I came in first in the city in all three mock exams before the college entrance exam.
Two days before the exam, my whole family treated me like royalty, afraid I might run into even the slightest trouble.
On the day of the exam, Dad drove me to school early.
But after glancing at the banner outside the entrance cheering students on, his smile froze. He forcibly dragged me back home.
"We're not taking the exam."
Once we got home, I begged Mom, who had always given me everything I asked for, to help me.
But she shook her head in terror. "No. You can't take the exam."
She snatched my phone away, fetched the chain they used to tie up the dog, and locked me up with it.
Even after the exam was over, they still had no intention of letting me out.
Apart from bringing me food, my parents neither saw nor spoke to me.
After keeping me locked up for half a year, I heard them talking outside:
"It's time. If we don't kill her now, it'll be too late."
They opened the door, once again acting like the loving parents they used to be.
Dad told me that he would take me somewhere tomorrow, and then it would all be over.
I was so scared I couldn't sleep all night.
Just before dawn, I felt someone climb onto my bed.
A pair of large hands clamped around my neck, and I was strangled to death.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the college entrance exam.