This Time, I Survived Their Plot

On our Christmas break road trip, my cousin Felix Lloyd spotted some high-powered speakers at a highway rest stop. He had to have them—said he wanted to "blast it."

"It's Christmas. We finally get to see everyone! We need some vibe!"

My wife, Lana Ramsey, smiled and helped him pay. "Young people have energy. They know how to enjoy life."

I yanked the power cord out. "Those aren't for regular cars. This is an EV. Overload it, and the whole system fries. Then what—just stuck in the middle of nowhere?"

Lana's parents, Vincent and Donelia, booed me, calling me a buzzkill.

Felix cranked the volume all the way up. Lana glared at me. "Say one more word and get out. I'll drive."

Later, the speakers fried the battery system. We were stranded in total darkness on a rough mountain road.

They finished the last of the food, then shoved me out to "go find help." I slipped, rolled down the slope, and died.

When I opened my eyes, I was back—right when Felix jammed the speaker plug into the charging port.

I grabbed a few more subwoofers and handed them over. "One isn't enough. Add more. That's how you really crank it."

The second Felix saw the subwoofers in my hands, his eyes lit up.

"Well, well, Landon. Looks like you finally get it!"

Lana glanced over and smirked. "What's this? You've changed? No more nagging?"

I forced a smile and said nothing.

Vincent leaned in. When he saw the stack of speakers, he perked up. "Felix knows what he's doing. Maybe we can feel young again."

Donelia patted Felix's shoulder, then shot me a glare. "Seriously, look at you—so boring. Zero fun. Same last name, and you're still nowhere near Felix."

I acted like I didn't hear and helped Felix sort the wires.

At the same time, I picked out the cheapest extension cords—no fuses—and hooked them up, one by one.

Once the last wire hit the charging port, everyone piled back into the car.

This time, Lana skipped the front seat. She slid into the second row next to Felix.

I didn't react. I hit the gas.

Simple goal—make the car break down fast. Before the mountain road, it was all open highway. Whether I had to go for help or wait it out, it'd be safer.

I still got in the car with them because I had questions.

Last time, after I died, my consciousness just... drifted. I saw Lana show up with the rescue team to collect my body.

She looked wrecked—but I heard her whisper to Felix, "Thank God."

Right up until I faded out, I never understood why.

This time, I would.

"Alright, everyone—let's crank it!"

Felix shouted, and harsh DJ music exploded through the car.

Vincent and Donelia got excited instantly.

In the back, they bobbed to the beat, arms in the air, slapping their thighs, yelling along.

Lana went even harder.

She squeezed in next to Felix, swaying with the bass, hair whipping across her face.

I glanced at them in the rearview mirror.

Her chest kept brushing Felix's arm.

He leaned in on purpose.

My heart dropped.

Scenes from last time slammed back.

Back then, I did everything to stop them from buying the speakers.

Lana paid without a second thought.

And the way Felix looked at me after—straight-up smug.

But I was too focused on avoiding danger to think about it.