Dying in Three, Two, One

I could hear my heart racing after saying the words I'd kept to myself since learning that I was about to die. I thought I could be unaffected by my imminent death, yet I suddenly wanted to see more of the world.

Gary didn't say anything. It was so quiet that I could hear my own breathing. Just as I thought he wasn't going to say anything, he finally spoke. His words made my heart descend into an abyss, though.

"Do you think a lie like that is going to make us pity you, Holly? You're stooping really low to make us go home, aren't you? Do you think we're still as easily fooled as we were when you were younger? Don't forget how Mom, Dad, and Grandpa died," he said icily.

No, that wasn't it. That wasn't my fault!

I screamed the words in my heart but couldn't make a sound. Tears streamed down my face and landed on the floor. I felt like a puppet under a puppeteer's control as I cried, "I'm not lying. Please do this for me. Please! Just one last time!"

Gary ultimately hung up on me. Before doing so, I vaguely heard Phoebe happily call his name on the other end of the line.

My earlier excitement was now replaced by emptiness. I sat at the table again and muttered to myself. I recalled how my brothers treated Phoebe and pretended to be her. I laughed to myself as I roleplayed, feeling like I'd lost my mind. My laughter grew louder and ultimately ended in strangled sobs.

The seconds ticked, but no one came home. I waited until it was close to midnight—I had three minutes to go.

I started thinking back on my life, but it was too simple and plain. There didn't seem to be much to remember. My life had been a tragedy from the moment I was born.

The minutes turned to seconds, and I slumped onto the table. I had my urn and photo beside me.

Five, four, three, two, one…

The countdown ended, and a dead silence descended upon me. The room went silent—even the sound of my breathing disappeared.

At the same time, I heard the sound of the doorknob turning. Someone was back!