Accusée à tort, elle n’a plus qu’un espoir : que sa mère lui fasse confiance une dernière fois. Entre douleur, malentendus et vérité cachée, ce lien fragile sera mis à l’épreuve.
#shortdrama #dramacourt #famille #mere #confiance #verite #dramaemotionnel #histoirescourtes #rebondissement #emotions
#shortdrama #dramacourt #famille #mere #confiance #verite #dramaemotionnel #histoirescourtes #rebondissement #emotions
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was born a liar, at least. That's the label mom slapped on me.
00:05As a diehard believer in data-driven parenting, she strapped truth bands on my twin sister Mia and me the
00:13day we were born.
00:14If we lied, the band flashed red, and mom would hit a remote to shock us.
00:20Mia's band was always green.
00:22She could shred mom's favorite dress to pieces, blame the cat, and her band would just glow a soft, gentle
00:33green.
00:34But for me, even if I just whispered,
00:38Mom, I'm hungry.
00:40My band would instantly explode into an angry red, followed by a piercing electric shock.
00:49I'm not a machine, mom.
00:50I used to try to defend myself, but she'd always say,
00:55Machines don't lie. Pain is how you learn. I'm doing this for your own good.
01:00After thousands of shocks, I honestly started to believe I was just completely broken.
01:07New Year's Eve, everything changed.
01:10New Year's Eve, everything changed.
01:14On New Year's Eve, mom was getting ready to take Mia to see the fireworks.
01:18A sudden, tearing agony hit my stomach.
01:23I curled up on the floor, begging,
01:26Mom, my stomach hurts so much.
01:28Please help me.
01:30But my band just frantically flashed red.
01:34She glared down at me, shivering in a cold sweat, cranked the shock dial to the absolute max, and spat.
01:42You're pretending to be sick just so you can come watch the fireworks with us?
01:45You never change!
01:46She turned, grabbed Mia, and slammed the door behind them.
01:51I couldn't help but think she was right.
01:54The band was red, so I must not actually be in pain.
01:58I was just making it up for attention again.
02:02I'm sorry, mom.
02:03Next time around, I promise I'll be an honest kid.
02:06It hurts so much!
02:08I writhed in agony, my fingernails scratching pale marks into the floorboards.
02:19The doorknob turned.
02:21A glimmer of hope sparked in my eyes.
02:25Mom was back.
02:27She was a doctor.
02:28She must have realized something was horribly wrong and came back to save me.
02:34Are you done yet?
02:35The fireworks are about to start.
02:37Mia's getting impatient.
02:38Mom.
02:39I called out weakly, reaching a trembling hand toward the door.
02:43It really hurts.
02:45It feels like my intestines are tearing apart.
02:48She just glanced at the frantic red light flashing on my wrists.
02:52Squatting down, she pinched my chin, her voice dripping with venom.
02:57Lily, how long are you going to keep up this act?
03:00You're a pathological liar.
03:02You can stay home and think about what you've done.
03:04Honey, hurry up.
03:06The fireworks are about to start.
03:09If Singha doesn't want to go, fine.
03:11Should we leave her some food?
03:12Mom stood up and dusted off her hands, like touching me had made her filthy.
03:18Leave her food for what?
03:19She has plenty of snacks in her room.
03:21She bought them with money she stole last time.
03:23She won't starve.
03:25Lock the door.
03:26Don't let her out until that bracelet turns green.
03:29But...
03:29But what?
03:30Spare the rob?
03:32Spoil the child?
03:33Look at Mia.
03:34She's perfectly honest.
03:35Her band is always green.
03:37Lily is rotten to the core.
03:39We have to correct her.
03:40But my closet was completely empty.
03:43Mia was the one who stole the cash, and she ate all the snacks.
03:49Mia had just stood there, her band glowing that soft green, and said,
03:55It wasn't me, and Mom believed her.
04:00When I tried to defend myself and said I didn't take it either, the red light flashed, and I got
04:06shocked.
04:07I watched Mom turn around to leave.
04:12Mia peeked through the crack in the door and stuck her tongue out at me.
04:17Bye, sis.
04:18We're going to see the pretty firework.
04:21Her band was glowing a vibrant green.
04:23It really was beautiful.
04:25The door slammed shut, followed by the heavy click of the deadbolt.
04:29The house went dead silent, leaving just me alone with the saw tearing through my stomach.
04:37It hurts so much.
04:40Mom was right.
04:42Machines don't lie.
04:43The band is red, so I must be making this up.
04:47I'm not in pain.
04:49I'm really not in pain.
04:51Tears streaming down my face.
04:54I tried to brainwash myself.
04:57I don't know how much time passed, but it actually started to hurt less.
05:04Using my last breath, I dragged myself to the desk.
05:08I had to write my punishment lines.
05:12Those were the rules.
05:14Whenever the red light flashed, I had to write,
05:18I am a liar a thousand times.
05:21Once I finished, Mom would forgive me, right?
05:25She'd take me to the hospital then.
05:28With trembling hands, I flipped open my crumpled diary.
05:32The pages were crammed with all my previous apologies.
05:38I used to always write,
05:41I'm sorry, I was wrong.
05:43I won't lie again.
05:45But this time, I wanted to write the truth.
05:50My vision blurred.
05:52Crying, I used every last ounce of my strength to write,
05:58Mom, I really do love you.
06:01It hurts so much.
06:03Why won't you just believe me?
06:05Mom, please, just believe me this one time.
06:10The moment I finished the last word,
06:12the excruciating pain in my stomach completely vanished.
06:16My body felt light, and I began to float.
06:19I looked down and saw myself slumped over the desk,
06:24arm dangling in the air, completely motionless.
06:28The band on my wrist was still frantically flashing red,
06:32so I was dead.
06:35But I still hadn't learned how to be an honest kid.
06:39I'm sorry, Mom.
06:41I was awakened by a burst of laughter.
06:44It was my dad, my mom, and my sister.
06:47The fireworks were so beautiful tonight,
06:49especially the smiley face one.
06:51It was as cute as our Mia.
06:53There was a tenderness in Mom's voice
06:57that I had never heard before.
06:59I floated in midair, watching the front door open.
07:02Now a soul, I instinctively drifted toward them,
07:05wanting to bring them their slippers like I used to.
07:09It was a people-pleasing instinct carved into my bones.
07:12Mom.
07:13I opened my arms,
07:14wanting to hug the woman still carrying the chill of the night.
07:18I don't hurt anymore.
07:20I'll be good from now on.
07:22Please don't be mad.
07:24But my hands passed straight through her body,
07:27like trying to catch the wind.
07:28Mom shivered and frowned.
07:30Why is it so cold in here?
07:32Is the heat off?
07:33I froze, staring at my transparent palm.
07:36That's right.
07:37I was already dead.
07:39The dead can't hug the living.
07:42Go check on Lily.
07:43That girl hasn't come out to eat either.
07:44Don't let her really starve.
07:45Dad mentioned it casually.
07:47Dad was still the better one.
07:49I looked at Mom expectantly.
07:51If she found out I was dead, would she be sad?
07:54Would she regret it?
07:56Mom snorted and slipped into her house shoes,
07:59walking toward my room.
08:00She'd deserve it if she starved.
08:02Faking illness for attention is a bad habit that comes from being spoiled.
08:06She pushed my door open.
08:09She pushed my door open.
08:11She didn't turn on the light.
08:13By the light from the living room,
08:15she saw me slumped over the desk,
08:18motionless, as if asleep.
08:20Oh?
08:21Still lying there?
08:22You think lying on the desk pretending to be pitiful
08:25will make me carry you to bed?
08:27Lily, you're ten years old, not five.
08:30Mom, I'm not pretending to sleep.
08:33I'm dead.
08:35Look at me.
08:36Touch me.
08:37My body is cold.
08:38But Mom couldn't hear me.
08:40She only believed what she chose to see.
08:43My sister slipped in under her arm
08:46and raised her wrist proudly.
08:48Big Sat is a lazy pig.
08:50Look, my bracelet is green.
08:52Hers is still red.
08:54She's always lying.
08:56She even lies in her dreams.
08:58Mom patted her head.
08:59Dad peeked in from behind.
09:01Maybe carry her to bed?
09:02It's freezing.
09:03Carry her?
09:04For what?
09:05Kids these days are spoiled.
09:06This bracelet manufacturer say
09:08this is when you apply cold treatment.
09:09She has to realize her own mistakes.
09:12Look at that red light.
09:13It shows she's still in a state of extreme resistance.
09:15She hasn't reflected at all.
09:17That's enough.
09:18Go to bed.
09:18We're visiting Grandma tomorrow.
09:20Mom turned briskly
09:21and pulled the door closed again.
09:22I hovered beside my body,
09:24staring at the crimson light in the darkness,
09:27a sorrow deeper than death filling me.
09:30Mom, if you had just taken one step closer,
09:33just touched my hand,
09:35you would have known I was already cold.
09:37But you didn't.
09:39You trusted that cold machine
09:41more than the daughter you carried for 10 months.
09:43Late at night,
09:44a rat crawled out from the empty cabinet.
09:46I used to be terrified of rats.
09:49I would scream every time I saw one.
09:52But now,
09:53I could only float near the ceiling
09:55and watch it roam freely over my corpse.
09:58I tried to shoo it away weakly,
09:59but no sound came out.
10:01The rat bit into my toe,
10:03dark purplish blood seeping out.
10:05I couldn't feel any pain.
10:07That was good.
10:08It finally didn't hurt anymore.
10:10I spoke to the pitiful shell below me.
10:13Don't be afraid.
10:14You can't feel pain anymore.
10:16It will all be over soon.
10:18The next morning,
10:19sunlight washed over my corpse,
10:22but it brought no warmth at all.
10:24Clattering sounds drifted in from the kitchen.
10:28Mom was making breakfast.
10:31The rich smell of frying bacon and eggs
10:34crept through the crack under my door.
10:37Normally,
10:38that was the smell I craved the most.
10:40But I was only ever allowed plain oatmeal
10:44because mom said liars didn't deserve good food.
10:48Today,
10:49she was deliberately banging the spatula against the pan.
10:53I knew exactly what she was doing.
10:55She was trying to tempt me.
10:57She wanted me to give in to the hunger
10:59and crawl out to beg for forgiveness.
11:02In the past,
11:04I might have actually confessed to things I never did
11:09just for a single bite of food.
11:11But now,
11:12I didn't need to eat anymore.
11:13Lily still hasn't come out?
11:15Dad asked.
11:16Reading the newspaper at the dining table?
11:18No.
11:20Stubborn as a mule.
11:21She's just spoiled.
11:23If she doesn't want to eat,
11:24she can starve.
11:25Mia took a sip of her milk,
11:27her eyes darting around mischievously.
11:30She intentionally ran over to my door.
11:33Mom!
11:34It smells so gross in Lily's room!
11:37Did she use the floor as a toilet?
11:39Floating by the door,
11:41I looked at my sister with a bitter smile.
11:43I had already started to smell after just one night.
11:47Mom marched over,
11:49her forehead deeply wrinkled in disgust.
11:51You actually soiled your own room?
11:55She pounded on the door and roared.
11:59You are unbelievable!
12:02You throw away your own dignity
12:04just to throw a tantrum at me?
12:06It reminded me of when I was little.
12:09Once,
12:10I had severe stomach flu
12:12and couldn't make it to the bathroom in time,
12:15messing my pants.
12:16She pointed at me and told the neighbors,
12:19Look at this child,
12:20dirty as a pig.
12:22And now,
12:23she thought I was being filthy again.
12:26Just leave her!
12:28Mom waved her hand in disgust,
12:30like shooing away a fly.
12:32Let her sit in her own stitch.
12:34See how she likes it.
12:36Dad put down his paper.
12:38The smell really is getting strong.
12:40Let me go check on her.
12:41Maybe a rat died in the walls.
12:42He stood up and walked toward my bedroom door.
12:48My ghost heart leaped into my throat.
12:51Dad,
12:52hurry,
12:53open the door!
12:54Please,
12:55look at me.
12:56I'm right behind the door.
12:59If you just turn that knob,
13:01you'll see I'm not moving anymore.
13:04You'll see my face has already turned bruised and dark.
13:08Dad's hand grasped the doorknob.
13:11His phone suddenly blared.
13:13What?
13:13It was his boss calling.
13:15The server's crashed?
13:16Okay,
13:17okay,
13:17I'm on my way.
13:20Honey,
13:20there's a massive emergency at work.
13:21I have to go.
13:22I might not be back for a few days.
13:23Wait,
13:24what about Lily?
13:24I froze in mid-air.
13:28It was so incredibly close.
13:31Just one second away.
13:33If that call had come,
13:35just a moment later,
13:37they would have found me.
13:38Maybe then,
13:40I wouldn't have to keep rotting in here.
13:43That afternoon,
13:44Mom took Mia out shopping,
13:46leaving my corpse alone in the house.
13:48They came back in the evening.
13:49As soon as they walked in,
13:52the stench hit them even harder.
13:54Are you trying to turn this house
13:55into a literal dumpster?
13:57Instead,
13:58she grabbed a roll of duct tape,
14:00crouched down,
14:01and viciously sealed the crack
14:02under my door tight.
14:03Since you love the stench so much,
14:05you can just sit in it!
14:06Mom dusted off her hands
14:07in satisfaction.
14:09Finally,
14:10some peace and quiet.
14:11Watching that duct tape door,
14:13the very last shred of hope
14:15in my heart suffocated,
14:17right along with the seal.
14:18So this was it.
14:20In Mom's mind,
14:21my life and death mattered,
14:23even less than a fancy dinner.
14:25She would rather seal me in like a tomb
14:27than check if I was actually dying inside.
14:30You win, Mom.
14:31I will never bother you again.
14:33By the morning of the third day,
14:35the warm winter sun
14:36spilled into the living room,
14:38but it couldn't dispel
14:40the dark gloom
14:41hanging over the house.
14:42The thermostat was cranked
14:44way up to almost 80 degrees.
14:47The duct tape could no longer
14:49hold back the smell.
14:51It was a nauseating,
14:54thick, greasy stench of decay.
14:58Mom was trimming fresh flowers
14:59she had just bought,
15:01but no matter how strong
15:02the floral scent was,
15:04it couldn't mask the smell
15:06of a rotting corpse.
15:07Mom angrily snapped a rose stem,
15:11letting a thorn prick her finger.
15:14She had finally reached
15:17her breaking point.
15:18In her twisted logic,
15:20me not showering,
15:22using the room as a toilet,
15:24or even hiding dead rats in there,
15:27it was all just an act of rebellion
15:30to disgust her
15:31and challenge her authority.
15:32Lily, you are completely
15:34out of control!
15:36Mom stormed into the kitchen,
15:38grabbed a heavy wooden spoon,
15:41and marched furiously
15:42toward my room.
15:44Since the shock collar
15:45isn't working anymore,
15:47maybe you need
15:48some old-fashioned discipline!
15:51Floating right in front of her,
15:53looking at her contorted,
15:54furious face,
15:56I waved my hands frantically
15:58to stop her.
15:59Don't go in!
16:01Mom, please don't!
16:03I look awful!
16:04I'm rotting!
16:05You'll be scared!
16:06Even though she didn't love me,
16:09I still didn't want her
16:10to see me
16:10in such a horrific state.
16:13But she walked
16:15right through my spirit
16:16and viciously ripped
16:18the duct tape
16:18off the door frame.
16:19The sound of the
16:21adhesive tearing
16:22was piercing.
16:24She jammed the spare key
16:26into the lock
16:27and twisted.
16:28The door was violently
16:30shoved open.
16:32A sickening wall
16:34of concentrated death
16:36hit her instantly,
16:38like opening Pandora's box.
16:40Mom stumbled backwards,
16:42gagging,
16:43as the stench
16:44assaulted her.
16:45Lily!
16:46What the hell
16:47are you doing in here?
16:49She looked up
16:50and saw me
16:50still slumped
16:51over the desk
16:52in the exact same position
16:54from three days ago,
16:55my back to her
16:57completely motionless.
16:59To her,
17:00this was a silent provocation.
17:03Pure,
17:04sheer arrogance.
17:06Are you deaf?
17:07Are you still playing dead?
17:09Blinded by rage,
17:11she closed the distance
17:12in three steps,
17:13raising the heavy
17:14wooden spoon
17:15high in the air.
17:16But she didn't
17:18strike right away.
17:19She wanted to
17:20yank me up first
17:21to see the stubborn
17:23expression
17:23she was sure
17:25was on my face.
17:26Get up!
17:27She grabbed me
17:30roughly by
17:31the back
17:32of the collar,
17:33her fingers
17:34digging into my skin.
17:36The very next second,
17:38she froze.
17:39The moment she made contact,
17:41time seemed to
17:42stop completely.
17:44Through the thin fabric
17:46of my pajamas,
17:47her fingers
17:48didn't feel
17:49warm living skin
17:50or soft flesh.
17:53Instead,
17:54she felt
17:55a block
17:56of ice-cold,
17:57rock-hard,
17:58dead meat.
17:59It was
18:00a bone-chilling,
18:02unnatural cold,
18:04entirely
18:05devoid
18:06of
18:07the warmth
18:08of life.
18:10Mom hesitated
18:12for a fraction
18:13of a second,
18:14but her momentum
18:15carried through,
18:16yanking backward
18:18with brute force.
18:19My stiff body
18:21was pulled backward,
18:22falling rigidly.
18:24Taking the heavy
18:26desk chair down
18:27with it,
18:28crash.
18:29The chair slammed
18:31loudly against
18:31the hardwood floor.
18:33My corpse
18:34fell perfectly stiff,
18:36like a toppled
18:37marble statue.
18:39And finally,
18:40my face
18:41was revealed.
18:43I was no longer
18:44the timid little girl
18:46she knew.
18:47My face
18:48was a bruise,
18:49sickly purple,
18:51my eyes bulging.
18:52My features
18:53completely
18:55contorted
18:57from the sheer
18:58agony
18:59of my final moments.
19:01Dried white foam
19:03and dark
19:03crusted blood
19:04stained the corners
19:05of my mouth.
19:07And
19:07there
19:08on my
19:10blackened wrist
19:11was
19:12the truth band
19:14Mom was always
19:15so damn proud of.
19:17It hung there,
19:19lifeless.
19:21The skin underneath
19:22was scorched
19:23pitch black
19:24from the electricity.
19:26The melted rubber
19:27fused directly
19:28into my charred flesh.
19:30No more red lights.
19:32No more green lights.
19:35Just dead,
19:36heavy silence.
19:38Smack.
19:38A soft
19:40thud.
19:41My diary,
19:42which had been
19:43pinned under my arm,
19:45slipped out
19:46as my body fell.
19:47It landed
19:49right at Mom's feet.
19:51It fell
19:52open,
19:54facing her
19:55perfectly.
19:57On that page,
19:59my messy,
20:01desperate handwriting
20:03stabbed
20:04into her eyes
20:06like daggers.
20:07Mom,
20:08my stomach
20:09really hurts.
20:09The band
20:10is broken.
20:11I swear
20:12I'm not lying.
20:13Please don't
20:13shock me anymore.
20:17It was
20:18a shriek
20:18that didn't
20:19even sound
20:19human.
20:21Piercing
20:21and guttural
20:22like her throat
20:23was tearing apart.
20:25Mom
20:25stumbled
20:26backward,
20:27her lower
20:28back slamming
20:29hard against
20:30the bookshelf.
20:31A glass
20:32vase
20:33crashed
20:33to the floor,
20:34shattering
20:35into a million
20:35pieces.
20:37But she
20:38didn't even
20:38flinch.
20:39Her eyes
20:41were wide
20:41with pure terror
20:43locked onto
20:44my body
20:45on the floor.
20:47No,
20:48no way.
20:49She shook
20:50her head
20:50frantically,
20:52her hair
20:52falling around
20:53her face
20:54like a madwoman.
20:55You're still
20:56faking it.
20:57This is makeup.
20:58It's a trick.
21:01Lily, get up
21:02right now.
21:06Mommy
21:06isn't mad
21:07anymore.
21:08Stop scaring
21:09me.
21:10Trembling
21:10violently,
21:12she reached
21:13out trying
21:13to grab
21:14my stiff arm,
21:15but the
21:17split second
21:18her fingertips
21:19brushed
21:20my freezing
21:20skin.
21:21She recoiled
21:23like she
21:25just touched
21:25a hot stove.
21:27That sensation,
21:29it was
21:30undeniably
21:31real.
21:32It was
21:33the temperature
21:34of death.
21:36Martha,
21:37her neighbor,
21:38called the
21:38cops.
21:39She had
21:40rushed over
21:41after hearing
21:43mom's screams,
21:44took one look
21:45at the scene,
21:46and collapsed
21:47right in the
21:47doorway.
21:48Sirens soon
21:50flooded the
21:50neighborhood.
21:52The police
21:52swarmed in.
21:54Forensics
21:55followed.
21:56Crime scene
21:57tape went
21:58up.
21:58I watched
21:59them hustle
22:00in and out,
22:01camera flashes
22:02exploding over
22:04my corpse.
22:05A female
22:06officer had
22:07to drag mom
22:08out to the
22:09living room
22:09couch.
22:10She was
22:12still babbling
22:14incoherently,
22:15trying to
22:16defend herself.
22:17Officer,
22:18I swear
22:19she was
22:19faking it.
22:20She's been
22:21a liar
22:21since she
22:22was a
22:22kid.
22:23The band
22:23was red.
22:24The machine
22:25doesn't lie.
22:26I was just
22:27disciplining her.
22:28I was doing
22:28it for her
22:29own good.
22:30Nobody
22:31even looked
22:31at her.
22:32Everyone
22:33just stared
22:33at her
22:34like she
22:34was an
22:34absolute
22:35monster.
22:37When the
22:38coroner
22:38tried to
22:39move my
22:39body,
22:40they ran
22:41into a
22:41problem.
22:42The truth
22:43band.
22:44The truth
22:45band.
22:46Because it
22:46had discharged
22:48high voltage
22:49electricity
22:50for so
22:50long,
22:51the intense
22:52heat had
22:53literally
22:53melted the
22:54rubber right
22:55into my
22:55skin.
22:56It was
22:57basically
22:58fused to
22:59my flesh.
23:00Jesus
23:00Christ.
23:02He had
23:02to grab
23:03a pair
23:04of medical
23:05shears to
23:06force it
23:07off.
23:07The
23:08sickening
23:09sound of
23:10skin tearing.
23:11Even
23:12though I
23:12was already
23:13dead,
23:14my phantom
23:14wrist throbbed.
23:16The band
23:17finally came
23:17off,
23:18taking a
23:19chunk of
23:19my charred
23:20flesh with
23:21it.
23:21A detective
23:22picked up
23:23my diary
23:23from the
23:24floor,
23:25flipping through
23:26it with
23:26gloved hands,
23:28his face
23:29growing darker
23:30by the
23:30second.
23:31Mom's
23:32eyes locked
23:33onto the
23:33notebook.
23:35Suddenly,
23:35she lunged
23:37at the
23:38detective
23:39like a
23:39rabid
23:40dog
23:40trying to
23:41snatch
23:42it.
23:43Those
23:43are her
23:43punishment
23:44lines!
23:45She
23:45definitely
23:45wrote it
23:46in there!
23:46She
23:46admitted
23:46she was
23:47lying!
23:47Read
23:48it!
23:48She
23:48confessed!
23:49The
23:50detective
23:50shoved
23:51her back
23:51hard and
23:53dropped
23:53the diary
23:53into an
23:54evidence
23:55bag.
23:55He
23:56glared
23:57at her
23:57with eyes
23:58as cold
23:59as ice,
24:00looking at
24:01her like
24:01she was
24:01pure
24:02garbage.
24:03We'll
24:03decide who
24:04was lying.
24:05Right
24:05then,
24:06Dad
24:07finally
24:07rushed
24:08back.
24:09He
24:10saw
24:10the
24:11black
24:11body
24:12bag
24:12being
24:12carried
24:13out
24:13the
24:13door.
24:14That
24:15long
24:15zipper
24:16sealing
24:17away
24:17my
24:18entire
24:18miserable
24:19life.
24:20Dad's
24:21legs
24:22gave
24:22out.
24:23He
24:23collapsed
24:24onto
24:24the
24:24lawn,
24:25literally
24:26wetting
24:26his
24:27pants
24:27in shock.
24:28Mia
24:29was
24:29standing
24:30to
24:30the
24:30side,
24:31sobbing
24:31in
24:32fear.
24:33She
24:33didn't
24:34even
24:34fully
24:35grasp
24:35what
24:36was
24:36happening.
24:37She
24:38just
24:38pointed
24:39at the
24:40bloody
24:40band
24:41left
24:42on the
24:42table
24:42and
24:43asked,
24:44Mommy,
24:45why is
24:45Lily's
24:46band
24:46black?
24:47And
24:47is
24:47still
24:48green?
24:48She
24:49held up
24:49her wrist,
24:50the little
24:51green light
24:52still blinking
24:53cheerfully.
24:54It
24:55was a
24:56massive,
24:58sickening
24:58irony.
24:59The police
25:00began an
25:01impromptu
25:02interrogation
25:03in the
25:04living
25:04room.
25:05Mom
25:05acted
25:06like she
25:07just
25:07found
25:07her
25:08lifeline.
25:09She
25:09pointed
25:10sharply
25:10at my
25:11bloody
25:11band,
25:12her
25:12voice
25:13shrill
25:13and
25:14desperate.
25:15Check
25:15the
25:15band.
25:16You
25:16have
25:16to
25:16check
25:16the
25:17band.
25:17It
25:17proves
25:18she
25:18was
25:18lying.
25:19Red
25:19means
25:20lie.
25:21I
25:21only
25:21ever
25:21shocked
25:21her
25:21when
25:22it
25:22turned
25:22red.
25:23I'm
25:23not
25:23abusive.
25:24The
25:24machine
25:25told
25:25me
25:25to
25:25do
25:25it.
25:26I
25:26was
25:26just
25:26teaching
25:27her
25:27a
25:27lesson.
25:27The
25:28detective
25:29scowled
25:30at
25:30her,
25:31completely
25:31disgusted.
25:33Ma'am,
25:34your
25:35daughter's
25:35body
25:36is
25:37covered
25:38in
25:38old,
25:39repetitive
25:40electrical
25:40burn
25:40scars.
25:41That
25:41was
25:42discipline!
25:43It
25:43was
25:43education!
25:44Mom
25:45shrieked,
25:46cutting
25:46him
25:47off,
25:48desperate
25:48to prove
25:49she
25:49was
25:49right.
25:50Desperate
25:51to prove
25:52she
25:52wasn't
25:53a
25:53murderer.
25:54She
25:54suddenly
25:55made
25:56the
25:57most
25:57insane
25:58demand.
26:00You
26:00don't
26:00believe
26:01me?
26:01That
26:02machine
26:02is
26:02flawless!
26:03I'll
26:03put it
26:04on
26:04right
26:04now!
26:05I'm
26:05telling
26:05the
26:05truth,
26:06so
26:06it's
26:06going
26:07to
26:07be
26:07green!
26:08She
26:08lunged
26:09for
26:09the
26:09table,
26:10snatching
26:11up
26:11the
26:11band
26:11that
26:12was
26:12still
26:12coated
26:13in
26:13my
26:13burnt
26:13skin
26:14and
26:14blood.
26:15Completely
26:16ignoring
26:16the
26:17gore,
26:18her
26:18hands
26:19shook
26:19wildly
26:20as
26:20she
26:21forced
26:21the
26:21strap
26:22around
26:22her
26:22own
26:23wrist.
26:24I'll
26:24show
26:24you
26:25I'm
26:25innocent.
26:26If
26:26it's
26:26green,
26:27it
26:27means
26:27everything
26:27I've
26:28said
26:28is
26:28true.
26:29Trembling,
26:30she
26:31snapped
26:31the
26:31blood
26:32soap
26:32device
26:33into
26:33place,
26:35locked
26:35tight.
26:37The
26:37freezing
26:38rubber
26:38pressed
26:39against
26:39her
26:40skin,
26:41sticky
26:41and
26:42slick
26:42with
26:43my
26:43blood.
26:44Mom
26:45took
26:45a
26:45deep
26:46breath,
26:47trying
26:47to
26:47force
26:47herself
26:48to
26:48calm
26:48down.
26:49She
26:50was
26:50so
26:50desperate
26:51to
26:51prove
26:52I
26:52deserve
26:53to
26:53die,
26:53to
26:54prove
26:55her
26:55twisted
26:55parenting
26:56was
26:57flawless.
26:58She
26:59held
26:59her
26:59wrist
27:00up
27:00to
27:00the
27:00cops,
27:01a
27:02gleam
27:02of
27:02manic
27:03confidence
27:04in her
27:04eyes.
27:05Watch
27:06closely.
27:07My name
27:08is
27:08Evelyn.
27:09I am
27:09Lily's
27:10mother.
27:10It
27:11was
27:11a
27:11pure
27:11fact,
27:12the
27:13absolute
27:14truth,
27:15but
27:16then
27:16a
27:17sharp
27:18ear
27:18piercing
27:19alarm
27:19instantly
27:20shrieked
27:21from the
27:21band.
27:22The
27:22long
27:22dead
27:23red
27:23light
27:23violently
27:24exploded
27:25to
27:25life.
27:26Mom
27:26was
27:26stunned.
27:27Her
27:27cocky
27:28expression
27:28froze
27:29instantly.
27:30She
27:31smacked
27:32the band
27:32hard,
27:33like hitting
27:33a glitching
27:34TV
27:34remote.
27:35What the
27:35hell?
27:36Is it
27:36broken?
27:37I'm
27:37telling
27:38the
27:38truth.
27:38I
27:39am
27:39Evelyn.
27:40Panic
27:40started
27:41setting
27:41in,
27:42her
27:42words
27:42spilling
27:43out
27:43faster.
27:44It
27:44has
27:45to
27:45be
27:45broken!
27:46That
27:46coroner
27:47must
27:47have
27:47busted
27:48it!
27:50Let
27:51me try
27:51again.
27:52I'm
27:52going
27:52to
27:52say
27:52it
27:53again.
27:53She
27:54swallowed
27:54hard,
27:55her voice
27:55pitching
27:56up in
27:56hysteria.
27:57I
27:57did
27:57not
27:58abuse
27:58my
27:58child.
27:59I
28:00was
28:00doing
28:00it
28:00for
28:00her
28:01own
28:01good.
28:01I
28:02loved
28:03her!
28:03The
28:03red
28:04light
28:04flashed
28:04even
28:05more
28:05violently,
28:06blurring
28:06into a
28:07solid block
28:07of furious
28:08red.
28:09And
28:09because
28:10it
28:10detected
28:11an
28:11extreme
28:12spike
28:12in
28:13heart
28:13rate,
28:13the
28:14band
28:14automatically
28:15triggered
28:15a
28:15mild
28:16electric
28:16shock.
28:17Mom
28:17jolted,
28:18her
28:18entire
28:19arm
28:19stagnant
28:20as she
28:20flinched
28:21hard.
28:21It
28:22hurt.
28:23Even
28:23just a
28:24low-level
28:25shock
28:25was enough
28:26to cover
28:26her in
28:27goosebumps.
28:28It
28:28suddenly
28:29hit her.
28:29How I
28:30felt
28:30at 10
28:31years
28:31old,
28:32being
28:32hit
28:33with
28:33the
28:33absolute
28:34maximum
28:34voltage,
28:36curling
28:36into a
28:36ball
28:37on the
28:37floor,
28:37biting
28:38through
28:38my
28:38own
28:38lip
28:39just
28:39to
28:39keep
28:39from
28:40crying
28:40out.
28:40So
28:41this
28:42was
28:42how
28:42much
28:42it
28:42hurt.
28:43Mom
28:43completely
28:44lost
28:45her
28:45mind.
28:45Why
28:46is
28:46it
28:46red?
28:47Why?
28:48I'm
28:49telling
28:49the
28:50stupid
28:50thing!
28:51I'm
28:51telling
28:52these
28:52things!
28:54Turn
28:55green,
28:56you
28:56stupid
28:56thing!
28:57You
28:57broken
28:58piece
28:58of
28:58trash!
28:59You're
28:59setting
29:00me
29:00up!
29:00No
29:01matter
29:01how
29:02loud
29:02she
29:02shrieked,
29:03the
29:04red
29:04light
29:04just
29:05kept
29:05frantically
29:06blinking.
29:07That's
29:07enough.
29:08You
29:09know
29:09what
29:09happens
29:09if
29:10that
29:10thing
29:10goes
29:10off.
29:11A
29:11forensics
29:12tech
29:12standing
29:13nearby
29:13finally
29:14spoke
29:14up,
29:15his
29:15voice
29:15ice
29:16cold.
29:16He
29:17honestly
29:18couldn't
29:19stomach
29:19it
29:19anymore.
29:19Stop
29:20trying.
29:21That
29:22thing
29:22isn't a
29:22lie
29:23detector
29:23lady.
29:24He
29:24grabbed
29:24the
29:24instruction
29:25manual
29:25they'd
29:26found
29:26during
29:26the
29:27search
29:27and
29:27slammed
29:28it
29:28onto
29:28the
29:28coffee
29:29table.
29:29It's
29:29a cheap
29:30glavinic
29:30skin
29:30response
29:31and
29:31heart
29:31rate
29:31monitor.
29:32How
29:32it
29:32works
29:32is
29:33simple.
29:33When
29:34someone
29:34is
29:34nervous,
29:35anxious,
29:35terrified,
29:36or
29:37in extreme
29:37pain,
29:38their
29:38heart
29:38rate
29:38spikes.
29:39They
29:39sweat,
29:40their
29:40skin
29:40count
29:40activity
29:41jumps,
29:41and
29:42the
29:42light
29:42turns
29:42red.
29:42Right
29:43now,
29:43you
29:43are
29:43panicking.
29:44You're
29:45terrified
29:45and
29:45your
29:45heart
29:46is
29:46racing.
29:46Of
29:47course
29:47it's
29:47flashing
29:48red.
29:48The
29:49tech
29:49took
29:49a
29:49slow
29:50step
29:50toward
29:51mom,
29:51who
29:52is
29:52now
29:52slumped
29:53on
29:53the
29:53floor.
29:54Every
29:54word
29:54he
29:54spoke
29:55dropped
29:55like
29:55a
29:56sledgehammer
29:56onto
29:57her
29:57skull.
29:57Think
29:58about
29:58it.
29:59Your
29:59daughter's
29:59appendix
30:00burst.
30:00She
30:01was
30:01wringling
30:01on
30:01the
30:01floor.
30:02Do
30:03you
30:03have
30:03any
30:03idea
30:03how
30:04agonizing
30:04a
30:05ruptured
30:05organ
30:05is?
30:06How
30:06fast
30:07do
30:07you
30:07think
30:07her
30:07heart
30:08was
30:08beating?
30:08How
30:09terrified
30:09do
30:10you
30:10think
30:10she
30:10was?
30:11But
30:11to
30:11you,
30:11the
30:12more
30:12pain
30:12she
30:12was
30:13in,
30:13the
30:13faster
30:14her
30:14heart
30:14beat
30:14and
30:15the
30:15brighter
30:15that
30:15red
30:16light
30:16got.
30:17You
30:17just
30:17assumed
30:18she
30:18was
30:18lying
30:19harder,
30:19so
30:19you
30:19cranked
30:20up
30:20the
30:20voltage.
30:21The
30:21shock
30:21caused
30:22more
30:22pain,
30:22which
30:23made
30:23her
30:23heart
30:23race
30:24faster,
30:24which
30:24made
30:25the
30:25light
30:25even
30:25brighter.
30:26She
30:26was
30:26begging
30:26you
30:27for
30:27help
30:27and
30:28you
30:28turned
30:28it
30:28into
30:29a
30:29torture
30:29device.
30:30You
30:30tortured
30:31your
30:31own
30:31daughter
30:31to
30:32death
30:32while
30:32she
30:32was
30:32begging
30:33you
30:33to
30:33save
30:33her.
30:34Mom's
30:35entire
30:35reality
30:35shattered
30:36into
30:36a
30:36million
30:37pieces.
30:38She
30:38sat
30:38paralyzed
30:39on
30:39the
30:39floor,
30:40staring
30:41blankly
30:41at the
30:42red
30:42light
30:42flashing
30:43on
30:43her
30:43wrists.
30:43Finally,
30:44it
30:44clicked.
30:45For
30:45the
30:46last
30:4610
30:46years,
30:47every
30:48single
30:48time,
30:49my
30:49band
30:50flashed
30:50red.
30:51It
30:51was
30:51just
30:51because
30:52I
30:52was
30:52scared,
30:53terrified
30:53of
30:54her
30:54getting
30:54mad,
30:55terrified
30:55of
30:55being
30:56misunderstood,
30:57terrified
30:57of the
30:58food she
30:58forced
30:59down
30:59my
30:59throat.
31:00I
31:00was
31:00in
31:00pain.
31:01In
31:01so
31:01much
31:02pain,
31:02my
31:02heart
31:02was
31:03racing
31:03and
31:04I
31:04was
31:04drenched
31:04in
31:05cold
31:05sweat.
31:06I
31:06was
31:06yearning,
31:07desperate
31:08for her
31:08to hug
31:09me,
31:09just
31:10once,
31:10the
31:11way
31:11she
31:11hugged
31:12Mia.
31:12Every
31:13single
31:13flutter
31:14of my
31:14heart
31:14had
31:15been
31:15twisted
31:15into
31:16proof
31:16of
31:17a
31:17lie.
31:20She
31:21started
31:21tearing
31:22frantically
31:22at
31:23the
31:23band
31:23on
31:23her
31:23wrist.
31:25Get
31:25off
31:26me!
31:28But
31:29the
31:29clasp
31:30jammed
31:31from
31:31being
31:31forced
31:32on
31:32and
31:33damaged
31:33from
31:34melting
31:34was
31:35completely
31:36stuck,
31:37locked
31:37around
31:37her
31:38wrist
31:38like
31:38a
31:38shackle.
31:39No
31:39matter
31:40how
31:40hard
31:40she
31:40clawed
31:41at
31:41it,
31:41it
31:41wouldn't
31:42budge.
31:42I'm
31:43sorry!
31:44I'm
31:44so
31:44sorry!
31:45Lily!
31:46Take
31:47it
31:47away!
31:48Mommy
31:48is
31:49sorry!
31:49You
31:49can't
31:49even
31:50handle
31:50this
31:50little
31:51bit
31:51of
31:51pain
31:51mom.
31:52I
31:52had
31:52to
31:52live
31:53with
31:53it
31:53for
31:5310
31:54years.
31:54To
31:55establish
31:55the
31:56details
31:56of
31:57the
31:57abuse
31:58and
31:58build
31:59a
31:59solid
31:59case,
32:01the
32:01police
32:02opened
32:02the
32:02diary,
32:03now
32:04officially
32:05labeled as
32:06key evidence
32:07right in front of
32:08mom and dad.
32:09that
32:10that
32:10notebook I
32:10used
32:11for
32:1110
32:11years
32:12filled
32:13with
32:13blood,
32:13tears
32:14and
32:14pure
32:14humiliation.
32:16The
32:16female
32:16officer's
32:17voice
32:17was
32:18soft,
32:18but
32:19every
32:19single
32:20word
32:20cut
32:21like
32:21a
32:21knife.
32:22February
32:2314th,
32:24sunny.
32:25Mom
32:25made me eat
32:26celery.
32:26I'm
32:26allergic.
32:27It
32:27makes my
32:28throat
32:28swell up
32:29and I
32:29can't
32:29breathe.
32:30I
32:30told her
32:31I
32:31didn't
32:31want
32:32it.
32:32I
32:32didn't
32:33want
32:33it
32:33that
32:34I
32:34felt
32:34sick.
32:38And
32:39the
32:39band
32:39turned
32:39red.
32:41said I
32:41was
32:41just
32:42being
32:42a
32:42picky
32:42liar
32:43and
32:43forced
32:43me
32:43to
32:44eat
32:44the
32:44whole
32:44plate.
32:45That
32:46night
32:46I
32:46threw
32:46up
32:46blood.
32:47My
32:47throat
32:48felt
32:48like
32:48it
32:48was
32:49on
32:49fire.
32:50Mom
32:50saw
32:50it,
32:51said
32:51I
32:51sneaked
32:52tomato
32:52juice
32:52to
32:53fake
32:53being
32:53sick
32:54and
32:54shocked
32:54me
32:55for
32:55another
32:5510
32:56minutes.
32:57Mom
32:57covered
32:58her
32:58mouth,
32:59her
32:59entire
32:59body
33:00trembling
33:00violently.
33:02That
33:02night
33:03she
33:04honestly
33:04thought
33:05it
33:05was
33:05just
33:05tomato
33:06juice.
33:07She
33:08hadn't
33:09even
33:09given
33:09my
33:10vomit
33:10a
33:10second
33:10glance
33:11before
33:12turning
33:12around
33:12to
33:13read
33:13Mia
33:13a
33:14bedtime
33:14story.
33:15It
33:16turned
33:16out
33:17it
33:17was
33:18blood.
33:19Blood
33:19from
33:20my
33:21swollen
33:22ruptured
33:23throat.
33:24The
33:25officer
33:25turned
33:26the
33:26page
33:26and
33:27kept
33:27reading.
33:28June
33:291st
33:29Children's
33:30Day.
33:31Mia
33:31cut
33:31up
33:32mom's
33:32favorite
33:32dress.
33:33Mia's
33:33heartbeat
33:34was
33:34slow
33:34so
33:35she
33:35got
33:35a
33:35green
33:36light.
33:36I
33:36was
33:36so
33:37frantic
33:37to
33:37explain
33:38terrified
33:39of
33:39being
33:39beaten
33:39so
33:40I
33:40only
33:40got
33:41red.
33:41Mom
33:42shocked
33:42me
33:42for
33:4310
33:43minutes.
33:44The
33:44dial
33:44was
33:44on
33:44level
33:455.
33:45It
33:46hurt
33:46so
33:47much
33:47but
33:47I
33:48didn't
33:48dare
33:48cry.
33:49Because
33:49crying
33:50makes
33:50your
33:50heartbeat
33:51faster.
33:52Mom
33:52would
33:52think
33:52I
33:52was
33:53being
33:53defiant
33:53and
33:53shock
33:54me
33:54even
33:54harder.
33:55I
33:55just
33:56held
33:56my
33:56breath
33:56and
33:57pretended
33:57it
33:57didn't
33:57hurt.
33:58Mom
33:59said
33:59see
33:59she's
34:00not
34:00even
34:01making
34:01a
34:01sound.
34:02It
34:02doesn't
34:02even
34:02hurt.
34:03She's
34:03definitely
34:04faking.
34:05Dad
34:05finally
34:06couldn't
34:06listen
34:06anymore.
34:08This
34:08man
34:09who
34:09had
34:10been
34:10completely
34:11invisible
34:12in this
34:13house
34:13for years
34:14who
34:15had
34:15turned
34:15a
34:16blind
34:16eye
34:16to
34:17my
34:17suffering
34:17just
34:18for
34:18some
34:19peace
34:19and
34:19quiet
34:20suddenly
34:21lunged
34:22forward.
34:25You
34:25absolute
34:26monster
34:26look
34:27at
34:28what
34:28you've
34:28done.
34:29He
34:29slapped
34:29mom
34:29across
34:30the
34:30face
34:30with
34:31everything
34:31he
34:32had.
34:32Mom
34:33was
34:33knocked
34:33to
34:33the
34:34floor.
34:35That
34:35was
34:36your
34:36own
34:36daughter.
34:37You
34:38treated
34:38her
34:38like
34:39an
34:39animal.
34:40But
34:40she
34:41didn't
34:41fight
34:42back
34:42and
34:43she
34:43didn't
34:43cry.
34:44She
34:45just
34:45mumbled
34:45to
34:46herself
34:47her
34:47eyes
34:48completely
34:48unfocused.
34:51It
34:52was
34:52Mia.
34:53Her
34:53band
34:53was
34:54always
34:54green.
34:55She
34:55was
34:55the
34:56honest
34:56one.
34:56She
34:57misled
34:58me.
34:59If I
34:59didn't
34:59have
34:59her
35:00green
35:00light,
35:01if I
35:01didn't
35:01have
35:01her
35:02to
35:02come
35:02to,
35:02I
35:03wouldn't
35:03have
35:03trusted
35:03the
35:03red
35:04light
35:04so
35:04much.
35:05Every
35:05eye in
35:06the room
35:06snapped
35:07to
35:07Mia,
35:08the
35:08little
35:09princess,
35:10who had
35:10always been
35:11held in
35:12the palm
35:12of mom's
35:13hand.
35:14A
35:14detective
35:15walked
35:15over to
35:16her.
35:17He
35:18unclasped
35:19the green
35:20band
35:20from her
35:21wrist,
35:21pulled
35:22out a
35:22screwdriver,
35:23and pried
35:24it open
35:25right there
35:25on the spot.
35:27The
35:27plastic casing
35:28split open.
35:30There were
35:30no complex
35:31sensor chips
35:32inside.
35:33No heart rate
35:34monitors.
35:36Just two
35:37cheap LED lights
35:38and a couple
35:39of button
35:39batteries.
35:41The circuit
35:42board was
35:42hardwired.
35:43As long
35:44as it had
35:45power,
35:46it would
35:46only ever
35:47shine green.
35:48This is
35:49a two
35:49dollar
35:50plastic
35:50toy.
35:51Your
35:51younger
35:52daughter's
35:52band
35:52was
35:53factory
35:53set
35:53to
35:54stay
35:54green
35:54permanently.
35:55No
35:56matter
35:56what
35:56she
35:56says
35:57or
35:57does,
35:58she
35:58could
35:58commit
35:58murder
35:58and
35:59set
35:59a
35:59house
35:59on
35:59fire
36:00and
36:00it
36:00would
36:00still
36:00be
36:00green.
36:01Your
36:02so-called
36:02data-driven
36:03parenting
36:04is
36:04nothing
36:04but a
36:05complete
36:05biased
36:06joke.
36:06Mom
36:07stared
36:07at
36:08the
36:08pile
36:08of
36:08plastic
36:09shards.
36:10The
36:11truth
36:12she
36:13had
36:13blindly
36:14believed
36:14in
36:15for
36:15ten
36:15years.
36:16The
36:17sole
36:17evidence
36:18she
36:18used
36:18to
36:19sentence
36:19me
36:19to
36:20death,
36:20it
36:21was
36:21just
36:22a
36:22toy
36:23all
36:23along.
36:24My
36:25ten
36:25years
36:25of
36:26torment
36:27were
36:27dictated
36:28by a
36:29cheap
36:29toy,
36:30a rig
36:31game
36:31where
36:32I
36:32lived
36:32in
36:33hell
36:33and
36:34my
36:34sister
36:35lived
36:36in
36:36heaven.
36:37So
36:38I
36:38wasn't
36:39a
36:40liar,
36:41I
36:41wasn't
36:42a
36:42bad
36:42kid.
36:43Then
36:44what
36:44the
36:45hell
36:45was
36:45all
36:45my
36:45suffering
36:46for?
36:47I
36:47laughed
36:48and
36:48as
36:48I
36:49laughed
36:49I
36:49started
36:50to
36:50cry.
36:51It
36:51turns
36:52out
36:52ghosts
36:53have
36:53tears
36:54too.
36:55The
36:56final
36:56page
36:57of
36:57the
36:57diary
36:58was
36:58turned.
36:59The
37:00female
37:00officer's
37:01voice
37:01choked
37:02up.
37:02The
37:03handwriting
37:03is a
37:04mess.
37:04She
37:05must
37:05have
37:05written
37:06this
37:06right
37:06before
37:06she
37:07died.
37:08Mom,
37:09if
37:09I
37:09die,
37:10will
37:10the
37:10band
37:10finally
37:11turn
37:11off?
37:12Will
37:12you
37:12hug
37:13me
37:13then?
37:13I'm
37:14really
37:14not
37:14lying.
37:15My
37:15stomach
37:16hurts
37:16so
37:16bad,
37:17like
37:17there
37:17are
37:18knives
37:18twisting
37:18inside.
37:19Mom,
37:20please
37:21don't
37:21make me
37:21wear
37:21the
37:22band
37:22in
37:22my
37:22next
37:22life.
37:23I'm
37:23begging
37:24you.
37:24I
37:25just
37:25want
37:25to be
37:25a
37:25normal
37:26kid.
37:26I
37:27want
37:27to
37:27eat
37:27your
37:27braised
37:28pork.
37:29Mom
37:30Mom
37:30Mom
37:30stared
37:30at
37:31the
37:31broken
37:31plastic
37:32pieces.
37:33Her
37:35unquestionable
37:36honest
37:37green
37:38light.
37:39Nothing
37:39more
37:40than a
37:40cheap
37:41plastic
37:41toy.
37:42Because
37:43of this
37:44toy,
37:44she
37:45spoiled
37:46Mia
37:46for
37:47ten
37:47years.
37:48And
37:49because
37:50of that
37:50damn
37:51red
37:51light,
37:52she
37:52tortured
37:52me
37:53for
37:53ten
37:53years.
37:54Mom
37:55suddenly
37:55burst
37:56into
37:56laughter.
37:58A
37:58shrill,
37:59horrifying
38:00laugh
38:00that
38:01looked
38:01worse
38:02than
38:02sobbing.
38:03She
38:03snapped.
38:04This
38:05time,
38:05she
38:06truly
38:06went
38:07insane.
38:08My
38:09death
38:09became
38:09the
38:10biggest
38:10news
38:10story
38:11in
38:11the
38:11city.
38:12Martha,
38:13our
38:13neighbor,
38:14was
38:15kind
38:15hearted,
38:16but
38:17she
38:17also
38:17had
38:18a
38:18huge
38:18mouth.
38:19She
38:19posted
38:19everything
38:20she
38:21saw
38:21that
38:21day
38:22online.
38:23The
38:24headline
38:24was
38:25shocking.
38:26The
38:26girl
38:27shocked
38:27to
38:27death
38:28by
38:28a
38:28pseudoscience
38:29band.
38:30The
38:30article
38:31detailed
38:32the
38:32gruesome
38:32state
38:33of
38:33my
38:33corpse
38:34and
38:35the
38:35band
38:35melted
38:36right
38:36into
38:37my
38:37flesh.
38:37It
38:38went
38:38completely
38:39viral.
38:40The
38:40internet
38:41exploded
38:42in
38:43absolute
38:44fury.
38:45Mom
38:45got
38:45completely
38:46doxed.
38:47Electric
38:48demon
38:49murderer
38:50doesn't
38:51deserve
38:52to be
38:52a
38:52mother.
38:53Countless
38:54death
38:54threats
38:55and
38:55insults
38:57flooded
38:58in
38:58like
38:58an
38:58avalanche.
38:59Our
39:00front
39:00door
39:00was
39:02splashed
39:02with
39:03red
39:03paint
39:04with
39:04the
39:05word
39:05die
39:06scrawled
39:06all
39:07over
39:07it.
39:08Dad
39:08was
39:08also
39:09taken
39:09in
39:09by
39:09the
39:10police
39:10investigated
39:11for
39:11criminal
39:12negligence
39:12and
39:13child
39:14endangerment.
39:15Although
39:15his
39:15alibi
39:15saved
39:16him
39:16from
39:16serious
39:17jail
39:17time,
39:18he
39:18lost
39:19his
39:19job
39:19and
39:20his
39:20reputation
39:21was
39:21completely
39:21ruined.
39:22His
39:23company
39:23fired
39:24him
39:24immediately
39:24to avoid
39:25the PR
39:26nightmare.
39:27Our
39:27family
39:28went
39:28bankrupt.
39:29They
39:29had to
39:30sell
39:30the
39:30house
39:31and
39:31the
39:31cars
39:32just
39:33to
39:33cover
39:34the
39:35legal
39:35fees
39:36and
39:36settlements.
39:37Unable
39:37to
39:38stand
39:38the
39:38crazy
39:38woman
39:39mom
39:39had
39:39become,
39:40dad
39:40took
39:41the
39:41last
39:41bit
39:41of
39:42money
39:42and
39:42left
39:43with
39:43Mia.
39:43Even
39:44if
39:44Mia
39:44was
39:45a
39:45bad
39:45seed,
39:46she
39:46was
39:47his
39:47only
39:47living
39:48bloodline
39:49left.
39:50Before
39:50leaving,
39:51Mia
39:51tried
39:52to
39:52grab
39:53her
39:53green
39:54band.
39:54Dad
39:55stomped
39:55it
39:56into
39:56pieces.
39:57What
39:57the
39:57hell
39:57do
39:57you
39:57want
39:57this
39:57piece
39:58of
39:58trash
39:58for?
39:59Mia
39:59was
40:00dragged
40:01away
40:02crying.
40:03Mom
40:03was
40:04released
40:04on
40:05bail
40:05because
40:06psychiatric
40:07evaluations
40:08showed
40:09she was
40:09suffering
40:09from
40:10severe
40:10schizophrenia
40:11and
40:12PTSD.
40:12She
40:13was
40:13left
40:13alone
40:14in
40:14a
40:15cheap
40:15stinking
40:16rental
40:16apartment
40:17filled
40:18with
40:18the
40:18memory
40:18of
40:19my
40:19rotting
40:20corpse.
40:21Her
40:21mental
40:21state
40:21deteriorated
40:23rapidly.
40:24She
40:24constantly
40:26hallucinated
40:27that I
40:28was still
40:28in the
40:29house.
40:30She
40:30absolutely
40:31refused
40:32to take
40:32off my
40:33red band.
40:34In
40:34fact,
40:34she
40:34became
40:35addicted
40:36to it
40:36because
40:36she
40:37realized
40:37that
40:38only
40:38by
40:39wearing
40:39it,
40:40feeling
40:40the weak
40:41sting
40:41of the
40:42electric
40:42leaks,
40:43I
40:43floated
40:44in
40:44the
40:44room
40:44watching
40:45her
40:46daily
40:46descent
40:46into
40:47madness.
40:48She
40:48would
40:49cook
40:50a
40:50full
40:51table
40:52of
40:52food
40:53and
40:53yell
40:54into
40:54thin
40:54air.
40:55Lily,
40:55time to
40:56eat.
40:56I
40:57didn't
40:57put
40:57celery
40:57in it
40:58today.
40:59It's
40:59all
40:59braised
41:00pork,
41:00your
41:01favorite.
41:01Then
41:01she
41:02would
41:02pick
41:02up
41:02a
41:03piece
41:03of
41:03meat,
41:04her
41:04hands
41:04shaking
41:05violently.
41:06Triggered
41:06by her
41:07anxiety,
41:08the band
41:08would
41:09flash
41:09red.
41:10Mommy
41:10doesn't
41:10deserve
41:11to
41:11eat.
41:11Liars
41:12must
41:12be
41:12punished.
41:13She
41:13would
41:14put
41:14down
41:15her
41:15chopsticks
41:16and
41:17pick up
41:17the
41:18remote
41:18and
41:18press
41:19it
41:20against
41:20her
41:21own
41:21neck.
41:22Even
41:22though
41:23the
41:23battery
41:23was
41:24almost
41:24dead,
41:25she
41:26always
41:26managed
41:27to find
41:27fresh ones
41:28to put
41:29in.
41:29The
41:29intense
41:30voltage
41:31would
41:31make
41:31her
41:32convulse
41:33and
41:34foam
41:34at the
41:35mouth.
41:35Lily,
41:36such
41:36pain.
41:38I'm
41:39sorry.
41:41Mommy
41:41feels
41:42it
41:42now.
41:44She
41:44started
41:45replicating
41:45the
41:46punishments
41:46from my
41:47diary
41:47on
41:48herself.
41:49I
41:49was
41:49shocked
41:50for
41:50not
41:50eating
41:51celery,
41:52so
41:52she
41:52forced
41:53herself
41:53to
41:54eat
41:54rancid,
41:55spoiled
41:56food.
41:57Even
41:57when she
41:58vomited
41:58blood,
41:59she
41:59swallowed
41:59it
42:00back
42:00down.
42:00I
42:01was
42:01locked
42:01in
42:02the
42:02dark,
42:03so
42:03she
42:03would
42:04lock
42:04herself
42:04in
42:05the
42:05bedroom
42:05without
42:06the
42:06lights
42:06on.
42:07Repeatedly
42:08bang
42:08her
42:09head
42:09on
42:09the
42:09floor
42:10in
42:10front
42:11of
42:11my
42:11memorial
42:12photo.
42:12Thud,
42:13thud,
42:14until
42:15her
42:15forehead
42:15was
42:16a
42:16bloody
42:16mess,
42:17leaving
42:18bloody
42:18prints
42:19all over
42:19the
42:19floorboards.
42:21Deep
42:21in the
42:21night,
42:22she
42:22would
42:22see
42:23the
42:23red
42:23light
42:24reflecting
42:24on
42:25the
42:25wall,
42:25like
42:25my
42:26bleeding
42:26eyes
42:26staring
42:27right
42:27back
42:27at
42:28her.
42:28On
42:29the
42:29back
42:29of
42:29the
42:30diary,
42:30she
42:31would
42:31frantically
42:32scribble
42:32in
42:33red
42:33ink.
42:33I'm
42:34sorry,
42:35mom
42:35was
42:35wrong.
42:37Red
42:37is
42:37pain,
42:38red
42:38is
42:39love.
42:39Please
42:40come
42:40back,
42:41just
42:41say it
42:41hurts
42:42one
42:42more
42:42time,
42:43mommy
42:43will
42:43definitely
42:44save
42:44you.
42:45What a
42:45shame,
42:46I
42:46was
42:47already
42:47dead,
42:48and
42:48dead
42:49girls
42:49can't
42:50feel
42:50pain.
42:51Mom
42:51was
42:51eventually
42:52locked
42:52up in
42:53a
42:53psychiatric
42:53ward.
42:54Her
42:55severe
42:55self-harm
42:56reached
42:56the point
42:57where she
42:57nearly
42:58electrocuted
42:59herself
42:59to death
43:00at
43:00home.
43:01Adult
43:01protective
43:01services
43:02forced
43:03an
43:04intervention
43:04and
43:05had
43:05her
43:05committed.
43:06She
43:07was
43:07the
43:07most
43:07bizarre
43:08patient
43:09in
43:09the
43:09entire
43:10facility.
43:11Somehow,
43:13she had
43:13found a
43:14red
43:14plastic
43:15ring
43:15and
43:16jammed
43:17it
43:17tight
43:17around
43:17her neck.
43:18It
43:19was
43:19her
43:19homemade
43:20truth
43:21band.
43:22If
43:22anyone
43:23tried to
43:24take it
43:24off,
43:24she
43:25would
43:25bite
43:25them
43:26frantically
43:26like a
43:27rabid
43:28dog.
43:28don't
43:29touch
43:29my
43:29light.
43:30Lily
43:30is
43:30watching.
43:31If
43:31you
43:32take
43:32it
43:32off,
43:32she'll
43:33get
43:33mad.
43:33She
43:34had
43:34developed
43:35a
43:36horrifying
43:36conditioned
43:38reflex.
43:39Whenever
43:39a nurse
43:40asked
43:40her,
43:41Evelyn,
43:42have
43:42you
43:42eaten?
43:43she
43:43would
43:43touch
43:44her
43:44neck
43:44first,
43:45then
43:46convulse
43:46and scream.
43:47Red
43:48light!
43:48Red
43:49light!
43:50Don't
43:50shock
43:51me!
43:51I'll
43:51eat!
43:52I'll
43:52eat!
43:53Even
43:53if it
43:54was
43:54boiling
43:54hot
43:55porridge,
43:55she
43:56would
43:56swallow
43:57it in
43:57one
43:57gulp.
43:58Even
43:58as
43:59it
43:59blistered
44:00and
44:00burned
44:00her
44:01esophagus,
44:02she
44:02didn't
44:03dare
44:03spit
44:03it
44:03out.
44:04She
44:05was
44:06mimicking
44:07me
44:07right
44:08before
44:08I
44:09died.
44:10She
44:10was
44:10using
44:11this
44:11to
44:11experience
44:12my
44:13personal
44:13hell
44:13over
44:14and
44:15over
44:15again.
44:16Years
44:17later,
44:18Mia
44:18grew
44:19up
44:19and
44:20she
44:21went
44:21completely
44:22off
44:23the
44:23rails
44:23with
44:24no
44:25discipline
44:25and
44:26caring
44:26that
44:27infamous
44:28reputation
44:29she
44:30ended
44:30up
44:30scraping
44:31by
44:31at
44:32the
44:32very
44:32bottom
44:33of
44:33society.
44:35When
44:35she ran
44:35out of
44:36money,
44:36she
44:37remembered
44:37her
44:38mother
44:38sitting
44:39in the
44:39psych
44:39ward.
44:40She
44:40came
44:41to
44:41the
44:42hospital
44:42for
44:43a
44:43visit,
44:44not
44:44out
44:44of
44:44love,
44:45but
44:46for
44:46cash.
44:47Listen,
44:48you old
44:48lunatic,
44:49dad's
44:49dead.
44:50Give
44:50me the
44:50secret
44:50stash
44:51of
44:51money
44:51you
44:51hid.
44:52Mia
44:52was
44:52caked
44:53in
44:53heavy
44:53makeup,
44:54her
44:55face
44:55dripping
44:55with
44:56hostility.
44:57Looking
44:57at the
44:58absolute
44:58ghost
44:59her
44:59mother
45:00had
45:00become,
45:01she
45:01spat
45:02on
45:02the
45:02floor
45:03in
45:03disgust.
45:05You're
45:05disgusting,
45:06just like
45:07your dead
45:08brat of
45:08a
45:08daughter.
45:09If
45:10you
45:10don't
45:10give
45:11me
45:11the
45:11money,
45:11I'll
45:11pull
45:11your
45:12plug
45:12and
45:12send
45:12you
45:13to
45:13keep
45:13her
45:13company.
45:14Mom,
45:15who
45:15had
45:15been
45:16completely
45:16catatonic,
45:18suddenly
45:18snapped
45:18her
45:19head
45:19up
45:19at
45:19those
45:19words.
45:20Her
45:21cloudy
45:21eyes
45:22suddenly
45:22cleared
45:23for a
45:23fraction
45:23of a
45:24second
45:24the
45:24moment
45:25she
45:25locked
45:25onto
45:25Mia.
45:26She
45:27remembered
45:27that
45:27plastic
45:28toy
45:28band
45:29that
45:29always
45:30shone
45:30green,
45:31the
45:32green
45:32light
45:32that
45:33had
45:33deceived
45:33her
45:34for
45:34ten
45:34years.
45:36It
45:37was
45:37you.
45:38You
45:39lied
45:39to
45:39me.
45:40You
45:40were
45:40the
45:41fake
45:41green
45:41light.
45:42You
45:43killed
45:43Lily.
45:44Give
45:44my
45:44Lily
45:45back
45:45to
45:45me.
45:45Her
45:46final
45:47lingering
45:48shred
45:48of maternal
45:49love
45:50twisted
45:51into
45:51the
45:51fangs
45:52of
45:52pure
45:52vengeance.
45:54Mom
45:54suddenly
45:55lunged,
45:57throwing
45:57herself
45:58at
45:58Mia
45:58and
45:59locked
46:00her
46:01hands
46:01in a
46:02death
46:02grip
46:02around
46:03her
46:04throat.
46:04Die!
46:06Go to
46:06hell!
46:07It should
46:07have been
46:07you!
46:08Help!
46:09Mia
46:10thrashed
46:11in terror,
46:11but she
46:12couldn't break
46:13the brute
46:13strength of
46:14a mad
46:14woman.
46:15It took
46:16doctors rushing
46:17in and
46:17injecting a
46:18heavy sedative
46:19to finally
46:20pry mom
46:21off her.
46:22Mia,
46:23scared
46:24completely
46:24out of
46:25her mind,
46:26scrambled
46:27away and
46:28bolted.
46:29Maniacs,
46:30you're all
46:30crazy!
46:31Blinded
46:32by panic,
46:33she sprinted
46:34wildly out
46:35the hospital's
46:36front doors.
46:37A speeding
46:38delivery truck
46:39couldn't break
46:40in time.
46:41Bang!
46:41Mia was
46:42sent flying
46:44through the
46:45air.
46:45She
46:46survived,
46:47but both
46:49her legs
46:49were completely
46:50shattered.
46:51Condemned
46:52to spend
46:53the rest
46:54of her
46:55miserable
46:55life in
46:56a wheelchair,
46:57reduced
46:57to an
46:59absolute
47:00cripple.
47:01As for
47:02mom,
47:03she was
47:04strapped
47:05to a
47:06restraint
47:06bed,
47:07tears
47:07silently
47:08rolling
47:08down her
47:09face as
47:10she stared
47:10at the
47:11ceiling.
47:12In her
47:12dreams,
47:13she finally
47:14saw me.
47:15The dream
47:16me was
47:17still 10
47:17years old,
47:18wearing a
47:19white dress
47:20with no
47:21truth band
47:22on my
47:22wrist.
47:23Running
47:23toward her
47:24with a
47:24bright smile,
47:26overjoyed,
47:27she opened
47:27her arms
47:28to catch
47:29me,
47:29only to
47:30realize her
47:31hands were
47:31sparking with
47:32electricity.
47:33The second
47:34she touched
47:35me,
47:36my body
47:37burst into
47:38flames like
47:38dry paper.
47:40Crumbling
47:41into ash,
47:42she jolted
47:43awake from
47:44the nightmare,
47:45sobbing,
47:46her heart rate
47:46spiking dangerously
47:48high.
47:48If she still
47:49wore the band,
47:50it would
47:51undoubtedly be
47:52a blinding,
47:53piercing crimson
47:54right now.
47:55It was
47:56an eternal,
47:58inescapable
47:59pain.
48:00I stood
48:00in the void,
48:02watching it
48:03all unfold.
48:05Watching mom
48:06tortured in the
48:07psych ward,
48:08watching Mia
48:09begging with
48:10shattered legs,
48:11watching dad
48:12drink himself
48:13into an early,
48:15pathetic grave.
48:17Yet,
48:17in my heart,
48:19I felt
48:20absolutely no
48:22thrill of
48:23revenge,
48:24just complete
48:25peace.
48:26Standing next
48:27to me was
48:29an old dog.
48:30It was
48:31Snowball,
48:32the puppy I
48:33had when I
48:34was little,
48:35before mom
48:35threw him
48:36away.
48:36He had been
48:37waiting for me
48:38in the spirit
48:39world.
48:40Snowball
48:41nudged my
48:42leg and
48:42gave two
48:43soft barks,
48:44as if saying,
48:46let's go,
48:47don't look
48:48anymore.
48:49Yeah,
48:50it was
48:51time to
48:52go.
48:53This life
48:53had been
48:54too bitter,
48:54there was
48:55nothing left
48:56to hold
48:56on to.
48:57I floated
48:58to the
48:58window of
49:00mom's
49:00hospital room.
49:01It was
49:02for one
49:03final goodbye.
49:04Mom lay
49:05on the
49:05bed,
49:06looking like
49:07a skeletal
49:08ghost,
49:09her hair
49:09completely
49:10white.
49:11Sensing
49:12something,
49:13her cloudy
49:13eyes shifted
49:15to an empty
49:16spot in the
49:16air,
49:17the exact
49:18spot where I
49:19was standing.
49:21Lily,
49:22is that you?
49:23She reached
49:24out with a
49:25trembling hand,
49:27grasping
49:27blindly at
49:28the void.
49:30Mommy smashed
49:31the band.
49:32Mommy doesn't
49:33believe in that
49:33anymore.
49:34Please come
49:35back,
49:36okay?
49:37Mommy will
49:37cook for
49:38you,
49:38no celery.
49:40Mommy will
49:41buy you a
49:41new dress.
49:42I won't
49:43buy me a
49:44one.
49:45Tears
49:45slipped from
49:46the corners
49:47of her eyes
49:47soaking into
49:48the pillow.
49:49I glanced
49:50at the
49:51bloody ring
49:51of scars
49:52around her
49:53neck and
49:54let out
49:55a soft
49:56sigh.
49:57I reached
49:58out,
49:58pressing an
49:59ice-cold
50:00finger against
50:01her forehead.
50:02It was
50:03the last
50:04ounce of
50:06mercy I
50:07had for
50:07her.
50:08Let her
50:09sleep.
50:10When you're
50:11asleep, it
50:12doesn't hurt
50:13anymore.
50:14She quieted
50:15instantly, her
50:17heavy eyelids
50:18drooping shut
50:19as she fell
50:20into a deep
50:21sleep.
50:22A gust of
50:23wind blew
50:24through the
50:24room, flipping
50:26open the
50:27battered diary
50:28on the
50:28bedside table.
50:29The one
50:30possession the
50:31police had
50:31returned to
50:32her.
50:33On the
50:33very last
50:34page, right
50:36below my
50:36dying words,
50:38were a few
50:39new lines of
50:41jagged
50:42handwriting,
50:43written by
50:44mom during a
50:45rare moment of
50:46clarity.
50:47Next life, let
50:48mommy wear the
50:49band.
50:50Let mommy be
50:51the liar.
50:52You can punish
50:53me.
50:54As long as you
50:55don't abandon
50:55mommy, mommy
50:56will do
50:57anything.
50:57I looked at
50:59those words,
51:00feeling absolutely
51:01nothing.
51:02It was too
51:04late.
51:05In the face of
51:06death, all the
51:07repentance in the
51:08world is pale and
51:09useless.
51:11Mom, I don't
51:12hate you anymore,
51:13but I don't love
51:14you either.
51:15Ma, let's
51:16emworm
51:17me stirs the
51:17Everest.
51:18I turned around,
51:20walking alongside
51:21Snowball.
51:23A door of pure
51:24light appeared in the
51:26distance, the
51:28gateway to the
51:29next reincarnation.
51:31I raised my
51:32wrist, the
51:34phantom truth
51:35band that had
51:36bound my soul,
51:38the nightmare that
51:39had imprisoned my
51:40entire life.
51:41I clenched my
51:42fists tight.
51:43It shattered,
51:46dissolving into
51:47stardust and
51:49vanishing into
51:50the air.
51:51I felt an
51:52unprecedented sense
51:53of relief.
51:54relief, no red
51:55lights, no
51:57shocks, no
51:58lies, just
52:00freedom.
52:02I walked into
52:03the light without
52:04ever looking back.
52:08The morning sun
52:10spilled into the
52:11hospital room.
52:13A nurse pushed
52:14the door open for
52:16morning rounds.
52:18Evelyn, time for
52:18your meds.
52:19No response.
52:20The figure on the
52:22bed was completely
52:23still.
52:24The nurse stepped
52:26closer to check.
52:27Mom's hands were
52:29tightly clutching that
52:30broken diary.
52:32A single,
52:33crystalline tear hung
52:36at the corner of
52:37her eye.
52:38And on the heart
52:41monitor next to the
52:42bed, that jagged
52:45green wave representing
52:47life had flattened
52:51into one long
52:53straight line.
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