Reborn: Love and Return

"Larry, what's wrong? Your face is pale, and your hands are cold."

There came the worried voice of my younger brother, Shawn Reid. I snapped back, ending the painful memories.

It was a hot summer night, but my head was covered in dense cold sweat. Chills kept running down my spine.

I had been reborn. It was not the time to dwell on painful memories. I should do something to prevent the tragedy from happening.

"Larry, are you all right? Have some water."

My little sister, Maryann Reid, handed me a glass of water. I looked at her face and couldn't help shedding tears.

Wayne and Russell were beasts. They didn't even spare a 5-year-old girl.

Flustered, Maryann stood on tiptoe to wipe away my tears.

"Larry, are you sick? Why are you crying?"

A sudden inspiration struck me. I could pretend to be ill.

As soon as Maryann finished speaking, I collapsed to the floor, convulsing badly.

Maryann and Shawn freaked out, screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Mom, Dad, come over! Larry is possessed by a ghost!"

I couldn't believe that was what they thought.

Hasty footsteps echoed in the stairwell.

My dad lifted me, and my mom anxiously felt my forehead.

"It's icy. What's wrong with Larry?"

"I don't know. I just saw his pale face, and he suddenly collapsed and started convulsing."

My dad slapped his thigh.

"Oh no, could this be epilepsy? I heard people in the village say epilepsy looks like this. Let's get him to the hospital as soon as possible."

Halfway there, he remembered something.

"Wasn't Wayne supposed to come for a visit today? You should stay at home. I'll take Larry to the hospital."

My heart skipped a beat. That wouldn't do.

In his arms, I began convulsing again and crying.

"Mom, I want Mom."

I saw her face turn pale instantly, realizing how terrifying my current appearance and actions were.

She slapped her thigh in panic, "Timothy, call Wayne and tell them to reschedule. Larry's health matters more."

Initially, she wanted Shawn and Maryann to stay home and do their homework, but Maryann seemed too frightened to stay alone and insisted on coming with us.

And so, the four of us set off together.

When my dad got me into the car, I thought to myself that once this crisis passed, they must keep a low profile.

We owned a car, arousing many people's envy.

The familiar smell of disinfectant in the town hospital eased my anxiety slightly. At least, we made it through the night.

Krystal was the nurse on duty that night. She rushed over anxiously. "What's going on? Larry was fine when I left this afternoon."

Hearing her voice, I buried my face in my dad's chest and wept. Krystal cared about me so much, and I would not let her suffer for 20 years.

The doctor couldn't find anything wrong, so he prescribed some fluids for observation. If there were further episodes, I would have to go to the larger hospital in the city.

I considered continuing to pretend, but given my parents' characters, they would probably rush to the city with me or even buy a house there.

But Wayne had targeted my family. Furthermore, my dad was a warm and generous person who wouldn't forget his friend even if we moved to the city.

So, evasion was futile. Wayne had already harbored the intention to kill everyone in my family.

The only way out was to resist, and I had to resist.

It was a sleepless night for me. I looked at my family closely, afraid if I closed my eyes, I would return to that dark ward.

The rooster crowed, and the warm sunlight shone into the ward, dispelling some of the chill. I finally breathed a sigh of relief.