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[Dubbed] She Called Me a Liar Until I Died
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00:17¡Suscríbete al canal!
00:30Machines don't lie, pain makes you remember, this is for your own good
00:33After thousands of shocks, I started believing it, maybe I really was born a liar
00:37Then New Year's Eve came, mom took my sister to watch fireworks
00:39Suddenly, my stomach twisted in pain, I curled up on the floor
00:42Mom, it hurts, please help me
00:44The band went crazy, flashing red
00:46Mom looked down at me, cold sweat all over
00:48She cramped the power to Max
00:49Just to come watch fireworks with us, you fake being sick, you never change
00:53She grabbed my sister, slammed the door
00:55And I thought, she's right, right?
00:57It's red, so I must not be hurting
00:59I'm just lying again for attention
01:01Sorry mom, Max's life I'll learn to be an honest child
01:03It hurts so much, my whole body convulsed
01:06My nails squibbed white marks on the floor
01:08The doorknob turned, a spark of hope lit up
01:10Mom's back, she's a doctor
01:12She'll know something's wrong, she'll save me
01:14You done yet?
01:14The fireworks are starting
01:16Chloe's getting impatient
01:16Mom, I called weakly
01:18I reached toward the door
01:20Mom, it really hurts, it was like my gut snapped
01:22She glanced at the red light
01:23Then crouched down, grabbed my chin, her voice sharp
01:26Stella Bennett, how long will you keep acting?
01:28You lie like it's a habit
01:29Stay home and reflect on it
01:31That called from the door
01:32Honey, hurry up, the show's about to start
01:34If Stella's not going, fine, should we leave her some food?
01:36Mom stood up, brushed her hands off like I was dirty
01:39Leave food?
01:40Her closet's packed with snacks
01:41She bought them with stolen money
01:42She won't starve
01:43Lock the door
01:44When the band turns green, then she can come out
01:46Dad hesitated
01:48What now?
01:49Soft father's ruined kids
01:50Look at Chloe
01:51Her band's always green
01:52Stella's rotten at the root
01:54She must be corrected
01:55But my closet was empty
01:56My sister took the money
01:57She ate the snacks
01:58She just stood there
01:59Her band glowing soft green
02:01She said it wasn't her
02:02Mom believed her
02:03When I said I didn't take it
02:04The red light flashed
02:05And I got shocked
02:06When I said I didn't take it
02:07The red light flashed
02:08And I got shocked
02:09I watched mom turn away
02:10My sister peeked through the crack
02:12She made a face at me
02:13Bye sis
02:13We're going to see fireworks
02:15Her bracelet glowed green
02:16So pretty and smug
02:18Bang, the door slammed shut
02:19The lock clicked
02:19The house went silent
02:21Just me and the pain in my stomach
02:22It hurt
02:23Mom was right
02:24Machines don't lie
02:25The bracelet was red
02:26So I had to be the liar
02:28I wasn't hurting
02:28I was totally fine
02:29But my tears said otherwise
02:30I kept telling myself that
02:31I don't know how long passed
02:33It really seemed to ease up
02:34With my last bit of strength
02:35I dragged myself to the desk
02:36I had to write a reflection
02:37That was the rule
02:37Red light means I had to
02:38Fill 1000 words with
02:39I am a liar
02:40Maybe when I finished
02:41Mom would forgive me
02:42Maybe she'd take me to the hospital
02:43My hands were shaking
02:44I opened that wrinkled diary
02:45It was packed with old reflections
02:48Sorry, mom
02:49I was wrong
02:50I won't lie again
02:51But this time
02:51I wanted to write the truth
02:53My vision dot blurrier and blurrier
02:54Tears kept falling
02:55With my last bit of strength
02:56I wrote
02:56Mom, I really love you
02:58It really hurts so much
02:59Why won't you believe me?
03:00Mom, please
03:00Trust me just once
03:02I finished the last word
03:03Then the pain in my stomach vanished
03:04In this place came a lightness
03:06I'd never felt before
03:07My body grew lighter
03:08I floated up
03:09I looked down
03:09I saw myself slumped over the desk
03:11My arm hung in midair
03:12Motionless
03:12The bracelet was still flashing red like crazy
03:14So I was dead
03:16And I still hadn't learned to be an honest child
03:17Sorry, mom
03:18Used to laughter caught my attention
03:20It was dad, mom, and my sister
03:22The fireworks are beautiful tonight
03:23Especially that smiley face one
03:25Just like our Chloe
03:26Mom's voice held a gentleness
03:27I'd never heard before
03:28I floated in midair
03:29The front door opened
03:30Now that I was a soul
03:32I still drifted over by instinct
03:33I wanted to greet them like I used to
03:35That need to please was carved into my bones
03:37Mom
03:38I thread my arms
03:39Trying to hug that cold woman
03:40It doesn't hurt anymore
03:41I'll behave from now on
03:42Please don't be mad
03:43And my hands passed right through her
03:45Like grasping empty air
03:46Mom shivered and frowned
03:48Why is it so cold in here?
03:50Wasn't the heat on?
03:50I stood frozen there
03:51Staring at my transparent hands
03:52Right
03:53I was dead
03:54Dead people can't hug the living
03:55Go check on Stella
03:56She didn't come out to eat
03:58Hope she didn't really starve herself
03:59Dad said it casually
04:00Dad was still kinder
04:01I looked at mom hopefully
04:02If she found out I was dead
04:03Would she be sad?
04:04Would she regret it?
04:05Mom let out a cold snort
04:06She changed into her slippers
04:07And walked to my room
04:07She changed into her slippers
04:08And walked to my room
04:09Serves a right if she starves
04:10That habit of faking sick
04:11Just to get attention
04:12Is spoiled into her
04:13She shoved my door open
04:14She didn't turn on the light
04:15Just used the hall light
04:16And there I was
04:17Faced out at the desk
04:17Not moving
04:18Like I was asleep
04:19Oh
04:19Still lying there?
04:20Her voice dripped with sarcasm
04:21Arm crossed and said
04:22You think acting pity at your desk
04:24Will make me carry you to bed?
04:25Stella Bennett
04:25You're ten
04:26Not five
04:26Grow up
04:27I floated beside my body
04:28Shouting at the top of my lungs
04:29Mom I'm not pretending to sleep
04:30I'm dead
04:31Look at me
04:32Touch me
04:32My body is cold
04:34But mom couldn't hear me
04:35She only believed what she saw
04:36My sister squeezed in past her
04:37Showing off her wrist like a trophy
04:38This is a lazy pig
04:39See mine's green
04:40Hers is still red
04:41She's always lying
04:43She even lies in her dreams
04:44Mom patted her on the head
04:45That's my good girl Chloe
04:46Ignore that little liar
04:47Let her stay there
04:48She can act forever for all I care
04:50That peeked in from behind
04:51Should we carry her to bed?
04:53It's freezing
04:53Carry her?
04:54Please
04:54Mom cut him off
04:55Kids these days are spoiled
04:56Experts say this is when you go cold on them
04:59She has to face her own mistake
05:00See that red light?
05:02It means she's still in an extremely defiant state
05:04No reflection at all
05:05Alright go to bed
05:06We've got new years at grandma's tomorrow
05:07Mom turned away
05:08And pulled the door shut again
05:09Click
05:10The lock dropped
05:11I floated beside my body
05:12Staring at that tiny red glow
05:14The sorrow hit harder than death
05:15Mom
05:16Just one step closer
05:17Just touch my hand
05:18You'd feel how cold I am
05:19But you didn't
05:20You trusted that cold machine more than the daughter you carried for ten months
05:24Late at night
05:25A rat crawled out of the empty cabinet
05:27I used to be terrified rats
05:28I would scream every time
05:30But now
05:30I just floated near the ceiling
05:32Watching it roam over my body
05:33Hey
05:34I tried to shout
05:35No sound came out
05:36It bit into my toe
05:37Dark blood seeped out
05:39I couldn't feel any pain
05:40Actually
05:41It felt good
05:41No pain
05:42Finally
05:42I looked at that pitiful shell below
05:44It's okay
05:44You can't feel it anymore
05:46It'll be over soon
05:47Warning came
05:48Sunlight fell on my body
05:49But it brought no warmth
05:50Clattering came from the kitchen
05:52Mom was making breakfast
05:53The smell of fried eggs drifted in
05:55What used to be my favorite
05:57But I could only eat boiled vegetables
05:58Since mom said liars don't get meat
06:01My day she banged the pans extra loud
06:03I knew she was trying to tempt me
06:04Trying to make me crawl out and confess
06:06If it were before
06:07I might really have given in for one egg
06:09Admitting the steaks I never made
06:11But now I don't need to eat anymore
06:12Stella's still not out?
06:14Ed sits at the table reading the paper
06:16Nope
06:16Stubborn as a mule
06:17Mom slands the plate onto the table
06:19Boiled habits
06:20Eat or don't eat
06:21I don't care
06:21My sister sips her milk
06:22Her eyes spin as she plots
06:23She walks to my door on purpose
06:25Sniffs hard
06:26Then screams dramatically
06:27Mom!
06:28Stella's room smells awful
06:29Did she seriously poop in there?
06:31I float by the door
06:32Looking at her bitterly
06:33The heater is blasting
06:34Just one night
06:35And my body already smells
06:36Mom will hate me even more
06:37Mom walks over
06:37From me
06:38Stella Bennett
06:39She pounce on the door
06:40Are you a pig?
06:41The bathroom is right there
06:42Are your legs broken?
06:43You actually pooped in your room?
06:44Unbelievable
06:45Just to spite me?
06:46No dignity at all
06:47I remember when I was little
06:48Whilst I had severe stomach flu
06:50I couldn't reach the bathroom
06:51I saw up my pants
06:52She didn't help me clean up
06:53She made me stand outside
06:54Like some disgusting display
06:56She told the neighbors
06:57Look at her
06:58Feels like a pig
06:59And now I'm filthy again
07:00Ignore her
07:01Mom waves her hand
07:02Like shooing away a fly
07:04Let her stay in the stink
07:05Maybe she'll learn
07:05Dad lowers the paper
07:06His brow tightly furrowed
07:08It really does smell bad
07:09I'll go check
07:10Maybe a rat died in there
07:11Dad stands up
07:11And walks to my door
07:13My heart jumps
07:14Dad
07:14Open it
07:15Look at me
07:16I'm right here
07:17Just turn the handle
07:18You'll see I'm not moving
07:19You'll see my face turning dark
07:21I float in front of him
07:22Waving frantically
07:22His hand rests on the doorknob
07:24The phone suddenly ran
07:25Sharp and non-stop
07:26It was his boss
07:28Dad answered
07:29His face changed
07:30What?
07:31The server crashed?
07:32Okay, okay
07:32I'm coming
07:33Tong up
07:33You grabbed his coat
07:35In a panic
07:35Honey
07:36There's an emergency at work
07:37I have to go
07:37I might not be back
07:38For a few days
07:39Wait, but Stella
07:40Mom said
07:41The door slammed
07:41He was gone
07:42I just stared
07:43It was dead close
07:44Just one more second
07:45If that call had come later
07:46He would've found me
07:47Maybe then
07:48I wouldn't still be rotting here
07:50That afternoon
07:50Mom took away shopping
07:51Only my body was left in the house
07:53At night
07:54They came back loaded
07:55Fancy seafood
07:56Deep boxes
07:56The smell was even worse now
07:58Mom covered her nose
07:59Almost scared
08:00Stella, are you trying to turn this house into a dump?
08:03She wouldn't even open the door
08:04To scold me
08:05It was like even one glance
08:06At that room hurt her eyes
08:07She grabbed the raw tape
08:08Squatted down
08:09And started sealing the crack under my dark hat
08:11If you love the stink so much
08:13Stay in it
08:13Don't stink up the house
08:14She smoothed the last strip
08:15Clapped her hands
08:16Satisfied
08:16They're finally quiet
08:17Then she went to steam the seafood
08:19I stared at that sealed door
08:20My last tiny hope was suffocated with the tape
08:23Guess in Mom's world whether I lived or died meant less than a seafood feast
08:27She'd rather seal me in than check if I was dead
08:30Congratulations, Mom
08:31You win
08:32I won't bother you again
08:33Day 3
08:34Winter sunlight filled the living room
08:35Still couldn't clear the gloom
08:37The heating was cranked up
08:3826 degrees
08:39The tape couldn't hold the smell anymore
08:41It's a thick, greasy stench of rot
08:43Mom was trimming her new flowers
08:45No matter how strong the roses smelled
08:47It couldn't cover the stench
08:48Snap
08:48She cut the rose hard
08:50A thorn pricked her finger
08:51That was the last straw
08:52In her mind
08:53I skipped showers
08:55Pooped in my room
08:56Even he dead rest there
08:57All just to disgust her
08:59Challenge her authority
09:00Stella Bennett
09:00How dare you
09:01She stormed into the kitchen
09:03Grabbed a rolling pin
09:04Then marched to my door
09:05I'll beat that filthiness out of you
09:07Guess the shocks didn't fix you
09:09Time for some real pain
09:10Floated in front of her
09:11Her face twisted with rage
09:12I waved my hands wildly
09:14Don't go in
09:14Mom
09:15Please don't
09:15I look terrible
09:16I'm already rotting
09:17You'll be scared
09:18Even if she doesn't love me
09:19I still didn't want her to see me like this
09:21But she walked through my ghost
09:23Ripped off the tape
09:24The tearing sound was harsh
09:26The spare key slid into the lock
09:28Bang
09:28The door flew open
09:30The stench burst out
09:31Like Pandora's box had opened
09:33Mom staggered back
09:35She bent over
09:36Dagging
09:37Oh my god Stella
09:38What did you do
09:39She looked up
09:40I was still there
09:41In the same pose as three days ago
09:43Face down
09:43Not moving
09:44To her
09:45It looked like silent defense
09:46Pure arrogance
09:47I'm talking to you
09:48Can't you hear me
09:48Still playing dead
09:49Mom was furious
09:50She rushed over
09:51Rolling pin wrist high
09:52But she didn't swim
09:54She wanted to yank me up
09:55To see that stubborn face
09:57Get up
09:58She grabbed the back of my collar
10:00Her fingers digging into my skin
10:02Then she froze
10:02The moment she touched me
10:04Time seemed to stop
10:06Through my thin pajamas
10:07She didn't feel once
10:09Not soft skin
10:10Only cold
10:11Rigid flesh
10:12That cold sank straight into her shoulder
10:15There was no body heat
10:16Bomb froze for a second
10:17The momentum kept her pulling
10:19My body jerked backward
10:20The chair flipped with me
10:22Fresh
10:23Was slammed the floor
10:25I dropped like a rigid statue
10:27Flat on my back
10:28My face was finally exposed
10:30Not her shy little girl anymore
10:32My skin was purple black
10:33Eyes bulging out
10:34My features twisted in agony
10:36Dry foam cloned to my lips
10:38Dark red blood crusted there
10:40On that blackened wrist
10:41The honesty bracelet she loved
10:43Hung there lifeless
10:44The skin burned by shocks
10:46Had melted into the rubber strap
10:48Charred and ugly
10:49No red light
10:50No green light
10:51Only silence
10:52A soft thought
10:53The diary under my arm slid free
10:56It fell by her feet
10:58The notebook lay open
10:59Facing her
11:00The crooked handwriting
11:01Stabbed her eyes like knives
11:03Mom, my stomach really hurts
11:05The bracelet's broken
11:06I'm not lying
11:06Please don't shock me
11:07There she screamed
11:09High and ragged
11:10Like her throat was tearing open
11:12She stared back
11:13Hit the bookshelf
11:14A vase shattered everywhere
11:16She didn't feel it
11:17Her eyes were wide open
11:19And locked onto me
11:20No, no way
11:21She shook her head hard
11:22Her hair fell loose
11:23Like she'd gone mad
11:24You're acting
11:24This is makeup
11:25Special effects
11:26Stella, get up
11:27I'm not mad anymore
11:28Stop scaring me
11:29Her hand trembled forward
11:30Trying to grab my stiff arm
11:31Her fingers touched cold skin
11:33She jerked back fast
11:35It felt too real
11:37That was the code of death
11:38Mrs. Smith called the cops
11:39She came downstairs
11:40After hearing Mom scream
11:41She saw this
11:42And collapsed right at the door
11:43Soon
11:44Sirens filled the complex
11:45The police came
11:46So did forensics
11:47The police tape went up
11:48I watched them coming and going
11:49Flash bulbs kept popping over my body
11:51Mom was led to the couch
11:53By a policewoman
11:53She was still rambling
11:55Officer
11:55She was faking it
11:57She'd lied since she was little
11:58The bracelet was red
11:59Machines don't lie
12:00I was just disciplining her
12:01It was for her own good
12:02So I answered her
12:03Everyone looked at her
12:04Like she was a monster
12:05Forensics ran into trouble
12:06Moving the body
12:07That bracelet had been blasting
12:09High voltage current
12:10For too long
12:11The heat had fused the rubber
12:12To my skin
12:13It was like it had grown into me
12:14Damn it
12:15The coroner cursed softly
12:16He had to get tools
12:17And force the bracelet off
12:19Weep
12:19That was the sound of flesh tearing
12:20Even dead
12:21My soul still seemed to ache
12:23The bracelet was ripped off
12:24A chunk of my skin
12:25And flesh came with it
12:26A cop picked up the diary from the floor
12:28Gloved hands flipped the pages
12:29Her face turned grim
12:30Mom stared at it
12:31Wide eyed
12:32Suddenly she lunged like a madwoman
12:33Trying to grab it
12:34That's her apology notebook
12:35It must say that she admitted lying
12:37See
12:37She admitted it herself
12:39The officer shoved her aside
12:40Then sealed the diary in an evidence bag
12:41Her eyes were cold
12:42Like she was looking at trash
12:44Whether she lied or not
12:45We'll find out
12:45Just then
12:46Dad rushed in
12:47He saw the body bag being carried out
12:49That long zipper sealed up my entire life
12:51Dad's knees buckled
12:52He collapsed on the floor
12:53He even wet himself
12:54My sister burst into tears
12:55She had no idea what happened
12:56She just pointed at the bloodstained bracelet on the desk
12:59Why is her bracelet black?
13:00Mine is still green
13:01She raised her wrist
13:02The green light kept blinking
13:03Like a huge cruel joke
13:05The police started questioning people in the living room
13:07Mom clung to it like her last lifeline
13:09She pointed at the bloody bracelet
13:11Her voice was shrill
13:12Officer
13:12Check that bracelet
13:13That bracelet can prove she was lying
13:15A red light means lying
13:16Only when it turned red did I shock her
13:18I never abused her
13:19The machine showed it all
13:20I was doing it to teach her
13:21The police frowned at her
13:22Like they were looking at a madwoman
13:24Ma'am
13:24The deceased had multiple old electrical burn marks
13:26That was punishment
13:27Education
13:28Mom cut the officer off with a scream
13:30To prove she wasn't wrong
13:31To prove she wasn't the killer
13:32She actually made a crazy request
13:35You don't believe me?
13:36That machine is accurate
13:37I'll put it on myself
13:38I'm not lying
13:39If I wear it
13:40It'll turn green
13:40She struggled toward the desk
13:42She grabbed the bracelet
13:43Still smeared with my blood
13:44Flesh
13:44And melted rubber
13:45Ignoring the gore
13:46She forced it onto her wrist
13:47With trembling hands
13:48I'll prove it to you
13:48I'm innocent
13:49If it turns green
13:50Then everything I said is true
13:51Her hands trembled
13:52As she strapped the bloody bracelet
13:53Onto her wrist
13:54Click
13:55It locked tight
13:56Cold rubber pressed against her skin
13:57Sticky
13:58That was my blood
13:59Mom took a deep breath
14:00Trying to calm herself down
14:01She was desperate to prove
14:03I had it coming
14:03Desperate to prove her way
14:04Of raising me wasn't wrong
14:05She raised her wrist
14:06Toward the police
14:07Her eyes even held a hint
14:08Of mad certainty
14:09Watch carefully
14:10I'm Margaret Bennett
14:10I'm Stella's mother
14:11This is the truth
14:12The absolute truth
14:13Then the first sharp beep
14:15Ran out in an instant
14:16That long silent red light
14:17Suddenly flared on
14:18A blinding red
14:19A lurid red
14:20In the dim living room
14:21It was like a blood red eye
14:23Suddenly opening
14:23Mom froze on the spot
14:25Her once confident face
14:27Thiffened in shock
14:27She smacked the bracelet
14:28Like a glitch in TV
14:29What the hell?
14:30It's broken
14:30I'm telling the truth
14:31I'm Margaret Bennett
14:32She started to panic
14:33Her words came faster
14:34It had to be broken
14:35That coroner damaged it earlier
14:36She tried again
14:37She swallowed hard
14:39Her voice rose
14:40Didn't abuse my child
14:41I only did it for her own good
14:42I love her
14:43Beep beep beep
14:43The red light flashed hard
14:45So fast it blurred
14:46Into one solid glow
14:47It even detected her heart
14:48Going haywire
14:49And the bracelet released
14:50A weak shock
14:52Mom's whole body jolted
14:53Her hand twitched hard
14:55It hurt so much
14:56Even that weak current
14:57Raised goosebumps
14:58She suddenly remembered
15:00When I was 10
15:00With the current at maximum
15:02I curled up on the floor
15:03I bit my lid
15:04And didn't dare cry out
15:05So that was how much it hurt
15:07Mom completely lost it
15:08She screamed at the bracelet
15:09Spit flew everywhere
15:10Why is it red?
15:11Why?
15:12I'm telling the truth
15:13Turn green for God's sake
15:14You stupid machine
15:15You're framing me
15:16No matter how she screamed
15:17That red light kept flashing wildly
15:18As if it were silently mocking her
15:20You're a liar
15:22Enough
15:22The tech officer spoke coldly from the side
15:24He really couldn't watch anymore
15:25Stop trying
15:26This thing isn't a lie detector at all
15:28The officer grabbed the manual
15:30They found in the search
15:30And slammed it onto the coffee table
15:32It's just a simple skin conductance
15:34And heartbeat monitor
15:35When a person is nervous
15:36Anxious
15:37Afraid
15:37Or in pain
15:38Their heart rate rises
15:39Their skin response spikes
15:40And the light turns red
15:41You're panicking and anxious right now
15:42Your heart's racing
15:43Of course it's red
15:44The officer stepped closer to mom
15:46On the floor
15:47Every word struck like a hammer
15:49Smashing down on her skull
15:50Think about it
15:51Your daughter's appendix ruptured
15:52She was rolling on the floor
15:53In agony
15:54That was the agony of a ruptured organ
15:55How fast was her heart racing?
15:56How terrified was she?
15:57But in your eyes
15:58The more she hurt
15:59The faster her heartbeat
16:00When the light flashes
16:01You think she told a bigger lie
16:02Then you turned out a shock
16:03More shock means more pain
16:04More pain means a faster heartbeat
16:06That means a bigger light
16:07You turned her cry for help into torture
16:09You electrocuted your crying daughter to death
16:11With a crash
16:12Mom's world fell apart
16:13She collapsed on the floor
16:14Staring blankly at the red light on her wrist
16:16And last
16:16She understood
16:17Every red light over those 10 years
16:19Was because I was afraid
16:20I was afraid of mom
16:21Would be angry
16:21Afraid of being misunderstood
16:23I was in pain
16:23My heart racing
16:24Cold sweat pouring off me
16:26All I wanted was her hug
16:27The way she hugged Chloe
16:29Every signal from my heartbeat
16:31Was taken as proof that I was light
16:32Mom suddenly let out a wail
16:34She caught the bracelet on her wrist
16:36Get it off
16:37It's red
16:38I'm not lying
16:39I'm not
16:40The bracelet's clasp
16:41Damaged by the forceful fitting in earlier wear
16:43Had jammed completely
16:46It wouldn't come off
16:47It won't come off
16:49Stella
16:49Take it off
16:50Mom was wrong
16:51It hurt so much
16:52You can't even bear this much pain
16:54Mom
16:54I endured it for 10 years
16:55To confirm the abuse
16:57And support the charges
16:58The police opened the diary
16:59The key piece of evidence
17:00Right in front of my parents
17:01The one I have filled for 10 years
17:02With humiliation and blood
17:03The policewoman read aloud
17:05Her voice soft but cutting
17:06February 14
17:07Sunny
17:07Mom put celery in my bowl
17:08I'm allergic to celery
17:09It makes my throat swell
17:10I can't breathe
17:11I said I couldn't eat it
17:12Because I was scared mom would get angry
17:14My heart was racing
17:15The red light came on
17:16Mom said I was picky
17:17That I was lying
17:17And forced me to eat everything
17:19That night
17:19I threw up blood
17:20My throat felt like it was burning
17:21Mom saw it and said I'd sneak tomato juice
17:23That I was faking it
17:23Then shocked me for 10 minutes
17:24Mom covered her mouth
17:25Her whole body trembling violently
17:26That night
17:27She really thought it was tomato juice
17:29She didn't even look twice
17:30At what I'd thrown up
17:31Just turned around
17:31And went to read Koya bedtime story
17:33It was blood after all
17:34From a burst in my swollen throat
17:35The officer footed the page
17:36And kept reading
17:36June 1st
17:37Children's Day
17:38Chloe cut up mom's skirt
17:39Her heart rate was slow
17:40Green light
17:41Rushed to explain
17:42Because I didn't want to be hit
17:43All red lights
17:43Mom shocked me for 10 full minutes
17:45Cranked it all the way up to level 5
17:46It hurt so much
17:47But I didn't dare cry
17:47Because my heart would beat even faster
17:49And mom would think I was being defiant
17:50And shocked me even harder
17:51I held my breath
17:52And acted like it's nothing
17:53Mom said
17:53See
17:54She didn't even cry
17:54But obviously didn't hurt
17:56She's been faking it
17:56I finally couldn't take it anymore
17:57This man who'd be invisible
17:58In this house for years
17:59This man who looked the other way
18:01While I suffered
18:01And just had to keep the peace
18:02Suddenly lunged forward
18:03He slapped her heart
18:05You sick twisted woman
18:06Look at what you've done
18:07That's your own daughter
18:08You treat her like she's nothing
18:09Mom's mouth was bleeding from the head
18:11She went down hard
18:12But she didn't fight back
18:14Didn't cry either
18:14She just stared into nothing
18:15Much into herself
18:16It's not me
18:16It's not my fault
18:17Then she suddenly pointed at Chloe
18:19Cowering in the corner
18:19It's Chloe
18:20It's her
18:20Chloe's bracelet is always green
18:22Chloe is the honest one
18:23The good kid
18:24I'm just misled by her
18:25If it weren't for that green light
18:26Making me doubt
18:27I never would've trusted the red one so much
18:28Every single eye in the room
18:29Shifted to Chloe
18:30That little princess
18:31Who'd always been put on pedestal
18:32The officer walked over
18:33And uncast that green bracelet
18:34Right off her wrist
18:35Pulled out the screwdriver
18:36And cracked it open
18:37Snap
18:38The plastic shell split apart
18:40No fancy sensors inside
18:41No heart rate monitor
18:42Just two cheap little LEDs
18:44And a few button batteries
18:45Circuit was hardwired
18:47Once it had power
18:48It only ever lit up green
18:49This thing is a plastic toy
18:50The officer dropped the pile of junk on the table
18:52It clattered loud and clear
18:53Your younger daughter's bracelet is said to grin straight out of the box
18:56No matter what she says
18:57What she does
18:58Even if she burns the house down
18:59It's still green
19:00Her so-called scientific parenting is nothing but a joke built on favoritism
19:03Mom stared at that pile of plastic pieces
19:05This was the truth she believed in for 10 years
19:07The evidence she used to sentence me
19:08Turns out it's just a toy
19:09But the end toy ran my life for 10 years
19:11The game where I was stuck in hell while Chloe got to live in paradise
19:14So I'm not a liar after all
19:15So I'm not a bad kid after all
19:16Then what is all that suffering even for?
19:18I laugh
19:18And then I start crying
19:19Turns out even the soul can run out of peers
19:21The last page of the diary was turned
19:23The officer's voice cracked
19:24The handwriting is all over the place
19:25Must have been written right before she died
19:26Mom, if I die
19:27Will the bracelet stop lighting up?
19:29Will you hold me then?
19:30Really, I'm not lying
19:31My stomach hurts so bad
19:32Like something's twisting a knife inside
19:33Mom, don't put a bracelet on the neck's life
19:35Please
19:35I just want to be a normal kid
19:37Want to eat the braised pork you make
19:38Mom stared at that pile of plastic scraps
19:40That grin like she trusted with her whole heart
19:41Turns out it's just a cheat toy all along
19:43This spoiled Chloe for 10 years because of it
19:45And tortured me for 10 years because of that stupid red light
19:48Mom suddenly burst out laughing
19:50It was an awful sound
19:50Sharp and hollow
19:51Uglier than crying
19:52It's all fake
19:53Every last bit of it
19:53I killed my most honest child and spoiled the little liar
19:55Snap
19:56This time for real
19:56Completely and totally gone
19:58My death became the hottest story in town
20:00Mrs Smith's next door was a sweetheart
20:02Also a total blabbermouth
20:03She posted everything she saw that day online
20:05With a headline that hit like a truck
20:06Were electrocuted to death by pseudoscience bracelet
20:08The article described my body condition in detail
20:10Including the bracelet fused into my flesh
20:12Once I went live the internet exploded
20:13People's rage lit up the whole network in seconds
20:15Mom got doxxed immediately
20:17Electric shock monster
20:18How the killer
20:18This person has no right to be a mother
20:20An avalanche of hate came pouring in
20:22Someone threw red paint all over the front door
20:23Power dating the words
20:24Go to help
20:25Dad got taken in for questioning too
20:26For negligent homicide
20:27And failure to fulfill parental duty
20:28He ended up not getting a heavy sentence
20:29Thanks to an alibi
20:30But he lost his job
20:31His reputation was completely destroyed
20:33The company dropped him immediately to save face
20:35The family went broke
20:35To cover the settlements and legal costs
20:37The house and car were both sold off
20:38Dad couldn't handle living with this woman anymore
20:39He took what little money was left
20:40And left with Chloe
20:41Even if Chloe was rotten to the core
20:42She was still the only blood he had left
20:43Before they left
20:44Chloe tried to take the green bracelet
20:46Dad stomped on it
20:47What do you even want with this piece of junk?
20:49Chloe got dragged away in tears
20:50Mom was released on bail
20:51Because the sack evaluation showed
20:53She had severe schizophrenia and PTSD
20:55She was left behind in that rental full of dead girl memories
20:57Completely cut off from everyone
20:58Her mental state got worse by the day
21:00She kept thinking I was still home
21:01The red light bracelet
21:02She refused to take it off no matter what
21:04She even started to depend on it
21:05Because she figured out that only when she wore it
21:07Feeling that faint electric sting
21:09Could she ease the guilt even a little?
21:10That was the punishment she gave herself
21:12I floated around the apartment
21:13Watching her lose it more and more each day
21:15She cooked a whole table of food
21:16Called out to thin air
21:17Stella, dinner's ready
21:18No celery today
21:18All braised pork
21:19Your favorite
21:20Then she picked up a piece of meat
21:21Her hand shaking like crazy
21:22The anxiety spiked
21:23The bracelet lit up red
21:24B
21:24She let out an unhinged little laugh
21:25Mom's heart rate is up
21:26I'm lying
21:27Don't deserve to eat
21:28Liars have to be punished
21:30Put down her chopsticks
21:31Picked up the remote
21:32And pointed it at her own neck
21:33The battery was almost dead
21:34But she found new ones somewhere
21:36And swapped them in
21:37The violent shock
21:37Made her whole body convulse
21:39Foam at the mouth
21:39But she actually cracked a tiny smile of relief
21:41It hurts, it hurts
21:42Is this how much it hurt for Stella back then?
21:44I'm sorry
21:45Now mom knows
21:46She started reenacting my diary entries
21:47To punish herself
21:48I get shocked for not eating celery
21:49So she forced herself to eat spoiled rotten food
21:51She swallowed it down even when she swallowed blood
21:52I get locked in solitary
21:53So she locked herself in my room
21:54Lies off
21:55Nearing in the dark
21:56Before my memorial photo
21:57Cut out over and over
21:58Her forehead was covered in blood
21:59Bloody prints all over the floor
22:00Late at night
22:01She saw the red go of the bracelet on the wall
22:03Like my blush out
22:04I staring back at her
22:04She flipped the diary over
22:06Squibbled wildly in red
22:07Sorry
22:07I messed up
22:08Red light means pain
22:09Red light means love
22:10Please come back and yell
22:11It hurts again
22:12Mom will save you
22:13I promise
22:13Too bad I was already dead
22:14That case don't get to say it hurts
22:16Mom ended up locked in a psych ward
22:17Full self-harm meltdown
22:19Almost fried herself at home
22:20Authority stepped in
22:21She was sent to a psychiatric hospital
22:23She was the oddest one in there
22:24Somehow snagged a red plastic ring
22:26Wore it around her neck
22:27Her DIY bracelet
22:28Anyone who tried to take it
22:29She would bite
22:30Like a mad dog
22:31Don't touch my light
22:32Stella's watching
22:33She'll lose it if you take it
22:34Her brain hardwired the trauma
22:36Whenever a nurse asked if Margaret ate
22:38She grabbed her neck first
22:39Then started shaking
22:41Screaming red light
22:42Red light don't zap me
22:43I'll eat
22:44I'll freaking eat
22:45Even if the porridge is lava
22:46She gulped it down
22:47It scorched her throat raw
22:48Still won't spit it out
22:49She was copying my last moments
22:50Replaying my hell like it was a sick ritual
22:52Years later my sister grew up
22:54And yeah
22:55She turned out twisted
22:55No discipline
22:56Plus that family drama
22:57She was scraping by rock bottom
22:59Ran out of cash
23:00Remembered mom was still in the ward
23:02Showed up to visit
23:03Not for love
23:04For money
23:05Dad's dead you crazy old hag
23:06Hand over the stash
23:07She had heavy makeup on
23:08Face full of attitude
23:10Looked at mom like she was trash and stat
23:12Disgusting
23:13Just like your dead freak daughter
23:15Don't cash
23:15I'll pour your tubes
23:16Send you to join her
23:17Mom had been zoned out for years
23:18But that line landed
23:19She jerked her head out
23:20While the eyes locked in
23:21And sudden clarity hit in
23:22For a split second
23:23She remembered that toy bracelet
23:26Ten years of green lights
23:27You
23:28Her voice squeaked like sandpaper
23:30It was you who lied to me
23:31You were the fake green light
23:32You killed stella
23:33Give stella back
23:34That last shred of love
23:35Turned into straight up fence
23:36Mom just snapped
23:37Launch tap my sister
23:38Hands locked on her throat
23:39Die just die
23:41You're the one who should have died
23:42Help
23:42My sister was freaking out
23:44But she couldn't break psycho strength
23:45Docs rushed in with the sedative
23:47That was the only way they pry her off
23:48My sister was scared
23:49As each other to us
23:50Volted out of there
23:51They're all crazy
23:51Every single one
23:52She sprinted out the hospital doors
23:54The truck came flying in
23:55Bricks reached too late
23:56She got sent airborne
23:57Didn't die though
23:58But both legs were crushed beyond saving
24:00Wheelchair for life
24:01Left completely disabled
24:02And Mom
24:03Strapped to a restrained bed
24:05Tears sliding
24:05Staring at the ceiling
24:06In her dream
24:07She finally saw me
24:08I was ten again
24:09No bracelet
24:10White dress
24:11Smiling as I ran to her
24:12Her arms flew open
24:13She tried to hug me
24:14Della
24:15But her hands sparked with electricity
24:16The second it touched me
24:17I lit up like paper
24:19Falling in ashes
24:20She woke up sobbing
24:22Heart ripped through the roof
24:23If she had that bracelet on
24:24It'd be flashing blood red
24:26That's a forever kind of pain
24:27I was standing in a void
24:28Watching all of it
24:29Mom losing it in that ward
24:31My sister begging with broken legs
24:32Dead washed up
24:33Drunk
24:34Dead early
24:34And weirdly
24:35No revenge high
24:36Just quiet
24:37Bled
24:38Still quiet
24:39Next to me was an old dog
24:40Milo
24:41My childhood dog
24:42Mom dumped him years ago
24:43He waited for me at the edge
24:44Milo nudged my leg
24:45Gave a soft woof
24:46As if he were saying
24:47Let's go
24:47Don't look back
24:48Don't look at it
24:48Yeah
24:49Time to go
24:49This life was brutal
24:50Nothing left worth staying for
24:51I drifted to the front of mom's hospital room
24:53This was the last goodbye
24:54Mom lay in bed
24:55Completely worn out
24:56Hair gone all white
24:57She seemed to sense something
24:58Her cloudy eyes drifted toward a spot in the air
25:01Right where I was standing
25:02Stella
25:02Is that you?
25:03She reached out with a trembling hand
25:05Grabbing at nothing
25:06Mom smashed the bracelet
25:07Mom doesn't believe in it anymore
25:08Will you come back?
25:09Mom will cook for you
25:10No celery
25:10Mom will buy you a new dress
25:12And not get Chloe one
25:13Tears slid down the corners of her eyes
25:14Dropping onto the pillow
25:15I glanced at the mugs
25:16The cord left on her neck
25:17And let out a quiet sigh
25:18I reached out
25:19My cold fingers tapped her forehead once
25:20This was the last kindness I had for her
25:22Let her sleep
25:23Sleep makes the pain go away
25:24She went still instantly
25:26Eyelids heavy
25:27Closing
25:27Pulling her under
25:28A breeze drifted through the room
25:29Blowing open the worn old diary on her nightstand
25:31The one the police returned to her as my belongings
25:33Last page
25:34Below my dying words from back then
25:35There were a few crooked lines added underneath
25:37Written by mom during while her lucid moments
25:39Next life
25:40Mom wears the bracelet
25:41Mom gets to be the liar
25:42You'll punish me
25:43Just don't leave mom behind
25:44Mom will do anything
25:45I looked at those few lines
25:46And felt nothing
25:47Too late
25:48Every bit of this guilt
25:49In the face of death
25:50Means absolutely nothing
25:51Mom
25:51I don't hate you anymore
25:52I said quietly
25:53But I don't love you anymore either
25:54Mom
25:55Let's not meet again next life
25:56I turned and took Milo with me
25:58A gate of light appeared in the distance
25:59The entrance to the next life
26:00I lifted my wrist
26:02That bracelet that existed as it goes
26:03Even in my soul
26:04The nightmare that chained me my whole life
26:05I squeezed hard
26:06Snap
26:07It shattered
26:07Bursting into little sparks of light
26:09Fading into the air
26:10I felt lighter than I ever had
26:11No red lights
26:12No shocks
26:13No lies
26:13Just freedom
26:14I walked toward the light
26:15And I didn't look back
26:16Morning light filtered through the window
26:18The nurse pushed the door open for rounds
26:19Margaret
26:19Time for your mess
26:20No response
26:21The person in the bed hadn't moved
26:22The first step closer
26:23Barbara's hands were locked tight
26:25Around that broken diary
26:25And at the corner of her eye
26:27One last tear
26:27Still clinging there
26:28From the monitor beside her
26:30The line on the cardiac monitor
26:31Flattened into a straight line
26:33Beep
26:33The moment I stepped through the light
26:34There was no spinning
26:35No dramatic fade to black
26:36Just a gentle warmth
26:37Wrapping around me
26:38Like sinking into a creek
26:39Thawing out in early spring
26:40When the phantom sting of the shocks
26:41Slowly started to let go
26:42Milo nuzzled into my palm
26:44His fur wasn't that barely there ghostly fuzz anymore
26:46It was warm, soft, solid
26:47With that real wet dog smell and everything
26:48This is what I wanted so bad as a kid
26:50Something actually alive
26:51Come on little guy
26:52I said softly
26:53I took his lead and walked toward the light at the end
26:55Everything from my past life
26:56Trailing behind me like old photos gone faded
26:57Mom's last tear stints
26:59The bracelet's red glow
27:00The blood stints on the diary
27:01All of it blurred out as the distance grew
27:03I didn't look back
27:04I didn't feel the pull tool
27:05Just the sense that 10 years of darkness
27:06Finally got cut off by this life for good
27:08When I came back to my senses
27:09I was a baby wrapped up in a blanket
27:10There was a soft humming next to my ear
27:12A gentle woman's voice singing some soft
27:13Tombless lullaby
27:14Fingertips brushed across my cheek
27:16Carrying a faint smell of gardenias
27:17Nothing like the antiseptic on my other mom's hands
27:19Will trace of that bone deep cold
27:20I struggled to open my eyes
27:21And saw a face smiling down at me
27:23Eyes all crinkled up
27:23Absolutely full of warm
27:24She held me like I was something precious
27:26Careful
27:26Like she was afraid I might shatter
27:27Lina's awake
27:28She said softly
27:29Her voice like a feather drifting across my heart
27:31Honey come quick
27:32Our daughter's blinking at me
27:33A tall man came over
27:34A little clumsy with nerves on his face
27:36He reached out a finger
27:37And gently tapped my tiny hand
27:38His voice was low and warm
27:40Lina, it's dad
27:41Lina, that was my name now
27:42Lina Harper
27:43Low heavyweight of the name Stella Bennett
27:45Just a simple name
27:46But they carried this warm feeling of being cherished
27:48The house wasn't big
27:49But it was clean and cozy
27:50Cartoon stickers on the living room wall
27:52Plants covering every inch of the balcony
27:53Cell I poured through the glass windows
27:55And landed on the floor
27:56All warm and golden
27:56I figured it out pretty fast
27:58This family was nothing like the last life
27:59They never forced me to do anything
28:01No honesty bracelets
28:01None of that
28:02I slowly grew up
28:03Learned to roll over
28:04Crawl
28:04Talk
28:05When I was three
28:05Mom made stir fried celery with pork
28:07Bright green celery pieces on the plate
28:08Just like that dish from my last life
28:10The one that made me throw up blood
28:11I took a step back without thinking
28:12My whole body went stiff
28:13Tears just came
28:14Totally out of nowhere
28:14Mom immediately put down the spatula
28:16Crouched down and wrapped her arms around me
28:17Softly asked
28:18Lina, what's wrong?
28:18You don't like celery?
28:19I shook my head
28:20Sobbing
28:20Couldn't get any words out
28:21Being forced to swallow celery in my last life
28:22My throat swelling up
28:23Bleeding
28:23The memory of the shock suddenly flooded back
28:25And I was shaking all over
28:26Dad came over too
28:27Gently petting my back
28:28No blame
28:29Just patience
28:30Lina, don't be scared
28:31If you don't want to eat it
28:32You don't have to
28:32Can you tell mom and dad why?
28:34With their gentle steady eyes
28:35I finally got it out
28:36Between dogs
28:36Celery hurts my throat
28:37It bleeds
28:38They didn't do what my last mom did
28:39Didn't say the machine never lies
28:41They got worried immediately
28:42Mom helped me and took me to the hospital
28:44The doctor said I did have a mouth celery allergy
28:46Nothing severe
28:46But strong emotions could make the reaction worse
28:48After that
28:49Celery never appeared in the house again
28:51Mom even made a note on her phone
28:52Lina's allergies
28:53Celery
28:53Mango
28:54And chatted every single time she shopped
28:56That moment
28:56Lying in mom's arms
28:58Breathing in the faint smell of gardenia on her
28:59I suddenly got it
29:00So this is what it feels like to be believed
29:02So this is what real love actually is
29:04Not measuring honesty with a machine
29:05But even when what you say sounds impossible
29:07There's someone willing to hear you out
29:08Willing to go find out the truth for you
29:09When I was four
29:10The kindergarten set up a health checkup
29:11They needed to draw blood
29:12I looked at the needle in the nurse's hand
29:13And suddenly remembered the burned skin on my wrist
29:15From the bracelet in my last life
29:16Remembered the searing pain of electricity through my body
29:18I screamed on the spot
29:19Grabbed onto dad's leg
29:20And refused to let go
29:21The teacher got a little impatient
29:22Lina
29:23Don't be scared
29:24It only hurts for a second
29:25All the other case
29:25I'm being so brave
29:26I cried so hard
29:27My whole body shook
29:27Saying over and over
29:28No
29:28Don't shock me
29:29I'm not lying
29:30Dad immediately crouched down
29:31Pulled me tight into his arms
29:32Putting himself between me and the nurse's needle
29:34I'm so sorry
29:34She may have some trauma
29:36Let's skip it for today
29:37We'll take her to the children's hospital another time
29:38And have a therapist take a look
29:39On the way home
29:40Dad didn't scold me for not being brave
29:41He just gently asked
29:42Lina
29:43Did someone hurt you with electricity before?
29:44I buried my face in his shoulder
29:45My tears soaking into his shirt
29:47Yet managed to say
29:48Mom
29:48Bracelet
29:48Red light
29:49Those scattered fragments of memory
29:50I still couldn't put them into words clearly
29:52Dad listened anyway
29:53Genuinely
29:53Laudy on every now and then
29:54Lina
29:55You've been through so much
29:55Dad's got you now
29:56Nobody's ever going to mess with you again
29:58That took me to see a child therapist regularly
30:00The doctor said I had severe PTSD
30:02And needed long-term support and care
30:03Mom and Dad didn't complain for a single second
30:05They played pretend city games with me
30:07And every single thing I said
30:08Whether it was true or not
30:09They listened first
30:09Really listened
30:10Then gently helped me find my way to the truths
30:12They bought me bracelets in every color
30:13But never once forced me to put one on
30:15They just told me
30:16Lina
30:16These are just accessories
30:17Wear them if you want
30:18Take them off if you don't
30:19Whether what you say is true or not
30:20Mom and Dad are here for it
30:21With their patience holding me steady
30:23I slowly started to climb out of the dark
30:24I began to say what I thought out loud
30:26Dare to say I don't like this
30:27I'm scared
30:27I want that
30:28No longer terrified of being misread for a fast heartbeat
30:29No longer scared of red lights and electric shocks
30:31I started telling Mom and Dad funny stories from school
30:33I cried over a toy I couldn't get
30:34Jumped up squealing when someone said I did good
30:36I was finally just a normal kid
30:38A kid wrapped up in love
30:39When I was 7
30:40I started elementary school
30:41There was a girl in class named Sophie Walker
30:43She had the exact same eyes and brows as my little sister from my last life
30:45Just with shorter hair and a shy, timid personality
30:47The first time I saw her
30:48My heart seized up
30:49A flash of my last life sister making faces at me
30:51Her bracelet glowing green
30:52Hit me out of nowhere
30:52And I took a step back without thinking
30:54Sophie seemed to catch that something was off with me
30:56She looked down at the floor and said quietly
30:57I'm Sophie Walker
30:59Do you want to be friends?
31:00Her voice was tiny
31:01With this little edge of please like me to it
31:02Exactly like the careful
31:03Walking on eggshells me from before
31:04I looked at her
31:04A green cartoon bracelet on her wrist
31:06And suddenly thought of that cheap plastic toy
31:08Something complicated stirred in my chest
31:09I found out later that Sophie's mom was really strict too
31:12Always pushing her to be an honest good girl
31:14When Sophie messed up
31:15She got locked in her room without dinner
31:16One day Sophie accidentally knocked over the teacher's mug
31:19She froze up shaking
31:20Couldn't bring herself to admit it
31:21Because she was terrified her mom would break out on her
31:23I saw her eyes going red
31:24And suddenly thought of my last life
31:25Hunched over desk writing another apology letter
31:26Hearing myself say mom
31:27I'm really hurting
31:28I walked over and gently took her hand
31:30Sophie it's okay
31:32It was an accident
31:33Let's go tell the teacher together
31:34She'll forgive you
31:35Sophie looked at me
31:36Stunned
31:37But my mom says
31:37Kids who lie aren't good kids
31:39Being honest doesn't mean never messing up
31:41It means only when you do
31:42I thought of what mom and dad always told me
31:43And said it straight
31:44Even if you tell the truth
31:45You shouldn't get punished for it
31:47If the teacher gets mad at you
31:48I've got your back
31:49If your mom gets mad at you
31:50Come to my place
31:50My parents will go to bed for you
31:52With me pushing her on
31:52Sophie worked out the nerve to apologize to the teacher
31:54The teacher didn't scold her at all
31:55Just told her to be more careful next time
31:57After that we became best friends
31:58I brought her over to my place all the time
32:00Let her so he how warm mom and dad were
32:01I told her she didn't have to people
32:03Please her way through life
32:04Didn't have to be scared to say how she really felt
32:05One day Sophie's mom came to pick her up
32:08Saw her with me
32:09And her face did something complicated
32:11She grabbed Sophie's hand
32:12And snapped
32:13Did you mess up again
32:14Is Lena covering for you
32:15Sophie's head dropped instantly
32:16Too scared to say a word
32:17I stepped right in front of her
32:18And said loudly
32:19Ma'am
32:19Sophie didn't do anything wrong
32:20She's a really good kid
32:21You shouldn't keep yelling at her like that
32:23She's scared of you
32:24Sophie's mom froze
32:24She looked at me
32:25That Sophie's red-rimmed eyes
32:26And something in her expression softened
32:28That night
32:29Sophie's mom called my mom
32:30Said a lot of really kind things
32:32So that she stopped being so hard on Sophie
32:34Started actually listening to what her daughter said
32:36Watching Sophie slowly open up and find her confidence
32:38Something warm quietly filled my chest
32:39In my last life
32:40I never got that kind of help
32:42Just me fighting through the dark alone
32:43But in this life
32:44I finally had the strength to help someone else
32:46To stop another Stella Bennett story from happening
32:48Maybe that was the gift my last life's pain left me
32:50A deeper sense of how to hold on to the good
32:52And a real hunger to be a light for people in the dark
32:54When I was 10
32:55Mom and dad took me to grandma's place in the countryside
32:57There was an old locust tree in her yard
32:58A lot like the one at my last last grandma's house
33:00I sat under it
33:01Watching sunlight filter down through the leaves
33:03And land on the ground
33:04Making these scattered
33:05Shifting touches of light
33:06Milo lay beside me
33:07Lazily soaking up the sun
33:08The unfamiliar figure appeared at the yard gate
33:10An old woman with silver white hair
33:12Beaning on the cane
33:13As Caudi
33:14Wearing a faded blue cotton shirt
33:15Washed so many times
33:16The moment I saw her
33:17My whole body locked up
33:18Like my blood just stopped moving
33:19Her eyes, her brows
33:20They were exactly Margaret Bennett's
33:22Old woman seemed to notice me too
33:23She slowly walked over
33:24Eyes landing on me
33:25Carrying this mix of confusion
33:26And something strangely familiar
33:27She asked softly
33:28Kiddo, what's your name?
33:30My name is Lena
33:30I held down a storm inside me
33:32And answered quietly
33:33Lena
33:33The old woman murmured to herself
33:34Her eyes going even caughtier
33:36What a good name
33:37She reached out her hand
33:38Almost like she wanted to touch my head
33:40But hesitated and pulled back
33:41Like she was afraid of disturbing something
33:42Mom came over and took the old woman's arm gently
33:44She said softly
33:44Mom, this is our daughter Lena
33:46So she was my grandma in this life
33:47Over the next few days
33:49Grandma kept quietly watching me
33:50Her eyes full of something complicated
33:52One day she brought me a bowl of braised pork
33:54She said
33:54Lena, eat up
33:55This was always your favorite when you were little
33:57I went completely still
33:58In my last life
33:59Right before I died
33:59I wrote in my diary
34:00That I wanted to eat mom's braised pork
34:01And now in this life
34:02Grandma said exactly that
34:03I stared at the bowl
34:04Rich and fragrant
34:05And the tears just came
34:06Isn't some distant dream from a past life
34:08It's one I can actually reach out and touch right now
34:10I picked up my chopsticks
34:11Grabbed a piece of braised pork
34:12And put it in my mouth
34:13Soft, tender, sweet
34:14Everybody tasted like happiness
34:15Grandma watched me
34:16A long lost smile spreading across her face
34:18There was relief in that smile
34:19And a hint of guilt she tried hard to hide
34:21That night I lay in bed
34:22Milo curled up at my feet
34:23I thought about the last worst mom loading her diary in my past life
34:26Next life mom wears the bracelet
34:28Next life mom gets to be the liar
34:29You can punish me
34:30I thought about that last tear at the corner of her eye
34:32Thought about that broken diary
34:33Honestly I stopped hating her a long time ago
34:35Hating someone is like locking yourself in a cage
34:37And treat on the same pain over and over
34:38The happiness of this life washed away the bitterness of the last
34:41Just felt sad
34:42Sad that she didn't figure it out until the very end
34:43That real love and honesty are never measured by gadgets and punishment
34:46Grandma stayed in the village for months
34:48The hideed hole
34:49Right before she left
34:49She took my hand
34:50His soft face said
34:51Lena
34:51Live well
34:52Be happy
34:53Voice was quiet but it carried so much weight
34:55I nodded
34:56Told her you too
34:57Grandma
34:57Watching her figure disappear down the road
34:59My heart was still
35:00Just peace
35:01The grudges and heartbreak of my past life
35:03Were like leaves falling from an old tree
35:05Gone with the wind
35:05I was no longer Stella Bennett
35:07Trapped by a bracelet
35:08I was Lena Harper
35:09Someone surrounded by love
35:10Free and happy
35:11At 13 I graduated elementary school
35:13Got into the best middle school in the city
35:14Mom and dad took me on a trip to the beach to celebrate
35:17Standing at the shore
35:18Staring out at the endless ocean
35:19The sea breeze brushed across my face
35:21Salty and cool
35:21I stretched out my hand
35:22Feeling the freedom in the wind
35:24It was like I could see my past self floating in midair
35:26Desperate to be held
35:26But never able to be touched
35:27What's on your mind Lena?
35:29Dad walked over
35:29Handed me a drink
35:30I'm thinking
35:31Wow
35:31I laughed and said
35:32Being alive
35:33Getting to be here with you guys
35:34It's everything
35:34Mom and dad exchanged a smile
35:35Mom pulled me into a hug
35:36Softly said
35:37Silly girl
35:37Having you is the best thing that ever happens to us
35:39Milo tore across the beach
35:40Chasing the waves
35:41Barking his head off with pure joy
35:43I watched him
35:43Then looked at mom and dad beside me
35:45And it suddenly hit me
35:46The pain of my past life
35:47Was what made me treasure this one so much more
35:49The things I never got in my past life
35:50Were what taught me what love really meant
35:51I don't need to prove to anyone that I'm not a liar
35:54I'm not scared of red lights or shocks anymore either
35:56I can laugh freely
35:57Quite freely
35:57See whatever I feel
35:58Freely
35:59I have parents who adore me
36:00A loyal best friend
36:01A healthy body
36:02And a future that actually looks bright
36:03This is the life I dreamed about my whole past life
36:05That night I lay in the hotel bed
36:06And wrote in my diary
36:07This isn't like the last one
36:08That diary full of confessions and tears and blood
36:10This one is full of happiness and growing up
36:12I wrote to today
36:13I saw the ocean
36:14It was huge
36:15Blue and free
36:16I thought about who I used to be
36:18That little girl trapped in a room
36:19Starving for love
36:20She never could've imagined how much happiness I had then
36:23Mom and dad loved me
36:25It taught me to be honest
36:26And to be brave
36:27Sophie became my best friend
36:28She kept getting more and more like herself
36:30Grandma was doing great
36:31Called me all the time
36:32Emma was still as mischievous as ever
36:33Always nuzzling into my palm
36:34Didn't hate anyone anymore
36:35And I didn't miss the past either
36:36Those painful memories were like footprints on the beach
36:39Washed over by the waves
36:40Leaving only the faintest trees
36:41But making me treasure every step forward
36:43I knew my mom, Chloe, and dad from before all got the ending they deserved
36:47And I finally broke free from the chains of the past
36:49And thought my real freedom
36:50Next life
36:51I didn't want to run into them again
36:52And I didn't want to bring any of it up either
36:54Just want to be Lina
36:55A simple, happy Lina
36:56Who is surrounded by love
36:57The ocean is beautiful
36:58Life is beautiful too
36:59I live well
37:00Honoring this second chance I almost don't get
37:02I finish writing
37:03Close the journal and look out the window
37:04Moonlight spills across the water
37:06Shimmery
37:06Like a thousand stars blinking at once
37:08Milo curls up beside me
37:09Breathing slow and steady
37:10Close my eyes
37:12A smile on my face
37:13This life
37:13I finally become who I always want to be
37:15No red lights
37:16No electric shocks
37:17No lies
37:17Just love
37:18Freedom and happiness
37:19And those wounds from before
37:20The pain turns into a badge of honor
37:21A reminder that no matter how much darkness I walk through
37:24As long as I don't give up on the light
37:25I always find my own warmth and freedom
37:27The road ahead is still long
37:28I carry this new courage and joy with me
37:30Keep walking
37:31Toward somewhere brighter and further
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