I Heard Them Plan My Death

Synopsis

When I was eight, I went out to deliver a cake to my childhood friend, Andrew Shaw. But a fire broke out at home, and my six-year-old sister was burned to death. My parents cried and cursed at me, "Why didn't you, this mute and deaf freak, die instead?" When I read their lip movements, my mind went completely blank. But Andrew reached out, covered my eyes, and pulled me into his arms. From then on, he became the last ray of light keeping me alive. For my sake, he gave up his spots at the top two universities and accompanied me to a local school. I studied animation, so he chose computer science, saying he would help turn my ideas into reality in the future. He even traveled across the country, searching for doctors who could fix my hearing and my voice. I thought he would stay with me forever. Until after the surgery, the doctor gave the wrong report, saying I would never recover. I heard my parents say to Andrew, "Put sleeping pills in her water. If anything happens, we'll sign a waiver for you." I glanced at the report the doctor had just handed me. They didn't know that my hearing had been gradually recovering over the past week. I was about to share that with them, but they hit me with their own shocking surprise first. I pushed open the door. Sure enough, Andrew handed me a glass of water. "You must be tired. Here, have some water." I hesitated, but still took it from him. So, if Andrew really wanted to get rid of me, I would help him get what he wanted. I raised the glass, ready to drink.