Chapter 13: A Sudden Illness and a Search for Answers

Held in bed by the nurse, Hao Yang felt dizzy, her limbs devoid of strength. The embarrassment of being undressed faded as her discomfort intensified. Her head ached as if someone had used a cement mixer to churn her brain. She decided to rest, knowing the police would arrive tomorrow.

The nurse gently and carefully wiped her body, as if afraid to hurt Hao Yang’s frail, childlike frame.

‘Big Sister, I have a question,’ Hao Yang said, unable to sleep after waking. ‘What is it, little one? I’ll do my best to answer,’ the nurse replied, her tone playful, as if speaking to a child.

‘Have you always talked to me like this? I’m not a child,’ Hao Yang protested, feeling uncomfortable.

‘But you are a child, aren’t you?’ the nurse teased. Hao Yang was at a loss for words, realizing her body was only eight or nine years old, still young enough to celebrate the June 1st Children’s Day.

‘What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so terrible?’ Hao Yang asked about her condition.

‘You have a high fever. If those two police officers hadn’t brought you here, the outcome would have been unimaginable. Remember to thank them when they come,’ the nurse advised.

‘Hmm, I will,’ Hao Yang responded, her discomfort making her want to stop talking. She stared out the window at the large snowflakes dancing in the night, lost in thought.

The sky was still dark, but the snowflakes were clearly visible under the streetlights, large and falling heavily. When would this end? Would spring ever come? Though winter’s worst was past, Hao Yang felt no sign of spring’s approach.

If she had remained at the ATM, would she have frozen to death like the original girl? Her luck had been good, but if she had chosen a different spot to sleep, she might have frozen.

Since entering the girl’s body, Hao Yang’s mood had been heavy with sorrow, especially after witnessing the homeless man’s death. She often felt that life held little meaning, that giving up wouldn’t matter. Yet, her longing for her parents grew stronger.

Suddenly, Hao Yang had an idea and turned to the nurse. ‘Big Sister, may I borrow your phone? I want to make a call.’ She struggled to speak.

‘Here,’ the nurse replied, handing over her phone with the dialing screen open. Hao Yang slowly dialed her mother’s number, her heart racing as she placed the phone to her ear, her eyes wide with anticipation.

‘Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and try again,’ an electronic voice stated. Hao Yang was stunned. She re-entered the number and dialed again, only to hear the same message.

‘What about Dad?’ she thought, quickly dialing his number. The response was the same: ‘The number you have dialed is not in service.’ Hao Yang was bewildered. Had her parents changed their numbers, or was something more sinister at play?

She dialed her own old number, but the result was the same. What had happened to her original body? Was it dead? Why couldn’t she reach her parents?

Hao Yang placed the phone on the bedside table, hugging her head as her mind raced. Her fever had just broken, and her head spun. The nurse, noticing her distress, gently helped her lie back down.

‘Don’t get upset, little one. Let me give you a massage to help you relax,’ the nurse soothed.