Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âIâll ⦠tell you a secret, okay?â Natalia spoke earnestly.
âYes, what secret?â
âActually, I have a big sister.â Natalia hesitated for a long time before finally telling the man.
Hua Jinâs expression changed.
âHush. Itâs a secret. Donât tell anyone about it, or my big sister will be furious.â
âWhatâs your big sisterâs name?â
âNatalisa.â Natalia continued, âActually, it feels strange to call her my big sister, because, presumably, no one has ever seen her but me. She feels more like my other self.â
âYou can see her?â
âYes, probably!â
âProbably?â Hua Jin was confused by her answer. Why did she sound so uncertain?
âSo can you actually see her or not?â
âI see her in my dreams, does it count?â
âIn your dreams?â
âWell, I feel she can dominate my body. You know that crystal ball?â
âUh huhâ¦â Vaguely, the actor realized that he might be able to get something out of Natalia that would give him a lead on Natalisa. He listened to her intently.
âThat crystal ball was a gift from my sister, Natalisa.â
âA gift?â
Natalia snuggled into his arms, recalling, âActually, the first time I saw her was probably a long time ago. Back then, I never slept well. I had lots and lots of dreams. Strange dreams. In fact, most of the time, I couldnât tell reality from my dreams. So she gave me that crystal ball and said if I slept with it in my arms at night, Iâd be able to sleep peacefully. At least, I wouldnât have to have those weird dreams anymore.â
The crystal ball?
Could it be⦠Natalisa convinced Natalia that she would be able to sleep peacefully with the crystal ball when in fact, it was through the crystal ball that she could truly achieve her goal of controlling Natalia? Perhaps Natalia was being controlled by Natalisa through this crystal ball?
It seemed an important clue.
âI see⦠Do you have to hug that crystal ball to sleep every night?â the actor probed further.
âUh huh. Sometimes I forget, but when I do, I get strange dreams at night. However if I hold the crystal ball to sleep, sometimes it will feel as though Iâve slept for days. And Iâm tired when I wake up.â
âI seeâ¦â
âActually, I find it very strange.â Natalia frowned and turned to the actor, pursing her lips. She obviously contemplated for a long time before she finally asked the question that haunted her.
âNone of you can see Natalisa, can you?â
The actor said nothing, but shook his head in response.
âI feel that Natalisa is evil.â
âEvil?â
âYeah. She told me not to trust anyone, including you, and Daddy. So, initially, I was always wary of you, but gradually I realized that you were kind to me, gentle, like family, and I wanted to approach you, but whenever I did, she stopped me. Itâs strange. She always seemed to know what Iâm thinking!â
âThen why do you think sheâs evil?â
âBecauseâ¦â Natalia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. âIâm sorry, I canât say. All I can say is that I feel like sheâs a demon living inside me.â