The Child Who Wasn’t

Maisie cried until she was exhausted and finally drifted into a deep sleep. The sound of me entering the room startled her awake. She immediately jumped up in fright, with a flash of panic in her eyes.

She mumbled frantically, "Mom, I'm sorry… I wasn't throwing a tantrum… I like Phoebe, but my legs really hurt. Am I sick? Am I going to die?"

The image of Maisie bleeding from all her facial orifices in my previous life immediately flashed through my mind. I rushed over in terror and held her close.

My breath caught as I said in a trembling voice, "No, you won't… I will protect you."

Since I could not find a solution myself and could not prevent Maisie from being hurt, I decided to confront Phoebe directly and make her tell me the truth.

I used the excuse of taking Phoebe shopping for clothes and drove to a secluded area. Before she could speak, I took the offensive and demanded, "What are you trying to do? Why are you hurting Maisie?"

Phoebe continued to act innocent. "Mrs. Shaw, what are you saying? I treasure this family. How could I hurt Maisie?"

I slammed my fist against the seat in fury, glaring at her. "You didn't hurt her? Then why is it that every time you're injured, the pain ends up straight on Maisie?"

She froze for a moment, and I pressed harder. "What trick are you using? Tell me how to stop it, or you won't be leaving here."

Phoebe suddenly gave me a sweet smile. "So you figured it out. Actually, it's just…"

I focused all my attention on listening carefully.

The next second, Phoebe's expression changed completely as tears streamed down her face. "I don't know… It really has nothing to do with me!"

At the same time, a strong force dragged me out of the car. Brandon, who should have been at work, stood there glaring at me furiously.

Phoebe immediately cried out to him for help. "Mr. Shaw, I never hurt Maisie! Please don't make me leave!"

Brandon looked at me like I was insane and roared, "First, Maisie throws a fit. Now, you're doing the same too? You were the one who said Maisie was lonely and needed a companion. Now that we've brought Phoebe home, you're both acting up. How are we supposed to live like this?"

I quickly tried to explain. "There's definitely something wrong with her. Every time she gets hurt, the pain transfers to Maisie's body."

At that moment, Phoebe frantically climbed out of the car and hugged Brandon's leg. "Mr. Shaw, I can prove it wasn't me… Please don't send me away!"

Brandon turned and got in the car. In a corner where he could not see, Phoebe smugly waved her smartwatch at me.

Once we got home, Phoebe took a knife from the kitchen, and my heart immediately jumped into my throat. She glanced at the confused Maisie and looked at me timidly.

She said, "Mrs. Shaw, since you don't trust me, I'll have to prove my innocence this way."

Immediately after, she stabbed the knife deep into her thigh.

Maisie opened her eyes wide, her mouth gaping open. However, she was in too much pain to make a sound.

The shock hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I screamed as I lunged forward. "Stop it! Stop!"

Phoebe ignored me completely and kept stabbing herself deeper and deeper.

I fought desperately to grab the knife, but I never expected a child could have such incredible strength. Even when I gripped the blade itself, I could not stop her from bringing the knife down.

Maisie had already passed out from the pain. Finally, she stopped the knife at her heart and asked with a bloodthirsty smile. "Mrs. Shaw, have I proven my innocence now?"