- 7 hours ago
The Mind-Blowing Identity Reveal in TURNS OUT TO BE MY
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Every wolf in the silver crown pack conceived.
00:03The death countdown hovering over my older sister Selena's head.
00:07They all knew she'd be gone the moment she turned 16.
00:10Since her birth, that flickering number has hung above her head like a ghost,
00:15counting down endlessly.
00:17Naturally, she became the center of everyone and everything.
00:21The best venison was hers.
00:23The new dress, even mom's bedtime stories, all belonged to her.
00:28I felt for her, but I also hated her for it.
00:32Finally, the day of her 16th birthday arrived.
00:35That very night my parents had been dreading for 16 years.
00:39To make sure I wouldn't ruin anything,
00:42they locked me in the storage room with a magic seal,
00:45while I was burning up with blood fever.
00:48Dad! Mom! Let me out! I'm burning up! My bones hurt so bad!
00:54Every wolf knows what that means.
00:56My wolf spirit was waking up.
00:58Through the door, I heard mom hiss through gritted teeth.
01:02Enough, Amber!
01:03Your sister is gonna die after today, can't you just endure this last day?
01:08But I feel so bad.
01:10Before I could finish, the footsteps faded.
01:14Then it went silent.
01:15My wolf spirit whimpered, struggling to stand and trying to save me.
01:20But in the room, there was no moonlight, no fresh air, and no one.
01:25Slowly, the whimpering faded.
01:28So did my breath.
01:30My body suddenly felt light.
01:32I drifted right through the door and floated into the warm glow of the living room.
01:36The fireplace was crackling.
01:39My parents were huddled close to my sister on the sofa.
01:42Mom was gently patting her back.
01:44Selena was wearing that blue dress.
01:46The gift from Luna.
01:48It was moonlit blue, with delicate silver stars, dusted across the hem.
01:53Her face was deathly pale, and her lips drained of all color.
01:57Mom?
01:58Dad?
02:00Is Amber really alright?
02:02I heard her crying out that her body hurt-
02:04Ignore her.
02:06Mom agreed to it as she reached out to touch Selena's cheek, fixing her hair.
02:11She's just pretending to be sick, honey.
02:13You know how she is.
02:14Jealous, always trying to draw everyone's attention to herself.
02:18But she sounded so scared.
02:20Selena, you only have one single day left.
02:25Selena, I'm begging you, please don't let her ruin this for you.
02:30I knew she felt guilty.
02:32Ever since I could remember, all the love and attention in the family seemed to belong to her.
02:38Selena tried to make it up to me.
02:40She'd hide the venison in my pockets, and sneak her new wool socks under my pillow.
02:45When Dad tried to hit me, she'd throw herself in front of me without a second thought.
02:49She always said the same.
02:52I'm sorry, Amber.
02:53It's all my fault.
02:55But our parents thought otherwise.
02:57Mom sighed, her eyes filled with pity.
03:00Don't defend her, Selena.
03:02That child has been jealous of you since she could walk, and hates to see you happy.
03:06Don't you remember your 14th birthday?
03:09I ruined everything on her 14th birthday.
03:12And it was also the first time I truly realized that my sister was dying.
03:16Dad traded that day's hunt for a small cake.
03:19White frosting and 14 candles.
03:22Mom lit them one by one, while Dad held his old camera, trying to capture her while she was still
03:27here.
03:29I watched her make wishes from behind the door.
03:32The candlelight flickering on her face, and the tears in our parents' eyes.
03:37Above her head, the countdown number read, 730 days.
03:43Two years.
03:44Something inside me snapped.
03:46I rushed out.
03:48I didn't know what I was thinking at the time.
03:50Maybe it was jealousy.
03:52Or maybe I just couldn't accept the fact that my sister, who had always been so kind to me, was
03:57about to die.
03:58I flipped the cake over.
03:59Cream splattered all over the floor, and the candles rolled into the corner, quickly burning out.
04:05I don't want to see you celebrating her birthday!
04:08I screamed like every other naughty kid.
04:10I still remember the way my parents looked at me.
04:13I didn't dodge at all when Dad slapped me.
04:16One slap, and two, and three.
04:18Mom stood there crying.
04:19But she didn't stop him.
04:21It was Selena who threw herself over me, like a mother wolf protecting her cub.
04:26Stop hitting, Sister Dad!
04:28Please stop!
04:29It's my fault!
04:30It's all my fault!
04:31That night, she sneaked into my room and placed half a piece of candy she'd saved into my palm.
04:37There was a red mark on her wrist, scratched by the chair when she had rushed over to protect me.
04:42I'm sorry.
04:44She whispered, touching my swollen cheek.
04:48I'm leaving soon.
04:49From now on, no one will compete with you for things anymore.
04:52Right then, in the living room, Mom was stroking Selena's cheek with aching tenderness, her fingers brushing through her hair.
04:59Selena, don't pay attention to her.
05:01That child has always been jealous of you, you know that.
05:04I froze.
05:06Yes, she was right.
05:07I really am jealous of Selena.
05:09I was jealous that she had all their love.
05:12Jealous that she got to wear new dresses.
05:14Jealous that when she was sick, Mom would stay by her side all night.
05:18Jealous that even if she only had one day left to live, she was still the golden child.
05:23I drifted toward my sister, reaching out to grab her hand.
05:27I wanted to tell her that I really was burning up, and it hurt like my body was on fire.
05:33But my hand went right through her body, like it was passing through a cloud of mist.
05:38I hovered there, staring at my transparent fingers.
05:42Then, I looked back at the locked door of the storage room.
05:45A faint light seeped through the crack.
05:47I drifted through the door and saw my own body on the ground.
05:50My skin looked deathly pale against the cold ground.
05:54My spirit wolf was huddled around my heart, still and frozen.
05:58There are still a few hours left on the death clock above Selena's head.
06:01It turned out that death came to me first before her.
06:06Memories flooded back like a relentless tide.
06:09When I was young, I really did hate Selena.
06:12If there was only one piece of candy in the house, it was hers.
06:16But the only apple in the house went to my sister Selena.
06:20She was always the first to get new clothes.
06:22I wore her old ones, with patches layered over patches.
06:26Even the bedtime stories belonged to her.
06:29Mom's voice is very gentle, but she only read those stories to Selena.
06:33I'd huddle outside the door, hugging my knees, listening to those beautiful tales,
06:38while my heart twisted in my chest.
06:41Why just her, but not me?
06:44The summer I turned seven, a neighboring pack sent a chicken as a peace offering.
06:49At dinner, she pulled out two golden drumsticks and put both into Selena's bowl.
06:54Eat up, sweetheart. You need to grow strength.
06:57I stared at my own bowl.
06:59Why does she get both? I want one!
07:02Amber Blackville! How can you be so selfish? Your sister is sick, don't you know?
07:06Why is everything hers? Why don't you just die already? Give them back to me! All of them!
07:16She has to learn. She needs to know the boundaries and watch her mouth in this house.
07:20The next day, I overheard my parents in the kitchen.
07:25Only nine years left.
07:27I know.
07:29Nine years! Only nine years left!
07:33That's all she has left. That was when I realized.
07:36Those numbers above Selena's head were never some kind of a game.
07:40They were a countdown to the end of her life.
07:43In the living room, Mom and Dad's eyes were swollen as they carefully took Selena back to her room.
07:49As I watched, something sour and painful suddenly welled up inside me.
07:53Maybe we should let Amber out.
07:54Dad whispered, Um remained silent for a while.
07:57Let her suffer a little longer. Let Selena have a perfect birthday.
08:02Just this one day, the last-
08:04We will definitely make it up to her.
08:07At least, let Selena have a perfect birthday.
08:11Just this one day, the last day.
08:15Amber will understand us.
08:16Dad didn't say another word.
08:18He simply went to the kitchen, took a slice of stale bread from the cupboard,
08:22and walked toward the storage room door.
08:24Dad whispered to the door,
08:26Amber, Daddy brought you bread. Will you eat a little?
08:31I was drifting right in front of him. His eyes were all red, and his hair was already graying.
08:36He's only 38, but he looked like 50.
08:39Daddy, I'm here. I'm dead. Will you open the door and see me?
08:46Amber?
08:47He called out again. I reached out to touch his face, but my hand went straight through him.
08:51Not a sound from the room. He sighed and pushed the bread under the door.
08:56Be angry if you want. When your sister is gone, Daddy will make it all up to you. I swear.
09:04He turned and walked away. He didn't open the door to check on me. Watching his back, I said softly
09:09-
09:09There's no need, Daddy. You don't have to compensate me anymore. You will never have the chance.
09:17A moment later, Mom came.
09:19Amber, don't blame Mom, okay?
09:23Your sister only has one day left. Just let her have her way.
09:31She wiped her tears, almost as if she were embarrassed. Like crying was something to be ashamed of.
09:38After she's gone, I'll cook all your favorite foods. Buy anything you want, and take you wherever you want to
09:43go.
09:46I'll do all of it. I swear. So just for today, please, stop acting out, okay?
09:56She waited for a while, but the other side of the door remained deathly silent. The grief on her face
10:01-
10:04You ungrateful brat! You can't even hold it together for one night!
10:09She muttered, her voice cracking with a sob. You don't care about us at all! We raised you all these
10:15years for nothing!
10:19She turned around and walked away. I drifted in the dark, staring at the spot where her tears dropped.
10:24It's okay, Mom. You don't need to keep those promises anymore.
10:28By dusk, the light outside was fading. Mom was putting up the birthday decorations.
10:32And just as she finished sticking the birthday banner on the wall, someone knocked at the door with three slow
10:37knocks.
10:38Only Grandma knocks like that.
10:43Grandma Maeve stood on the porch. She was tiny, wrapped in a dark wool shawl, holding a stuffed bag.
10:50What are you doing here? To see Selena.
10:52Her voice was low and gravelly, like stones grinding together.
10:56She didn't wait for an invite. She just walked right in, as always.
10:59She set the bag on the table. Apples. Four of them. Bright red and perfectly round.
11:04A small pouch of candied fruit. A jar of blackberry jam.
11:08It's her birthday tomorrow. I wanted to be with her.
11:13She's resting. I'll tell her you stopped by.
11:16Where is Amber?
11:18The question sliced the air. Mom stopped.
11:24She's... she's in her room. Doing her homework.
11:27Grandma said nothing. She just stared at Mom with those pale, gray eyes.
11:31She had once been the Pax Luna, and those eyes had seen things others couldn't.
11:35Homework.
11:36Grandma repeated flatly.
11:39I'll go see her.
11:41Mom, wait!
11:43Mom blocked the hallway, standing in Grandma's way.
11:45She... she's been acting out lately.
11:48I put her in the cellar to calm down. Just for a little while.
11:52Mom's voice went up. Just like when she lied.
11:54Grandma stood perfectly still.
11:56Just until tomorrow. You know how she is.
11:58She's just jealous of Selena. She always tries to ruin everything.
12:03Especially on a night like tonight.
12:05You locked that child in the cellar.
12:10Mom wanted to explain, but said nothing.
12:12Grandma's face darkened, inch by inch.
12:15She took a step forward and Mom flinched.
12:18Eleanor.
12:19Grandma's voice was very, very soft.
12:21But even louder than screaming.
12:23Amber is your daughter too.
12:25I know! But Selena!
12:27Yes. I know about Selena.
12:29I have known since the day she was born, the day that cursed clock appeared above her head.
12:34I know you love her.
12:36I know you want to give her everything before she leaves.
12:38I know every minute with her is like water in your palms, ready to slip away at any moment.
12:44But what about Amber?
12:46What has Amber ever had?
12:48Selena's handy downs, patched and repatched.
12:51Two pairs of shoes for the entire year.
12:54Even your love.
12:55You couldn't bear to give that.
12:59You measured it out like it was something that would run dry.
13:03You gave Selena the river.
13:05And left Amber only the drops.
13:07It's not like that.
13:09I didn't-
13:09Now, on the last night, you won't even let them see each other?
13:13Selena is dying and Amber is her only sister.
13:17Her only sister, Eleanor!
13:19The only person in this house that Selena ever chose to love.
13:23Not out of duty.
13:25Not because of the clock.
13:26But because she wanted to.
13:31She grabbed Mom by the shoulders, her fingers digging in.
13:34You really think Selena can rest in peace knowing her little sister is locked in a cellar?
13:40Is this the last memory, Amber, you want her to have and die along with it?
13:47Mom slid down the wall and collapsed on the floor, curling into a ball.
13:51I just-
13:51I just wanted Selena to be happy tonight.
13:55I didn't want Amber to ruin it.
13:57I just wanted one night.
13:59A perfect night.
14:02Night deepened.
14:03In the living room, no one moved.
14:06Mom sat on the floor with face buried in her knees.
14:10Dad sat in his chair, staring into space, his hands hanging limp.
14:15Grandma sat on the sofa, her back straight, eyes fixed on the cellar door at the end of the hallway.
14:20Go get some sleep.
14:23She finally said, her voice hoarse.
14:25I just couldn't.
14:26Dad didn't even react.
14:29Grandma sighed.
14:30She stood up slowly, walked to the storage room door, and sat down on the floor.
14:35Amber, Grandmom's here.
14:37Don't be afraid.
14:38My tears fell like rain.
14:40Time passed by.
14:42The fire in the hearth died out.
14:44Moonlight crept through the window.
14:46The sky brightened.
14:48From black to charcoal.
14:49From charcoal to slate.
14:52Grandma walked to Selina's door.
14:54She raised her hand to knock.
14:55Hesitated.
14:56Then stopped.
14:57Finally, she spoke in a whisper.
14:59Selina, it's time to wake up.
15:01There were sounds inside, and the door opened.
15:04Selina stood there.
15:05Alive.
15:06I looked at the clock above her head.
15:10The numbers had hit zero.
15:13The numbers had hit zero, but she was standing there breathing.
15:17Her face was flushed with life, which I'd never seen in years.
15:21Grandma?
15:22Mom?
15:23Dad?
15:24She looked down at her hands, turning them over, flexing her fingers.
15:29I'm...
15:29I'm still here?
15:30Mom was laughing and sobbing and howling all at once.
15:34She lunged at Selina, clinging her tightly.
15:37Dad stumbled over, trembling, burying his face in Selina's hair.
15:40You're alive!
15:43You're alive.
15:44Above Selina's head, the death clock was gone.
15:47There was nothing but air.
15:48The countdown vanished.
15:49But Grandma, standing behind them all, her face suddenly went deathly pale.
15:54She whipped around, staring at the cellar door.
15:56Amber!
15:57Open the cellar!
15:58Now!
15:59She said in panic.
16:01Right!
16:01Amber's still in there!
16:03Let her out!
16:03Selina's alive!
16:04This is...
16:05Oh, it's amazing!
16:06We have to tell her!
16:07Amber!
16:08Dad strode down the hall, a smile breaking through his tear-stained face.
16:12Selina followed barefoot.
16:14Amber?
16:15Amber, did you hear?
16:17I'm okay now!
16:18The clock is gone!
16:19I'm not going to die!
16:20Dad walked to the cellar door.
16:22He grabbed the iron handle, pulled it open, and stopped dead.
16:26His entire body froze.
16:27The joy drained from his face in an instant.
16:30He backed away, hand flying to cover his mouth.
16:36No, no, no.
16:38What is it?
16:40Mom pushed past him.
16:42Thomas, what's wrong?
16:43Move!
16:44Let me-
16:44She stepped over the threshold and looked inside.
16:46I was curled in the corner, wedged between a broken rocking chair and a pile of firewood.
16:52My eyes were squeezed shut.
16:54The bread Dad shoved under the door is still there, untouched.
16:57Amber.
17:02Amber, wake up.
17:04Baby, open your eyes.
17:06Mom's voice broke.
17:07She knelt beside me, her trembling hand reaching out.
17:10She gave my shoulder a little nudge.
17:12My body was limp.
17:13I just swayed a little as she pushed me.
17:15Her hand slid from my shoulder to my cheek.
17:17No.
17:18No.
17:19No.
17:21Thomas!
17:22Amber, she's just-
17:23She's just cold.
17:24She's just sleeping.
17:25We need to warm her up.
17:27Her fingers jerked back as if they'd been burned.
17:30She threw herself backward, collapsing onto the floor.
17:35Amber.
17:36Amber, baby.
17:37Mom's here.
17:38Wake up.
17:39Look at me.
17:40Mom will make you roast rabbit.
17:42A whole one.
17:43Just for you.
17:44I'll buy you that dress with the bow, remember?
17:46The one at the trading post?
17:48We'll go tomorrow.
17:49First thing-
17:51Please open your eyes.
17:54You can hit me.
17:55You can scream at me.
17:56I don't care.
17:57Just open your eyes.
18:00Dad knelt beside her.
18:02He pressed two fingers against the side of my neck.
18:05The pulse point.
18:06The only place that matters.
18:08His fingers stayed for five seconds.
18:10Ten seconds.
18:10Fifteen.
18:11Then his hand dropped to his side, and he let out a sound I'd never heard.
18:16She's gone.
18:19Eleanor.
18:20She.
18:21Amber.
18:22Don't say it.
18:27She gathered my cold, rigid frame into her arms, rocking me.
18:31She didn't.
18:32She couldn't.
18:33She was yelling last night.
18:34She was calling for me.
18:36She's right here.
18:36Selene stood in the doorway.
18:38She gripped the door frame, shaking all over.
18:40She saw her parents huddled and weeping.
18:43She saw that tiny, cold body in the corner.
18:46Her lips trembled.
18:48Amber?
18:49She whispered.
18:50Then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed.
18:53Selene!
18:54The cellar room was a total mess.
18:58Selene woke up at noon.
19:00Mom sat by her bed, her eyes swollen red.
19:03Thank the goddess, you're okay.
19:06You're finally okay.
19:08Selene opened her eyes.
19:09She stared at the ceiling for a long time.
19:11Where's Amber?
19:13Mom's lips trembled.
19:14Fresh tears welled up instantly, spilling down cheeks already raw from crying.
19:19Amber.
19:19She couldn't finish the sentence.
19:21She...
19:21Selene bolted upright, throwing off the covers.
19:25Wait!
19:26Selene, you just blacked out.
19:27You need to rest.
19:29Where's she?
19:31Her scream tore through the small house.
19:34In the living room.
19:36Your father is holding her.
19:39Selene pushed her aside and ran barefoot down the hallway.
19:43In the living room, Dad was sitting on the floor, with me in his arms.
19:47He wasn't crying anymore.
19:48He just stared into space with hollow eyes.
19:51He held me stiffly, like I was fragile glass, or a lifeline he couldn't let go of.
19:57Selene saw it, and her feet skidded to a halt.
20:00She stood there in the middle of the living room, looking at me, then at Dad, just taking in the
20:05whole farce.
20:08Amber has a fever.
20:10She had a bad fever last night.
20:12But I am cooling her down.
20:17See?
20:17She is less hot already.
20:20She is cooling down.
20:21She just needs a sleep, and she will be fine.
20:26By tonight, she will be running around again.
20:28You know her.
20:29Cannot keep still for a moment.
20:34Dad.
20:35Dad, look at me.
20:37I am Selene.
20:41No.
20:42You are Amber.
20:43Amber is feeling much better, and will wake up soon.
20:47Dad!
20:47Amber is dead!
20:48She is dead!
20:50Do you hear me?
20:50You are lying!
20:53She is not dead.
20:55She is sleeping.
20:56She is just tired from the fever, and she needs rest.
20:59And if you wake her up, I swear by the goddess!
21:12Grandma stepped out of the kitchen with a glass of water.
21:15She went over to Dad, crouched down, and held out the glass of water.
21:21Drink some water.
21:23Dad looked at her, but didn't move.
21:27She set the glass down, and gently began to pry his arm open.
21:36Let go, Thomas.
21:39Dad's hands were shaking, but he didn't loosen his grip.
21:43Mom.
21:44He choked out.
21:47Amber is not dead.
21:49She was just-
21:49Grandma cut him off.
21:51She is dead.
21:52Heavy tears streaming down.
21:53Your daughter is dead.
21:55You locked her in the cellar for a whole night.
21:57She got blood fever.
21:58She needed moonlight, open space, someone to hold her during her first transformation.
22:03But she died alone in the dark on the cold floor.
22:06Every word hit him like a physical blow.
22:09Dad's face contorted as tears burst from his eyes, his whole body shaking violently.
22:14He shook his head.
22:15No.
22:15I don't know.
22:17I thought she was faking.
22:19I just wanted Selina to have a quiet night.
22:22I don't know.
22:24You know.
22:29She called.
22:30She said she hurt.
22:31She said she had a fever.
22:32You heard her.
22:35Eleanor heard her too.
22:37You just didn't believe her.
22:38Mom stumbled out of the bedroom, frozen in the hallway.
22:41She told you.
22:43She banged on the door to tell you she was burning up.
22:46She said she had a headache.
22:48She begged you to let her out.
22:49She stopped for a beat.
22:51You all heard her.
22:53You just didn't believe her.
22:55A knock sounded through the afternoon.
22:57A sharp, rapid rapping.
23:00Mom opened the door with swollen eyes.
23:02There stood Margaret Thorne, the pack's biggest gossip, a basket of herbs on her arm, and blatant curiosity written all
23:10over her face.
23:11Oh my Eleanor, what's all that noise? Half the pack can hear the crying.
23:14She peeked past Mom into the dim room.
23:17Don't tell me.
23:18It's Selina.
23:19The clock.
23:20Get out.
23:22But Margaret stretched her neck and stood on tiptoe, trying to see past the hallway at Grandma, sitting in the
23:27living room holding something wrapped tightly in a blanket.
23:30Oh poor thing, I knew she wouldn't live through the night. Sure enough.
23:33Grandma spoke flatly from the sofa, her voice void of all emotion.
23:37It's not Selina.
23:38Margaret blinked in confusion.
23:40Not Selina?
23:41She drew closer, squinting at the small shape held in Grandma's arms.
23:45Then she caught sight of my face. Her eyes widened in shock.
23:48That's the little one? Amber? Amber's dead? How could Amber die? Wasn't Selina the one who was dying?
23:56Mom suddenly snapped. She stepped forward, grabbed Margaret by the collar, and pushed her heart.
24:01The herb basket went flying, spilling dried lavender and wolfsbane all across the porch.
24:05Get out! Get out of my house!
24:09I didn't say anything wrong.
24:11It's Selina who's going to die anyway. Doesn't your whole family revolve around her? Good food, nice clothes, all for
24:19her.
24:20Now look. The one who died isn't the one who deserved it. It's the one who shouldn't have-
24:26Shut up!
24:26Selina stepped out into the hallway, barefoot, eyes red and puffy, trembling from head to toe.
24:32You dare say her name? You dare talk about my sister?
24:35Faced with the wild, heart-wrenching grief on Selina's face, Margaret was instantly frightened.
24:41She wisely held her tongue and hurried away with her scattered herbs. Quietness settled heavily over the cottage.
24:49Grandma handled everything. She washed me with warm, pine-infused water, an old ritual practiced by the earliest wolf packs
24:56for the departed.
24:58She dressed me in funeral clothes, brought from the old lands, soft white linen embroidered with delicate silver blossoms along
25:05the collar.
25:06It was the most beautiful garment I had ever worn. The fabric felt gentle against my skin, softer than anything
25:13I had known in life.
25:15As Grandma carried me outside, those silver flowers glistened faintly in the light.
25:20Don't let me do it. It should be me.
25:23Don't touch her.
25:25Grandma never lifted her eyes.
25:26You do not deserve to touch her now.
25:29Mom leaned weakly against the wall and sank slowly to the ground.
25:33The farewell ceremony took place at an altar, hidden deep within the territory, encircled by dense oak woods.
25:39I rested inside a tiny pine coffin, clad in the white burial gown Grandma had prepared.
25:44The tiny silver flowers on the collar shimmered faintly beneath the dull daylight.
25:48Kneeling beside the altar, Mom stretched out her hand, longing to touch my face for the very last time.
25:55Grandma gently held her back.
25:56The pack elder walked over, leaning on his wooden staff.
26:00Dressed in faded ceremonial robes, his white hair drifted like wispy smoke amid the misty rain.
26:06He took the torch, glanced up at the overcast sky, without a single glance at anyone present, and murmured an
26:12ancient prayer under his bracket.
26:14After that, he held the flame to the edge of the pine wall.
26:18Flames lapped at the wood timidly.
26:21Mom lunged for the fire.
26:23Don't go! Amber! Don't go!
26:26Mommy's coming with you! Let me see you!
26:27Three pack members held her back tightly.
26:30She thrashed, kicked and screamed until her voice barely sounded human.
26:33Dad was slamming his head against the ground.
26:36Once.
26:37Twice.
26:38Again.
26:39Blood oozed from his forehead, blending with the rain and staining the mud beneath him pink.
26:45Selena stood apart from them all.
26:47She did not cry.
26:49She simply watched the flames devour the small box that held me, little by little.
26:54I hovered in mid-air, witnessing everything.
26:57I gazed at my elder sister.
26:59That damned countdown was gone for good.
27:02Her face pale, yet full of life.
27:04There was nothing there, then glanced above her head.
27:07It was alright.
27:08My sister was alive.
27:10My death had not been in vain.
27:12At the very least, she survived.
27:14The old wolves always said a life for a life, and this time, the goddess had taken mine in exchange
27:20for hers.
27:20When the farewell ritual ended, Grandma took hold of my ash urn.
27:24She wrapped it gently in the soft inner fleece of her shawl, and held it close to her heart.
27:29Mother, where are you taking her?
27:31Home.
27:32To the old territory.
27:34You can't! She's our daughter!
27:36We want her here, with us, so we can visit her!
27:39Mom dropped her music for me.
27:40Please!
27:42I'll visit her grave every day!
27:44I'll leave flowers every full moon!
27:46I need her with me!
27:47I need to be close to her!
27:49You need her now?
27:50Grandma stared down at the woman, clinging desperately to her legs.
27:54Her tongue was full of his eyes.
27:55Where was this need, when she was alive?
27:58Mom's quiet backwards, but I stood up all of her broken hands.
28:02I'm sorry!
28:03I know I'm sorry!
28:07Sorry?
28:08Grandma laughed.
28:09She's dead, Eleanor.
28:11Dead in the cellar, and now you want to talk to me about sorry?
28:15She pried Mom's hands off her.
28:17These ashes are mine.
28:18You and Thomas will never touch them.
28:20You lived with a living, breathing child for 16 years, who loved you.
28:24Who only wanted a little of your attention, and you threw her away.
28:29Now she's gone, and you don't deserve to have her.
28:31She turned toward the path.
28:33Dad chased after her.
28:34Mother!
28:34Grabbing her arms.
28:35Please!
28:36Give her back to us!
28:37I'm begging you!
28:38Grandmother stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around.
28:41She looked at her son, at his bleeding forehead and his shattered face.
28:45For a second, a flash of pity crossed her eyes.
28:48Then it vanished.
28:48Let go, Thomas.
28:50Mother!
28:51Mother!
28:52I said let go!
28:54Grandma pulled away, adjusted the box in her shawl, and disappeared into the rain.
28:59She didn't look back.
29:01Not once.
29:02Mom collapsed on the body.
29:04Dad fell beside her.
29:05They clung to each other and howled.
29:07Real, more foul, primal, beastly, and completely broken.
29:11Selina stood under the ash tree, watching grandmother's small figure vanish into the
29:15grey woods.
29:16She looked up at the weeping clouds.
29:19And for a moment, I thought she was looking right at me.
29:22Selina sat on the ground, hugging herself tight, and buried her face in her knees.
29:29The rain fell harder.
29:31Grandmother returned to the old land by carriage.
29:34It was a three-hour journey through dense forests, following a river that smelled of moss and cold stone.
29:40I drifted beside her the whole way, watching her face.
29:44She didn't cry.
29:45Her jaw was set, eyes fixed straight ahead, her hands steady on the reins.
29:49She looked like who she used to be.
29:51A luna.
29:53The wolf that had led a pack through three years of famine and a territory war.
29:57But I could see her thumb stroking the wooden box, hidden beneath her shawl, a bottomless
30:02grief tucked away inside.
30:04It was dark when we returned.
30:06Her cottage was small and weathered.
30:08A single room with a stone fireplace, a narrow bed, a table, and two chairs.
30:14It was the kind of place that smelled of dried sage, pine sap, and the trace of decades
30:19of living.
30:20She started a fire.
30:22The flames caught quickly, casting a warm glow against the walls.
30:26She placed the box on the table, right in the center.
30:29Then she lit three white candles, the old-fashioned kind, made of beeswax, that burned slowly.
30:35The flames held steady.
30:37Grandmother stood before the table for a long time.
30:40And then, she looked up, directly at me.
30:42Ambie, come here, sweetheart.
30:44I froze.
30:47I froze.
30:49Grandmother?
30:49I mouthed.
30:50You can see me?
30:51She nodded.
30:52I've always been able to, she said, since I was a girl.
30:56The moon touched me when I was born, or that's just what people always said.
31:00I see things others don't.
31:03She reached out her arms.
31:05Come, child.
31:06Come to grandmother.
31:08Tears I thought were long gone welled up.
31:10I drifted toward her, rushing so fast that my body passed right through her.
31:15I stood in front of her, looking down at my transparent, useless hands.
31:19She held the air where I was supposed to be.
31:22It's all right, little one, her voice growing husky.
31:27I can feel you, right here.
31:29She closed her eyes.
31:31A drop of tear escaped from her wrinkled eyelids, sliding down her cheek to splash against the
31:36floor.
31:36I drifted back into the space of her embrace, even though I could not be held.
31:41I curled myself, head against her shoulder, and there we stayed for a long, long time.
31:46The candles burned an inch shorter.
31:48Outside the window, the moon rose, full and silver white.
31:52Grandmother spoke first.
31:53Tell me, Amber.
31:55She pulled back slightly, her hands still cupping my face.
31:58Are you all right?
32:00After...
32:01After what happened?
32:02Was I all right?
32:03I was a dead child.
32:05I pointed to my chest, then toward the ceiling.
32:08Then I made a small, drifting motion with my fingers, like a falling leaf.
32:15Grandmother understood immediately.
32:17Unmoored.
32:18Unfloated.
32:18She whispered.
32:20Nowhere to land.
32:21I nodded.
32:22She reached out, trying to stroke my hair.
32:24Her fingers passed through my head, and she slowly lowered her hand back.
32:28I know, sweetheart.
32:30I know.
32:31She stood up, her knees creaking, and walked to a small cupboard in the corner.
32:35She came back holding an apple.
32:37A whole apple.
32:38Here, eat, sweetheart.
32:40I don't have much, but this is a sweet apple.
32:42I picked it from the tree behind the house this morning.
32:45I've been saving it for you.
32:47I stared at that apple.
32:48In my eight years of life, I had never had a whole apple to myself.
32:52There was always Selena.
32:54Always a knife slicing it in two.
32:56The larger half going to her.
32:58A thin slice going to me.
32:59I'm not really hungry, Amber.
33:01She always trying to give me bites of hers.
33:04Have mine.
33:06Trying to make up for what others had stolen from me.
33:09But I had never, ever, had a whole apple.
33:12A complete, perfect, uncut one.
33:14All mine.
33:15I drifted toward the table.
33:17I couldn't eat it, but I could smell it.
33:19Its sweet scent filled the space around me.
33:22Is it sweet?
33:23I nodded.
33:24Even though she couldn't see me clearly, she smiled.
33:27And then that smile broke into a sob.
33:29She whispered.
33:31Great, that's great.
33:32Wiping her eyes with her shell, as if she were angry at herself for crying.
33:36Then, she sat down across from me.
33:40She talked all night.
33:41She told me when I was three.
33:43When she came to see me.
33:44Asked for a story.
33:45Asked for a story.
33:47I climbed into her lap and asked for a story.
33:49So she told me the tale of the mother wolf and the falling star,
33:53until I fell asleep in her arms.
33:55When I was four, it was winter.
33:57I caught my first fever.
33:59She stayed up for three nights,
34:00pressing damp cloths to my forehead,
34:02and humming ancient moon hymns until the fever was gone.
34:05When I was five that summer,
34:07my parents finally let her take me to the old territory for a week.
34:10Just me.
34:11Without Selena.
34:12I had run wild through the meadows chasing rabbits.
34:14Returning to the cottage filthy and stained with grass.
34:17Laughing until I was breathless.
34:19Your laughter lasted the whole week.
34:21Grandmother said.
34:22Just after that week.
34:23I never heard you laugh like that again.
34:28I remembered every single thing.
34:30She kept talking and talking.
34:32Her voice grew softer and her eyes heavier.
34:34The candles burned until turned into small pools of wax.
34:40Outside, the sky began to brighten.
34:42The edge of the horizon turned a dull gray.
34:44Then silver.
34:45Then the palest gold.
34:47Grandmother stopped talking.
34:48She looked at me,
34:49and I knew she couldn't see me clearly anymore.
34:51My edges were blurring.
34:52Amber.
34:53She whispered.
34:54You're leaving, aren't you?
34:55I nodded.
34:56She closed her eyes.
34:58When she opened them again.
34:59That's good.
34:59You've suffered enough.
35:00They were wet.
35:01She was smiling.
35:02Listen to me.
35:03When the moon goddess sends you out again,
35:05choose better parents.
35:07Find someone who will hold you when you have a fever.
35:09Find a father who will give you the whole apple.
35:11Don't come back to this house.
35:12There is nothing left for you.
35:13Find a family who will truly want you from the very first day.
35:17Grandma.
35:18I said soundlessly.
35:19I love you.
35:21I'm right here, sweetheart.
35:23I love you too, my Amber.
35:25You were the best child.
35:27The first ray of sunlight pierced through the window.
35:29It fell on me.
35:30They had almost vanished.
35:32I reached out, trying one last time to touch her cheek,
35:34her wrinkled skin, her tears.
35:36Grandmother buried her face in her hands and began to sob.
35:39I turned toward the window.
35:40My body drifted uncontrollably toward the light.
35:43Higher and higher.
35:44Further and further away.
35:48The cottage became smaller.
35:50The forest covered the whole land.
35:52The entire land shrinking into a tiny patch.
35:56Then, I passed through it all.
35:58The world turned soft white.
36:00An ancient, solemn voice resounded.
36:02Little wolf, do you want to try again?
36:04I thought of grandmother's apple.
36:07The whole one.
36:08Mine.
36:09I thought of Selena's thin arms shielding me.
36:12The shining candy in her palm.
36:14Her voice says-
36:15I'm sorry.
36:15I'm sorry, Amber.
36:16I thought that teardrop mom left on the cellar's floor.
36:20She didn't-
36:21She couldn't-
36:22She couldn't-
36:46The hours ended.
36:47I had can not immediately do.
36:47And I will have the whole apple.
36:48Every.
36:49Single.
36:50Time.
36:50time.
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