The scene replayed in her mind like a nightmare; her father collapsing, his final words urging her to take care of her mother. Her mother, despite being shot, rushing to her side, telling her Vince was gone, and then shoving her into the closet to protect her, only to take a bullet to her own head moments later.
As Genevieve continued her anxious chant, the words her aunt had spoken earlier that day in the bathroom cubicle echoed relentlessly in her mind.
"...for being part of the reason they died... for being part of the reason they died..." The words grew louder and louder, drowning out everything else until they became unbearable.
Part of the reason they died? She might as well the main reason, since those people's plan wouldn't have worked if she hadn't insisted on her parents letting everyone in, or demanded for a birthday party in the first place.
She clawed at her hair, desperate to silence the voice in her head, but it only seemed to grow more persistent.
