- 10 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My parents drained their savings to buy me a condo.
00:02My brother said it was a mistake.
00:04They did it anyway.
00:06I moved in grinning like I'd won the lottery.
00:08A month later, my phone lit up with my first power bill.
00:11Amount due, $5,200.
00:14I stared at it so long my eyes hurt.
00:17Then I drove straight to the power company, and I asked for the full record.
00:21The woman at the counter looked over the printout.
00:24Then she gave me that look that said I was screwed.
00:26Ma'am, the bill is real.
00:27No fraud record.
00:30The system is not malfunctioning either.
00:32Her words hit like cold rain.
00:34So I stripped the condo bare.
00:36I unplugged everything.
00:38Then I hauled everything out.
00:40Anything that used power.
00:42I even stopped charging my phone at home.
00:45I charged it at work.
00:46Funny thing is, I thought that would be enough.
00:49Next month, same number, $5,200.
00:54I've only been working for a few months.
00:56Can hardly afford groceries and gas expenses.
00:59I simply can't handle such a bill.
01:01Power outage warnings come one after another.
01:04Next comes the lawyer's letter.
01:05The pressure is overwhelming.
01:07My parents had to borrow money for me.
01:10Just to help me pay off the electricity bill.
01:12Borrowed from loan sharks.
01:14I tried to sell the apartment.
01:16No one is buying at all.
01:17At that time, everyone had heard about this matter.
01:20Electricity bills that are outrageously insane.
01:23My debts are piling up.
01:24So I turned off the main switch.
01:26In modern US, they lived a life without electricity.
01:29In the third month, when the bill arrived, I almost fainted.
01:32It's still $5,200.
01:35My brother called me a liar.
01:36Is a parasite.
01:37Is an ungrateful thief.
01:39Said I forged bills and wanted to drain my parents' money.
01:42Do you think we're fools?
01:43He roared.
01:44Mom and dad didn't say a single word for me.
01:47The way I look at you is like looking at a stranger.
01:49Then, they kicked me out of the house.
01:51A few months later, the unpaid electricity bills, late fees, and the money I borrowed
01:56from my parents.
01:57The debt has already exceeded six figures.
01:59I can't pay back the money.
02:01They beat me to death.
02:02It's all because of a mysterious electricity bill.
02:05When I opened my eyes again, I returned to the day when my parents bought me an apartment.
02:10Dad stood smiling in front of me.
02:12Do you like it, Willow?
02:13Crying already?
02:15You finally got your own place.
02:17Go check it out.
02:18Enjoy it.
02:19Mom said with a smile.
02:20My finger instantly turned cold.
02:23Memories of the previous life suddenly flooded back into the mind.
02:26Debt.
02:27Fist.
02:27Blood.
02:28I was shaking so violently that I could only lock my knees tightly to stay standing.
02:32Dad, you just helped my brother with a down payment last month and now you're buying
02:36me a condo?
02:37This is too much!
02:42Maybe we should return the house.
02:44Dad blinked, he said with a laugh.
02:46This isn't Costco.
02:47You can't just return an apartment.
02:50Mom smiled, took the keys from his hand, and pressed them into my palm.
02:54Your brother has one, so you should have one too.
02:56Her tone turned firm.
02:58We treat both our children equally.
03:00It's always been that way.
03:01There's nothing more to say.
03:03She patted my arm.
03:04We have to go.
03:06Hurry and go see your new place.
03:07And with that, they left.
03:09I opened the apartment door.
03:11It was move-in ready.
03:12Brand new floors.
03:13Brand new light fixtures.
03:15Every inch showed signs of money well spent.
03:17They always said,
03:18You're gonna buy something.
03:19Buy the best.
03:20I searched the entire apartment.
03:22The bedroom.
03:23The bathroom.
03:24The kitchen.
03:25The living room.
03:26No strange machines.
03:28No power-hungry devices.
03:29Nothing that could drain electricity so insanely.
03:31Even if there were, there was no way this place could rack up an astronomical electricity bill in a single
03:36month.
03:37I logged into the power company's app.
03:39The number popped up.
03:40Current usage.
03:41600 kilowatt hours.
03:43My mind buzzed and I froze in place.
03:45This was not normal at all.
03:47The account transfer had been completed less than an hour ago, and the smart meter had already updated its data,
03:52yet the electricity usage was already skyrocketing.
03:55No! That's not possible!
03:57I searched online like a madwoman, desperate for any reasonable explanation.
04:02Then I saw a headline,
04:03Homeowner's electricity bill triples, neighbor was stealing power.
04:07In that instant, it hit me.
04:09Of course, in my last life, I had checked every inch of my apartment and found nothing.
04:14I had even cut the main breaker, and yet the meter kept running.
04:17If someone had tapped into my wiring from somewhere else, it would explain everything.
04:22I called an emergency electrician immediately.
04:24I need you to come by my apartment.
04:26I told him to inspect every line connected to my apartment.
04:29He fell silent for a few seconds.
04:32Ma'am, that's a big job.
04:34It won't be cheap.
04:36You sure?
04:37I checked my bank account.
04:39Only a thousand dollars, not even enough for the emergency call-out fee.
04:43So I borrowed everything I could.
04:45Credit cards, personal loans, whatever it took to get the money.
04:49I had to get the best electrician, and I needed them right now.
04:52He started a full inspection, going over every single spot.
04:56When the inspection ended, my heart shot straight into my throat.
04:59He looked at me, his expression turning grave.
05:05Miss, from what I can see, no one's tapping your line from outside.
05:09But I can tell you this.
05:10They are tapping it from inside.
05:12My eyes widened.
05:14Impossible.
05:14In my last life, I had cleared out every appliance.
05:18There was nothing in the apartment that could consume power.
05:21In this life, I hadn't even emptied it yet.
05:24The only things inside were basic appliances, the fridge, the washing machine, a few lamps.
05:29There was no way these could use up 600 kilowatt hours in just a few hours.
05:33The electrician looked at me helplessly.
05:37Ma'am, I can't explain it either.
05:40Contact the power company again.
05:42Maybe they can dig deeper.
05:43After he left, I slid down to the floor.
05:46Cold tiles.
05:48Surging panic.
05:49In my last life, I had already been through this entire process.
05:53I contacted the power company, the municipal housing office, the fire inspector, even the
05:58police.
05:59Everyone came to check, but no one found anything wrong.
06:03Suddenly, there was a burst of rapid knocking.
06:05Three hard knocks.
06:07I opened the door.
06:08My brother stood there.
06:10He scanned my new apartment, and I saw it on his face, jealousy.
06:14Well, look at you.
06:15He said.
06:16Finally one-upped me.
06:18His mouth twisted.
06:20I'm still paying off my mortgage.
06:22And mom and dad bought this place for you outright.
06:26You must be absolutely thrilled.
06:28I forced a thin smile.
06:30Thrilled?
06:31No.
06:32I just felt sick.
06:33Mom and dad always said they treated us equally.
06:36That was their mantra.
06:37But the better things always went to my brother.
06:40This time, I finally got the better treatment, and it was going to push me straight over the
06:45edge.
06:45I slammed the door shut with all my strength.
06:48I turned back to look at my phone.
06:50The electricity usage was still soaring at a terrifying speed.
06:54Anger.
06:55Shame.
06:56Heartbreak.
06:57And finally, that helpless panic that made my scalp prickle and tingle.
07:01I stood up, grabbed a hammer, and started swinging wildly.
07:05I smashed at this apartment as if it had betrayed me.
07:08One strike.
07:09Another.
07:10A dozen more.
07:11The electrician said the power drain was coming from inside my apartment.
07:15Fine.
07:16Then I would tear this place to pieces until I found the answer.
07:19Tiles shattered.
07:20Floorboards split.
07:22Glass burst.
07:23Debris flew at me, some cutting my hands, but I barely felt a thing.
07:27I kept swinging, gasping for breath.
07:29I pulled out my phone.
07:31Surely, I would have found it by now.
07:33There was almost nothing left in the apartment.
07:35But my heart sank in an instant.
07:37Power usage.
07:383,500 kilowatt hours.
07:40I stared at the screen, then looked at the wreckage around me.
07:43No, impossible.
07:45My voice was weak and feeble.
07:47The place was already destroyed, yet the number kept climbing.
07:50My eyes burned hot.
07:52This is impossible.
07:54I called in a demolition crew, the kind you pay to tear a place apart, no questions asked.
07:59If the secret wasn't in the appliances, maybe it was in the walls.
08:03They worked all day, knocking down every single partition wall.
08:06By sunset, the apartment had been stripped down to its bare bones.
08:10Nothing left but the four load-bearing walls and the ruined floors.
08:13I stood in the middle of the rubble, covered in dust, trembling.
08:17This was it.
08:18There was no way anything could be consuming power now.
08:21Absolutely nothing.
08:22I wiped the blood and dust off my phone and lobbed into the app again.
08:25The moment the page loaded, a chill shot from my spine straight to the top of my head.
08:29The number was still soaring, fast, absurdly fast.
08:33In an empty apartment, I forgot how to breathe.
08:36Because whatever was draining the power insanely, was still here.
08:41This time, I wasn't the only one stunned.
08:44Even the demolition crew froze.
08:46One by one, they took my phone, looked at the screen, then looked at the empty room, then back at
08:51the screen.
08:52That's impossible.
08:57One of them glanced around the gutted apartment and lowered his voice.
09:01Ma'am, your place isn't haunted, is it?
09:04They shoved the phone back into my hand and bolted, fast, as if the place were contagious.
09:09I stood alone in the hollowed out apartment.
09:12Dust everywhere.
09:13Bare walls.
09:14And a power bill that would never stop climbing.
09:17I had never believed in ghosts or spirits.
09:20But standing there, watching an empty house drain electricity by the second,
09:24I could no longer find a scientific explanation.
09:26I knew all too well what would happen next if I didn't stop this.
09:30Debt collectors.
09:32Lone sharks.
09:32The same brutal ending as my last life.
09:35Someone knocked on the door.
09:37I opened the door.
09:39My parents were standing there with grocery bags.
09:41Hey, sweetheart.
09:43Work's been crazy.
09:45We wanted to come by sooner.
09:47So, how's the new place?
09:50You settling in okay?
09:51I laughed once.
09:52Dry and empty.
09:53I didn't answer.
09:55Then both of them went still.
09:57My dad rushed inside.
09:58He stared at the wreckage like he'd walked into a war zone.
10:02Honey, what happened?
10:03His voice cracked.
10:04This place was fully remodeled.
10:05Why does it look stripped to the steds?
10:08I handed them my phone.
10:10They read the screen.
10:11Dad's face went pale.
10:12Then read.
10:13He kicked over a broken stool so hard it skidded across the floor.
10:16That lying realtor!
10:19How could they do this to you?
10:20He turned to me, already fired up.
10:23Don't panic.
10:24I'll go after them myself.
10:27I'll go after them myself.
10:28They'll make this right.
10:30They'll give you another unit.
10:31My mom didn't say much.
10:33She just crouched down and started picking up pieces.
10:35Pieces that used to be part of my home.
10:37She looked so small doing it.
10:39That's when I started crying.
10:41In my last life, I dragged them down with me.
10:43They borrowed money they never should have touched.
10:46They paid for me with their blood.
10:48I wasn't going to let that happen again.
10:50Not this time.
10:51I walked into the bedroom.
10:52Or what was left of it.
10:54From under the broken desk.
10:55I found a sheet of paper.
10:57Then a pen.
10:58I started writing a will.
10:59If I couldn't figure this out.
11:01Then when I died.
11:02The condo would be donated automatically.
11:04Gone.
11:05Out of our family.
11:06Whatever bills came after that would die with me.
11:08I was halfway through the page when I saw it.
11:10A wire.
11:11A single electrical wire tucked under the remains.
11:14I stopped breathing for a second.
11:16The bedroom wiring wasn't supposed to run there.
11:18So why was there a wire?
11:20My heart slammed against my ribs.
11:21Was this it?
11:22Was this the thing behind the crazy bill?
11:24I crouched down and grabbed it.
11:26Then I pulled.
11:27The wire slid out a little.
11:28But no matter how much I pulled.
11:30It didn't end.
11:31I frowned.
11:32Willow?
11:33Willow?
11:33What are you doing?
11:35Mom's voice came from behind me.
11:37I whipped around.
11:38She was staring at the wire in my hands.
11:40Her face completely transformed.
11:42All the gentleness was gone.
11:44No warmth.
11:45No concern.
11:46Just a cold, hard expression.
11:48I forced a thin smile.
11:49I was just tidying up the bedroom.
11:51I said.
11:52Just trying to help.
11:54She kept her eyes fixed on me.
11:55Then stepped forward.
11:57Snatched the wire from my hand.
11:58Shoved it back into place.
12:00And pulled me away from the room.
12:04You don't need to do this.
12:06She said.
12:06Her voice eerily called.
12:07I'll take care of it.
12:08Don't worry about it.
12:09You should get some rest.
12:11I tried to slip past her.
12:13I had to see that wire again.
12:15But she was faster.
12:16She blocked my way and seized my arms.
12:19Her hands clamped down like iron vices.
12:21Forcibly dragging me out of the room.
12:23A sharp spike of fear shot through me.
12:25Why was she stopping me?
12:27Why was she covering up that wire?
12:29Why did she look so scared?
12:31Memories from my last life surged back.
12:33Panic took over.
12:35And I wrenched myself free.
12:36I rushed past her.
12:38Grabbed the wire with both hands.
12:40And pulled with everything I had.
12:41The moment the wire came loose.
12:43I saw it clearly.
12:45And I froze completely.
12:46The wire wasn't connected to any machine.
12:49At its end were just a few strings of tiny fairy lights.
12:51And behind the lights.
12:52A gold bracelet tied with a red ribbon.
12:54I froze in place and looked again.
12:56More carefully.
12:57The wire.
12:58The floor.
12:58The broken desk.
13:00The wall behind me.
13:01None of it was connected to anything.
13:03There was nothing.
13:04Just the cheap little lights and that bracelet.
13:06Mom lowered her head.
13:07Her figure suddenly seeming small.
13:10Willow.
13:10She said softly.
13:11This was the housewarming gift your father and I prepared for you.
13:15She glanced quickly at the bracelet.
13:16When we were out shopping you took a liking to a similar one.
13:19So we went back and bought it for you.
13:21Her voice dropped even lower.
13:23We wanted to surprise you.
13:24All at once.
13:25Sorry.
13:25The fight drained out of me.
13:27Every ounce of fear turned into shame.
13:29I apologized immediately and sat down in the empty room.
13:32Staring blankly into space.
13:34I was utterly exhausted.
13:35Outside the window, the sky was darkening.
13:38Lights began flicking on throughout the building.
13:40Every window glowing with warm light.
13:42Upstairs, someone was watching TV.
13:44I could hear laughter and the sound of a variety show.
13:46That was normal life.
13:48The whole building had electricity.
13:50Only my home lay pitch black and wrecked.
13:52Still saddled with a $5,200 electricity bill every single month.
13:56Why?
13:56There was a noise at the front door.
13:58Dad was back.
13:59His eyes were red.
14:01His voice hoarse.
14:02The realtor says everything was fine at closing.
14:05They say whatever happened after that isn't on them.
14:08He swallowed hard.
14:10I'm sorry, kiddo.
14:12This is on me.
14:12That sentence hit me even harder than the electricity bill.
14:16Dad had always been a man who stood tall and strong.
14:18No matter how hard life got, he never bowed his head.
14:21But now, he looked broken.
14:24His shirt was crumpled, one sleeve torn and misshapen,
14:26as if someone had grabbed him and yanked hard.
14:28Something deep inside me snapped.
14:30I stood up and rushed out.
14:32There was still one last resort.
14:34Just one.
14:35I'd been too afraid to try it because it was reckless.
14:37Because it might drag others into my mess.
14:39But I had no choice left.
14:41I ran down to the first floor, straight to the building's electrical room.
14:45Inside was the main breaker for the entire building.
14:48I stood there, breathing hard.
14:50If I cut the power to the whole building and the electricity usage in my apartment still kept climbing,
14:54then it wasn't a wiring fault.
14:56It wasn't a hidden appliance.
14:58It wasn't my problem at all.
14:59I raised the hammer and brought it down with everything I had.
15:02The old iron door caved in with a single hammer blow.
15:05I climbed inside, found a main breaker, and yanked it down.
15:09Instantly, cries of alarm echoed from the floors above.
15:12Every light went out.
15:13First floor, second floor.
15:15The entire building plunged into darkness.
15:17My hands shook so badly I could barely hold my phone.
15:20I logged into the power company's app.
15:22The moment the page loaded, all the blood in my body rushed to my head.
15:26The electricity usage was still soaring.
15:28No, I whispered.
15:30This was absolutely impossible.
15:32I stumbled back into the hallway.
15:33The elevator was dead.
15:35Of course it was.
15:36Doors on the first floor began to open.
15:38People stepping out holding their phone flashlights, asking what had happened.
15:42Everyone was saying the same thing.
15:44The whole building had lost power.
15:45But my phone told me the truth.
15:47My apartment was still consuming electricity at a terrifying rate.
15:51Why?
15:51I gripped the stair railing and dragged myself up step by step, slow, numb.
15:55In that moment, I gave up fighting entirely.
15:58I thought I would pack my things, turn myself in for all the destruction I'd caused, maybe
16:02end everything myself before tragedy struck.
16:04But the stairwell was pitch black, and I lost my way between floors.
16:08I knocked on a door.
16:09No answer.
16:10That was when I realized I was one floor below my own.
16:13I shook my head and turned to go up another flight.
16:15Just then, the beam of my phone's flashlight swept across the neighboring apartment.
16:20And in that faint sliver of light, I saw it.
16:22The whole truth.
16:23There was no ghost in my apartment.
16:25No supernatural force.
16:27The truth was far more terrifying than any ghost.
16:29And it was an angle I had never, ever considered.
16:32I stood in the dark hallway and burst out laughing.
16:35I couldn't stop.
16:36In my last life, I had died chasing this truth.
16:39In this life, I had finally found it.
16:42And the truth turned out to be so painfully simple.
16:45An elderly neighbor woman opened her door, holding up a flashlight, squinting at me.
16:52Girl, what are you doing out here?
16:54The whole building's lost power.
16:55Get back inside.
16:56I kept laughing, long, gut-wrenching laughter.
16:59When it finally subsided, I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and straightened my spine.
17:04Auntie, I said, my voice calm but edged with steel.
17:08I'm the one who pulled the main breaker.
17:10I cut the power to the entire building.
17:12Her eyes went wide.
17:14Then she lunged at me, grabbing my shirt and yanking me forward.
17:18You little lunatic!
17:20She shrieked.
17:20How dare you stand there laughing after doing something like this!
17:25She turned toward the hallway and shouted,
17:27Everyone, get out here!
17:29I've caught the one who did it!
17:32The commotion spread instantly.
17:34Doors flew open and people poured out.
17:36A young man pointed at me.
17:38It's her!
17:39She's the one who went crazy over her electric bill and messed up the circuits!
17:43She shut off power to the whole building?!
17:46The scene erupted into chaos.
17:48So selfish.
17:49Taking revenge on everyone just because your own bill is high.
17:52Lock her up!
17:54Just as people were pulling out their phones,
17:56mom and dad burst through the crowd and planted themselves firmly in front of me.
18:00Bodies bent, apologizing and pleading non-stop.
18:03Their voices lit with fear.
18:04Sorry, sorry.
18:06Stop.
18:07I'm not the one who needs to say sorry.
18:09You both know what is happening.
18:11You should have told me this sooner!
18:12I stared straight at them.
18:14In an instant, silence fell over the entire crowd.
18:17Dad rubbed the back of his neck.
18:20Honey, what are you talking about?
18:22You've been up for days.
18:24You're exhausted.
18:25Don't worry.
18:26Someone just went down to fix it.
18:28Power will be back soon.
18:35Wells, your daughter broke the circuit.
18:38You're going to apologize and that's it.
18:40My mom has diabetes.
18:42Her insulin was in the fridge.
18:44No power.
18:45She could have died.
18:46My grandmother's terrified.
18:48She almost had a stroke.
18:50You're paying for this.
18:51Mom and dad kept bowing, apologizing over and over.
18:55We'll cover all the compensation costs.
18:57Slap.
18:58A hand struck me hard across the face.
19:00I didn't even have time to blink.
19:03My brother had arrived.
19:04His face was twisted with rage.
19:06Willow Wells, you what the hell is wrong with you?
19:09You wrecked the house.
19:11You ruined our lives.
19:12And now you're going to cost us thousands.
19:14Happy now?
19:16This is what you wanted?
19:18We'll have to pay them all because of you.
19:21I touched my cheek.
19:23The hand print was unmistakable.
19:26I didn't want this.
19:30But I think you did.
19:31The moment those words left my mouth, my brother's face went ashen white.
19:35His eyes darted away and he stepped backward.
19:39God, Willow, what the hell are you talking about?
19:41He muttered.
19:44You've lost your mind.
19:45I grabbed his arm and tightened my grip.
19:47You've always wanted this apartment, haven't you?
19:51I said.
19:52Take it then.
19:54I'll transfer the deed to you right now.
19:56Every last trace of color drained from his face.
19:59Mom and dad rushed over immediately, mom forcing a smile, dad positioning himself between us.
20:04Willow, don't talk nonsense, mom said.
20:07This apartment is yours, not your brother's.
20:10Dad nodded, trying to paper over the cracks with words.
20:13Don't worry about the money.
20:14We'll figure something out.
20:16I let out a cold laugh.
20:18I was about to speak again when footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
20:22Heavy footsteps.
20:23The police had arrived.
20:24They walked straight up to me.
20:27Willow Wells, we've received a report of malicious destruction of electrical infrastructure,
20:32along with intentional property damage.
20:34We need to bring you in for questioning.
20:36The neighbors erupted in cheers, clapping, chattering.
20:40She cut power to the whole building just because she had a problem with her own bill.
20:44She needs treatment, or jail, maybe both.
20:48I turned to look at my parents and brother.
20:50All three of them exhaled with relief, as if the storm had finally found its problem.
20:54Then they froze, because the police had turned toward them too.
20:58You're her parents and brother, correct?
20:59You'll be coming with us as well.
21:01The hallway fell dead silent.
21:03Dad blinked.
21:04Officer, what have we done wrong?
21:05My brother jumped in before anyone else could speak.
21:08The apartment is hers.
21:09The bills are hers.
21:10She cut the power all by herself.
21:12What does any of this have to do with us?
21:13He spread his...
21:14You can't arrest innocent people.
21:15The neighbors immediately chimed in.
21:17We all saw it.
21:17She did it alone.
21:19Her family didn't cut the power.
21:21Arrest the girl, not them.
21:23The officer's mouth twitched.
21:25Let me be clear.
21:26He said.
21:27We're not bringing them in because of the blackout.
21:29He paused.
21:30We've also received a fraud report related to this apartment.
21:33Everyone involved needs to give a statement.
21:36The words hit the hallway like a bomb.
21:38Everyone exploded into chaos at once.
21:41Wait, what?
21:42Are you saying her family set her up?
21:45No way.
21:46Why would they do that?
21:48They were just offering to pay for everyone's damages.
21:51Mom and dad's faces went bloodless.
21:53My brother's expression was worse.
21:55He slammed his palm against the wall.
21:57What fraud?
21:58He shouted.
21:59I don't know anything about this.
22:03He scanned the crowd.
22:05This is all rumors.
22:06You can't arrest people over rumors.
22:08Dad turned to me, his voice calm.
22:10Willow.
22:11He said.
22:11Don't listen to any of this.
22:13You're our daughter.
22:14How could we possibly want to hurt you?
22:17The neighbors were swayed again.
22:19Yeah, that doesn't make sense.
22:20The money goes to the power company, not to the parents.
22:22If they wanted to hurt her, why would they buy her an apartment?
22:25Mom clasped her hands together and faced the officer.
22:28This has to be a misunderstanding.
22:30Can't you contact the person who filed the report?
22:32Ask them to withdraw it?
22:34Please don't put us through this.
22:36The officer shook his head.
22:38Mom frowned.
22:39Genuine confusion written all over her face.
22:42That was when I stepped forward, slowly, and looked at the three of them.
22:45I smiled.
22:46This report can't be withdrawn.
22:48I'm the one who filed it.
22:50I looked directly into my mother's eyes.
22:52And I will absolutely not withdraw it.
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