I Was the Bait for My Brother

Did I get superpowers from that fall, just like the characters in TV shows?

The thought made my heart race. If I truly had special abilities, could I simply fly back home? I wondered if Mom would praise me for being so impressive.

I tried stretching my foot toward the wall. When it actually passed through, a wave of shock and joy washed over me. I dashed around the warehouse, passing through one box after another. It was exactly like the shows!

However, why couldn't I touch anything? This question quietly crept into my mind like a tiny insect. I decided to push it aside for now and head home first. I wanted to go home.

The moment that desire surfaced, the scenery blurred before my eyes. Wind roared past my ears as roads, trees, and streetlights whizzed by. A second later, I was really standing at the front door of my home.

I rushed through the door. "Mom, I'm back! I think I can do magic now!"

Mom had her back to me as she worked in the kitchen. The stove was crowded with dishes, and the aroma of braised ribs filled the entire house. It was Raymond's birthday.

I called out again. "Mom?"

She didn't turn around. It was as if she hadn't heard me. My chest tightened. In the past, whenever I made a mistake, she would ignore me like this until I apologized. She must still be angry.

I decided to look for Raymond instead. He would definitely be stunned to see me walking through walls.

Just then, the door opened. Dad walked in looking exhausted from his travels. However, there was a smile on his face and a toy train in his hand.

Mom wiped her hands and went to greet him. "You must be tired."

Dad said gently, "I took a few days off. Just in time to spend Ray's birthday with him."

"Dad!" I shouted.

I ran toward him, but he walked right past me to Mom as she came to greet him.

Raymond ran out of his room sobbing and threw himself into Dad's arms. "Dad! Go get Emilia back! Mr. Harris took her! Mom said she doesn't want her anymore!"

Dad froze and looked at Mom. "What's going on?"

Mom walked over quickly and whispered into Dad's ear, "Ray wouldn't stop stealing money no matter what I said, so I made a deal with Mr. Harris, the owner of the neighborhood grocery store. We staged an act to scare Ray and said Emilia was given to him as compensation."

Dad's brow furrowed instantly. "This is ridiculous! What if this goes too far? Where is Emilia?"

Mom sounded relaxed. "She's in Mr. Harris' warehouse, and she's perfectly safe. I've settled everything with him. She won't go hungry. You didn't see how Ray was before. If he doesn't feel the pain, he'll never learn his lesson!"

I heard everything she said. It was all just an act! Mom hadn't abandoned me! A wave of heat surged to my head, and I felt so happy I wanted to jump. My body lifted slightly off the floor.

Raymond was still weeping. "Dad, please bring Emilia back. I'm begging you. I'll never steal money again!"

I floated over to Raymond, wanting to pinch his cheek. "Stop crying, you little dummy. We were both fooled."

My fingers slid right through his face.

At that moment, Dad said sternly, "Ray, you did something very wrong this time. Emilia has to face the consequences for your mistake."

The light in Raymond's eyes vanished.

"Mom!" I said.

I drifted beside Mom while she plated the braised ribs. I tried to hug her from behind, but my arms passed through her torso. "Mom, thank you for not throwing me away."

She couldn't hear me. She turned with the plate in her hands and walked through me toward the dining table.

Dad ruffled Raymond's hair. "Ray is crying so hard. I think this is enough. I'll go bring Emilia back first thing tomorrow morning."

Mom's voice turned cold. "Wait two more days. He needs to fully understand that some mistakes result in permanent loss."

"But Emilia—"

Mom cut him off. "Emilia has food and water at Mr. Harris' place, and she's perfectly safe. This time, we have to be firm."

Two more days? I was right here, though.