It was him again, his clothes spattered with blood, like a painting. With trembling hands, he struggled to get the medicine bottle, but it fell when he tried to open it. The bottle rolled away, leaving a trail of pills scattered on the ground. The man slid off the chair, trembling, unable to crawl forward, his outstretched hand weakly reaching but never quite touching. He had another episode. “Xiaoxia… Xiaoxia…” He could barely make a sound, but how could I not know he was calling for me? I got up from the bed; he watched me in surprise. Yes, I had been awake. His gaze was intense, directed at the medicine bottle. I understood, lifting my nightgown and tiptoeing over. Under his encouraging gaze, I bent down and blew gently on the pills. I stood up, smiling at the now distant bottle, then turned to him with a mischievous grin. “You!…,” he was furious, but what could he do? “Dad, are you going to die?” He laughed maniacally, coughing until he coughed up blood, still laughing with a blood-red mouth, leaning against the still-warm body of his sister. I lay down carefully, the bone-chilling cold seeping into my marrow, the devilish laughter lingering in the air, and I went back to sleep…
A pair of hands wrapped around me, his bloodied mouth curving into a smile, “Xiaoxia, do you want to escape too?” “Can one escape? You’re all mine…” “No! Not all!” He grabbed my flailing hand, pulling me into an embrace. “Die then!” “Wake up!” “You deserve to die!” I suddenly opened my eyes to see Qi Yufeng’s worried face, wiping my sweat, “Bad dream?” Panting, I clung to him, “Dreamt of your dad?” “He’s dead, right?” “Yes, he’s dead.” “He’s really dead…” Qi Yufeng gently stroked my back, holding me closer, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” I buried myself deep in his neck, finding it odd that this suffocating feeling could let me sleep peacefully for the night.
…
