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.
The air in the coffin grew thin, making the sleeping pills kick in harder and leaving me groggy.
I weakly pushed against the lid, but the solid oak didn't give.
Mom looked worried. "Did you double-check with the guru? Are you sure this is safe?"
Dad dismissed her concerns with a wave. "I've covered everything. This guy's top-tier, almost impossible to book. It cost 200,000 dollars to get his advice. He guaranteed that if Sarah stays in there for a week, all of Emily's negative vibes will be cleansed. He'll guide Emily's spirit back to us on the seventh day. And Sarah? She won't just survive; she'll be better than ever."
Relieved, Mom clasped her hands as if praying. "Lord, please, my poor Emily must come back."