Trapped in a Fake Apocalypse, Dying for Real

Eliza Ward, my adopted younger sister, and I both get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The very same day, an apocalyptic disaster hits. Her combat superpower awakens, but I get nothing. Mom doesn't hesitate to hide me in an abandoned clinic on the edge of town. Owen Ward, my older brother, tearfully fences off the clinic with metal bars. My fiancé, Andrew Harris, looks heartbroken as he clutches my hands through the metal bars. He says he would rather die with me than live alone. Touched by their reactions, I burst into tears. I don't want to add to their trouble, so even when my body racks with pain, I bear it in silence all by myself. When I run out of supplies, I rely on dirty water from the ground to keep myself going. Before long, the agony of my condition makes it hard for me to even breathe. I can't even take a few steps without stumbling. It is at this point that I remember what my doctor told me. "If you don't receive treatment in time, I'm afraid you won't survive for long." Knowing that I don't have much time left, I use every bit of strength I can muster to climb over the walls and escape the compound. I don't want to be a burden anymore. I want them to give up on me. To my absolute shock, I see people walking along the streets and going about their lives, looking perfectly fine. The supermarket is operating as normal, too. When I reach the chapel in the heart of town, I see a wedding ceremony taking place. Andrew carefully puts a ring on Eliza's finger, while Mom watches with a tearful but joyous smile. "Ellie has finally married the man she loves. She won't have any more regrets in life," Mom says. Owen also has a contented smile on his face. "Once the ceremony is over, we should tell Sophia the truth. We only did this to fulfill a dying person's wishes anyway. I'm sure she'll understand." Mom frowns. "But didn't Sophia also get diagnosed with—" Owen shakes his head, his tone indifferent as he reassures her, "She's always been in perfect health. Why would she be sick? It's just one of her schemes to get attention because she's jealous of Ellie." This is how I find out that the so-called apocalypse is just a lie they concocted to fulfill Eliza's wishes. Right from the very beginning, they have only ever believed that she's the one who's sick. But this doesn't change the fact that I'm about to die.