Died in the Coffin My Parents Prepared for Me

They locked me in the storage room for the night.

By the next morning, hunger had me dizzy, but finally, the door swung open.

Dad carried me out.

Mom spoon-fed me seafood soup.

She even prepared a bath, claiming I was too weak to wash myself, and helped scrub me down.

"I was too harsh yesterday. Let's get you cleaned up and rested," she said, her forced smile tight.

Despite everything, her care touched a long-neglected part of my heart, and I started crying.

"I'll be good, Mom. I'll study hard and take care of you both."

She nodded absently, clearly distracted, and rushed me to bed after cleaning up.

Late at night, drifting in and out of sleep, I heard soft chanting, like a prayer or incantation.

Then, someone lifted me into a confined space filled with a strange aroma of sandalwood.

The fear of the unknown paralyzed me; I wanted to move, to shout for my parents, but felt bound.

After struggling with all my might, I managed to open my eyes— only to meet the cold, indifferent gazes of my parents.

And above me, a plank halfway closed.

Shocked, I realized I was actually in a coffin.

The plank that was about to seal me in was indeed the coffin's lid.

Shaking, I tried to sit up, but Dad forcefully pushed me back.

With tears brimming in his eyes, he explained in a fanatical tone, "The guru said Emily carried a grudge against you when she was drowned, and it's on you. We have to keep you here, without food or water, to clear her spirit. If we do, maybe she'll come back one last time after a solid week."

I stared at him, disbelief etching my face. How could they even fall for that crap?

I tried to talk him out of it. "Dad, there are no ghosts or spirits. If Emily's gone, she's really gone."

Mom wiped away a tear, her voice softening, "Just do as we say, Sarah. Emily hasn't even visited our dreams. She's mad at you. Stay here for one week, and if she returns, all will be forgiven. I'll make it up for you later."

"Mom!" I yelled, tears streaming. "I won't survive seven days without food or water."

"You will. The guru cast a spell, it's just to cleanse your spirit and disperse Emily's grudge. You will be good by then, and once we've seen her one last time, which is our last wish, we will get you out of it. I'll cook all your favorite dishes and spare Emily's room for you."

"Don't bother explaining. After the seventh day, she'll be the only daughter left, everything will be hers. We just ask her to lie there quietly, and she acts as if we were gonna soak her in boiling oil. Her selfish nature makes her never be as good as Emily." Dad chimed in.

He started to close the lid without waiting for my response.

Desperate, I clung to the coffin's edge, crying uncontrollably. I was too weak to fight back the desperate situation.

They'd drugged me to keep me still, and even if they had gotten me out of the storage room, they were showing me the last vestige of their care—all for Emily.

Heartbreaking sobs escaped me. "Please, Dad, I don't want to die!"

As the coffin lid closed, suffocating despair overwhelmed me.

"Mom, please, I'll do anything. Just help me..."

Mom turned away, a flicker of remorse crossing her face. "Just stay put. Once it's over, I'll make everything right."

"A curse that echoes through the ages. If your death could bring her back, that would be your blessing."

As the coffin sealed completely, Dad's final words robbed me of any remaining strength.