Chapter 2
That night, for once, I turned on a small lamp.
I was starting to get scared of darkness, scared of whatever might show up when the lights were out.
But what was it? I couldn't remember.
Mom's voice came from outside my door. "Emily, why is your light on? Did you have a nightmare?
"Can I come in and keep you company?"
If it were before, I would've run out and thrown myself into Mom's arms, spinning around together.
I'd say, "Mom, Mom, tell me a story."
But ever since Sophie came back, I never got spoiled like that again.
I pressed my hand against my heart, but when I realized it wasn't beating at all, I just obediently lay back down.
I wasn't even sure if I counted as alive anymore.
But I couldn't let Mom find out about this.
When I was little, even if I got a scratch from jumping down from a tree, Mom would worry about me for a long time.
I instinctively glanced at that old scar and paused in surprise. The stick mark was from when Mom hit me as she kicked me out of the house.
Mom, if you knew I was gone, you'd probably feel sad, right?
But now, I wasn't so sure anymore.
Mom hovered outside my door for a long while, but my silence made her finally walk away.
The night was so quiet, I could hear the faint scuttling of insects.
Wet, reeking, and cold sensations crept across my skin.
It was like something was chewing on me all over again.
The sensation was so real, it jolted me awake and made me scream. When I looked closer, it was just a cockroach that Sophie had tossed onto me.
Sophie said, "You little bug. Can't believe you made it back alive.
"Honestly, I thought someone would've played you to death already."
What? What was she even saying?
Before I could even process Sophie's words, Sophie pinned her down, her face twisted with rage, hands tightening around my throat.
She roared, "Damn it. You're just some abandoned kid! How dare you steal my spot?
"They even said they wouldn't send you away. What makes you so special? Huh? What makes you so special?
"A nobody like you should be dumped in that monster-filled orphanage. I'm the one this family really loves!
"You're a thief! You're a thief!"
Sophie's crazed attack brought back memories of that sinister hand.
It yanked me off the ground. Fake flowers, dress, and my torn clothes.
Suddenly, memories came rushing back.
I clutched my head, howling in pain. The scream that tore from my throat didn't even sound human.
Sophie was so freaked out by my sudden breakdown that she fell to the floor, and Mom and Dad burst in, totally shocked.
Even my baggy pajamas couldn't hide the bruises and scars. When Mom and Dad saw the marks on me, they started grilling Sophie.
They said, "What the hell are you doing, Sophie? Why do you always have it out for your sister?
"We've raised Emily since she was little. We've always tried to be extra nice to you because of what you've been through, and we've blamed Emily so many times for your sake.
"What the hell do you want from us, Sophie?"
Mom finally lost it and slapped Sophie. The whole room froze.
Sophie started ripping at her own clothes like she'd totally lost it. Her body was covered in old scars, which was why she never let Mom give her a bath.
She shouted, "Look at me, look at me! I'm the one who suffered in hell, while she gets to live a good life here. Who are you to judge me?
"She freaks out after getting hit a few times. Did you ever think about how many times I got beaten in that hellhole?"
Her thunderous roar left Mom and Dad frozen in shock.
I saw the scars all over her body, and it helped me calm down a bit.
"Scars really hurt..." I murmured to myself.
Hearing that, Mom and Dad hugged us both, their hearts aching for us.
Sophie was still just a kid. After finally letting it all out, she curled up in Mom and Dad's arms, crying like a little girl.
As for me, I had no tears.
I quietly pulled myself away from their embrace. One tragedy had already happened.
Let there never be a second.
After that day, Mom and Dad had a long talk with Sophie.
She was like a whole new person.
The whole vibe at home changed completely.
Mom and Dad started buying us the same things, and they really began paying attention to our moods and feelings.
"Emily, have some grapes," Sophie muttered, a little pouty as she pushed a few over to me.
I pretended to eat one, but without anyone noticing, I slipped it into my sleeve.
I couldn't eat anymore.
I lowered my head, convinced I'd hidden it perfectly.
But then Sophie blocked my way in the stairwell.
"Emily, are you still mad at me?" she said, puffing out her cheeks and putting her hands on her hips, looking just like a sulky little pufferfish.
"Why didn't you eat the grapes I gave you?" She tugged at my sleeve and shot a quick, disapproving glance at my scars.
"Honestly, your hiding skills are way worse than the kids back at my orphanage," she teased.
She looked up at me, gripped my chin, and stuffed the grape right into my mouth.
"Let's call it even for everything that happened before," she said.
She shot me a triumphant look, like she'd finally decided to forgive the person who stole her whole world.
Honestly, I wasn't even focused on her attitude. What really caught my eye were the scars lining her neck.
Clearly, she'd been through hell herself.