The One Chosen to Die Chapter 03

The One Chosen to Die Chapter 03

On the night before Bella’s sixteenth birthday, I was locked in the basement.
My chest had already been hurting for three days, and I could feel my body getting weaker.

I curled up on the pile of hay, my whole body cold, my teeth chattering. I barely had the strength to even say that it hurt.

A line of light came through the crack of the basement door. It was David.

He crouched outside and pushed a bowl of soup through the gap.

“Clara,” his voice was very low, as if afraid someone might hear. “Eat something. Don’t go hungry.”

I floated in front of him, separated by the door, and watched as he pulled his hand back without even looking inside.

“Dad,” I called out to him.

He didn’t react. After all, he couldn’t hear me.

He sighed. “Clara, don’t be stubborn with us. When your sister is gone, I will make it up to you.

“I’ll buy you the best deer-hide boots. Haven’t you always wanted them?”

I stood in front of him and said softly, “No need. You’ll never have the chance.”

He couldn’t hear me.

He thought I was still being stubborn, refusing to respond.

“Why are you so stubborn?” He frowned, stood up, and left.

Not long after, someone else came. It was my mom, Linda.

I saw her red and swollen eyes, filled with bloodshot veins. It looked like she had been crying for a long time.

“Clara,” her voice was extremely tired. “Don’t blame me. Your sister only has one day left. Just bear with it.

“It’s not that I don’t love you,” she sighed. “After your sister is gone, I’ll roast a whole rabbit for you. Isn’t that your favorite?

“I’ll also make you a real fox fur coat. White, even prettier than your sister’s.

“At the full moon celebration, I’ll take you to the square to watch the performances. Haven’t you always wanted to go?”

Her tears fell, hitting the door.

“So stop this, okay?”

There was no sound from inside.

The body curled up on the hay had long stopped responding to her.

“How can this pup be so heartless?” After waiting for a while, she stood up. Only coldness and resentment remained in her voice.

“Her sister is about to die, yet she won’t even say a word.”

No one knew how much time had passed.

When it was almost dark, the yard gate was pushed open. Footsteps came in, quick and firm.

“Where is Clara? Why haven’t I seen her?” It was Grandma Mary’s voice.

“Mom, why are you here?” Linda went up to her, her voice clearly flustered.

“I’m asking you where Clara is.”

“She… she’s in her room reflecting. That pup caused trouble again—”

Mary didn’t wait for her to finish and walked straight inside.

Unable to stop her, Linda followed behind, her voice growing more urgent.

“Mom, don’t go. She’s throwing a tantrum. She won’t see anyone—”

Mary pushed open Bella’s room. No one was there.

She pushed open our parents’ room, only to find no one as well.

Finally, she walked to the back of the yard. When she saw the locked basement door, her face darkened.

“You locked her in the basement?”

Linda opened her mouth, but no words came out.