Chapter 1

I used the last ounce of my strength to claw at the crystal glass. My fingernails were torn to shreds, and they left a bloody smear across the surface.

My brother, Liam Reid, leaned in. His face was inches from mine on the other side of the glass. He frowned slightly at the horrific red streaks.

"Cassie, what's wrong? Look, if you're actually not feeling well, I'll let you out right now."

He pulled a key from his pocket, but before he could slide the key into the lock, Alexandra Martin swooped in and locked her arms around his.

"Oh, please, Liam! She's totally playing you!"

Alexandra pointed at the blood on the glass, bursting into a fit of giggles.

"Look at that. It's so obviously fake! She seriously went out and bought fake blood just for this prank. Man, she really took April Fools' to heart this year. Talk about staying in character!"

Liam hesitated for a split second before dropping his keys back into his pocket with a booming laugh.

"Cassie, you're a trip! You actually prepped fake blood ahead of time just to mess with us today?"

My jaw hung open as my body began convulsing.

"Help… I can't… breathe…"

I locked eyes with Liam, desperately mouthing the words over and over, begging him to see the agony in my face.

Instead, Liam just flashed me a thumbs-up, totally unbothered.

"Honestly, the shade of that blood is spot on. You really went above and beyond to fit in with us, didn't you? The application is a little sloppy, though. Next time, let me show you how the pros do special effects."

Alexandra held up her phone, shoving her camera directly against the glass coffin.

"Check it out, guys! Her eyes are rolling back and everything. Give this girl an award. Smash that follow button for my sister's crazy acting skills, guys! Let's see how long she can milk this guilt trip!"

I thrashed around in agony, frantically throwing my elbows and knees against the lid.

Thud! Thud!

I even slammed my forehead against the glass until blood blurred my vision.

My eldest brother, Ethan Reid, walked over and let out a helpless sigh, rapping his knuckles on the glass right above my head.

"That's enough, Cassandra. Cut the theatrics and save your breath."

He didn't sound angry. Instead, his voice had that soft, indulgent tone of an older brother humoring a kid throwing a temper tantrum.

"I drilled the vents on this thing myself. There's no way you're suffocating in there," said Ethan. "We told you you're staying in there overnight. Just lie back and stop trying to trick us into letting you out early."

I shook my head in despair.

At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to scream at the top of my lungs, "No, Ethan, you don't understand! Someone blocked the vents!"

However, I barely had the strength to keep my eyes open.

My brother, Julian Reid, leaned down until his nose was practically touching the glass. He was laughing as he tapped the spot right in front of my face.

"You little drama queen. Liam literally picked out the softest silk for that shroud so you'd be comfortable, so just close your eyes and go to sleep."

He patted the lid as if he were soothing a toddler.

"Just hang in there until morning and pass this final test. First thing tomorrow, I'll buy you that strawberry cheesecake you're always raving about. Consider it your prize for beating the game."

Ethan and Liam joined in, chuckling along.

"As if we'd wait for you to suggest it, Julian. We already placed the order with the bakery. It'll be here first thing in the morning."

"Think of it as Cassie's homecoming present."

My brain was entirely starved of oxygen now, and massive black spots began to eat away at my vision.

Outside, my brothers were still laughing, happily planning my reward for tomorrow, fully believing that this would finally make me one of them.

Meanwhile, my consciousness was slipping away. I couldn't even make out their faces anymore.

My arms fell limp.

I took one final look at them before my pupils completely dilated.

All of a sudden, my body felt weightless.

My soul drifted effortlessly through the crystal glass, hovering in mid-air.

I looked down, only to realize that my corpse had already turned a ghastly shade of blue and purple. My lips were completely black, and my eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

Down below, Julian was still tapping on the lid. His tone was teasing.

"Are you actually holding your breath? If you don't get a performing arts scholarship for this commitment, it's a crime."

Liam laughed. "She probably just wore herself out playing dead and decided to take a nap."

I looked at their smiling faces. Though they couldn't hear me, I screamed at them at the top of my lungs, "This isn't an act. I'm actually dead!"