Though her hands were wrapped in cloth, Sif still clearly felt the resistance as the knife pierced her mother’s body, and the warmth of the blood soaking through the fabric against her skin.
"Sif," her mother's voice trembled, "Run… don't look back… run…"
Sif's mind went blank. She didn't dare to glance at her mother, only turned and fled at top speed.
She ran as fast as she could, the cold wind rushing into her lungs. Her heart pounded a frantic, terrifying rhythm.
Her limbs grew numb, and Sif ran forward blindly, too afraid to look back or stop.
Finally, exhausted, she tripped over a raised paving stone by the roadside, tumbling three times before coming to a halt. The pain was severe, but she couldn't stop. As she tried to get up and continue running, she realized her small cloth shoes were soaked with blood.
Her toenails had been kicked off, and the pain slowly permeated her entire body.
It hurt, it hurt so much…
Lying on her side, Sif cried out in pain.
Mom, does it hurt like this too?
"Mom… it hurts so much… I can't run anymore…" Sif sobbed, her voice choked, her strength gone.
It wasn't until nightfall that Sif was brought back to the police station by a search party.
At the station, Sif was wrapped in a thick blanket, and someone handed her a cup of hot cocoa.
Cupping the mug, Sif listened to the hushed conversations around her.
"Poor child… she must be terrified."
"Yeah, anyone would be terrified seeing their father stab their mother to death."
"God… did the suspect confess?"
"No, he insists he knows nothing. He just says he was drunk, passed out when he got home, and only woke up to find his wife dead beside him. Says he doesn't know how the knife ended up in his hand. What garbage! And all the bloodstains! The victim also had old injuries. That damn killer!"
"This little one is the only witness now, her testimony is crucial." Two officers speaking quietly glanced in Sif's direction. Sif immediately lowered her head, pretending to still be drinking her hot cocoa, feigning terror.
"I wonder if she'll be able to testify. This poor child," a female officer sighed, "If she testifies that the suspect is guilty, they'll probably have to send her to community services."
"Looking at her, I really don't know if she can testify. What if she can't?" the younger officer nearby whispered.
"Then her father will have to take her home for now," the female officer replied. "Although there are indeed the suspect's fingerprints on the knife, the forensic pathologist also said the angle of the wound doesn't quite match. Further investigation is needed."
"Honestly, on a personal note, it's just too sad for such a young child to lose both parents on the same day," the young officer sighed. "I'll go check on her."
Sif heard footsteps approaching and tightened her grip on the cup.
Then someone crouched down in front of her, "Hey, little one, are you feeling any better?"
Sif's long eyelashes fluttered. Her mind was crystal clear on what she needed to do.
She looked up, gazing at the young police officer with the most innocent, pure eyes in the world, and asked timidly, "Where's my mom? Do you know where Mommy is? I want my mom…"
Hearing Sif's words and meeting her clear blue eyes, the young officer felt a lump form in his chest. "I'm very sorry, little one. Your mom… she's gone. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this."
Though she already knew, hearing the truth spoken aloud brought tears to Sif's eyes. She opened her mouth, desperately suppressing the urge to wail.
Now was not the time for loud sobbing.
If she didn't ensure her father stayed here forever, she would be the next to die.
"But… but Daddy said he wouldn't kill Mommy, he just wanted to teach her a lesson…" Sif blinked her eyes and said meekly.
"What?" The young officer froze, immediately asking, "What did your father say?"
"Daddy said Mommy was disobedient, she didn't help him pay his debts and just wanted to run away. He wanted to teach her a lesson so she would accompany his friends properly." Sif's lips trembled as she whispered, "Daddy, Daddy just wanted Mommy to be obedient, Daddy didn't mean to, please don't hurt Daddy…"
Hearing Sif's words, the young officer's expression grew even more bewildered. He asked in disbelief, "He, what else did your father say today?"
"Daddy was in a good mood today, he bought me a lot of candy, and he said, he said he hoped Sif would grow up quickly and become as beautiful as her mother, then he could…" Sif didn't finish her sentence before the young officer couldn't help but punch the nearby wall.
"This beast!" The young officer trembled with rage. "Damn bastard!"
Watching the enraged young officer, Sif didn't dare say more, only lowering her eyes to look at the hot cocoa in her hands.
Sif's testimony, while helpful, wasn't the definitive evidence. The real evidence came when her father, upon hearing the police say Sif had identified him, unleashed a torrent of abusive, unthinking curses.
This string of insults revealed all that he had done.
Furthermore, he had lunged forward to assault Sif, only to be restrained by two burly officers, his head pressed against the table.
"You bastard son of a bitch!" His head pinned to the table, Father glared at Sif with bloodshot eyes. "Should have sold you off first! Bitch!
Should have let someone fuck you rotten! You think this will get you away from me?
Impossible!
You're just like your bitch mother!
You're destined for the same fate!
You're both the same! The same!"
Perhaps realizing he was as good as dead, Father suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter manic and sharp.
Every single curse word entered Sif's ears, even though she was being held by the female officer, who thoughtfully covered her ears.
Sif stared blankly at her father, memorizing his contorted face.
She really wanted to ask him: Why are you laughing?
Why are you laughing?
…
Time passed. Looking at Xiang Xueyuan before her, Sif still had the same question.
Why are you laughing?
But Sif felt she would never know the answer to this question.
"Remember that game we used to play?" Xiang Xueyuan met Sif's gaze, his smile unwavering. "Two people, only one can live. You choose."