Chapter 9
Truly, it was all a conspiracy. My memories from my previous life were real. Mason and Hannah had actually betrayed me. They had been plotting together to trick me out of my bone marrow.
I quickly changed my clothes and cautiously opened the door, relieved to find the hallway empty. Just as I was about to sneak out, I overheard Mason and my mother talking around the corner.
“Quinn’s mental state isn’t very stable right now,” Mason said gently. “The doctor recommended a complete evaluation first.
My mother asked anxiously, “Does she really have hallucinations? She keeps talking about her previous life.”
“Yes, Mrs. Browning. She’s showing signs of paranoia, but please don’t worry. She’ll be fine soon.”
I shook with rage. They had even deceived my mother. Stealthily, I slipped away in the opposite direction and managed to escape the hospital.
It was already dark outside. I didn’t know where to go. Home was out of the question, and I couldn’t go back to the university either. All my friends had been fooled by them.
Suddenly, I remembered what Matthew had said. I had to leave this city, as far away as possible.
I quickly called my aunt, who lived down south. “Aunt Megan, is it okay if I stay with you for a few days?”
“Of course you can,” she replied gently. “What happened?”
“I’ll explain when I get there,” I said cautiously, afraid the call might be monitored. “I’m going to buy a train ticket now.”
After hanging up, I rushed straight to the train station. Luckily, there was a train heading south that very night. Paying in cash to avoid leaving any trace, I boarded the train.
Sitting in the train, watching the nightscape outside the window, I felt safe for the first time in ages. I could finally break free from all of this.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my mother. My finger hovered over the screen for a moment before I finally answered. “Mom…”
“Quinn, where are you? The doctor said you still need monitoring!” My mother’s frantic voice came through the phone.
“Mom, I’m fine. I just need so
some time alone. Please don’t worry. I’m perfectly safe.”
“Mason’s been searching everywhere for you. He’s absolutely worried.”
“Mom, don’t even mention him. He’s no good at all.”
“Quinn, not this again.” My mother sighed wearily. “The doctor said you need treatment.”
“I’m not sick. Morn, listen to me! They’re lying to you. Hannah isn’t even dead. They’re just trying to trick me into donating my bone marrow!”
A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line. “Quinn… I attended Hannah’s funeral myself. The doctors were right. You really are suffering from delusions.”
My blood ran cold. I couldn’t believe they even held a funeral and made my mother attend. This scheme ran deeper than I’d ever thought possible.
“Mom, I just need some time to figure things out,” I finally said, keeping my voice steady. “Please trust me. I’m really okay.”
After hanging up, I turned off my phone. Three days later, I arrived at my aunt’s place. I told her everything–my fears, my suspicions, all of them.
Though she was only half–convinced at first, she chose to believe me and helped me settle down in a quiet, secluded place in the south.
A month later, I received an official expulsion notice from the university, stating that I was unable to continue my studies on mental health grounds.
It didn’t matter anymore. I’d already started over at a university down south. Even if I had to repeat a year, at least I was finally far away from all those people.
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1:52 AM dd
Chapter 9
One day, about six months later, I was casually scrolling through social media when a headline caught my eye. [Medical student, Mason Lindon, and his girlfriend, Hannah Cooley, both arrested for fraud and illegal organ trafficking.]
The news detailed how they schemed to deceive multiple students and patients into making so–called “voluntary donations,” which were then sold at high prices to a black market organ trafficking network.
One victim’s account stood out. [Ray, a student at K University, was lured by Mason and Hannah under the guise of saving a life into donating his bone marrow, and developed severe postoperative complications.]
I sat in front of the computer, my hands trembling uncontrollably. It was true. My memories from my previous life were real. Mason and Hannah really were con artists, and I did die from donating bone marrow in my previous life.
I immediately called my mother and sent her the news link. This time, she finally believed me.
“Quinn, I was wrong.” My mother sobbed over the phone. “I should have believed you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” I comforted her. “What matters is that we’re both safe now.”
After hanging up, I stepped onto the balcony and drew a deep breath of the warm southern air. In this second chance at life, I’d finally broken free from the shackles of fate. I’d refused that unjust sacrifice and saved myself.
But most importantly, I’d come to understand that every life was invaluable, and everyone had only one chance. No matter the reason. no one had the right to compel others to sacrifice themselves.
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