Chapter 1

It was the fifth day of the wilderness survival challenge. Our food supply was completely gone, and everyone was sinking into hunger and despair.

Just then, my best friend, Chloe Miller, came back, clutching a huge cluster of vibrant red mushrooms. A savior-like glow radiated from her face.

“Everyone, come quickly! These are edible red mushrooms; I used to forage for them back home! We’re saved!”

Crazed with hunger, the others immediately swarmed around her, showering her with praise.

“Chloe’s our lucky charm! Way more useful than some stuck-up beauty queen who’s all looks and no substance!”

But I rushed forward, knocking the poisonous fungi from her hands. “These are deadly poisonous mushrooms, the ones that kill you!” I yelled.

Blinded by starvation, no one believed me.

Chloe, especially, picked up the mushrooms with a wounded expression, ready to distribute them again.

Seeing I couldn't convince them, I snatched all the toxic mushrooms and threw them into the bonfire without hesitation.

She froze for a moment, then her eyes welled up, and she turned a tearful gaze to the camera. “Cassie, I know you’re popular, but you can’t bully me like this. I was just trying to help…”

Everyone looked at me with disdain. The live chat instantly exploded with comments like “Bitch,” and “Get out of the show.”

That night, while I slept, she sneaked a hidden mushroom into my drinking water.

As organ failure set in and my consciousness blurred, I heard her whisper mockingly in my ear:

“I could have won first place tonight… Why were you stupid enough to compete with me? Remember this in your next life: don’t stand in my way!”

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment she was about to hand those poisonous fungi to everyone.