FINAL CHAPTER



Two days later, the Fisher family sat together for breakfast. It was one of the moments Mel enjoyed the most. Especially when her husband was on vacation, and was able to spend time at home with his loved ones, like it was the case for the last two weeks. The house still seemed a little quieter than usual. After all, one family member was no longer there. At least not entirely, she thought, casting a quick glance over at Samantha's old spot. Bobby, the eternal joker, had brought her head from his room and placed it on a plate. That way she could keep them company at breakfast, he had said, grinning cheekily. Melanie, who had at least been grateful that he had cleaned his toy beforehand, had let him have his will this time, but she would definitely not allow it in the long run. It just wouldn’t be right.

The mood was cheerful. Bobby talked all the time about a planned trip he wanted to take with Tommy. The friendship between the two was growing ever closer. And Mel secretly suspected that there were much deeper feelings at play, than her son was willing to admit. She saw the sparkle in his eyes every time he spoke of the other boy. And she recognized it for what it was: Love. Surely it would only be a matter of time before he too would realize how he really felt about the handsome boy next door.

Carter listened to his son the whole time with a happy smile. The boy had inherited his love of camping from his father. And so, it wasn't surprising to Mel that her husband enthusiastically put his hand on his offspring's shoulder the whole time, beamed at him, and gave him advice.

Becky on the other hand was suspiciously quiet during breakfast. She poked at her food, constantly glancing over to the other side of the table where her big sister's head rested on a platter. Her mother was a little worried about her. But just as she was about to turn to the little girl to ask her what was bothering her, the nine-year-old raised her head and, with a thoughtful gesture, put her cutlery aside. Then she spoke with a serious expression:

"When my time comes, I want you to slaughter me, Dad."

Her father almost choked on his scrambled eggs. He stared at his daughter in disbelief.

"What?"

Bobby's eyes also widened in shock, and the fork he had just raised to his mouth froze in midair. Mel leaned across the table with a frown and reached out for her child

"What are you talking about, love?"

But Becky just shrugged her shoulders with the utmost matter-of-factness and pushed her plate a little bit away from her. Then she leaned back and clasped her hands in front of her stomach in a gesture that suddenly made her seem much older.

"Well, when my time comes, I want you to be the ones to eat me. I don't want to end up on the plate of some stranger who doesn't really know me. Who doesn't know who I am, or who might have already forgotten me the moment they swallowed the last bite."

Her parents exchanged puzzled glances. Mel felt a cold lump settle in her stomach, and Carter lowered his fork, his fingers trembling. Even Bobby swallowed hard, his eyes flitting nervously between his sister and their parents. Mel gently rubbed her daughters arm.

"Honey, do you remember the conversation we had recently? In the shower?"

The little girl's dark brows furrowed slightly.

"Yes, of course I remember. But I still believe that at some point it's just meant to be." Again she shrugged, as if she wasn't discussing her own impending death. "One day I'll definitely end up on the platter, and then I'd at least like to be able to decide who it belongs to."

Mel swallowed at her daughter's words and looked up at her husband. He licked his lips a few times and then folded his hands on the table.

"But you haven't made any firm plans yet, have you? You haven't secretly registered with Sidney’s yet, or something?"

The little girl avoided his piercing gaze but shook her head.

"No."

“She couldn’t do that without your consent, could she?”

Bobby’s quiet interjection sounded genuinely concerned, even as he tried to mask it. His gaze, however, kept drifting back to his little sister. This time, Mel detected not mischief in his eyes, but genuine worry. But before she or her husband could respond, Becky’s voice rose, her brows furrowed.

“I totally could. You’re so not up to date, you know.”

With a startled expression, the teenager looked up at his parents, and Mel couldn't help but shrug.

"She's right, Bobby. The age limit was dropped a long time ago. She can register at any time. There's nothing we can do about it. But I still hope you didn't," she said to her youngest child. "Because then… you would have given up your freedom of choice, sweetie."

Becky just nodded with conviction. Then she picked up her fork again and stabbed at a piece of girl bacon, her father brought home from the store this morning

"I know. No, I don't. And I don't want to die now. But someday, definitely, and when that time comes, I want you to do it, Dad."

Carter slumped back into the back of his chair, staring at his daughter and placing a hand on his chest. A touched smile played on his lips, and he met his wife's gaze. Mel looked at him. Her heart was in turmoil, but of course she knew how the world worked and she respected her daughter's decision. In fact, a part of her was even happy about it, because the little girl seemed to have accepted her fate, just like Samantha.

She's becoming more and more like her

After a while, her husband found his voice.

"Darling, I'm truly honored. I didn't expect this. Do you… know how you'd like to do it yet?"

Without looking at him, the little girl shrugged again and put the bacon in her mouth. After a while, a smile formed on her lips.

"Out in the garden, when it's warm and sunny. A simple spit, and just the four of us. Yes, you too, Bobby," she added, with a cheeky sideways glance at her brother, who was staring at her with wide eyes. And his expression only grew more astonished when she suddenly continued, her cheeks flushed.

"Because to be honest, I want you to have my head... as a gift. Then you can use me whenever you want."

Her brother's eyes widened. His gaze flickered from Becky to his parents and back to her. And then he suddenly jumped up, rushed around the table, and hugged his little sister tightly. He gave her a big kiss on the cheek and buried his face in her hair

"Thank you, Becky! This is amazing! Wow!"

The little girl grinned widely. When he finally let go, she brushed her cheek with the back of her hand. Her eyes sparkled as she replied softly:

"That alone is worth losing my head for."

Mel quietly brushed a tear from her cheek and turned away for a moment to compose herself. The small scene had moved her deeply, and her gaze lingered briefly on Sam’s head.

I wish you could have lived to see that

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her husband reach out to his daughter and tenderly stroke her cheek.

"Darling, if you really want this and don't change your mind by then, I promise I'll grant your wish. I'll make your death as unforgettable as I possibly can. And when it happens, you'll taste delicious. I'm absolutely certain of it."

The little girl's cheeks flushed. She bit her lip shyly and nodded.

"Thanks, Dad

Mel, who was having great difficulty keeping her voice from trembling, also stood up, walked over to her daughter, and hugged her tightly. She hugged her to her chest and the little girl returned the hug warmly. Her voice raspy with emotion, she whispered:

"I'm so incredibly proud of you, darling. But I hope you're taking your time with this."

"I will. A few years, at least."

And when the two separated again, Bobby pulled his little sister closer and gave her a loving kiss that brought a blush to the little girl's cheeks.

"I'm really happy about that. I want to spend a lot more time with you. After all, you're my favorite sister."

Melanie and Carter exchanged a touched look as Bobby gave her a little kiss and lovingly ran his fingers through her hair. Becky blushed, hung her head, and grinned.

"That's no mean feat. After all, I'm your only sister."