Chapter 2

I took the pills anyway.

Because she said if I didn't cooperate, she'd abandon me under a bridge and let the rats bite me.

She said it, and she'd do it.

The pills took effect quickly, and cold sweat soaked through my pajamas.

Mom changed me into an old, faded outfit, even deliberately tearing a few small holes in it.

She adjusted the lighting several times to make my face look even worse.

The doorbell rang.

My heart lurched, and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Mom rushed to open the door, her voice instantly turning humble and sorrowful.

"Mr. Jenkins? Please come in, my child's not doing well today."

A tall shadow loomed over me.

It was a man in a leather jacket, carrying a fruit basket.

He reeked of stale cigarette smoke, making me want to throw up even more.

He walked closer, looking down at me with a complex expression that sent shivers down my spine.

"Poor thing, so young."

He sighed, his voice rough. He reached out, as if to touch my forehead.

I squeezed my eyes shut, stiff with fear.

Mom quickly stepped in.

"Sir, she's shy with strangers, and the doctor said to avoid too much contact, for fear of infection."

The man pulled his hand back, saying nothing.

He sat on the sofa and started chatting with Mom.

It sounded like Mom was complaining, talking about how expensive medical bills were, and how hard it was for her alone.

I curled up in the corner of the sofa, trying to fight off waves of dizziness and nausea that grew stronger with each passing moment.

Their voices sounded like they were coming from very far away.

"So, Mr. Jenkins, given the situation..." Mom probed.

The man was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke.

"My daughter was just like this before she passed."

Mom immediately started to sob.

"The money, I can give it," the man interrupted her crying.

"But, I need to make sure this money is actually used for the child's treatment."

"Of course! Of course!" Mom quickly assured him.

The man stood up, walked over to me, and looked down at me from above.

"Tell you what, why don't you give the child a bit of this miracle cure I brought, right now, and I'll observe the effect. If the child's face brightens up a bit, I'll transfer the money immediately."

Mom froze.

"Now? Mr. Jenkins, the child just took her medicine and is sleeping, maybe we shouldn't disturb her?"

The man's tone was uncompromising.

"Just a little, I'll watch you give it to her."

Mom hesitated.

She was afraid that if I drank it, I might throw up on the spot, or show other symptoms, and expose everything.

But the lure of ten thousand dollars was too great.

She gritted her teeth and took a small glass bottle from the man.

"Lily, come on, open up, have some good stuff."

She helped me sit up and brought the bottle to my mouth.

The liquid gave off an indescribably strange smell.

I clamped my mouth shut, shaking my head furiously.

"The child isn't cooperating, is she?" the man's voice turned cold.

Mom panicked, pinching my waist hard, and hissed.

"Open your mouth!"

The pain made me gasp, and my mouth sprang open. The viscous liquid immediately poured in.

The taste was indescribably disgusting, and I instinctively wanted to spit it out.

But Mom clamped her hand over my mouth, forcing me to swallow.

A burning sensation spread from my throat all the way to my stomach, followed by violent cramping.

I arched my back abruptly, retching uncontrollably, and my vision went black.

"See! I told you it would work! The child is reacting!"