The Jones family freezes.
<
I say, “I know you remember.”
Lily starts crying again. “Rain, I’m so sorry.
It’s all my fault.”
They know I remember. My personality
changed, and I hate everyone. They had to
notice.
The therapist is to help me deal with the
trauma of the last life.
I hate it when she cries.
“I don’t want to be around you. Couldn’t you
have ignored me like before?”
Mom sways. “You’re my daughter! I carried you for nine months! How can you say that?”
L
I say, “I’m not your daughter. You stopped
being my mom when you kicked me out. I was
miserable. Let me die in peace for the life you
forced on me.”
Dad supports Mom and asks, “Do you have to
hold onto the past? Aren’t we treating you
well now? We’re giving you the love we gave
Lily.”
Tears come to my eyes.
“Because you’re good to me now, I have to
accept it?!”
I glare at everyone.
“You dumped me in a foreign country! You
hung up every time I called for help!”
<
“You let me die!”
1 scream, releasing two lifetimes of pain and
hatred.
How dare they…
I grab my bank cards and head for the door.
Mom grabs my hand. “Rain, where are you
going? Don’t leave, honey!”
If I stay another second, I’ll lose it.
“Please, Rain! Do whatever you want! I’ll leave
you alone!”
Mom almost kneels. “Please, I don’t want to
see your frozen body again!”
“Take my life!”
4 look at her hand and pull out a knife, holding
it to my throat.
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll die right here.”
I’m not kidding. Blood trickles down my neck.
Mom releases me.
I step out, a smile on my face. I’m free.
No one will hurt me, violate me, or cut me
open.
I won’t die in the snow.
My freedom… my life…
Г
I cry as big snowflakes fall from the sky.
Why did you bring me back? Why did you let
me remember?
I want to die here.
Carter comes running with a heavy coat.
He stops a meter away.
“Let me find you a place. You need help.
“I won’t bother you. I promise.”
I nod and take the coat.
Carter exhales.
L
