coldly, ““Just stop it, Ashley. It’s disgusting.“”
This was Jason, the brother I’d mourned for
eight years. The truth was brutal, unbearable.
Maybe I was the monster they said I was.
“Where’s Ashley?” Jason asked. “I brought
her birthday presents. For every year I
missed.‘
Mom and Dad seemed to remember me then.
They jumped up, saying they’d go get me
from the cemetery.
L
Jason frowned. “The cemetery? What’s she doing there?”
Dad went silent. Mom shrugged. “We make her go there every year, on the anniversary of the crash. To apologize. She’s been acting up lately, so she’s been there a few extra days.”
“What?! You’ve made her kneel at my grave for days? Have you even called her?” Jason’s
voice rose, his eyes filled with concern. He used to be my protector, my biggest
champion. He’d spend his allowance on treats
for me, cover for me when I got in trouble,
beat up anyone who bullied me, even if it
meant getting his own ass kicked. He’d been
my hero. But now…I didn’t know what to
believe anymore.
く
Mom waved a dismissive hand. ““She’s eighteen. She can take care of herself.”
1111
““Mom!“” Jason grabbed his car keys. “I’m going to get her.”
But I was already on a slab, a collection of neatly labeled body parts. Even Dad hadn’t recognized me. How could Jason?