Chapter 5

Under the faint light of my phone, I saw the face I had missed for months.

"Vivian..."

My voice shook. I ran over and threw my arms around her.

Her skin was ice-cold. I kept shaking her, calling her name.

But she didn't move.

She was dead.

I held her body. I couldn't even cry out loud. Why? Why did we have to meet like this after six months?

I touched her pale, hollow cheek. "Open your eyes. Look at me, please!"

I was shaking violently. But she would never speak to me again. The sister who shared my face was gone forever.

Why?

Why?!

I knelt beside her, tears streaming down my face.

I held her cold, stiff body, whispering her name over and over.

I cried until my throat was raw and my heart felt like it was tearing apart. Finally, I let go.

I wiped my tears and lifted her up.

Under the pouring rain, I carried Vivian's body into the deep woods behind the campus. I don't know how long I walked. I just walked until my legs gave out.

I leaned against a massive oak tree and laid her down gently.

"Vivian, let's stay here. We don't have to run anymore."

By the time I walked back to the dorms, the sun hadn't risen yet.

I cleaned the mud off my boots and walked into my sister's room.

When I pushed the door open, the room was a mess. Most of Vivian's things were gone. Even her mattress had been flipped over, leaving only a thin sheet.

I looked around and finally understood what Chloe meant. The other rooms had four beds. This one only had one luxurious queen bed. Even though the desk and closet were ransacked, it was clear Vivian had been given "special treatment."

I lay on the empty bed, Vivian's sweet smile flashing in my mind.

I felt her loneliness. I felt her despair. But I couldn't help her anymore. I couldn't even tell our dad that his favorite daughter was dead.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Megan stormed in, dragging me off the bed. She poked her finger hard into my chest.

"You ignored my calls? You think you're tough now?!"

She raised her hand and slapped me.

*Slap!*

Blood trickled from my lip.

She hit hard. My ears rang, and my cheek burned.

Chloe watched from the doorway, smirking. "Are you scared now? Kneel and beg me. Maybe I'll let you go if I'm in a good mood."

She gestured with her finger, looking at me like I was dirt.

When I didn't move, Megan grabbed a bottle of red ink from the desk and poured it all over my clothes. The red liquid stained my shirt, looking like fresh blood.

"Kneel! I said kneel!"

Students gathered in the hallway, whispering. Some laughed; some looked away in fear.

Megan got even more excited. She pulled out her phone, recording me while pushing my head down.

Chloe’s words sounded like a curse, reminding me of Vivian's last moments of despair.

"Trash like you shouldn't even be alive."

She grabbed my shoulders, her eyes filled with deep hatred. "Kneel down! Kneel!"

She shook me violently. I let myself sway, looking weak.

But they wanted more. They shoved the phone right into my face, taking close-ups.

They laughed. "What’s so pretty about this face anyway?"

I let them play with me like a puppet.

Seeing that I still wouldn't bend, Chloe lost her patience and shoved me to the ground.

"You whore. You think I won't ruin your face right now?!"

She raised her hand to strike.

Slowly, calmly, I reached up and gripped her wrist.