Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Death Timer: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

My body was suddenly weightless, and I could glimpse the warm light in the living room through the old door.My mother, Bea Chandler, was patting my sister's back.My father, Gio Fox, was hanging his head, his shoulders slumped.My sister, Stella Fox, was wearing the only new dress they bought—a pale blue gown sewn with tiny sparkling stars.They were sitting closely beside each other, but Stella's face remained deathly pale under the bright lights, her lips drained of all color."Is Tina really alright?" she asked softly and nasally. "I heard her crying that her head hurts…""Don't worry about her." Gio brushed it off nonchalantly."Exactly," Bea agreed, carefully fondling Stella's cheek and tidying her bangs. "She isn't sick—she's always pretending so that we'll worry about her, even though you only have one day left… "She trailed off, choking with tears just then. "You just focus on celebrating your birthday. Don't let her ruin your mood."Stella pursed her lips in silence

Springing to his feet, Gio bellowed, "Why can't you understand, Tina?! Don't you know that your sister is sick?! She's going to…"He couldn't finish that sentence, so I still didn't understand.All I knew was that Stella always looked pale and coughed sometimes, and then our parents would look at her miserably.But I just didn't get it!"Why?! Why does Stella get everything?" I wailed, leaping off my chair and pointing at Stella. "Why won't you just die?! Give me everything! Give it back!"Stella's tears were gushing instantly, falling all over her plate.Her mouth was open, but no words came out.Bea then sprang to her feet and slapped me across the face—for the first time and very viciously.Stella ran over to protect me, but Bea caught her and shrieked, "She has to understand! She has to remember! She doesn't get to say anything she likes!"I still didn't understand, until the next day when I overheard our parents talking in the kitchen."Nine years…" Bea was sobbing."I

As Wanda continued, her voice grew louder, "But what about Tina? Doesn't she have it tough too? What has she gotten from you ever since she was a child? Stella's old clothes! Stella's leftovers! Even the family affection she was supposed to have is given to Stella!""We're not…" Bea tried to argue, but her voice was meek and lacked confidence. Wanda continued just then, her voice cracking terribly. "They are both good children! But you two? As her parents, don't you feel like you owe Tina? Or does she not deserve any love? And now, you won't even let the sisters see each other one last time! "Tomorrow, Stella will be… gone, and Tina is supposed to be the baby sister treasured ever since they were kids! How is Stella supposed to leave now? Filled with regrets?!"Bea could only stay in her chair, hiding her face in her palms as her shoulder shook, "I-I just…" she murmured, her voice shuddering even through her fingers. "I just wanted Stella to be happy before she left us… I don't

Suddenly, Gio froze for a long while before collapsing to the floor, and he started to bawl like a child."She's gone!!!" he wailed, his voice so hoarse that it was unintelligible. "Tina's gone! Our Tina's gone!!!"Stella was still standing by the door, her whole body shaking as she leaned against the doorframe.She watched as her parents cried themselves hoarse, and then looked at the small cold body lying in a corner."Tina…" she murmured, her lips trembling.Then, her vision turned dark, and she collapsed limply."Stella!" Bea shrieked as she rushed over, managing to catch Stella before she fell.And with that, the entire house erupted in chaos.-It was already noon when Stella woke up. Bea was sitting by her bed, her eyes swollen red as she held her hand, breathing repeatedly, "Oh, you're alright, Stella… That's what matters…"Stella was staring at the ceiling for a long time and asked quietly, "Where's Tina?"Bea's tears were gushing again, falling all over Stella's

Wanda simply sidestepped Bea, watching her with eyes as cold as ice. "How long are you going to keep deceiving yourself? You locked up Tina yourself the whole night, and now, she's dead."Bea could only collapse on the floor, burying her face in her palms as she bawled hysterically. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… Mommy made a mistake, Tina! Please, come back…"Thud, thud.Gio was on all fours too, and he was hitting his head repeatedly on the floor audibly."Dad, please…" Stella was sobbing as she tried to pull him to his feet.However, he pushed her away. "It's my fault… It's all my fault."Wanda watched them as they raved and wailed, and closed her eyes.Her eyes once again calm when she opened them, she carried me to the door, saying, "I'm taking Tina to the crematory.""Mom!"Gio suddenly lunged at me and grabbed her leg. "Don't take Tina away from us… Please!!!"Wanda looked down at her son's tear-filled face, and then calmly said, "Let go of me.""Mom—""I said let go!"