Mortiferum

Chapter 1: All Hallows' Eve

Zoey's POV:

My name is Zoey Lane. I live...or well I used to live in Beverly Hills, California. I know what you are thinking. You must think I am your typical valley girl, living the luxurious life in a mansion with my very rich parents, going to private school, and live nearby tons of celebrities. I won't lie to you, that much is very true. However, if the definition of valley girl consists of being popular and having many friends, then no I'm not that kind of girl. I don't wear the trendiest clothes and high-end fashion. I was mediocre at best, I chose comfort over pain. I guess I just don't have that much confidence in me as the rest of the popular girls at school.

My dad, Peter Lane, is a famous trauma surgeon in our area. Whenever a bizarre and life-threatening case comes his way through those hospital doors he is the person to go to. My mother, Marissa Lane, is a registered nurse in neuro. So, as you can guess, with both of my parents in the medical field, it is safe to say they've done well in their life. Now, you may be wondering why I am not so popular in school given that my parents have made a good reputation for our name. It all started freshmen year, I had an unusually fast growth spur and puberty was having a whirl. Girls thought that I had my body done by my parents, shaming me as I walk through the halls. I thought it was completely stupid that they would think my parents were my surgeons given that it isn't in their practice to do plastic surgery, but what can I say, I am enrolled in a school with a bunch of meatheads and plastics for a brain. It got worst at the beginning of my sophomore year when my breasts started to grow. Guys would eye me down and make comments, girls found reasons to hate me for it.

The first year was rough, but I've learned to get used to it. I've lost hope that someday...somewhere out there, I can finally fit in. I isolated myself and tried to interact as little as possible. I never told my parents, but it eventually got to them two months into my first semester of sophomore year.

My principal notified my parents after the popular girls decided to photoshop my face to a pornstar's body and printed a huge poster only to put it in front of the school. Once school ended, everyone ran to see the show. It was the worst moment of my entire life. Call me a loser, call me fake, but why did they have to go so far? I already feel bad about myself as it already is. I feel like I am on a path of endless misery. The girls were caught, but their parents probably ended up bribing the school to let this slide. My parents were absolutely furious and demanded justice, but it was one family against the rest. Luckily, one of the girls' parents were kind enough to help our situation out. They advise that it be best if I go to school elsewhere. They even recommended a position for both of my parents to transfer their practice at a particular location. They were willing to give a referral, make some calls, and make it happen.

My parents took their advice and pulled me out of school. In the meantime, I was stuck being homeschooled until we can figure out the best place for me to transfer. I didn't mind homeschooling, because most of my classes were online and a tutor comes in every other day for other subjects.

Once my dad finally got the position to work at a hospital in Port Orchard, Washington, we were all set. He said the pay was nice and it will be a good fresh start for all of us. My parents have been nothing, but supportive to me and I feel like I'm weighing them down. They never thought their daughter would turn out to be such a loser. Maybe their life would be better without me, they don't have to worry constantly about how I'm doing. Maybe they can try again with another baby.

The last time I thought about death was when I almost got ran over by this transit bus. It came out of nowhere, and I was certain I looked both ways before crossing. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the way before anything bad happened. But from that moment on, I've always thought about what could've been. What could've been if I had died? That the next patient my parents would be operating on, is me. Other than my family, I bet it's just another day for everyone else. That my death is just set aside.