Chapter 5

A black Maybach entered Happy Community. Sarah got out.

She had just called me twice - I hung up on one, the other went unanswered.

This child, what game is she playing now?

She recalled the text she sent earlier.

Surely she wouldn't just stay stupidly on the mountain.

It was just a prank. She's not that dumb.

My soul was drawn here by some force.

"Mom." I saw Sarah and flew towards her.

But passed right through her back.

I realized I was dead.

I could never hug mom again.

Mom came here to celebrate my birthday?

But I'm not home, she won't see me. Will she be disappointed?

I floated outside, a gust of wind could blow me away.

I followed mom all the way.

In the stairwell, a little girl wearing a birthday hat bounced along.

She saw Sarah and jumped to her side.

She opened her left palm, revealing a candy.

The wrapper gleamed under the light.

"Auntie, it's my birthday today. Have a candy."

Sarah smiled and took the candy, patting her head:

"Happy birthday, little one."

Mom had never said happy birthday to me, never patted my head, let alone called me "little one."

"Auntie, look, this is the new dress mom bought me. Isn't it pretty?"

The little girl lifted her skirt, twirling around.

Sarah looked carefully and exclaimed: "Like a little fairy!"

Mom had never complimented me. Her most frequent words were: "Lily, I'm so disappointed in you."

The little girl smiled shyly: "Auntie, being your daughter must be so happy."

Sarah was stunned. She had a daughter.

Her daughter always seemed timid around her, smiling ingratiatingly.

Was her daughter happy?

I wasn't happy. The companionship and simple praise I wanted, she never gave me.

Sarah continued upstairs, passing a middle-aged woman.

She was on the phone complaining: "Nini hasn't come back to visit in so long. What child doesn't miss home?"

"Nini's birthday is in a few days. We must prepare well, cook a big feast, let Nini eat her fill."

Today was my birthday too.

But I was already dead. Mom could no longer celebrate for me.

I could never have mom pat my head or praise me again.

I floated dejectedly behind mom.

I kept waiting for her to turn around, to look at me once.

I chased after light like a shadow in a daydream.

Pursuing an endless and hopeless bewilderment.

Birthday. Come to think of it, Lily's birthday was coming up soon.

Sarah thought.

She came this time to emphasize to Lily that the college entrance exam was approaching. Focus on studying, draw less, and don't think about boyfriends and girlfriends.

She didn't care about other times, but the exam was important. Can't let distractions interfere.

Finally, she arrived.

She knocked, but no one answered.

Sarah sent a message, no reply.

Called, but no one picked up.

Strange. Usually Lily replied to messages instantly.

Did something happen? Sarah thought about contacting the property management.

The phone rang. It was her son William.

"Mom, come back quickly. I'm scared."

"He killed someone." It was her stepdaughter Emily.

Sarah was confused. A voice came through the phone:

"Mom, come back first. It's hard to explain over the phone."