Happy Death System

Go Back Home

Late in the afternoon, while Samantha was chilling and watching a movie on her laptop (even though her arm was hurting and she couldn't really move it), "ding," an email notification popped up in her main inbox. She immediately opened it and saw it was from the university. Of course, she opened it excitedly, but as she read the letter, her face suddenly looked confused. The university hadn't sent her an acceptance letter—they'd sent her a graduation certificate and her diploma.

"Huh... a diploma? I haven't even gone to college yet, and I'm already a graduate with a diploma?" Samantha asked herself, totally baffled.

["Congratulations, Madam. You are now a business management graduate."]

"Yeah, I know, it says it right here in the email. But why? I wanted the college experience, not just the degree. I've never had the chance to go to school," Samantha replied.

["Because now isn't the time for you to go to college. What you need is the diploma."]

"This was your doing?" Samantha asked.

["Of course. You should be thanking me."]

"Okay, thanks for ruining my happiness, you bastard," Samantha said in her head.

["Madam, like the doctor said, you can't get stressed out because you're pregnant. So please try to understand, and thanks for the compliment."]

"Just be quiet, don't talk so much," Samantha replied.

["Alright, Madam. And one more thing, wait a moment; a new email will be coming in."]

"Ding," just as Hades said, a new email popped into her inbox. Samantha opened it immediately. The email was a registration for a nonprofit cooking school as a form of therapy, located near her home. It mentioned a weekly program to hand out warm meals at a homeless shelter. As she read the bottom of the email, it said the participants were war veterans with mental health issues, women with severe stress or mental problems from emotional abuse or other issues, and autistic teenagers who struggle with social skills.

"Oh... this is cool, and I'm already enrolled... I just have to show up," Samantha said, smiling again.

["That's right, Madam. There are three benefits: first, to improve your mental state; second, to prepare for when your baby is born; and third, to help others."]

"Okay, I like this. Maybe I'll even become an investor in the nonprofit," Samantha said cheerfully.

["I'm glad you like it. Happy to help."]

"Click," Samantha turned to see Sarah walk into her room. Sarah raised her hand and smiled, but Samantha could see that her face looked tired.

"You're home already?" Samantha asked.

Sarah sat down next to Samantha and looked at the movie Samantha was watching on her laptop.

"Yeah, Sis. Derek came to my campus," Sarah said.

"What... he came to your campus? Why? Did he see you?" Samantha asked, surprised.

"Yeah, he saw me. He didn't ask me for anything, but he was looking for you, Sis," Sarah replied.

"He was looking for me?" Samantha asked.

"Yeah. I was scared, so I left right away after telling him I had no idea where you were," Sarah replied.

"Oh... okay, that's good... you're a smart girl," Samantha said, smiling.

"I went home first, and then Aunt Christina asked me to bring this for you," Sarah said, handing her the bag she was carrying.

Samantha looked inside the bag. She saw a box with several neatly arranged cinnamon rolls and a card that read, "Get well soon." Samantha smiled as she read the card, then opened the box and offered one to Sarah.

"Does her kid know I'm in the hospital?" Samantha asked.

"I don't think so. Auntie was home alone. Hey, there's something interesting on social media, Sis. Check this out," Sarah replied, pulling out her smartphone and showing Samantha her Facebook feed.

It turned out Sarah was friends with Jessica and Theresa on Facebook. Jessica's post was on Sarah's feed, and the most recent one was a photo of Jessica and Maxwell on the deck of a yacht with the caption, "Universal spiritual path-finding session for self-development." In the photo, several women in bikinis were sitting in a circle around a shirtless Maxwell, meditating with their hands clasped and eyes closed. Samantha looked at the photo's date—it was today, posted two hours ago.

"This is our neighbor, right?" Sarah asked.

"Yep... what a crazy guy. Can you please take a screenshot and send it to me?" Samantha asked.

"What for?" Sarah asked.

"Just for the data. So we don't become his victims," Samantha replied, not wanting to reveal her plan for Maxwell.

"Okay, I just sent it," Sarah said.

"Ding," Samantha's smartphone buzzed. She opened the message from Sarah and immediately forwarded it to Jeff and Mason. Within seconds, both of them replied with a thumbs-up emoji. After that, she continued watching her movie with Sarah sitting next to her.

*****

Two weeks later, Samantha was allowed to go home, even though her arm was still in a sling and bandaged. Sarah put Samantha's belongings in her BMW, which was still parked in the hospital's lot. Then, Sarah drove the car, with Samantha in the passenger seat, and they headed home through the city. After they arrived and parked in the carport, Samantha turned to look at Sarah in the driver's seat.

"You can drive a car?" Samantha asked Sarah.

"Yeah, of course, Sis. I used to have my own car, but I sold it... to help Derek back then," Sarah replied with a hint of bitterness.

"Oh? Help him with what?" Samantha asked.

"Debt. He owed money to some pretty scary people. He couldn't tell his dad, so... I helped him," Sarah said bitterly.

"I see, I understand. I'll replace it for you," Samantha replied.

"Oh, no, you don't have to, Sis. Seriously, you don't," Sarah said, quickly turning and raising her hands.

Samantha watched Sarah, who seemed genuinely reluctant to accept her offer. She sighed and looked at her.

"Alright, fine," Samantha replied.

"Just being able to live with you is more than enough, Sis, so please don't give me more. I can buy my own car once I start working," Sarah replied.

"Yeah, I know. Let's get out and go inside," Samantha said.

"Okay, Sis," Sarah replied with a wide smile.

They got out of the car and took out their things. As they walked to the porch, a voice from behind them said, "Well, you're home. Can I help with anything?"

Samantha and Sarah turned around to see Maxwell standing behind them, smiling so wide that all his white teeth showed. His eyes, however, were scanning Samantha and Sarah from head to toe and back up again, making them both feel very uncomfortable.