I woke up in bed, blankets piled on top of me. My head was burning with a fever. A glass of water sat on top of my bedside table, the surface of the water reflecting the glowing light of the lamp. I managed to summon what little strength I had left, and kicked off the blankets, knocking over the glass of water and the clock in the process. The glass shattered into pieces on the floor, spilled water filtering through the shards. I swore under my breath.

I glanced up as the door cracked open. It was Isaac.

"You're awake," he commented.

"No, duh," I spat back, sinking back into my bed. "What time is it anyway?"

Isaac cocked an eyebrow. "There's a clock right next to your bed."

"Was," I corrected. The clock currently lay on the floor with its whole back cover busted, batteries spilling out.

He crossed his arms, gave out a small huff, and looked at me expectantly. I, having no idea what he wanted me to do, stared back, trying to make him uncomfortable and force him to look away. The staring contest was getting awkward, so I asked, "What do you want from me?"

"Mom and Dad want to know why you were laying there in the middle of the forest while it was raining. Not the smartest idea, if you ask me. Ruined your dress too. No matter how boring the funeral was, nothing gives you the right to try and catch a cold so you can skip school," Isaac said.

I gawked at him. "You thought I was trying to get a fever on purpose just so I could skip school? Who do you take me as?"

Isaac rolled his eyes. "I take you as my corrupt older sister who hates school and will go to all lengths to skip it."

"You're just falsely accusing me now!" I exclaimed.

"Well, I think my accusation is unsurprisingly correct," he replied stubbornly.

"That's not true! I was just getting a breath of fresh air," I protested.

"I believe that story as much as I believe Minho's hair is all natural," Isaac retorted.

"It is!"

"His hair is legitimately defying gravity. Not possible, if you ask me."

"Minho's hair is soft! I accidentally yanked it once when we were doing hand-to-hand combat. No way he gells it!"

"He blows the money on his work paycheck seconds after he receives it. And you know what store he went to after getting his money? Bath & Body Works."

"Bath & Body Works does not sell hair gel. Have you ever been there before?"

"Once, and it smelled horrible in there."

"It smells good!"

"Way too overwhelming if you ask me."

"Well I didn't ask you."

"And I don't care."

We both took deep breaths of air. My throat was starting to hurt from all the arguing, and the fever didn't make it any better. Then something occurred to me.

"Hey Isaac, can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, but fine."

"How did you know Minho went to Bath & Body Works after receiving his big paycheck? How did you know he got a paycheck anyway?"

"Um…" was the response.

"Oooh, stalker," I smirked.

"Shut up," Isaac snapped, his eyes glowing with anger. "I'm going to get Mom and Dad now. You can explain seriously to them."

My good mood broke instantaneously. I suddenly remembered what happened in the woods. I saw Gally…. He told me that I killed him. Impossible. I don't recall anything like that, and plus, I'm not that deranged. I must seriously be going insane though. Could it be...?

Isaac snapped his fingers in front of my face. I must have been zoning out. "Hello, did you hear me? I'm getting Mom and Dad," he said before leaving the room. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps thudding up the stairs.

My door opened to reveal the faces of my mother and father. Ah, look at those stern looks; I'm going to have a lovely time here. Just wonderful. NOT.

Mom spoke first. "Sweetie, are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, I'm feeling fine, Mother," I said, mocking her concerned tone.

My mother's eyes flitted to the broken glass and clock. From her expression, I could tell she wasn't happy about that occurrence.

"Enough of that," Dad interrupted. My eyes darted towards him. I flinched at his fierce expression.

"What were you doing out there in the rain? I mean, I wouldn't be as mad if you were trying to run back to the church, but just lying there? Are you kidding me? You caught a cold because of it! Why do you always try to ditch school? Isaac had to go looking for you and was traumatized to find you just passed out on the ground." Dad scolded.

I groaned. Why does everybody think I was trying to catch a cold to skip school? Do I have that bad of a reputation? Most likely yes. But you know what, I DON'T CARE. And I don't believe Isaac was worried at all about me. I'm not telling them the truth though. They'll think I'm going mentally insane. Which I most likely am. And if my theory is right, not telling them will just spare them some grief. Better just go with the rebel stereotype.

"I was just getting some fresh air," I said weakly, using the same argument from before.

Mom and Dad both wore incredulous looks on their face.

"I don't believe any word of that," Mom said.

I pretended to give in. "Okay, fine! I was trying to get sick so I could ditch school! Sorry, not sorry!"

Dad gave me his best "You are so in trouble, young lady" glare.

"That's it, you're grounded for a week. You're going to stay at home until your fever goes away, but other than school, no going outside. Not for the gym, nothing. Got that?" he said firmly, not so much asking as ordering. I had no choice but to nod glumly.

As Dad turned towards the door, Mom placed a pill on my night table. "Swallow that," she said. "And please clean up the broken glass. The broom is in the bathroom closet. We can try to fix the clock later." And then she left.

I grumbled to myself. First of all, I didn't feel like cleaning anything up right now. Second of all, I was grounded for a week. And third of all, I HAVE A FRIGGIN' FEVER RIGHT NOW AND MY HEAD FEELS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE! Okay, my ranting is done. Oh wait, I forgot about the small problem of me going insane. The world's so great right now.

I grew a bit more serious, letting go of my sarcastic mood. I had a theory. A bad one. But in my bones, I feel like it's true. Having that nightmare. My hallucination in the forest. It can't be anything else. It has to be…

My door burst open. Isaac stood there rigidly, hands behind his back. I immediately realized something was wrong. His eyes that were once sky blue were now pale and empty.

"Isaac?" I asked cautiously.

Something broke his fierce expression. For a second, I saw his a hint of blue flash back into his blank irises, long enough for Isaac to mutter two words before his eyes changed back to the milky color it was previously.

"Sorry, sis."

Then he lunged at me with a long, sharp knife.