Chapter 2

"Ah! Help me!"

Scarlett tumbled into the water, bobbing up and down, struggling desperately.

I smiled, stroking my teddy bear's head. "Beary, don't be scared. We helped Scarlett."

"Now Scarlett will be happy."

Mom and Dad were still frozen, staring blankly at me.

"Dad! Mom! Help!"

Scarlett's cries rang out again, jolting Dad into action. He plunged into the pool and pulled Scarlett out.

As soon as Scarlett was out, she pushed me away violently, throwing herself into Mom's arms.

I was shoved to the ground.

My little bear rolled right into the pool.

Scarlett, her eyes brimming with tears, wailed, "Mom, Dad, Alyssa tried to kill me! Wahhh! I don't know what I did to make her hate me so much!"

Mom and Dad quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped her up tightly, comforting her with worried faces.

They didn't even notice my favorite bear had been pushed into the pool.

I stood by the edge of the pool, crying anxiously.

"Beary, don't be scared! I'm coming to save you!"

Splash!

I jumped into the pool.

I desperately swam towards my sinking bear, forgetting I couldn't swim.

I finally grabbed Beary.

But I couldn't breathe.

I slowly sank, just like when Brenda threw me into the river before, watching the surface of the water get farther and farther away.

Mom and Dad on the bank didn't notice me at all.

Once again, I quietly closed my eyes.

When I was little, I was washing clothes by the river in winter. The water was so cold my hands went numb.

I accidentally let a piece of clothing get swept away by the current.

When Brenda found out, she simply threw me into the icy river.

I struggled frantically, while Brenda stood on the bank, yelling angrily.

"You worthless brat! I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

"Let's see if you dare to be lazy again!"

But I was always so obedient, I never was lazy.

That day, as I sank into the icy river, scenes from my life flashed before my eyes like a movie.

Tiny me, cooking on the stove.

Being beaten savagely by my foster parents.

And endless, hateful curses...

When I vaguely woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed.

The doctor next to me spoke regretfully, "The head trauma has left Alyssa with the intelligence of a five-year-old. But if she receives proper training, there's a chance she might recover in the future."

Dad sighed deeply. "Doctor, please take care of Alyssa's rehabilitation from now on."

The doctor hesitated. "There's one more thing. We just examined Alyssa and found her body covered in injuries. Should we report it to the police?"

Hearing this, Mom walked closer to me.

She pulled up my clothes.

The moment they saw my body covered in scars, Mom and Dad froze, their eyes both reddening.