When I got home, my family was at the table,
eating. They looked up at me.
“Where have you been? Why haven’t you been
answering your phone? Your sister has a
competition coming up!” Dad yelled.
Mom gave him a look, signaling him to be
nice, so I wouldn‘
run off again.
Madison sat there, waiting for the show, with
a gleam in her eyes.
Mom got up, walked over to me, and put on
her sweet mom act. “Honey, where have you
been? We’ve been so worried!”
I looked at her, a smirk playing on my lips,
watching her play the part. “Why would I tell
you?”
Mom’s smile faltered.
Dad slammed his fist on the table and stood
up, shouting, “How dare you talk to your
mother like that? You’re getting out of
control! What have you been up to? You
<
embarrassed us all, stealing other people’s
work! Where’s our family’s honor?!”
Madison jumped up to comfort him. “It’s my
fault. If I’d taken better care of my sister at
work, she wouldn’t have gotten all this hate…”
I laughed and clapped. “Bravo! You guys
should win an Oscar. Should I get you an
award?”
I looked at their angry faces. “I’m not eating. I
can’t stomach this dinner theater. Carry on.”
I waved and went upstairs.
Back in my room, I used the bracelet to scan
the room. Nothing.
“It’s not in here?”
<
I quietly left my room, planning to search the
others.
Then, I ran into Madison.
“What are you doing outside my room?”
My heart pounded, but I smiled. “I heard your
parents bought you tons of jewelry. I’m out of
ideas, so I thought I’d get inspired.”
Madison’s eyes lit up.
If I was designing again, she could steal more
ideas.
She grabbed my arm. “Mom had a special
inspiration room built for me. Come see!”
I resisted the urge to gag and nodded.
<
It used to be the
guest room, now it was
Madison’s jewelry storage.
The room was overflowing.
I was speechless.
Their love for her was something else.
“Mom always sees good stuff and buys it,
even though I have too much.” She smirked,
showing off how loved she was.
I ignored her, focused on finding the idol.
I faked a stomach ache and went back to my
room.
I needed another plan.
<
I started sketching some terrible designs.
Madison actually gave me the key to the
jewelry room.
I didn’t turn her down.
Then, the day before the competition, she
finally made a move.
She started crying on the couch, waking me
- up.
I was annoyed, and tried to go to the kitchen
to get something to eat.
But Mom stormed over and slapped me. “You
little thief! You’re stealing from our family
now!”
<
I pushed my cheek with my tongue and
looked at her. “Madison said her jewelry was
missing. She gave me the key. So you think I stole it?”
Mom was still furious. “So you admit it?”
Madison, faking tears on the couch, gave me
a smug smile.
“It’s ok, it must have been me, I don’t blame
sister…”
“Too bad I installed cameras in the hallway.
We can watch the footage, shall we?”
Mom and Madison looked shocked.
To not be exposed, Madison said, “I probably misplaced it…”
<
There were no cameras, it was a bluff.
I snorted and walked over to her. I grabbed
her hair and dragged her back.
Her eyes were filled with fear.
“What are you doing!”
I slapped her.
“Think before you try something so stupid.”
I lost my appetite and went upstairs.
On the day of the competition, the family
went to support Madison.
Perfect timing to look for the idol.
<
I searched every room.
Only Madison’s was left.
I opened the door. The room was pretty.
I scanned every corner.
Then, I stopped at a painting.
The snake bracelet heated up, as if the snake
was alive.
The painting was harmless.
So the idol was behind it.
I took it down.
The wall was caved in but there was no idol!
<
There was only a bird with black smoke
coming from it.
They knew.
Madison was backstage at the competition.
She pulled the idol from her backpack.
She had a devious smile.
Yesterday night, the idol ordered her to pick it
up and hide it.
I needed to calm down and think where the
idol could be.
The only place she felt safe was with her.
I called a taxi and headed to the competition.
The competition was about to start.
I acted like a staff member and went
backstage to the changing room.
Madison’s bag was on the sofa.
I opened it and saw the idol.
The idol was pitch black with feline facial
features, long fangs and a terrifying face.
The air chilled.
As I picked up the idol, ready to smash it, the
idol spoke.
“Ashley, it’s Grandma. I miss you, come keep
me company.”
<
My eyes widened.
It was impersonating my grandmother’s voice.
I threw it on the floor.
Madison pushed open the door.
She had heard the idol’s voice and rushed
over.
I held the idol, threatening to smash it if she
came closer.
She looked scared.
She stepped out the way, scared of me
smashing it.
I took the opportunity and ran out.
く
The stage had curtains and audience
members.
I ran on stage with the idol.
Madison chased after me.
I held the idol.
“Have you been using this to copy my
designs.”
Madison acted sad.
“Give me the idol, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“Willing to tell the truth.”
I tried to smash the idol.
Madison screamed for me to stop.
“I’ll tell you!”
She looked at me with a smile.
“You were meant to die since you were a
child, that master was right, you only bring
me harm, preventing me from having
everything.”
“I was scared that you weren’t dead.”
Madison was acting crazy.
“I found that master from the old days, I paid
him to say those lies.”
“But I was not happy. I got the idol from him,
he said to put someone’s birth date and hair,
“It’s too late Ashley.”
I looked and smiled.
“Is it.”
She frowned.
“Give me the idol, I’ll remember you, I’ll
continue your work.”
I laughed, and threw the idol on the floor.
The idol shrieked.
“NO!”
The darkness dissipated.
Madison watched in horror as the pieces
<
scattered on the ground.
“No!”
She glared at me, then went to attack.
