I Gave Up My Life To My Brother

I covered my bleeding knee and said in explanation, “Mom, I was pushed down. My knee is bleeding. I can’t stand up—”

“Shut up!”

Mom would not listen to me at all. She grabbed my arm so forcefully that she nearly lifted me off the ground.

“You’re bleeding? What does it matter that you’re bleeding? Dylan’s terrified! If he’s traumatized because of this, can you live with yourself?”

Dad had also come downstairs. He frowned and hoisted Dylan onto his back. He spoke in a low voice to comfort Dylan as he walked back to the house.

Mom dragged me all the way back upstairs.

Lily heard the commotion and opened her door. She saw me covered in injuries. “What’re you doing? He’s only six! You can’t just—”

Mom cut her off. “What do you know? He just stood there watching Dylan get bullied! He wants Dylan to die sooner!”

Lily was just about to say something when I smiled faintly and said, “Mrs. Lance, it was my fault. I didn’t protect Dylan well enough…”

Mom shoved me into the bedroom. “You stay right here and think about what you did!”

She pointed at me and said harshly, “Are you secretly hoping something happens to Dylan? Do you wish he’d just die so you can have Dad and me all to yourself?!”

“I don’t! Mom, I really—”

The door slammed shut. Darkness and icy chill swallowed me whole.

The blood had clotted on my knee and frozen right into my pants. With each breath, my wounds pulled and stung.

In that deadly cold silence, the wristband on my arm vibrated violently.

I looked down and saw a number counting down on it.

Suddenly, everything went black.

Countless images flashed before my eyes.

Not long after I was born, my mother held me gently. But her tears fell onto my face. “Ches, you are my angel! You were truly sent here to save Dylan…”

Dad was in tears as he fastened the wristband onto my hand. I immediately burst into loud cries, but they could not bear to look at me.

The first time Dylan snuck out to the balcony, I was playing with building blocks on the floor. The moment his arm was exposed to sunlight, my arm broke out in sores. I wailed loudly.

Mom rushed over and applied ointment on it as he cried. “I’m so sorry, Ches. I really am. Let me blow on it. It won’t hurt anymore…”

After it happened many times, I learned to endure it. I stopped crying out in pain. Then, I stopped crying altogether.

Mom no longer held me while treating my wounds or comforted me.

When I opened my eyes again, the pain was gone.

Was I dead?

The lifespan transfer had succeeded!

A wave of immense joy almost made me jump up.

“Yay! I’m dead! I really gave my life to Dylan! He’ll live!” I sang.

I excitedly got up and wanted to rush out of the room to tell Mom the wonderful news!

However, when my hand touched the door handle, it went right through.

Just then, there was a commotion outside the door.

“Mom, you finally made it! You must’ve felt so cold on the way here.”

“Oh, Dylan. Let me see you. Did you get thinner?”

It was my grandmother, Mable Jeater!

I hurriedly passed through the door.

Dylan was wearing brand-new clothes and was nestled in Mable’s arms.

Aunt Deborah was here too. She was arranging fruits on the table.

Only then did I realize that today was the first day of the new year.

Grama pulled out a present.

“Here, Dylan, take this. Have a great new year ahead!”

She then turned to Mom. “Where’s Chester? I have a present for him too!”