The Death Seat, Reborn at Concert

When I finally came to, the choking feeling was still there, making me gag and cough like crazy. Then, out of nowhere, Chloe slapped me on the shoulder, practically begging, Oh my god, Sarah, please, can we switch tickets?

It hit me like a ton of bricks ?C I was back. Id been given another shot. This time, I was gonna live, and no way was I letting some backstabbing schemers get away with it.

...

Chloe stood on the bleachers, looking around at the packed crowd like shed stepped in something nasty. Before she could even open her mouth, I cut her off. "Switch tickets? Yeah, sure, here ya go!"

Chloes jaw dropped, staring at the ticket in her hand, her mind clearly in a spin. "Wait, you're just... giving it to me? Didn't your boyfriend go through hell to snag these for you?"

"Chloe, you're my best friend, your happiness is what matters!" I gently tugged at her arm, adding, "Oh, hey, I almost forgot. This little girl also wanted to sit here, so I switched with her."

Chloes face twisted into something fierce, her voice rising, "What?! You can't do that! Get the ticket back right now!"

Just then, a little firecracker of a girl, Penny, popped up to thank me. "Hold on, lady, what's your problem?" she said, looking Chloe up and down. "She already agreed to switch with me, so what's it to ya? Its between us, not your business.

Chloe got all red in the face and shoved Penny hard. Penny stumbled back, nearly falling, her eyes blazing.

"Hey, watch it!" I said, quickly getting between them. "Chloe, chill out! This place is packed, you cant go around pushing people! What if someone gets hurt?"

"Yeah, you try that again, and youll wish you hadnt! Im Gen Z, and I'm not scared of you!" Penny shot back, hands on her hips.

I stepped in, holding Chloe back. She was clearly fuming, but she forced herself to back off, glaring at Penny, who just snorted. A second later, Chloe put on a pitiful face. "Sarah, can we please at least swap spots?"

I shoved my ticket back at Chloe. No problem! Here! I turned and started walking towards the other section of the bleachers, but Chloe grabbed my arm. Hey, where are you going?

Oh, Pennys ticket is further away Just go back to your original spot. We can meet at the exit after the show! I spun around and headed out. Yeah, go ahead, Chloe. Try and pin this one on me.

The concert finally ended, and I was heading toward the exit when I bumped into Penny again. Penny threw her arm around me, all smiles. Thank you again, you're awesome. I've always wanted a seat this good!

Just then, the crowd surged by the entrance as people rushed towards the back door, trying to get a glimpse of the band. I could feel the crush of bodies, and it almost turned into a stampede.

When the crowd settled a little, I saw Chloe on the ground, clutching her stomach, screaming, It hurts! Oh, god, it hurts so bad! Help me!

Security guards rushed over. Chloe wouldnt let them help her, though. Instead, she stared right at me, her eyes full of tears. Sarah, please, you gotta help me, save my baby!

I stood there frozen, like I didnt know what to do. Chloe, since when were you pregnant? I acted like I was stunned, like I didnt know what to do but I stayed put. I just kept pointing at the blood seeping from her legs. Chloe, are you...are you having a miscarriage?

The people around us immediately backed away, giving Chloe a wide berth. Then, I looked nervous, my voice full of fake concern, What are we gonna do? Chloe, I gotta get you to a hospital!

I went to help her, but I moved like a sloth. Penny grabbed my arm. "Girl, don't even. If you touch her, she'll probably turn around and say it was your fault!"

I blinked, surprised. Did this girl know something? Was she back too? Chloes eyes went wide with panic. She kept wailing, Sarah, dont listen to her! Get me to the hospital, it hurts so badly

Oh, please! Penny snorted. Her act is straight out of a how to scam people tutorial. Penny looked at the security guys, Call an ambulance already!

Chloes face was contorted in pain, and more blood began to flow. "Oh, my gosh, Chloe! You're bleeding so much!" I said, all wide-eyed.

"Man, she really looks like she's miscarrying!" Penny griped, looking disgusted. "This is bad luck! What a way to end a concert."

"Chloe, when did you get pregnant? If I knew, I never wouldve agreed to come out tonight. I said, faking a hurt tone.

"I...I..."" Chloe sputtered, reaching for me. I deftly avoided her grasp. I cant believe you hid something like this from me. I thought we were best friends, I'm so upset!" I declared.

Penny chimed in, These days, you gotta watch out for your besties. Maybe shes been hiding something for a reason." Between us, Chloes face went beet red, and then her eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

After the ambulance arrived, the paramedics insisted I ride with her. I was trying to figure out how to get Penny to come with me, when she grabbed my arm. Girl, Im coming. I dont want that friend of yours trying to blame this on you. Ill be your witness, she declared.

Thanks, Penny! I watched as they loaded Chloe into the ambulance. You thought you had me this time, Chloe, but I've got a witness now.

An hour later, Penny and I arrived at the hospital. Penny was rubbing her forehead, looking kinda shaky. "Hey, I think I got a little overexcited at that concert. My blood sugar is low. Go on ahead, I'll grab a snack.

I nodded, walking into the hospital. I went to Chloes room, and there she was, looking pale as a ghost. But there was something else in her eyes. Pure, venomous hatred directed right at me.

I forced a concerned tone. Chloe, how are you doing? How come you didnt tell me you were pregnant?

Chloe waved her hand dismissively. Why would I? Get out, I dont wanna see you.

Okay, Ill just go now. I turned to walk out, and as soon as I touched the door handle, Chloes husband, Chad, stormed toward me. Seeing the guy who stabbed me eighteen times in my past life sent my heart racing.

Chad glared at me. "I'll get back to you later! Watching him go into the room, my stomach clenched. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my boyfriend, Sam, heading that way too. I grabbed his arm. What are you doing here?

Just then, Chloe started wailing. Chad, our babys dead! Sarah killed our baby!

Chad roared and came at me, yanking my hair and dragging me back into the room like I was a rag doll. "Sarah, you are a sick b!tch! You killed my kid, you understand?"

Chad slammed me against the wall. Meanwhile, Chloe started sobbing, Sarah, I thought we were friends. I took time off just to keep you company and take you to that concert. But how could you do this? I was good to you, and you do this to me?!

Chads fists were clenched so tight, his knuckles were popping. He slammed my head hard against the wall.

"Chloe, why would I hurt you? What would be the point?!" I gasped.

You knew I was pregnant, and you didnt want to switch spots. Thats why people were shoving me around. Thats how I miscarried!"

Sam shook his head, pointing a finger at me. Sarah, I never thought you were capable of such evil! I stared at Sam, stunned. I.

Sam looked like he was in genuine pain and kept yelling. That was a living thing! How could you? Youre a murderer!

I bit back tears. No! I didnt! I didnt even know she was pregnant. This is all a setup!

Chad snarled, You killed my kid, and now you are talking smack! Im gonna kill you! Youre gonna die! He pulled a switchblade from his waistband. Click. The blade sprung open. He had the knife pointed at me.

The blade was so close, I somehow managed to squeeze out a few words. "I...I have a witness...Someone can prove...it was all...Chloes fault

Chloe and Sam froze. They looked at each other for just a second, but it was enough to show me they were scared. Chloe, recovering first, became hysterical. Are you kidding me? You're about to die and you still tryin to lie?"

But Chad clearly had doubts, and the pressure he was applying loosened. You have a witness? Where are they?

Taking advantage, I pushed past him, grabbed my phone, and started to panic-text. The issue was that I didnt have Pennys number. Seeing me fumble around, Chloe looked scared. Chad, that monster killed our child, dont let her get away with it! Get justice for our son!

I turned to Chloe, trying to stall for time. I didnt do anything! This was your fault!

"Liar!"

Sarah, why would I hurt my own child? Chloe shrieked.

Sam added fuel to the fire. Sarah, I never thought youd do this. You killed her child, and now youre lying about it!

I clenched my teeth. I looked at my boyfriend, at my so-called best friend. Then it clicked. This is what they wanted. I see it now. You two are in on this together!

That caught Chads attention, and he looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed. I kept going. Chloe makes herself miscarry and blames me, hoping youll kill me. Then, Sam is free, and you'll go to jail, maybe get the death penalty, and then, you two can

Chloe and Sam exchanged another nervous glance. Chad saw it. He looked shocked. Chloe, is that true?

He stared intently at Chloe, trying to get a straight answer. Chloe looked petrified, backing away. "N-no! Honey, please, don't listen to her! She's scared, so she is making this stuff up! Honey, you know how much I wanted a child. I took so many meds, I was seeing doctors everywhere. You really think I could betray you like that?

Chad looked like he believed her. Honey, I was carrying a boy! The family heir! Chloe wailed.

Chads anger flared up again. He glared at me, breathing like a bull. "Sa-rah! You. Gotta. Die!"

Chad walked closer to me, the knife glinting in the light. I kept backing up, until I was pinned against the wall. Chad, wait. I swear I have a witness. She caused this herself, I have proof

Die! Chad shouted, raising the blade.

Just then, Penny came barreling in, slamming into Chad, and sending him stumbling back. Chad looked confused. Penny?