Dinner was supposed to be peaceful that night. The clatter of dishes and the aroma of stir-fried vegetables filled our modest apartment in the school’s residential building. Just as I was about to take another bite, a loud knock thundered on the door, followed by hurried voices outside.
“Jennie! Open the door!”
My stomach sank. The voice belonged to the school principal and it wasn’t alone. When I opened the door, I was met with a grim procession; the principal, several police officers and a group of parents with bloodshot eyes. Their rage was palpable and I froze under their glare.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice trembling.
The principal wasted no time. He thrust a tablet into my hands, a video already playing. My heart stopped as I saw the footage. It showed me—me—walking into the chemistry lab and setting off an explosion. The fire erupted, consuming the room. Students inside screamed and the screen went black.
“That’s you!” a parent shouted, his face twisted with grief. “You killed my son!”
My hands shook as I shoved the tablet back. “No! This is impossible! I wasn’t even at school when this happened!”
The principal crossed his arms, his expression icy. “The surveillance doesn’t lie, Jennie. Explain yourself.”
“I live five minutes from school!” I protested, pointing toward the window. “I came straight home after class. I couldn’t have had the time to set off a bomb and still make it here for dinner. I’ve done nothing wrong!”
But my words fell on deaf ears. The parents began to close in, their anger bubbling over. Then, the betrayal came.
“My daughter… she did come home a bit later than usual today,” my mother stammered. Her voice was shaky, hesitant.
My jaw dropped. “What? Mom, what are you talking about?”
But her words had already sealed my fate. The parents erupted into a frenzy. One of them pulled a knife, his grief driving him into a blind rage.
“You killed my child!” he roared, plunging the blade into my side.
Another followed and another. Pain blossomed in my body as the knives tore through me. The last thing I heard before everything went black was my mother’s scream and the chilling sound of steel meeting flesh.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was in a stark, white room. The air smelled of antiseptic and the faint sound of murmuring voices reached my ears. I was in the mental hospital.
For the first time in a long time, I felt… safe. The routine here was simple. I ate, I slept and in the mornings, I joined the other patients for light exercises in the courtyard. It was surreal, almost peaceful. No one blamed me for things I didn’t do. No one tried to kill me.
After a week, Dr. Richard, my attending physician, called me into his office. His kind eyes studied me as he flipped through my file.
“You’re doing well, Jennie,” he said. “Your condition has stabilized. I think it’s time for you to be discharged. But remember, stay positive and avoid stress.”
I nodded, masking the storm brewing inside me. The timing was perfect. By now, Agnes should have completed her sinister plan. The lab explosion was inevitable. And yet, I needed to confirm it for myself.
***
The warm sunlight greeted me as I stepped out of the hospital, a small suitcase in hand. I took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and hummed a cheerful tune as I began walking toward home.
But I didn’t get far. A mob was waiting for me just outside the gates—police officers, school leaders, furious parents and worst of all, my mother and Agnes.
“Jennie!” my mother shrieked, her face twisted in fury. She marched up to me and snatched my suitcase. “You monster! You killed so many innocent people and now you’re trying to run away?”
“I didn’t—” I started, but before I could finish, Agnes stepped forward, tears streaming down her face.
“Jennie, turn yourself in,” she begged. “If you confess, maybe you’ll get a lighter sentence. I’ll pray for you.”
The crowd roared in agreement, their anger flaring. One of the parents, a man from the media industry, held up a camera and began filming.
“This is the face of the murderer who bombed the school!” he shouted. “Everyone, remember her! Even if she gets out of prison, don’t let her walk among us unnoticed!”
I was stunned. How had this escalated so quickly? I’d been in the mental hospital the entire time. How could they still believe I was guilty?
The school principal stormed up to me, his face red with anger. Without warning, his hand lashed out, slapping me hard across the face. The sting was sharp, but his words cut deeper.
“You think you can get away with murder by pretending to be insane?” he spat. “What about my son? Who pays for his life?”
The mob surged forward, their fury unchecked. Someone scratched my face, another pulled at my hair and I stumbled backward, trying to shield myself. The noise and chaos were overwhelming and I was sure they’d tear me apart right there.
***
Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the hospital director emerged with a team of doctors and security guards.
“Enough!” he bellowed. “This is a hospital, not a battleground! Our patients need peace and quiet. Take this madness elsewhere!”
My mother grabbed my arm, trying to drag me away. “We’re leaving now,” she said with a forced smile, her grip iron-tight.
But I wasn’t about to go quietly. I caught sight of Dr. Richard standing behind the director.
“Dr. Richard!” I shouted. “My mom is sick—she’s taking me away! Help me!”
Dr. Richard immediately stepped forward, pulling me behind him. “The patient has just been discharged. Her emotional state is still fragile. You cannot provoke her further.”
The principal pointed an accusatory finger at me. “People like her use ‘mental illness’ as an excuse to avoid responsibility. She’s faking it!”
Dr. Richard stood his ground. “Until proven otherwise, this patient is under my care. If you take another step, I’ll have security remove you.”
The crowd hesitated, their rage momentarily quelled. My mother’s grip loosened and for the first time in what felt like forever, I had an ally.
But I knew this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. Someone had orchestrated this and I intended to find out who.
And when I did, they’d regret ever crossing me.
