What a fallacy! "If they could only keep one of us, why couldn't they keep me instead of Heather? Is it because she's stronger? I don't want to die! I want a chance to live too!"

Hannah leaned down, snarling. "What are you so proud of? Do you still think you're the same Heather Riggs? Do you think you can still control me? Right now, you're nothing but a vegetable. What can you do now, huh?!"

Heather, momentarily inattentive, heard this and a thought struck her. Her eyes snapped open, and she stared at Hannah. "What have you done to me?!"

Startled, Hannah quickly recovered. She laughed triumphantly. "Guess! Guess what I did! If you get it right, I might give you a prize!"

Heather's mind raced, confronting her sister's smirk and crazed eyes. Her recent physical decline had always been vaguely attributed to her handbook studies; she'd never suspected anything else. After all, she'd only allowed her closest confidantes access. Hannah, her sister, had never been a concern. Despite Hannah's resentment, Heather never anticipated such treachery. She simply didn't believe Hannah capable of it.

Heather's mind was jolted, as if by a bucket of ice water. Regaining her composure, she carefully considered the past few months. Her symptoms began about two months ago, coinciding only with her handbook studies. Except for that...

"Did you put something in the soup you've been making for me?"

A sudden clarity dawned.

Hannah was momentarily speechless before erupting into laughter. "Gosh, sis, you're really smart. It's no wonder our parents like you so much. That's right. Those soups tasted good, didn't they? Let me tell you a secret. I added a special seasoning. That's why you can lie here and enjoy the rest of your life peacefully!"

"How dare you?!" Shock and fury surged through Heather, but she remained immobile. Before, she would have struck Hannah a fatal blow. Now, she struggled to even lift a finger. She didn't know what Hannah had used—poison, a drug—but it had ravaged her body. Worst of all, Chump wasn't here. And the others... they couldn't enter without her explicit order.

Hannah raised her eyebrows, laughing harder. This delight was unprecedented. Heather's impotent rage was exhilarating. For so long, she'd been submissive, timid. She hadn't dared raise her voice. Now, she mocked Heather with impunity.

"Why wouldn't I? What can you do about it?" Hannah stroked Heather's cheek. "My dear sister, aren't you always so powerful? Don't you just want to hit me right now? Come on, then. Hit me!" Hannah presented her cheek to Heather's hand.