then, I noticed something that made my blood run cold. The prank call from earlier had come from a satellite phone!

My mom loved extreme outdoor adventures and often went to remote areas with zero cell service.

For her safety, I had gifted her a custom satellite phone that only connected to my number. She took it everywhere.

And the caller ID from that satellite phone was identical to the one I gave her!

Was the mom on the screen the real one?

Just as my mind started spinning, the satellite phone rang again.