7
After dinner, Zach called my phone again.
This time, someone answered. His pent–up
anger finally found an outlet. “Ashley! Are you
a monster? You didn’t come home for Chloe’s
wedding, you upset Mom and Dad. Do you
think you’re so great, playing games with
us?”
Silence. Then, a hoarse male voice spoke.
“This is her boyfriend.”
“She said your whole family is disgusting.
<
She’s not coming back to see you.”
“Don’t call again.”
The call ended.
Zach stared in disbelief, then kicked over a
chair in a rage, cursing.
But I was frozen, drained of all strength. The
moment I heard that voice, I was dragged
back into that memory.
The night I died, I’d missed the last train
home because of overtime at work. I had to
take a cab to the bus station. The driver was
a pale young man with a sullen look. He
<
looked familiar, but I was too exhausted to
think, just clutched my things and leaned
against the window.
At first, everything was normal. He made
small talk like any other driver. Then Chloe
called. Even on the eve of her wedding, she
couldn’t resist one last jab. “Ashley, I’m
getting married to Finn tomorrow. I’m so
excited I can’t sleep,” she said sweetly.
“Thank you for bringing him home.”
I pressed my lips together, anger rising in my
voice. “Chloe, how many times are you going
to play these disgusting games, use these
dirty tricks?”
く
She seemed oblivious, her tone even lighter
and sweeter. “So it’s settled then. You have
to come to the wedding tomorrow, okay?”
I hung up, my chest heaving. The driver
suddenly spoke. “Fighting with your family?”
I frowned and looked up, realizing the car had
somehow driven to a deserted area. My heart
pounded. I forced myself to stay calm. “How
much do you want?”
But he didn’t want money. Exhaustion from
working overtime had weakened me. I was no
match for a young man’s strength. He
covered my mouth and dragged me into the
woods. The night was quiet, the moonlight
<
soft. He choked me, slapped me repeatedly.
He said, “You bitch, do you regret leaving me
now? That rich guy you were with, what made
him so much better than me? Beg. Bark like a
dog. Then I’ll let you go.”
Η
But I didn’t even know him. Who are you?
Who are you?
His grip on my throat loosened. He started to
caress my face. He said, “I’m your man.”
I had a nagging feeling I’d seen him before,
but I couldn’t place him. Struggling with all
my might, I managed to reach my phone.
Speed dial would call the last number. Ring.
Ring.
く
Chloe hung up without hesitation.
He noticed. He gave a cruel laugh, pocketed
my phone, and broke every finger on my right
hand. He had a switchblade in his pocket.
While I was still conscious, I felt the blade
slice into my left wrist, felt it sawing, pulling.
The tip of the knife sliced across my cheek,
peeling away a ragged piece of skin. He said,
“Bitch. Let’s see you seduce anyone with that
face now.”
