Relief washed over them. Following the oracle's command, my brother hoisted Ryan onto his back and carried him to the yard. But Ryan's struggle was visibly weakening.

Vivian forced a thick, dark herbal concoction down the boy's throat. Instead of helping, it triggered a violent convulsion. Ryan gagged, then retched, splattering bright red blood onto the dirt.

Color drained from Vivian's face. Terror finally pierced through her delusion. "Call Alice!" she screamed. "She's a college student. She'll know what to do!"

My phone buzzed seconds later.

I slid the answer button to my ear. "Forget the fireworks!" my brother roared, voice trembling. "Get your ass back here. Ryan's asthma is acting up!"

I feigned shock. "What? Is he okay? You didn't let him near Grandmother's ashes, did you? That dust is—"

"Shut up!" he cut me off. "Stop talking nonsense and fix this!"

I agreed and hung up.

I had zero intention of returning. They didn't want my expertise; they wanted a scapegoat. If I went back now, I'd be walking into a trap.

A smile tugged at my lips as I looked back at the screen. Ryan's movements were sluggish now. His chest barely rose.

Vivian was hysterical, shaking the dice again and again, begging the dead for an answer that wouldn't come. Finally, she broke. "Call 911!" she wailed. "Mom, call the ambulance!"

I watched their panic with a heart as cold as stone.

As a medical student, I knew the signs. Ryan was past the point of no return.

In my previous life, I had given everything to save him. Every connection, every dime—I secured him a future despite his vile attitude. His repayment? He beat me to death with a shovel.

My gaze hardened on the dying boy in the pixelated video.

You made your choice. Now rot in it.

I took a taxi straight to the hospital.

When I arrived at the emergency ward, my family's wails were already echoing down the corridor. James and my parents were crying hysterically. I forced two tears from my eyes, masking my indifference with a performance of panic as I ran toward them.

"How is Ryan? What happened? Why did he have an attack?"

James glared at me, his eyes red and wild. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I—"

His hand connected with my face before I could finish. Snap.

The force threw my head sideways. A metallic taste filled my mouth as blood trickled from my lip, but I bit down to stifle the urge to fight back.