Page 55 of Emma on Fire

That was fast.

679

ur so pretty don’t unalive urself

Emma can’t keep looking at the numbers. She needs to talk. She closes her eyes. Her voice needs to be steady, even if her hands are shaking.

“Irony alert: did you know social media companies know that watching stuff that pisses you off, or freaks you out, or makes you feel bad about yourself keeps you online longer, so that’s what they give you? So I guess I’m doing YouTube a favor today. Sorry.”

2543

I love you emma on fire

omg emma we were in dance class together when we were three, do you remember me?????????? sara with the sequined tutu

She tucks a strand of wet hair behind her ear. Over six thousand people are watching her now.

“You guys, I’m scared.” The sentence flies out of her mouth. She hadn’t meant to admit it. But then again, isn’t she here to be honest? To tell the truth about everything? “That’s because I’m here to burn myself alive. Just like I promised.”

u have got 2 b kidding

“And you need to understand that what I’m about to do is not a suicide. It is an act of protest. An act of despair at the state of the world, but of hope too. Because I hope and believe that by doing this, I’ll get your attention. I’ll encourage you to step up and make things better.”

Her hands are shaking even more.

10,377

where is this girl? Someone call 911

Emma I don’t know you but I don’t want you to do this!!

ing for you

16,002

thought about taking a toaster bath last nite not gunna lie—gotta get as brave as this girl and just do it

18,902

“Catastrophic climate change, which is what we’re headed for, will cause species extinction, wars, and global starvation. Endless winter, caused by a nuclear war, would be one way to end global warming, but I’m pretty sure it’s not the solution anyone wants.”

emma don’t do it

this bitch crazy

25,643

28,012

“I know some of you are going to think that this is the ranting of a crazy person. But I’m not crazy. I’m someone who’s tired of standing around while humanity destroys itself and everything else on the planet.” Emma takes another deep, shuddering breath. “I hope that what I’m about to do will wake you up. Make you take action. I hope that my death means something.Accomplishessomething.”

She feels the sting of tears in her eyes. “I always wanted to be just like my older sister,” she says. “But not this time. This time I’m not going to be like Claire. I’m not going todie a lonely, meaningless death. I’m going to go out with a message and an audience.”

She reaches for the lighter, holds it in front of the camera.

“I’m going to make a difference.”

CHAPTER 46

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