Chapter 1

Our jeep broke down in the middle of the Sahara on the third day of our family vacation.

I got separated from my family, too.

Before I passed out, I sliced open my wrist and filled three whole bottles with my blood.

Then I left my final note to my parents:

"Drink my blood, and you can survive a few more days."

Now that I'm dead, my soul drifts half a mile above the desert and spots a private jet.

Inside, there's no scorching sun, just the cool blast of the air conditioning.

My childhood sweetheart, Preston Locke, the man who "died" of thirst days ago after giving me his last bottle of water, is cradling my fake sister, Maisie Sterling.

"Coco's been hiking more than thirty miles in 160 degree heat. That's payback enough, right?"

Maisie bursts out laughing.

"Your fake dead acting was insane. Coco was crying so hard she almost blacked out!"

Mom strokes Maisie's hair with a proud, loving smile.

"Let's hope this teaches Coco a lesson. Maybe she'll finally learn to be more like you, honey."

Dad is grilling wagyu, casually nodding along.

"Don't call in the rescue team yet. Let her walk one more day. See if she ever dares bully Maisie again."

My blood runs cold.

So the whole “desert survival trip” was a setup.

A punishment they cooked up to keep Maisie happy.

....

Maisie is happily munching on Dad's grilled beef, lounging on the jet.

I look down at myself.

My skin is cracked, blistered, and burned red from the sun.

From starvation and thirst, my body already looks like a mummy.

The gash on my wrist is so deep it nearly severed my hand.

I did it right before I died, slashing my wrist with a jagged can lid and using every last bit of strength I had.

I thought if my parents followed the trail I'd marked, they'd find me.

Drink my blood. Eat my flesh. And survive.

But the whole thing was a lie from the very beginning.

While I was fighting for my life in the desert, my entire family was watching me on a luxury jet, sipping cold drinks, laughing.

Maisie glances at the GPS on Preston's phone and pouts.

"Aww, three more miles and Coco reaches the oasis camp."

"I'm not done watching the show! What if… we move the camp further away?"

Something flickers in Preston's eyes. He hesitates.

"But… Coco's been out there three days. I don't know if she can take it."

Maisie's eyes well up instantly. Her lip trembles.

"It's just a little test and now you're worried about her?"

"Did you forget what those junkies and creeps did to me when she dumped me in the projects?!"

Mom rushes over and wipes Maisie's tears.

"You're right, sweetheart. After what Coco did to you, she deserves this lesson."

Preston pulls her into his chest, rocking her gently.

"Shhh, don't cry, Maisie. I'll make Coco walk a few more days. Okay?"

Dad swirls his wine glass and nods.

"Do what Maisie wants. A few more days out there will build her character."

A chill runs straight through me.

Right before our graduate school admissions exam, Maisie vanished on purpose.

She spent a whole week hiding out at an internet café.

Then she stumbled home with her clothes half-torn, sobbing to Mom and Dad，saying I was so jealous of her grades that I hired thugs to drug her and dump her in the projects, making her miss the exam.

I swore on my life it wasn't me. I cried and cried.

Mom and Dad said they believed me.

They even planned a family trip to celebrate my top score.

Now I know they never believed me.

Not for a second.

The whole "family vacation" was a setup. A punishment they cooked up just for me.

On the couch, everyone huddles around Maisie, brainstorming new ways to torture me.

Preston's voice is soft and gentle.

"When Coco makes it to the oasis, I'll have her kneel and bow ten times. Then we call rescue. Sound good?"

Mom suddenly grabs her phone and squeezes Maisie's arm, buzzing with excitement.

"Maisie! Your account is trending!"