Why can't she see the words above?

I don't understand and ask tentatively:

"Mom, I've been dreaming about Dad recently. He said he's not doing well and asked me for help.

"Mom, does Dad come to your dreams?"

I observed my mom's expression. There was something strange about her, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of her mouth, as if she had everything under control.

She touched my head and said with a sad tone, "Sigh, your dad is heartless too. He's been gone for so long and never sent me any dreams, let alone good ones to you.

"Don't worry about it, don't think too much. Your dad's spirit in heaven will protect us."

Hehe!

Protect us?

I wanted to laugh. How could a fake mom like her pretend so well?

After she left, I picked up the piece of paper from the trash can.

It was still wet with some liquid, disgusting.

I looked at the rules written on it and fell into contemplation.

Based on the current clues, Mom is not my real mom, and Dad may not necessarily be a good person either.

And what's inside that attic?

Why can't the fake mom see the words on the paper? Does this have something to do with my brother?

Before going to bed, I deliberately didn't drink any water, but I still woke up in the middle of the night, needing to pee.

I tapped my head in annoyance, feeling restless.

I've never woken up in the middle of the night before, why does it keep happening these days?

Is there a reason behind it that I haven't discovered?

Before I could think too much, I heard a cry outside.

The voice was hoarse, it was Dad's cry!

I hurriedly walked out of the bedroom. There was no one in the living room, only sobs coming from the attic.

The attic?

I decided to take a risk. I couldn't just stay in a passive state all the time.

Although the note said not to enter the attic, maybe I can just stand outside and look, right?

I tiptoed to the front of the attic door. The door wasn't completely closed, so I could see inside through a small gap.

And then, I witnessed a horrifying scene.

My dad was facing me, his face covered in blood, his eye sockets empty, while my mom was holding two eyeballs in her hand.

I was so scared that my legs went weak, and I almost fell to the ground.

Eyeballs?

Yes, every morning I have to drink medicine, and the medicine requires Dad's eyeballs. Does that mean Dad has his eyeballs dug out every day?

That means my dad grows a pair of new eyeballs every day, only to have my mom dig them out and turn them into medicine for me to drink.

Just as I understood this, my mom's face suddenly appeared through the crack in the door.

Her eyes emitted an eerie green light, as if she was about to open her blood-filled mouth the next second.

I was so scared that I immediately fell to the ground, my legs numb.

My mom opened the door, wearing a crazed smile on her face, and she said:

"What are you doing here, huh?

"Didn't I tell you not to leave your bedroom at night?

"Why? Don't you listen to Mommy?

"Since you don't listen, Mommy will punish you!"

She approached step by step, and soon her face was right in front of mine.

I mustered all my strength and punched her in the eye, then quickly stood up and ran towards the bedroom.

Behind me, I heard her screaming:

"You little bitch, stop right there!

"Dare to defy your mother?

"You dare run, I'll catch you and teach you a lesson!

"I'm going to break your legs, let's see if you dare run again."

I listened to her voice, my legs trembling uncontrollably, but I didn't dare to stop for even a second.

My brain had only one thought:

Get into the bedroomand lock the door.

I reached the bedroom door and fumbled for the key, my hands shaking in fear. The key slipped from my fingers, but I managed to grab it again and unlock the door just in time.

I slammed the door shut and locked it, leaning against it for support.

My heart was pounding, and I could hear my mom's footsteps approaching, growing louder and more furious.

"Open this door right now!" she shouted, pounding on the door with all her strength.

I didn't respond, trying to catch my breath and gather my thoughts.

I needed a plan, a way to escape from this nightmare.

Looking around the room, I noticed a small window near the ceiling. It was too high for me to reach, but maybe I could find something to stand on and reach it.

I searched the room frantically until I found a sturdy chair. I dragged it towards the window, standing on it and pushing it open.

As I looked outside, I saw the moon shining brightly, offering a glimmer of hope.

I knew I had to be careful, as any noise could alert my mom to my escape attempt.

I climbed out of the window, careful not to make a sound, and landed softly on the ground outside.

I took a moment to catch my breath and looked around. I was in the backyard, surrounded by darkness.

I needed to find help, someone I could trust.

There was only one person who might be able to help me—my brother.

I knew he had been missing for years, but maybe he was still out there somewhere.

I started running, not knowing where I was going, but hoping to find my brother and escape from this nightmare.

As I ran through the night, fear and determination fueled my every step.

I would find my brother, uncover the truth about my parents, and put an end to this madness.

Nothing would stop me.