Chapter 8
The same people who were trashing me online started turning on Barnabas and her whole family once they learned the truth.]
Realizing the jig was up, Barnabas dragged Thad into a livestream to “clear things up.“]
“Y’all, please, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Don’t believe all that out–of–context crap floating around.”
“My grandson’s still lying in a hospital bed…“[]
Before she could finish, her phone started ringing.
She tried to ignore it–until she saw it was Cletus calling.
She stepped off camera and picked up.
“Mom, we’re outta money again!“]]
“You gotta figure something out, quick!“]
“What do you mean again?“]
“We just paid like thirty grand!“]
“This is all that bitch Elspeth Carter’s fault!“]
“If she’d just let that little brat donate a kidney to my grandson, we wouldn’t be burning through so much cash!“[]
“She’s just a useless girl who’ll never have kids–how the hell is she more important than my grandson?”
Barnabas had always uploaded pre–recorded videos.]
Clearly, she didn’t understand the difference between livestreams and edited clips.]
Every hateful word she just screamed had gone straight to all the live viewers.]
By the time Thad and Barnabas realized what was happening, it was too late.]]
And Barnabas didn’t stop there.]
“Relax about the money.“[]
“All those idiots online–just cry a little and they’ll throw cash at you.“[]
“Fifty grand is nothing. I’ll cry some more and double it next week.“[]
As soon as those words left her mouth, Thad froze like he’d been electrocuted.
He slammed the livestream off.
But the damage was done.
Her rant had been broadcast to every single donor.
What followed was pure online fury.[]
“They played us like fools!”
“I gave money even though I thought they were sketchy–because of that poor kid!“]
“I can’t believe this!”
“I want my money back!“}]
The donors were livid.
One by one, they started trying to reverse the payments.[]
But it was too late–most of that money had already gone to the hospital
Even if a court ordered them to pay it back, they had nothing left.]]
So now they were deep in debt, with no way to pay it off.]
They Chose Blood Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE
ter how much they begged, no one cared anymore.[]
propio even mailed them razor blades, dumped paint on their front door, or sent literal bags of crap.]
ady sold their house and were living in a cheap rental.]
the landlord saw the damage piling up, he kicked them out on the spot.
premous grandson” was still in the hospital, and the bills were getting bigger every day.[]
were completely broke, out of options[]
courses they turned to loan sharks.]
ight them a little time–but not enough.]
o doner match. []
to money.]
tually, even the sketchiest lenders wouldn’t touch them.]
spent every day hiding from debt collectors, ducking behind dumpsters and sleeping in borrowed cars.
d fallen from their pedestal right into the gutter.[]
I heard all this, I laughed so hard I nearly passed out. []
five bowls of mac and cheese and almost exploded from happiness.[]
such a good day. I even bought a lottery ticket just for fun.[]
when I thought it was all finally over…]
deus showed up at my door with the whole damn family, dropping to their knees on the front lawn.]
eth Carter, please! Please save our grandson!“]
our family’s only hope–our legacy!“[]
Sera. I promise I’ll be good to her from now on.“]
se, help us!“]
te begging you!“]
me, it just looked like bad theater.]
Story had gone viral by then. []
ady in the neighborhood felt even a shred of sympathy for them.]
da’t even bother responding+I just called security to have them escorted out.]
Then I grabbed my parents and Sera, and we went on a road trip.]
Doar away from that mess.
Later on, Barnabas had a total breakdown when her grandson died. []
She was eventually institutionalized.[]
Clevis got divorced and now bounces between homeless shelters.]
Thad got fired from his job and spends his days panhandling at gas stations.]
the lottery
Hefreds of millions.
me and my family? []
Tebet for life.]
