room a but that was the least of Kylie Thompson’s worries. She lay on a small bed, her body a testament to the car had left her with disability. Across on couch, Craig Fraley her childhood friend fiancé, and Lampard, girl who’d always played Kylie’s part in parents‘ wrapped up in each other, completely lost in their own world. They so into their moment, it was didn’t even exist. never really liked her, Craig his words barely audible soft laughter. “She was always the one chasing after me. I’ve had thing for you since college. You always make me crazy. Melanie’s giggle was her voice carrying a teasing edge. “Should we someone to help her out! She must be feeling pretty miserable. Craig just snorted, “Who feel anything for now? No one. Kylie, at wanted to shout, to call them out for their shamelessness, but her was gone, stolen by long days of hunger and neglect. Ever since her accident, she’d alone, her body now a map of sores, the room. with her suffering. She glanced at the stark reminder of the blood she’d given Melanie. But look this–this was thanks she got you were never meant be here,” Melanie said, lips still close to Craig’s. “Your is a constant of my real family. even as your parents‘ real they don’t you like family. They just use you as blood for With sound kiss on Craig’s lips, she smiled, “And look, your fiancé. He’s mine now. Craig Melanie his eyes with desire, as he added, ‘She’s lucky to serve your blood bank. Otherwise, who knows if it this far?” “You’re Melanie “Now that I’m better, need her anymore. Oh, right, we’ve left her starve days, but she’s here” we give her another of medicine, she last much longer,” Craig said, his becoming more Tears streamed down Kylie’s her thin and frail. She was consumed by deep resentment. The pain from the excessive medication was but was weak to react. Her life was slipping away, with and injustice. just hang in there and us a bit more blood, will ya? It’s like to you any. If something happens Mel, how are you going to sleep at Lampard, Kylie’s biological mother, said, her cold. “Totally, we’ve got you back with now. You’ve already taken what was Mel’s. She’s been the one us all these while you were… elsewhere. So now, when we’re asking for a little more from you for Mel, don’t be such a wimp!” Samuel, father, barked. The couple, their a match in disapproval, looked down at Kylie, who quiet with her head hung low. Their a stream of criticism aimed at her. They cradled Melanie in arms, treating her with the kind of care they’d give to a fragile thing, while Kylie might as well have been invisible. Melanie, her face pale in voice as soft as a breeze, trying to the tension, “Mom, Dad, I can manage. Don’t push Kylie. If she’s not happy with me, it’s probably haven’t enough. Samuel and faces softened with concern. turned back to Kylie, their voices reproach. “You’re as healthy as a horse. Can’t you show a litle heart for Mel?” Then they to the nurse. “Miss, no need wait for h the blood draw. We’re her parents; we’ve got the say. Just going Kylie shot up from her seat, a sarcastic laugh escaping lips as she looked at her parents. It just now that the truth hit had given a start! The memories of the last moments were blur of agony, and was real. In life, once was welcomed into the family, Kylie had been on her best behavior, always trying to please them. Kylie and Melanie had the same that was how they got as babies, by the way. Her parents would hit her up blood donations and then. Kylie never turned down, always trying to happy and avoid further accusations. And time gave in, felt she just not doing enough, even though it left her feeling weak and getting sick often. And Melanie was the golden child in front of their making Kylie look like the bad guy who always picked on her. “Kylie, with the spaced–out always acting all bumpkin. on! It’s freaking Mel out,” Julie snapped, voice sharp. Samuel added own stern to the mix. “Kylie, this is disappointing. You’re really out of bounds. If you want something. No need to cause a scene in the hospital. Melanie closer, her voice dripping with fake sweetness as held Kylie’s hand. “Kylie, how about I give you Ferrari Dad got me for I need your help. I I’ll share my with you. Please don’t be mad. Julie’s anger was palpable as she was about to slap Kylie. “Don’t silly, honey, Kylie can’t drive. What would she do a car? Kylie, you’re being way greedy. You’ve already taken our attention, and now you’re after Melanie’s car too?” smug flickered in Melanie’s eyes. “No no match for charm. I’m always the beloved in front of Mom and Dad. eyes as cold and unblinking a winter’s night as she stared Julie. Julie paused, a running down her spine Kylie’s icy gaze. trying to Kylie?* “Sit down and stop a scene!” Samuel barked, his patience clearly worn thin. Kylie’s face was a mask of indifference as she asked, she die without my blood?” Melanie a step her trembling with feigned shock. Kylie, you you don’t want me to die, do you?” Julie’s anger was reaching its peak. “How can you cruel? actually want Melanie die? believe I’m your mother. You’re such a Kylie. I really regret you into our lives!” Julie was utterly of Kylie. ‘She’s such an embarrassment, always causing never obeying. it too to for little cooperation?” she thought. “Kylie, please upset Mom. Blame on me, Melanie said, her voice shaky as tears streamed down her cheeks. Samuel’s expression hardened, he turned to Kylie with that familiar sternness. “Kylie, apologize your mom and Melanie. In the past, whenever they teamed up against her and asked for her apologies, she’d back down. But after she said sorry, it never to be enough. They’d always she was pretending be weak, especially during draws. Kylie glanced at on her her voice icy. “You’re the ones who apologize. But even if you wouldn’t it. We have a lot to and do it on my terms. With that, she turned and out of the hospital, determination in her stride. she stepped a sharp pain her, but she looked down at her legs, her eyes glistening. felt amazing to be able walk again. She’d deal her family later; right now, there was something far more urgent she needed to do.