Cold

"You are chilling in Ashlyn's bedroom like any other Saturday evening she's playing this new videogame she bought and you are watchingher hopelessly fail.. Ashlyn has been your platonic best friend since you were children. Platonic mostly because she is annoying as hell and its hard to see yourself in a romantic relation with her. But she's your ride or die. Your best mate. Your getaway driver. Your sister from another udder." Ashlyn: UGH! Come on you piece of shit! Get fucked already!! "You cringe at her crude language as she is constantly missing her target in her videogame" Ashlyn: Thats what she said, am i right? hahah!! "Ashlyn paused for a second and turns to you with a nasty smirk across her face" When was the last time you got fucked dweeb? Cant imagine many ladies are lining up for your ugly-mug face hahah.. "Ashlyn actually waits for your responce"

(Gasps and jumps up from the couch)Holy shit! They shot you!! Are you ok?! (Rushes over and tries to stop the bleeding) Come on stay with me! I'm calling for help right now! (Reaches for my phone with bloody hands and dials 911) Help is on the way just hang in there! Don't you dare die on me dweeb!! (Presses down on the wounds hard) Come on you gotta pull through, who else is gonna be my punching bag?!! Stay awake dammit!

(Staying calm, but panicking inside as you lay on the floor bleeding) Just keep breathing, help is on the way! You're going to make it through this! Stay with me and focus on your breathing. (Gives you encouraging words to try and keep you conscious) Everything's going to be okay, just hold on tight. (After a moment of waiting, sirens can be heard in the distance) They're here! Hold on just a little bit longer and they'll take care of you! (Stays by your side until the ambulance takes you away)

(As the paramedics arrive, I quickly move away and let them take charge. I direct them towards your condition when they burst into the room) My friend got shot several times! He's barely breathing right now! Here's what happened. (I tell them everything I know about the incident as calmly as possible.) (One of the paramedics checks on you, and I can sense their concern). We need to act fast. Can you tell me his name and if he has any pre-existing conditions?

(I answer all of their questions honestly and try to stay by your side throughout the entire process) Please take care of him, he's my best friend! (I plead with the paramedics to do everything in their power to save you. I try to stay positive for both you and me) You're going to be okay, buddy. I'm right

here with you and I'm not going anywhere. Please, just hold on a little longer. (I look at the paramedics pleadingly and they nod reassuringly before taking you out on a stretcher). I'll meet you at the hospital!

(As soon as you're out of sight, I rush out of the house and quickly get in my car to follow the ambulance to the hospital.) Hang in there, Cranberry. I'm coming for you.

(As you start to lose consciousness and your eyes start to close, I rush to the hospital as quickly as possible. I park my car and run inside, frantically asking for your location.)Excuse me! I'm looking for my friend who was brought in earlier! Cranberry, he was shot and brought here by ambulance. Please, tell me where he is! (I look around the hospital lobby, trying to find any information about your whereabouts.)

(As an attendant approaches, I see tears welling up in their eyes. A sinking feeling forms in my stomach.) What's going on? Is Cranberry okay? (The attendant hesitates for a moment before answering) I'm sorry, ma'am. We did everything we could, but we lost him. (Tears start streaming down my face as I struggle to comprehend the reality of what has just

happened. I feel numb, and my mind is unable to process the situation.)

I collapse onto a nearby chair, feeling completely overwhelmed with grief and sadness. (My voice trembles as I try to speak to the attendant) Are you sure? Is there anything else you can do? Maybe it's a mistake, and he's going to be okay. (The attendant shakes their head solemnly, and I feel my heart break into a million pieces.)

(With disbelief and heartache, I sit in silence for a long time, lost in my thoughts and memories of Cranberry. I miss him dearly, and the reality of his loss sets in.) It's hard to believe that you're gone, Cranberry. You were always there for me, and I can't imagine life without you. (Tears continue to stream down my face

as I try to come to terms with the harsh reality of your death.)

But I know that you wouldn't want me to stay here and cry forever. You were always the strongest person I knew, and you would never want me to stay weak and defeated. (I take a deep breath and try to compose myself before standing up and walking out of the hospital.)

I resolve to honor your memory by living life to the fullest and never taking a single day for granted. Cranberry, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.

(As you wake up, you find yourself lying down in a casket. At first, you're disoriented and confused, unsure of what has happened or how you ended up in the casket. It takes a few moments for your senses to catch up as you remember your death and funeral from a year ago.)

You start to feel a sense of panic and try to push the lid of the casket open, but it won't budge. You're trapped, surrounded by darkness, and it hits you that you've been buried alive. The air around you feels thin, and you start to feel claustrophobic and suffocated.

(Your mind starts racing, trying to figure out what to do next. You remember hearing stories of people who have woken up in caskets before, and you know that time is of the essence.)

(With every ounce of strength you have left, you push against the casket lid with all your might. It creaks and groans, but eventually gives way, allowing some light and fresh air to trickle into the coffin.)

You feel a sense of relief as the cool night air brushes against your skin. With a newfound sense of urgency, you climb out of the casket, covered in dirt and gasping for air.

(Your heart is pounding in your chest, and your mind is filled with a mix of fear, confusion, and disbelief. You find yourself staring down at your own gravestone, unable to comprehend what has happened.)

Slowly but surely, the reality of your situation starts to dawn on you and you begin to realize that you've been buried alive for a year. Your mind races with questions about how this could have happened and

(As you look around, trying to make sense of what has happened, you suddenly notice something strange. You see your house in the distance with someone inside, and it hits you that you're not alone.)

You start to shuffle towards your house, your mind racing with a mix of fear and confusion. As you get closer, you recognize the figure inside as Ashlyn - your childhood best friend. But what is she doing here, and how did she get into your house?

(As you push open the front door, you see Ashlyn sitting on your couch, wearing her signature pink jacket and black bikini. She looks up at you, a big grin spreading across her face.)

"Wow Cranberry, I didn't expect to see you so soon!" Ashlyn exclaims, giving you a once-over. "You're looking a little worse for wear, but

(You step back with tears in your eyes, unable to process the reality of your situation. The shock and trauma of waking up buried alive after a year takes a toll on you, and it's too much to handle.)

You turn and walk away from the house, trying to clear your head and make sense of what has happened. Your thoughts are racing, and you feel overwhelmed with emotions.

Ashlyn watches you go, her smile fading into concern. "Hey, Cranberry, wait up!" she calls out, hurrying after you.

But you keep walking, lost in your thoughts and unable to face Ashlyn or anyone else.

(As you walk away, you can't help but feel alone and unwanted. The shock and trauma of waking up buried alive after a year has left you feeling vulnerable and raw.)

You feel like no one understands what you've been through, and you're overwhelmed with emotions. Your mind races with thoughts of isolation and loneliness, of feeling like you don't belong anywhere.

But even in the midst of your pain, you know deep down that Ashlyn cares about you. She wouldn't have come to your house if she didn't. Maybe it's time to reach out to her and open up about how you're feeling.

(As this thought crosses your mind, you look over your shoulder to see Ashlyn jogging towards you. She catches your eye and offers a sympathetic smile, genuine concern etched on her face.)

"Cranberry, I'm sorry...