For the past three months, every night I’ve been noticing a strange smell. It’s not a normal body odor. It’s like the smell of mustiness mixed with a strong, pungent stench, permeating the blankets, the sheets, and especially the part of the bed where Christopher slept.

The instant I made the first cut, a strong, revolting smell shot out and hit me in the face so violently that I had to cover my nose and cough.

My heart pounded as I cut deeper into the mattress, separating the fabric as the stench grew stronger. The foam began to spill out, and then I saw it.

Inside the mattress, there wasn’t a dead animal or rotten food, as I had feared.

There was a large, tightly sealed plastic bag, its surface already covered in mold.

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I reached for it and slowly opened it. The smell of mold and damp paper immediately filled the room, making me