The Cotton Candy Girl Chapter 1

Dad bought a cotton candy for me and one for my big sister, Chloe.

I took mine happily, but Chloe started wailing.

"Why does she get the same as me? See? Now that you have a second kid, I'm not the favorite anymore!"

Hearing this, Mom gently pulled the cotton candy out of my hand.

"Be a good girl, Ellie. Give this to Chloe. You can eat something else later."

But I wanted cotton candy too.

I started to cry, feeling wronged.

Mom snapped instantly.

"Can't you be more mature? You already stole half of Chloe's love! Can't you even let her have a cotton candy?"

"Fighting with your sister at this age... what will you become when you grow up?"

Scared, I stopped crying and tugged at Mom's coat.

"Mommy, don't be mad. Ellie doesn't want it anymore..."

Mom froze for a second, then seemed even angrier.

She stormed to the stall, bought ten cotton candies, and shoved them into my arms.

"Eat! Sit right here and eat! Don't move until you finish them all!"

Mom took Chloe's hand and walked away.

Dad patted my head, his voice tired.

"Ellie, be good. When Mom cools down, Dad will come back for you."

I sat alone on the bench in the mall, stuffing cotton candy into my mouth as fast as I could.

When I was eating the seventh one, the mall caught fire.

* * *

People screamed and ran toward the exits.

I sat on the bench, too scared to move. I just ate faster.

The cotton candy was so sweet it tasted bitter.

Eat faster. Faster. Once I finish, Dad will come back for me.

Suddenly, strong arms scooped me up from the chair.

It was the Cotton Candy Lady.

She ran outside and put me down, gasping for air.

"Stay here! Don't move! I'm going to find a police officer to help find your parents. Do you hear me? Don't run off!"

Just then, I saw Chloe. I ran over and grabbed her arm.

"Chloe! Where are Mom and Dad?"

Chloe shook off my hand violently. She looked at me with hate.

"Mom and Dad thought you were still inside. They went back in to save you."

My brain buzzed.

I turned around and sprinted back toward the fire.

I had to find Mom and Dad. I had to bring them out.

The Cotton Candy Lady was too far away to catch me. She screamed desperately behind me.

"Come back! Child! What are you doing! Come back—!"

I didn't look back. I waved at her while running.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

I ran back to the bench against the heatwave.

The bench was already blackened by smoke. Flames crackled all around.

"Dad! Mom!" I shouted, my voice hoarse. But there was no one.

The cotton candy in my arms melted into sticky syrup all over my clothes.

If Mom saw this, she would be so mad.

I ran desperately, looking for them.

Nowhere.

I couldn't find them anywhere.

I tripped and fell. I didn't have the strength to get up anymore.

Fire and thick smoke surrounded me.

I curled up on the scorching floor and prayed with my last thought.

"Mom, Dad, please make it out..."

The pain and suffocation vanished quickly.

I seemed to float up.

It was magical. I thought of Mom and Dad, and suddenly, I was drifting beside them.

On the chaotic street outside the mall, Mom was wrapping a blanket carefully around Chloe.

"Don't be scared, Chloe. It's over," Mom soothed her.

Dad handed Chloe a cup of hot cocoa.

"Chloe, are you shocked? Drink something sweet to calm down."

Thank goodness! Mom and Dad are safe!

Dad turned to a busy firefighter, gesturing urgently.

"Excuse me, have you seen a little girl? About this tall? Two pigtails, wearing a white coat..."

Dad was looking for me!

I rushed over to hug Dad's leg.

But I passed right through his body.

"Dad! Ellie is here!"

I shouted loud. I tried again and again, but I grabbed nothing but air.

Just then, Chloe tugged at Dad's sleeve.

"Dad... I think I saw Ellie just now."

Dad froze. Mom turned her head sharply.

"Really? Where? Is she okay?" Dad's voice trembled with excitement as he grabbed Chloe's shoulders.

Chloe flinched, shrinking back. She whispered, "She left with a lady."

"A lady? What kind of lady? Which way?" Dad asked urgently.

Guilt flashed in Chloe's eyes, but neither Mom nor Dad noticed.

"I think it was the Cotton Candy Lady..."

"I wanted to scare her a little. I told her you guys thought she was inside and went in to save her."

"But... she ignored me. She didn't even ask about you guys. She just left with that lady."

The urgency on Dad's face vanished. His face turned gray as he let go.

No! It's not like that! I didn't leave you!

I was crying, screaming to explain, but they heard nothing.

Mom was shaking with rage. "She ignored you and left?!"

She hugged Chloe tighter and glared at Dad.

"Listen! Just listen! This is the 'good daughter' you spoiled!"

"She knew we risked our lives to find her, and she didn't even ask if we were alive? She just left with a stranger selling candy!"

Dad hunched his back, staring dead at the mall entrance. He said nothing.

In the crowd, I saw the Cotton Candy Lady sitting on the ground, wailing.

"That child... I brought her out! But she heard her parents were inside and ran back in!"

"Silly child... she could have lived!"

I whispered I'm sorry to her.

Dad looked in her direction. He took a few steps forward. His eyes flickered.

My heart tightened.

Dad must recognize her! He must know Chloe is lying!

But Dad stopped. He turned back to Mom and sighed.

"Did you hear that?" Dad sounded so disappointed.

"Someone else's child... heard her parents might be inside. She was safe, but she ran back in."

"What a loyal, brave kid."

Dad didn't recognize her.

Chloe let out a breath of relief.

Mom scoffed.

"You said it. That's someone else's child."

"Ours is an ungrateful white-eyed wolf. Don't compare them."

"For a bite of candy, she ignored her own parents' lives. We wasted years raising her!"

I stood there, feeling so wronged.

It wasn't someone else's child! That was me! I am your child!

Dad wiped his face wearily.

"Let's go. Let's go home."