Chapter 4

That man's house was in a very old apartment building.

When he opened the door, he reeked of cigarette smoke. Seeing me, he grinned.

"You're here, come on in."

My mom pushed me forward, forcing me into the apartment.

"The child does look pretty weak."

He reached out and squeezed my arm hard. It hurt, and I flinched.

"Mr. Jenkins, about the money..."

My mom rubbed her hands together, a flattering smile plastered on her face.

The man ignored her, just staring at me, his expression growing increasingly unsettling.

"Stop faking it," he suddenly said, his voice hoarse and unpleasant.

Both my mom and I froze.

"Faking it? What are you talking about?" My mom's voice trembled slightly.

The man scoffed, pulled out his phone from his pocket, swiped a few times, and the screen clearly showed a screenshot of my mom's live stream.

"You can fool those idiots online, but you can't fool me."

In a sudden, brutal motion, he grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me into the center of the living room.

"Look at this pale face! Took the wrong medicine, did you? I know real sickness when I see it!"

I screamed, thrashing against his grip.

"Let go of my daughter!" My mom rushed forward, trying to pull him away.

He threw his elbow back, a sharp, vicious blow that connected with her chest and sent her stumbling.

She crashed against the wall, clutching her chest, struggling to breathe for a long moment.

The man released my hair but gripped my neck, pressing me down hard onto the cold concrete floor.

"Ten thousand dollars just to watch a show? I'm paying money to play for real!"

I trembled, trying to run.

He wasn't some benevolent stranger trying to make up for regrets; he was a psycho.

"No! Please! We don't want the money! Let us go!"

My mom finally caught her breath and cried out, begging for mercy.

The man laughed, released my neck, and started unbuckling his belt.

"Another ten thousand."

He looked at my mom, his eyes wild.

"You help me hold her down, and I'll give you the money when we're done."

My mom's face instantly turned as white as paper.

She looked at the man, then at me, trembling on the floor.

Then, she avoided my gaze and slowly walked over.

Her voice was soft, yet it cut like a knife.

"Be good, just bear with it, it'll be over soon. Forty thousand is enough for us to live on for a long time..."

She reached out and pressed down on my shoulders.

The man let out a triumphant laugh, his rough hands tearing at my clothes.

I don't know where I found the strength, but I suddenly lifted my leg and kicked him with all my might.

The man was caught off guard. My kick landed hard in his stomach. With a sharp yelp, he fell backward onto the floor.

"You little bitch! How dare you!"

Enraged, he scrambled to his feet and lunged for me.

In that split second, I sprang up and stumbled toward the door.

My mother moved on instinct to block my path, but I shoved her with all my strength, sending her stumbling back against the wall.

Behind me, the man's curses and my mother's frantic shouts tangled together.

I couldn't let him catch me. I ran like crazy toward the outside.

Only when I saw a woman walking her dog up ahead did I finally break, sobbing.

"Help me! Please, help! Someone's trying to kill me!"