Bound By Sin

TV News.

Genevieve curled up on the couch, still feeling the weight of the previous night's events. Victoria and Nathaniel sat beside her, while Anastasia sprawled on the opposite end, flicking through the channels with little interest.

"Can we just find something to watch?" Anastasia complained, her tone impatient. "This is boring."

"Hold on," Nathaniel said, glancing at the screen. "Let's see what's on the news."

As they switched to a news channel, the screen filled with the image of a somber reporter standing outside a house. Genevieve's stomach dropped as she recognized the location—the house where the party had been held. The reporter spoke in hushed tones, and the words sent a chill through her.

"Tragic news this morning as authorities confirm the death of a local, young woman, Melissa Carter, who was found unresponsive at a party last night. Investigators are still gathering details..."

Victoria's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in horror. "Oh my God... it's her."

Genevieve felt her heart race as she tried to process the scene unfolding before them. "They're talking about Melissa," she whispered, a sense of disbelief washing over her.

The screen cut to images of the house, police tape cordoning off the area, and a few onlookers murmuring amongst themselves. The reporter continued, "Friends and family are in shock as they await answers from law enforcement. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward."

"Who could've done this?" Nathaniel asked, his voice tight with tension. "It doesn't make sense."

Anastasia scoffed, leaning forward. "Maybe it was just an accident. People do stupid things at parties."

"An accident?" Genevieve exclaimed, her eyes wide. "You think that's all it was?"

"Maybe someone spiked her drink or something," Anastasia replied dismissively, crossing her arms.

Victoria shot her a disapproving look. "This isn't a joke, Anastasia. A girl is dead. We need to take this seriously."

"Genevieve, you were there," Nathaniel said, turning to her with an intensity that made her stomach churn. "Did you see anything unusual? Anyone acting strange?"

Genevieve felt the pressure mounting, the memories of the night swirling in her mind like a storm. "I—I don't know. I just remember dancing... it was fun until Nicholas came in and said..."

"What?" Nathaniel pressed, his eyes searching hers. "What did he say?"

"That someone was dead," Genevieve replied, her voice trembling. "I didn't see anything else. I was just... shocked."

Victoria moved closer, concern etched on her face. "You must have noticed something. Did you see Melissa at all after Nicholas told everyone?"

"No!" Genevieve said, frustration boiling over. "I didn't even know she was gone until he said it! I was with my friends! I just don't understand how this happened!"

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "This isn't helping, you know. Yelling isn't going to bring her back."

"Anastasia!" Nathaniel snapped. "This is serious. Your sister is trying to process something traumatic. You need to show some empathy."

"Whatever," Anastasia muttered, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—maybe even fear.

The news report continued, showing images of Melissa smiling at the camera, carefree. Genevieve's heart ached. "She was so full of life," she said quietly, tears welling up again. "We were just... we were just kids having fun."

"Why would anyone want to hurt her?" Victoria whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "It doesn't make sense."

The tension in the room was palpable, each family member lost in their thoughts. The news anchor spoke again, detailing how detectives were currently interviewing party attendees.

"Do you think they'll come back to us?" Genevieve asked, her voice barely audible. "Will they want to talk to me? I don't even know what to tell them!"

"Just tell them the truth," Nathaniel said firmly. "You don't need to remember anything more than that. You were a bystander in this, not responsible."

"But I feel like I should have done something!" Genevieve replied, her voice rising with anxiety. "If I'd only noticed something off... if I'd only been paying attention!"

Victoria wrapped an arm around Genevieve, pulling her close. "You can't blame yourself for this. You did nothing wrong."

As the news report continued, Genevieve felt the weight of her family's eyes on her, the unspoken pressure to remember something—anything—that could help make sense of the tragedy. But all she could see was Melissa's smile, and the laughter that now felt like a distant echo.

"We just have to wait and see what happens next," Nathaniel said, breaking the heavy silence. "But we're in this together, no matter what."

Anastasia finally fell quiet, her earlier bravado fading as they all turned back to the television, where the news continued to unfold, each moment amplifying the uncertainty that hung thick in the air.