The Price of a Lesson

My mother had a parenting philosophy: Kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

I was the chicken. My brother, Leo, was the monkey.

From the time I was four, my mother used this tactic.

If Leo broke a bowl, I knelt on the floor to pick up the pieces.

If Leo broke someone else's toy, I wrote the apology letter.

My mother said, "You're the big sister. You didn't watch him properly, so it's your fault."

When I was eight, Leo stole money from the convenience store down the street.

When the fat owner came knocking on our door, Leo didn't hesitate to point at me:

"It was Penny! She took it!"

My mother's face changed. Then, she shoved me toward the owner.

"Mr. Davis, I didn't teach my child well. It's my fault."

"I'll give my daughter to you as compensation. Hit her, scold her, do whatever you want."

Little did she know, once the owner took me away, I never came back.

My mother pulled the fat owner, Mr. Davis, aside. I didn't hear what she whispered, but I saw her press a wad of cash into his hand.

Mr. Davis looked hesitant, then finally nodded.

"Mom?" I called out softly.

She didn't look at me.

Mr. Davis's greasy hands grabbed me by the collar, lifting me up like a baby chick.

He yelled at my brother, who was frozen in fear, "See this? This is the price of stealing and lying!"

I was confused.

Didn't Mom pay him back?

"Mom!" I screamed.

Leo rushed over, grabbing my hand tightly, wailing:

"I won't steal anymore! I swear! Put my sister down!"

Mr. Davis sneered and started carrying me out the door.

"Too late! Why didn't you think about your sister when you were stealing?"

Leo threw himself at Mom's feet, hugging her legs.

"Mom, I was wrong! I really was! Don't let him take Penny! Please!"

He cried his heart out, banging his forehead on the floor.

My mother looked down at him, and a satisfied smile actually appeared on her face.

"Remember this, Leo. Because of your mistake, you don't have a sister anymore."

Then she turned to Mr. Davis. "Take her far away. Don't let her brother see."

"Mom!" I panicked completely.

In that moment, I finally understood. She wasn't joking.

She really didn't want me anymore.

I was shoved into a beat-up van. A rag was stuffed in my mouth, my hands and feet bound.

The car drove for a long time, until the sun dipped low and the sky turned dark gray.

Finally, we stopped at a remote village I'd never seen before.

When the warehouse door opened, a smell of mold hit me.

"There's water if you're thirsty, bread if you're hungry."

Mr. Davis pointed to some boxes in the corner. "Stay put. Your mom will come get you in two days."

Bang. The iron door slammed shut.

I heard him on the phone outside: "Don't worry... far away... won't find her... money is separate..."

The warehouse was pitch black.

Only a high ventilation window let in a sliver of blurry moonlight.

I waited for a long time.

Mom didn't come.

Dad didn't come either.

Did they really abandon me?

The thought pierced my heart like a needle.

No, they wouldn't. Mom said this was just an act, just to scare Leo.

I told myself this over and over, like a mantra.

But it got darker and darker. Strange noises started in the warehouse.

Rustling sounds. Like rats, or something else.

I was terrified.

I wanted to go home.

The urge became overwhelming.

I started stacking boxes, one by one. I climbed up shakily, standing on tiptoes to reach the window.

My fingertips finally touched the cold frame.

I pushed with all my might

Crash!

The boxes beneath me suddenly gave way.

The world spun.

The back of my head slammed onto the concrete floor.

A dull thud.

Strangely, it didn't hurt.

I scrambled up, realizing something was different.

Even without a light, I could clearly see the boxes scattered on the floor, even the dust floating in the air.

I tried to restack the boxes.

My hand reached for a box, but passed right through it.

I froze. I tried again.

My fingers went through the cardboard without any resistance, like passing through mist.

Did I... did I get superpowers from the fall?

Just like in the TV shows?

My heart pounded.

If I really had superpowers, could I fly home? Would Mom praise me?

I tried sticking my foot through the wall.

It went through.

Surprised and delighted, I ran around the warehouse, passing through box after box.

It was just like TV!

But why... couldn't I touch anything?

The question burrowed into my mind like a worm.

Forget it. Go home first.

Home. I want to go home.

The moment the thought surfaced, my vision blurred.

Wind roared in my ears. Village roads, trees, streetlights... everything flew backward.

The next second, I was standing at my front door.

I phased through the door, shouting: "Mom, I'm back! I think I have magic powers!"

Mom had her back to me, busy in the kitchen.

The counter was piled with food. The smell of braised pork filled the house.

Today was Leo's birthday.

"Mom?" I called again.

She didn't turn around. It was as if she didn't hear me.

My heart tightened.

Before, when I made a mistake, she would ignore me like this until I admitted my fault.

She must still be angry.

Fine, I'll find Leo first.

He'll be so scared when he sees I can walk through walls.

Just then, the front door opened.

Dad walked in, looking dusty but smiling, carrying a toy train.

"Tired?" Mom wiped her hands and went to greet him.

"Took a few days off. Just in time for Leo's birthday." Dad's voice was gentle.

"Daddy!" I ran to him.

But he walked right past me to Mom.

Leo ran out of his room crying and threw himself into Dad's arms.

"Daddy! Go get Penny back! The owner took her! Mom said she doesn't want her anymore!"

Dad froze, looking at Mom. "What happened?"

Mom walked over quickly and whispered in Dad's ear:

"Leo won't stop stealing money no matter what we say."

"I made a deal with the store owner. It's just an act to scare him. I told him we gave Penny to him as payment."

Dad frowned immediately. "Nonsense! This... what if you scare him too much? Where's Penny?"

"In the owner's warehouse. She's safe. I told him to make sure she's fed."

Mom's tone was relaxed. "You didn't see Leo before! If he doesn't feel pain once, he'll never learn!"

I heard it.

It was an act!

It was all an act!

Mom didn't abandon me!

A rush of warmth hit me. I was so happy I wanted to jump, and I actually floated up a bit.

Leo was still crying. "Daddy, go get Penny back, please... I'll never steal again!"

I floated in front of Leo, trying to pinch his cheek. "Don't cry, dummy. We were tricked."

My fingers passed through his cheek.

Dad spoke sternly, "Leo, you made a big mistake this time. Your sister has to bear the consequences for you."

The light in Leo's eyes went out.

"Mom!"

I floated to Mom. She was putting the braised pork onto a plate.

I wanted to hug her from behind, but my arms went through her body.

"Mom, thank you for not abandoning me."

She couldn't hear.

She turned with the plate, walking right through me to the dining table.

Dad rubbed Leo's hair. "Leo's cried enough... I think it's time. I'll go get Penny tomorrow morning."

"Wait two more days." Mom's voice turned cold. "He needs to understand thoroughly that some mistakes mean losing things forever."

"But Penny..."

"Penny is fine. She has food and water. She's safe." Mom interrupted him. "We have to be tough this time."

Two more days?

But I'm right here.

I floated between them, waving my arms frantically. "Dad! Mom! I'm right here! Can't you see me?"

"I'm back! I really came back!"

Mom suddenly shivered, rubbing her arms. "Why is it suddenly cold?"

She walked to the window to close it, completely failing to notice I was standing right in front of her.

My hand passed through her shoulder.

Why can't I touch?

Why can't they see?

Why... can't they hear?

A cold voice sounded in my heart:

Because I'm already dead.

"Because I'm already dead."

The realization washed over my soul like ice water, freezing me in place.

I floated blankly in the kitchen, watching Mom set the table.

Leo pushed his rice bowl onto the floor, screaming, "I won't eat without Penny!"

Mom raised her hand but didn't strike. She just said coldly, "Don't eat then. Starve."

She bent down, picked up the spilled rice, and threw it in the trash.

Her movement was decisive, like throwing away something useless.

Just like... throwing me away.

The thought pierced me.

Memories I didn't understand before flooded back.

Mom once laughed with a neighbor, "Penny is a 'Sibling-Bringer.' As soon as she came, her brother followed. It works like magic!"

I didn't understand what "Sibling-Bringer" meant back then. I just knew Mom looked happy as she patted my head.

But after Leo was born, she rarely patted my head anymore.

Her eyes followed Leo. She hugged him, kissed him, called him "precious."

Dad too. His first words after work were always, "Where's Leo?"

His shoulders became Leo's exclusive seat. I just followed behind, carefully tugging his shirt, afraid he'd forget me.

Once I had a fever and curled up on the sofa.

Mom fed Leo first before coming to touch my forehead.

"So hot." She frowned, her tone annoyed. "Always causing trouble."

In the end, it was Dad who got up in the middle of the night to carry me to the hospital.

On the way, he sighed, "Penny, you're the big sister. Be sensible. Don't tire your mom out."

So, "Sibling-Bringer" meant that once I brought my brother, my mission was over.

I wasn't a "lucky charm" anymore. I was just a sister who needed to be "sensible."

When dinner was almost over, Mom brought out the cake and lit the candles.

Leo was forced to make a wish.

"I wish for Penny to come back." Leo started sobbing again.

"Stop crying! Your sister is being punished for you! If you don't change, next time..." She didn't finish, but her eyes were like winter wind.

Dad smoothed things over. "Alright, your wish will come true."

"Really?"

"Really. Dad promises."

Hope lit up Leo's eyes.

But I'm already back.

I floated above the cake, watching the flickering flame.

Your wish came true a long time ago.

You just don't know it.

After dinner, Mom washed dishes at the sink.

I wanted to wipe her sweat, but my hand passed through her forehead.

She used to say my hands were cold. Now I couldn't even touch her.

Dad walked over, brows furrowed tight.

"Maybe we should get Penny back? She's timid."

"No." Mom looked up instantly, voice hard. "If we get her now, Leo's lesson is wasted. Just one day? What will he remember?"

"I'm worried. Penny's been afraid of the dark since she was little. Does the warehouse have lights?"

"Yes, I told him to leave a light on at night."

There are no lights.

I wanted to say.

Only a high window.

I tried desperately to tell them, but my voice was like wind through a crack.

Suddenly, I had an idea.

I focused, staring at the kitchen pendant light.

I imagined it was my hand, my eye.

Flicker. Just flicker once.

I chanted in my mind.

Zap.

The light really flickered.

Mom looked up. "Voltage fluctuation?"

"Probably." Dad didn't pay attention.

I focused again.

This time, I stared at the family photo on the fridgetaken last year, me in a yellow dress in the middle.

Fall. Let them see me.

The photo didn't move.

I tried again, using every ounce of will.

The corner of the photo lifted slightly, then stuck back.

Is that all I can do?

Mom wrapped the leftover cake and put it in the fridge.

I knew it was saved for me.

But I could never eat it again.

Late at night, neither parent slept.

Mom was in the living room folding clothesmy little dresses and socks. She folded slowly, picking them up and putting them down.

She picked up my favorite red dress, fingers lingering on the small flower at the collar.

Dad was on the balcony, chain-smoking.

"You think," Dad's voice came through the glass door, muffled.

"Does Penny think we abandoned her? That kid is sensitive..."

"She won't," Mom said, but her voice lacked confidence.

"I told Mr. Davis clearly. Just scare her for two days. Feed her well..."

"When she's back, we'll explain properly. Treat her doubly well."

They fell silent.

Dad put out his cigarette and sighed. "I'm still worried. I'm going to get Penny now."

"Act or not, we can't let a child spend the night there. She must be terrified."

Dad's hand just touched the doorknob when Mom shouted:

"If you go tonight, I'm taking Leo and leaving."

Dad's back stiffened.

"She's only eight..."

"If you get her now, she suffered for nothing, and Leo was scared for nothing. This family will never have peace."

Mom didn't budge. "Do you want to raise a thief, or do you want to destroy this family?"

"But Penny..."

"She's perfectly safe." Mom cut him off. "Mr. Davis took the money; he knows what to do."

"If you go now, you're slapping me in the face and ruining this family."

Dad slowly turned around.

Under the light, his face was pale as paper.

I saw his fingers trembling.

When he used to hold me, those hands were big and steady. He could lift me so high.

Now they were shaking terribly.

Go, Dad.

I floated in front of him.

If you pick me up, I'll tell you I don't blame you.

I just fell. It doesn't hurt.

I focused again. Not on the light, not the photo.

On Dad.

I wanted him to feel me.

I reached out my transparent hands and gently covered his trembling ones.

Though I couldn't touch, I could feel his warmth.

Dad suddenly froze.

He looked down at his hands, eyes confused.

"What is it?" Mom asked.

"Nothing..." Dad mumbled. "Just felt like... Penny is here."

"You're imagining things." Mom's tone softened. "Go sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Just... two days." He finally said, voice barely audible. "Two days later, I'm getting her immediately."

"You promise?" Mom stared at him.

Dad didn't speak. He just nodded very, very slowly.

He walked back to the sofa, sinking into it, burying his face in his hands.

The light fell on his head. I saw several white hairs I'd never seen before.

I floated to him, wanting to touch his hair, but my hand passed through again.

Being dead meant you couldn't even comfort your dad.

Just then, Leo's door cracked open.

An eye peered through the gap, filled with fear.

He heard.

He heard everything.

The next day, Leo was gone.

When Mom found out, his little bed was empty, the quilt folded messily.

It was the first time he'd folded his own quilt.

"Leo?" Mom called, heading to the bathroom.

Under the bed, in the closet, on the balcony... nothing.

Her voice started to shake. "Did he go to the store to find his sister?"

I was faster than them.

The thought barely formed before I floated to the convenience store.

Leo was there.

The neighborhood was quiet in the early morning. Only a few elderly people were exercising.

Leo stood at the store entrance, gripping his shirt hem.

Mr. Davis was unloading goods. Seeing him, he paused. "Leo? Why are you..."

"Uncle Davis."

Leo's voice was small but firm. "Please, let my sister go."

He pulled a handful of change from his pocket.

Bills, coins.

He placed them carefully on the ground in a row.

"This is all my savings. I give it all to you."

"I'll never steal again."

Then, he knelt down and thud, kowtowed to the owner.

"I really, really won't do it again. Please let Penny come home..."

Another kowtow.

His forehead turned red quickly.

"Kid, get up..." Mr. Davis panicked, trying to pull him up.

But Leo was glued to the ground, kowtowing again and again.

People started stopping.

Ladies buying groceries, grandpas walking dogs, kids going to school.

They cast strange looks.

"What's going on?"

"Isn't that Old Davis?"

"Why is the kid kneeling? And kowtowing..."

Whispers surged like a tide.

Mr. Davis's face turned red then white.

He pulled out his phone, dialing frantically.

"Hello? Mrs. Zhang?" He turned his back, whispering. "Your son is kneeling at my place... Yes, kowtowing... people are watching... I can't keep up this act!"

Hanging up, Mr. Davis pulled Leo up forcefully. "Your mom is coming. We'll go get your sister, okay?"

Leo's eyes lit up.

"Really?" He scrambled up, ignoring the dust on his knees. "Penny can really come home?"

"Really, really."

I floated beside Leo, wanting to brush the dust off him.

My fingers passed through his knees. I could do nothing.

But I saw the light in his eyes.

That determination to "save my sister" made him look like a little hero.

My parents arrived quickly.

Mom tried to grab Leo, but he dodged. "I want to go get Penny."

His tone was persistent like never before.

Mom froze.

Dad squatted down, looking Leo in the eye. "Leo, Dad promises. We're going to get Penny right now."

"You promise?"

"Dad promises."

On the way to the warehouse, Leo was restless.

He pressed his face against the window, staring outside without blinking.

"Are we there yet?"

"How much longer?"

"Will Penny be mad?"

Mom held his hand, whispering, "No, Penny won't be mad."

Her voice was gentle, but I saw her hand shaking.

Dad was silent, driving fast.

I floated on the car roof, watching the familiar city flash by beneath me.

The sun was bright, shining on the streets, on the people, on those who were alive and could feel warmth.

And I was just a transparent shadow.

We arrived at the warehouse.

When Mr. Davis unlocked the door, his hands were trembling.

"Penny is right inside. I brought bread and water yesterday..." he babbled.

Leo couldn't wait and rushed in:

"Penny!"