The Death of a Thousand Gold
Chapter 1
It’s crazy how a rich girl’s death can suddenly
make everyone act like they cared.
This reality show about wealthy families is the
new obsession.
And wouldn’t you know it, someone had to
bring me up.
Mom was practically glued to “Lily,” my
replacement sister, on camera, accusing me
of being a straight–up liar.
My brother, Jake, jumped in, all cold and
dismissive: “She’s not worth our time.”
<
Even Liam, my childhood best friend, gave his
two cents, frowning and calling me a “total
user.”
Lily chimed in, all sweetness and light, “Mom,
Jake, please don’t talk about Sarah like that.
Maybe we should invite her on the show. I’m
sure she’s sorry.”
They went silent.
The online comments blew up, demanding
they find me, the real Sarah.
Everyone wanted to see the girl everyone
hated.
Finally, Jake rolled his eyes and said,
“Whatever.”
<
Next thing I knew, they’re all piling into SUVS
with a film crew, heading off to find me.
And me? I’m floating along beside them.
Curious to see where they think they’ll find
- me.
- 1.
The scene outside this run–down apartment
building was something.
It was packed with people.
Trash piled high in the corners, buzzing with
flies.
The reality show crew was pinching their
noses.
Г
Floating above it all, I was just thankful I
couldn’t smell it.
Mom and Jake got out of the car.
They were decked out in designer clothes
that didn’t fit in.
The internet went wild:
[Is this where a super–rich family keeps their real daughter?]
[Lily’s dress alone could buy this whole building.]
Someone offered an explanation: [Didn’t you
hear? Three years ago, Sarah supposedly killed her dad and ran away.]
<
[Wow, she sucks. The Smiths shouldn’t have
even bothered bringing her back.]
[Yeah, she’s hated by everyone unlike Lily,
who has the wealthy Mr. Smith and the genius. Liam as her white knights.]
Mom pulled out a tissue, trying to shield Lily
from the smell.
Then she turned to Jake. “Tell Sarah to open
the door.”
Jake took one step up the stairs and stopped.
He realized he had no clue where I lived.
I actually told him.
But he was too busy comforting Lily.
く
He didn’t pay attention.
Liam, though, mumbled, “Apartment 201.”
That didn’t surprise me.
If anyone in the world knew me, it was Liam.
Jake gave Liam a weird look.
Then he started up the stairs.
No doorbell. Jake, can’t do anything but
knock.
But no one answered.
I glanced at Jake, who’s starting to look
annoyed.
く
“Dude, knock harder!” I joked but he couldn’t
hear me.
But he just kept knocking.
I couldn’t believe it.
Usually, Jake would be flipping out, ready to
leave.
He would have said, “I can’t believe it, Sarah
doesn’t have basic manners.”
Jake never had patience with me.
Viewers were getting restless:
[Is she even home? Why doesn’t someone
call?]
L
[They probably don’t even have her number.
Look at Jake, he doesn’t even know where
she lives.]
[Liam and Sarah grew up in the same foster
home. He’s a medical genius now. If he’s
saying she’s awful, it must be true.]
[I really wanted to see Sarah on the show. A
fake sister showdown would be epic.]
Someone else pointed out, “This place looks
dangerous. Isn’t anyone worried something happened to her?”
This was a reality show after all.
Everyone on set could see the comments.
く
“Maybe Sarah saw the show and left…”
Lily looked all sad. “She doesn’t want to see
- us. She blocked all of us when she left.”
“It’s my fault. If I hadn’t…”
“None of this is your fault. She’s a user!”
Jake stopped knocking, his voice ice–cold.
“She better stay hidden forever.”
I heard those words way too many times
when I was alive.
I didn’t want to hear them again.
I decided to tune out and let them figure out I
was gone.
