Stolen Youth, Reclaimed Destiny

circle was there, admiring the blooming roses and the woman who cultivated them. Eleanor glided through the crowd, a vision in white, her smile perfectly practiced

at was a size too small and a shade too bright, her eyes scanning the crowd, not for friends, but for opportunities. She w

moment I was

d have everyone's attention," she began, her voice radiating warmth that didn't rea

small, controlled expression I had

ve grown into such a brilliant, successful young woman, and I couldn't be prouder. To mark t

lack satin, was the smartwatch. It looked just as I remembered, ancient and menacing, its dark wood band

reached for my wrist. "

ent was small, but in the sudden

ady. "It' s beautiful. But it'

d at the edges. "Nonsense

's an antique, it belongs in a museum, not on my wri

gue, Bethany' s sharp v

ter laugh, loud enough for everyone to hear. "When y

mortified. "B

everything. A car for graduation, a down payment on her apartment, and now this

. Guests shifted uncomfortably.

was losing control of the narrative. This publi

enough," Eleanor said, h

scene Bethany was causing. It was about the watch. She needed i

the attic, my body shriveled and weak. My hands were gnarled claws, my hair a f

lowing with stolen vitality. There was no pit

me, her voice devoid of any warmth. "You're

and the spiders and the slow, creeping certainty that I was going to

in my chest. I looked at the watch in its box, then at Bethany'

t attic again. I would not let her

urned to Eleanor, my face

reciate the thought more than y

and panic. They thought they were in control. They had no idea that the game had