It was all over the news. Ethan was dead and he had been stabbed by someone who the media kept nameless. If I figured it out, I'd find the person and return the favor. I was bitter and alone.

My father, the owner of the famous restaurant chain, was gone. Forever. I couldn't help the anger I felt brewing. I didn't know who to blame. I didn't know why he had left me alone on this earth.

I wondered if it was done by our rival. Yet I didn't think they'd stoop this low and kill their competition. A forfeit due to foul play might be a loss, but I was no loser. If it was them who killed my father, then I'd keep the company strong and win this irrelevant competition fairly. A stabbing is a hate crime, whoever killed him must have hated him. I just knew it.

The police wouldn't let me see the body. They'd said it had been too mutilated, like a bear had attacked him in some random girl's house. I wondered what he was even doing at some persons house? I knew he was dating Violet's mother, but it wasn't her house he was at. I wished I could ask him.

I parked my car and got out, slowly walking into my house and searching the area before entering. Ever since the odd police scene at school I had this sinking feeling that somebody was following me. I had been cautious at every occasion, especially around my house.

That night I'd gone home, knowing my father was sleeping at Mrs. Veowsalot's house. I was alone and afraid so I had locked my bedroom door shut; the next evening I found out my father had been killed. It was a jumble in an odd timeline and I wondered if my family was on some sort of hit list. I slept afraid last night and woke up alarmed to a blaring sound in my ear.

My heart froze as I jumped out of bed, searching for the closest weapon. Nobody would hurt me in broad daylight, right?

I quickly rushed out of my room, stalking my hallway to make sure nobody was there. I wondered what would happen to my home with my dad gone, would it get repossessed? Would I end up homeless?

I saw a shadow move across my living room and my heart was filled with fear. Do I throw this at them or wait until they came at me?

I was extremely stressed as I soundlessly walked down the stairs. As soon as I reached the bottom, I was grabbed and pushed against a wall.

"Shh." The person said, "there's someone else here." My eyes widened in fear. How are there two random people in my house and I had no inkling of their existence.

I froze, wishing I had at least left the blinds partially open so the sun could shine through. I froze for a few seconds until the person backed away.

"I'm kidding, it's just me." They laughed as I watched them in horror. I couldn't recognize their face in the dark, but the voice sounded somewhat familiar. I'm sure I'd heard her voice before.

"Who are you?" I asked, walking toward the blinds and letting the sun shine through.

"Hi, we haven't met, but I'm Trina." She said, holding her hand out for me to shake.

"Okay? How did you get in my house?" I was skeptical as I watched her carefully.

"You left your front door unlocked." She giggled, walking to my sofa and sitting. She crossed her legs as she spoke, "well aren't you going to offer me water or something?"

"No... no! You can leave. You almost gave me a heart attack lady." I stood by the window staring at her in shock. Who does she think she is?

"It's so sweet of you to call me a lady, but I'm not one yet. Still a girl and you know me from school. Remember last year when we had to sit near each other all year in chemistry?" She said.

I shook my head. I recalled her voice but it was as though her face had been wiped from my memory.

"Listen, Jared," she continued, "I did a little swap. You know, a life for a life sort of thing. I just came to see how you were doing?"

"What? Wait... what?" My eyes widened in shock as I watched her.

"Yup. I'm alive because you're going to die... soon. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet." She licked her lips, a smug smirk on her face. She stood up and walked toward me.

"You're scaring me." I said. My mind began wandering, was she the girl that had killed my father? Was it her house that he had gone to?

"Don't be scared, death isn't that bad. I would know, I've experienced it almost seven times." She placed a hand on my shoulder as I flinched, "don't worry, I'm not the one whose going to kill you."

"Did you kill my father?" I blurted, suddenly angry and full of sadness.

"No, and I don't know who did either so don't bother asking." she looked me straight in the eye. Her eyes were dark and hollow, as though she was a soulless creature put on the earth to spite me.

"Why are you here?" I mouthed the words, wondering if this was some crazy nightmare that I would hopefully wake up from soon. I was in shock, afraid and scared that Trina's prophecy might be true.

"Just letting you know. It was my duty to tell the life exchangee that I'll be completing my cycle and you will be dead. Now you know."

"What'll happen to my family and my house and how will I die?" I asked. If this was a dream, it didn't matter if I was humoring her. She crossed her arms.

"Won't you get me a drink, we can talk some more."

I nodded, heading toward the kitchen to pour her a cup of water. But, by the time I returned, she was gone. I wondered if I was just dehydrated and hallucinating, but now I knew I was on full guard.

If I die, there will be nobody left in my family line. I shuddered at the thought, drinking the water and heading upstairs to get ready for school.

♥️

😅❤️

♥️

(Would you buy this book if it was paperback?)

In case you're interested in getting the totally edited/revised/changed paperback version of this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Read-Minds-ebook/dp/B08RYV11F2/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=veronica+Soliman&qid=1609863783&sr=8-3

(Link will be available in the coming weeks)

(Link will be available in the coming weeks)