Death Day

*Trigger warning; suicide mention*

“Are you coming tonight?” Stacy asked as she grabbed her keys. I shook my head no. She only shrugged and muttered, “Your loss,” as she walked out the door.

I stayed up all night watching my favorite movie ever, Happy Death Day. Right at a really good part, I hear a knock at my door. I pause the movie, wanting to see the end, and get up to open it. When I do, a cop is revealed to me. As I open the door, he takes his hat off his smooth brown head. 

“I’m sorry to say this, but your friend, Stacy Dutchers, tragically died in a car accident. I’m so sorry for your loss. All of our officers are working diligently to find whoever did this,” He closed his eyes and I could almost see a tear rolling down his cheek. 

“Thank you for your condolences, Have you let her family know?” I asked in response. I was trying my best to remain calm in this situation. He nodded his head yes and left. I closed the door as he walked down the path to his car.

Almost on cue, it started to rain. I went and turned off my movie. I was no longer in a movie mood. I cleaned up my mess and went to my room. I changed my clothes and got into pajamas. I knew there’d be a funeral for Stacy within the next week or so. Even though she wanted to be cremated. But that was for when she got old and crinkly.

As I went to sleep, I thought I felt the ghost of a human next to me. I ignored it and went to bed. 

When morning came, My eyes opened to show one alive and well Stacy Dutchers. I screamed in terror and fear only to see the date on the alarm clock. Stacy’s death day.

“Good morning to you too, grumpy pants. Now, get ready! Or we’re gonna be late to school!” She said in her usual chirpy tone. I was more confused now than anything. I recognized what was happening as the ‘Groundhog Day Effect’ and decided to just go along with it. 

I took a deep breath in and let it out to calm myself. “You’re right, I’ll get changed quickly.” I changed into a different outfit as...today? 

When both of us were ready, we went to school, like normal. Today felt normal. Everything felt normal. But, I knew what was to come later tonight if things were to go as planned.

As the day went on, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Every little detail. Like I knew a kid in a black shirt was going to jump off of a table like a child. And I knew Stacy was going to get the “Grilled cheese sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries,” for lunch. I knew exactly what was going to happen and when.

As the day drew closer to its end, I got more and more worried. More for Stacy than myself. Just like last time, she asked me, “Are you coming tonight?”

And, because I was worried about her safety, I said “Yeah, sure. Why not?”

She shrieked in excitement and helped me get ready quickly. “Alright, just so you know, I’m probably going to ditch you for some guy. So, make sure you can get an uber home.” I nodded as we got in her car. The normal white one she always drives. Not gonna lie, I’m gonna miss this car.

As we get on the road, I notice a giant truck with a big trailer. We get closer, and closer, and it hits us. Causing us to do a barrel roll around three times before we came to a stop. I blacked out, and I don’t even know Stacy’s condition. When my eyes opened, barely, I only really saw red and white flashing lights. I looked at the now totaled car, and saw Stacy being zipped up in a solid black body bag. 

“Hey, wait. What are you doing to her? She’s still alive, right?” I looked at the paramedic with a certain look in my eyes. 

“Unfortunately, she didn’t display any kind of pulse. And the forensics team has done some on-field tests showing she hasn’t been alive for at least half an hour. I’m sorry for your loss. But at least you're still here and can tell her story, whatever that is.” The paramedic tried to calm me down but she didn’t do that well of a job. I was still in shock. 

I was taken to the hospital for an overnight stay. For everyone to monitor my own condition. I felt pretty fine after a few hours, but the painkillers were doing most of the work. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt changes in my surroundings. I didn’t have the energy to not ignore it, but I also didn’t have the energy to do anything. 

When the next day came, the same thing happened. Stacy was alive, I was fine, the clock showed the same date, and everything was exactly the same. “If this is some sort of prank, please stop. It’s getting annoying.” Stacy had a confused face in response to my remark. 

“What do you mean? What prank? Are you ok? Or do you need to go to the mental hospital?” She joked, but I muttered ‘the mental hospital, please’. 

“What?” 

“Oh, nothing. I’m gonna go get ready so we aren’t late.” I get up and get changed into something different. Hoping it’ll have a different outcome. The entire day went normally. Up until we were in the car on our way to some kids frat party. The same party we’ve been trying to go to. 

As we’re coming up on the intersection we crashed at before, I see the same truck. “Hey, watch out for that truck,” I warn, but she only glances and shrugs, claiming that nothing’s gonna happen because she’s a good driver. But, she’s wrong. The truck hits us and we do a barrel roll three times before coming to a stop. Again.

It was all the same, I had the same paramedic, I was transferred to the same hospital. I even put up the act of being traumatized for the doctors and all of the bystanders. When I got to the hospital, I was put in the same room. By the same nurse, with the same meds and painkillers. But, this time, I took about five too many and overdosed on them. Making myself die. Hoping, that I wouldn’t wake up again. Luckily, I never saw the light of day.