The Truth Bracelet Chapter 1

I was born a liar, that's the label my mother gave me.

Just because my mother, who firmly believed in scientific parenting, put Truth Bracelets on me and my twin sister since we were born.

As long as we lie, the bracelet will light up red, and mom will press the remote control to release electric current as punishment.

My sister's bracelet is always green, even if she cut mom's dress and said the cat did it, the bracelet would only gently flash green light.

But me, even if I just shout "Mom, I'm hungry", the bracelet will instantly explode with red light, followed by heart-drilling electric shock.

At first I would defend myself, but mom said:

"Machines don't lie, you will only remember when it hurts. Mom is doing this for your own good."

After thousands of electric shocks, I also thought I was born a liar.

On New Year's Eve, mom prepared to take sister to see the fireworks.

Severe abdominal pain hit me, I curled up on the floor asking for help: "Mom, my stomach hurts so much, save me."

But the bracelet flashed red crazily.

Mom looked down at me sweating coldly, turned the current to the maximum level:

"To want to go see New Year's Eve fireworks with us, you actually fake illness? Really incorrigible!"

She turned and took sister out, slamming the door heavily.

I couldn't help thinking, mom is right, the bracelet is red, so I must not be in pain, it's me lying for attention again.

Sorry mom, next life, I will definitely learn to be an honest child.

* * *

"It hurts so much..."

I convulsed all over with pain, nails scratching white marks on the floor.

Doorknob turned.

A trace of light burst into my eyes.

Mom came back.

Mom is a doctor, she must have seen something wrong with me, came to save me.

"Not ready yet? Fireworks are starting, Bella is waiting anxiously."

"Mom."

I shouted weakly, reaching out a hand towards the door.

"Mom, really hurts, like intestines broken."

She glanced at the crazy flashing red light on my hand.

Mom squatted down, pinched my chin, tone angry.

"Stella, how long are you going to act?"

"Really habitual liar, you just reflect at home!"

Dad urged at the door.

"Honey, hurry up, fireworks show is starting. If Stella doesn't go then don't go, leave some food for her?"

Mom stood up, clapped hands, as if disgusted by dirt.

"Leave what food?"

"There's a pile of snacks in her room cabinet, that's what she bought with stolen money last time, won't starve her to death."

"Lock the door, let her out when the bracelet turns green."

"But." Dad seemed to hesitate.

"But what? Merciful father spoils son! Look at how honest Bella is, bracelet is always green."

"Stella is rotten to the core, must be corrected!"

But my cabinet was empty.

That time money was taken by sister, snacks were also eaten by sister.

Sister just stood by, bracelet flashing gentle green light, said: "Not me."

Mom believed.

And I defended a sentence I didn't take either, red light on, I got electric shocked.

I watched mom turn around.

Sister poked head out from door crack, made a face at me.

"Bye sister, we go see beautiful fireworks lo."

Her bracelet, glowing green, really pretty.

Bang.

Door slammed heavily, sound of locking came.

Home quiet.

Only left me, and the saw in my stomach.

Hurts so much.

Mom is right, machines don't lie.

Bracelet is red, so I must be lying.

I don't hurt.

I really don't hurt.

I cried while hypnotizing myself.

Don't know how long passed, seemed really not that painful anymore.

I supported last breath, crawled to desk.

I need to write Apology Letter, this is the rule.

As long as red light on, must write one thousand words "I am a liar".

After writing, mom will forgive me right? Will send me to hospital right?

I trembled hand, opened that crumpled diary.

Above densely packed all previous apology letters.

Before I wrote "Sorry, I was wrong, I won't lie anymore".

But this time, I want to write some truth.

Vision getting blurry, I cried while using last strength wrote:

"Mom, I really love you."

"I really hurt so much, why you just don't believe me?"

"Mom, please believe me once okay."

Finished writing last word, severe pain in stomach suddenly disappeared.

Replaced by an unprecedented lightness.

Body became light, I floated up.

I looked down, saw myself lying on the table, hand hanging in mid-air, motionless.

Bracelet on body, still flashing red light crazily.

Turns out I died ah, but I haven't learned to be an honest child yet, sorry mom.