All Chapters of I Was the Bait for My Brother: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

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

I pleaded silently in my mind, "Flicker, just once."With a soft click, the light actually flickered once.Mom looked up and asked, "Is the voltage unstable?""Probably," Dad replied dismissively.I focused my energy again. This time, I stared at the family photo on the refrigerator. It was taken last year, with me standing in the middle wearing a yellow dress."Fall down. Let them see me," I thought.The photo didn't move at all. I tried again, using all my energy. The edge of the picture lifted slightly before falling back into place. I wondered if this was the extent of my capabilities.Mom wrapped up the cake she had set aside and put it into the fridge. I knew that it was meant for me, but I would never be able to eat it again.Late into the night, neither of my parents slept. Mom sat in the living room, folding my dresses and my socks. She worked slowly, picking each item up only to put it down again. She held up my favorite red dress. Her fingers lingered on the tiny flo

The warehouse was dark, with towering crates stacked like a labyrinth. Only the high ventilation window let in a sliver of light."Emilia?" Mom called out. Her voice was faint in the cavernous space. She walked past several rows of crates and suddenly came to a halt.Dad stood at the entrance and didn't go in immediately. His face was ghastly pale. He stared intently into the depths of the warehouse, as if he were waiting for something—or perhaps fearing something.Raymond had already sprinted behind the crates. "Emilia! Where are you? We've come to get you!""Emilia, stop hiding. I'm here to take you home." Mom's voice echoed between the crates, but there was no reply.Her throat tightened as she spoke again. "Emilia, quit hiding. I've come for you."She kept walking forward until she spotted a heap of collapsed cardboard boxes in the corner. Beside the boxes, a small figure lay curled up and motionless, wearing the yellow dress she had put on me yesterday.Mom froze in place.

That night, the four of us stayed in the same room, three living souls and one corpse.Dad sat motionless on the couch, cradling my body. Mom sat on the other side, holding Raymond. Raymond had cried until he was exhausted and fell asleep. He was still sobbing softly in his dreams.Mom gently patted his back, but her gaze never left me. She spoke up suddenly, and her voice was soft. "Emilia was terrified of thunder when she was little. Whenever it thundered, she would burrow into my arms and hide her head there."Dad remained silent, only tightening his embrace around me.Mom continued, "When she was three years old, I took her to the park. She saw other children eating ice cream and watched them longingly, but she didn't ask for any. When I asked if she wanted some, she shook her head and said that it was too expensive."Mom sniffled. "It broke my heart, so I bought it for her anyway. She was so happy. She licked it little by little. She took the entire afternoon to finish it. Af

Raymond stood on his tiptoes and imitated our parents by planting a kiss on my other cheek. "Goodbye, Emilia."When my body was pushed into the cremation chamber, Mom finally broke down. She tried to rush forward, but Dad held her back with all his might."My daughter… oh, my daughter," Mom wailed."Let her leave in peace," Dad said. "We put her through so much suffering. Let her be at ease now."Mom collapsed onto the floor, crying until she nearly fainted. As I watched them, I suddenly felt exhausted. It turned out that even spirits could feel tired.I drifted in front of Mom, wanting to hug her one last time. My hands still passed through her, but I sensed her calming slightly. Perhaps she felt my presence, or perhaps she didn't, but none of that mattered anymore.I floated over to Dad, intending to wipe away his tears. He raised his head and stared into the air. His eyes were vacant."Emilia, is that you?" he asked softly.It was me, but I couldn't say it. I could only circ