Dead Before Dinner

Prologue:

When I was 10 my aunt was in a tragic work accident. After the accident my cousin, Madeline was put into foster care. Of course my parents couldn’t leave her so they legally adopted her. Everything was fine at first and not much changed. The only difference was that my parents bought two of everything and I got a new person to play with. That was until Madeline got jealous. It didn’t make sense. She was basically the center of attention since she was grieving. Next thing I knew it my parents started ignoring me, only buying Madeline whatever she wanted. Madeline was the sun and I was a small, insignificant planet like Pluto or something. The world had to revolve around her and honestly, I was fine with that. I was happy with what I had. That was till Madeline, for some reason got even more jealous of me. 

“I’m sorry, auntie. I just wish that I had my parents to love me. You’re so lucky Alena, to have two loving parents.” Madeline said to me with tears in her eyes. “I would do anything for my mom back”

Once my parents left the room Madeline gave me a villainous smirk and walked away. “I just got a new hot tub, do you want to go see it?” Madeline asked.

I should have known better but I was naive enough to accept her offer, knowing that I would never get another chance to see it again. The hot tub was bubbling with a light steam coming out of it. “Come on, why don’t you go in and try it out?” Madeline asked sincerely.

“Um ok” I said as I dipped my foot into the water. “OW, why is it so hot!?!” I yelped desperately.

“Oh come on, hot tubs are supposed to be like that, don't be a baby” Madeline said with a smirk as she maliciously pushed me into the boiling water.

When I got pushed my head hit the hard wall as I felt a warm liquid dripping down my head slowly. I was about to scream for help but there was no use. No matter what I did my parents would take her side and if I wanted to survive I had to reserve my energy. I felt a throbbing pain flash all over my body as I looked up. I saw Madeline leave the room with no visible remorse visible on her face. I desperately tried to pull myself up but I was far too weak to continue. As I sat there I overheard Madeline lying to my parents about me. “Auntie, Uncle Alena wanted to sit in the tub so she pushed me away. Please don't punish her or interfere. I think that she just needs some time to cool off and she'll come to her senses.

“Did you hear that Alena? Even your cousin is on your side even though she shouldn’t be! You’re lucky. You’re throwing a fit and your cousin is sticking up for you. Why can’t you just be mature like her?” My dad screamed into the wall loud enough so I could hear. 

As it started to darken outside the excruciating pain in my body numbed and the water cooled down, making it more bearable. 

Throughout the night and the next day I waited for someone to go check on me. Though I knew no one would, I still felt optimistic. As I was about to try and get up again I heard my mom say “Fine, if she wants to be petty I won’t take it. She has to at least come down for dinner tonight like a respectable young lady!” 

When my family came into the hot tub room I saw the horror wash over their faces. “OMG MY BABY WHAT DID YOU DO!?!?” My mom shrieked.

Only then as she held my limp body was when I realized I was dead. As I finally looked down I saw a sea of crimson red, I was definitely dead. Only after they called the police was I able to get up. Only my body didn’t come with me. When I climbed down the stairs I saw the police questioning my family. I wanted to scream that it was Madeline and not my parents so badly but I sat there helpless, not being able to defend them for one last time. 

A week later:

By this time my parents were on house arrest and Madeline was put into foster care. The police took tests and were positive I was murdered. After days of DNA tests and CT scans they realized that it wasn’t my parents who murdered me, it was Madeline. Obviously, I knew this but this was just one step towards justice.