After the call was hung up, Zac cursed in frustration, calling it bad luck.

That voice sent me spiraling into endless fear.

……

The day before my birthday, I worked frantically to finish my tasks. My mom called, asking me to come home early, saying there was good news.

But all I really wanted was to visit my grandma’s grave on my birthday. The small cross necklace she left for me was still at home.

Just as I reached the house, I ran into Gwen and Orion.

"Kate, tomorrow is our birthday, are you coming to celebrate with us?

"And guess what, Orion and I are getting engaged on the same day. You have to come, okay?"

She leaned into Orion, her smile beaming with pride.

It was only then I realized that the "good news" was about her engagement. I ignored her and kept walking.

"Kate, are you really that bitter about me being happy?" She grabbed my arm tightly. She was not inviting me. She just wanted to rub it in.

"Fine, let’s see just how happy you can be."

Her smile faltered, and I knew my words had stung. I only meant to annoy her, never imagining it would cost me my life.

I searched the house for the small cross necklace, but could not find it anywhere. Frustrated, I burst into tears, feeling like something terrible was coming.

"Kate, are you looking for the small cross necklace?" Gwen said, as if she knew exactly what I was after.

"It’s in the basement now. No point keeping it out, it was just taking up space."

Ignoring everything else, I ran straight to the basement.

When I opened the door, it was pitch black inside.

Gwen stood behind me, tossing something inside, and then pushed me in without hesitation.

"You thought you’d come to my engagement party? Dream on.

"I’ll never share a birthday with you, not in this lifetime.

"Stay in there and let’s see just how scared you get."

I heard her harsh laughter, followed by the sound of the door being locked.

No matter how hard I pounded on the door, she would not open it.

Right! She said Grandma’s small cross necklace was in here.

I turned on my phone, using the dim light to search, but there was nothing. I tripped and dropped the phone, losing the only light I had.

Fear consumed me again, enveloping me in the vast darkness.

In a daze, the door opened.

It was my mom.

"Mom, save me," I wanted to call out, but no sound came from my mouth.

I lay on the ground, unable to move.

My mom stood in the doorway, glanced inside, put something down, and left without hesitation.

I fought to stay conscious, and after what felt like an eternity, someone finally came to rescue me.

"Help me," I whispered, barely audible. It startled the person in front of me.

"What the hell? There’s someone here. Scared the hell out of me.

"But hey, you look pretty. Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll save you," the man said.

I smelled alcohol on his breath, and then I heard the sound of clothes being torn.

……

By the time I floated out of my body, I saw that man lying on top of me.

The other guy picked up my phone.

"She’s dead. How did she die?

"Damn, she wasn’t even any fun. What a buzzkill!"

They panicked and stuffed my body into a burlap sack.

It was so dark that I could not make out their faces, but I knew there were two of them. Their voices drilled into my ears.

The sack was too small, so they kicked my body inside, forcing it to fit.

Terrified, I tried to escape, drifting away as I heard the distant barking of dogs. They sounded vicious.

When I turned around again, I found myself at Gwen’s engagement party.

The hall was brightly lit, with luxurious chandeliers hanging above tables filled with gourmet food and fine wine.

My family, dressed in their finest clothes, mingled and offered their congratulations. They only brought me up to curse me.

It was a stark contrast to the dark, cramped room where I had died.