One day at a plaza, I spotted her with Greg. Musical fountains were shooting up in a spectacular display, and the two of them ran hand in hand through the curtain of water, laughing without a care in the world...
In that moment, my heart twisted into a knot.
Perhaps sensing something, Mona looked up and met my eyes across the distance.
Our gazes connected.
In her eyes, I saw panic and guilt... and also fear.
Yes—fear!
What was she afraid of? That I'd steal Greg back?
When she came home that evening, Mona had dinner waiting for me. She hunched her shoulders, tentative, as if she'd done something wrong.
"Don't see Greg anymore!" I told her point-blank.
"Why not?" Her expression changed.
"No reason. I just forbid it."
"Melody, you're jealous of me!" She grew agitated.
This was the first time she'd spoken to me so harshly.
Honestly, it scared me a little.
"Jealous of what? He was mine to begin with!" I blurted out.
"But he likes me now!" Mona glared at me, her eyes glistening with tears. "Melody, I'm sorry... I've fallen in love with him..."
I screamed and leaped up, hurling everything within reach at her... Finally I said, "Mona, this has to end."
I locked her away and took the key.
18
Actually, I shouldn't have blamed Mona.
As a clone, everything she had came from me. It wasn't really her falling for Greg—it was that I'd never gotten over him. So when Greg came back to me, I immediately reconciled with him...
I was like a thief, shamelessly stealing the fruits of Mona's labor.
Mona was heartbroken.
And I was ashamed.
We stopped talking, stopped sleeping in the same bed. Even accidental eye contact made us both uncomfortable for ages...
I even started regretting—why had I created this trouble for myself?
But it was too late for regrets.
19
Late one night, I was suddenly jolted awake to find my hands and feet bound, and myself thrown into a bathtub filled with cold water... the very bathtub that had belonged to Mona!
And Mona stood beside me, watching me sorrowfully. She said, "Melody, why do you get to enjoy a colorful life while I must hide in darkness, spending my whole life as your shadow?
"Why can you be with the man you love while I can't?
"Melody, it's not fair!"
I shook my head. "Mona, you're just a clone!"
"A clone is still a person, with her own feelings! I truly, genuinely love Greg!" Mona's tears fell. "Melody, please, let me have him!"
"Let you? How?"
Mona didn't answer. She just stared thoughtfully at the scarf around her neck.
That scarf was beautiful—breathtakingly so.
Red has always represented desire and ambition...
20
"Don't worry, it'll be over soon."
Mona removed the scarf and gently wrapped it around my neck.
How ironic? That scarf was a gift from me.
I broke free of my ropes and tried to escape, but she grabbed me by the hair and slammed me back to the ground...
What followed was a fight to the death.
Never in my life had I experienced anything so gut-wrenching...
It was either her or me!
In the midst of the blood and fury, someone suddenly knocked on the door—
"Melody, open up!"
21
"Greg, you're here? What beautiful flowers—are those for me?"
"Not just flowers, there's also this."
"Wow, a ring!"
"Melody, marry me. I swear, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."
"I do! I do so much!"
The two kissed passionately, while a corpse lay in the next room.
Some go to heaven; others go to hell.
(End of Story 13: Horror Doll)
*
"The one who died—who was it? Melody or Mona?" Cindy asked curiously.
"Obviously it was Melody!" Luke said. "Mona took her place and married Greg!"
"If that's the case, then Melody is really pitiful!"
"I think I've read this story before," Stan said. "If I'm not mistaken, the author is 'Dumpling,' right?"
"Yes, that's right," I nodded.
"Ha, I'm a huge fan of his! He's written lots of stories like this, and I love them all." Stan grew excited. "This author is quite mysterious—never appears on any platform. I've followed him for two years and still don't know if he's male or female."
"Yeah, he keeps a low profile," I said, glancing at the Boss. "Boss, do you know this author?"
"When I'm not busy, I also read books online, but I haven't come across this author. Probably not that famous," the Boss shook his head. "Dumpling? Sounds like someone who'll never amount to much."
"That's not true—he's very famous! On his platform alone, millions of fans wait for his updates every day. And many of his stories are already being adapted for film and television," Stan protested.
"Is that so? Then I must be out of touch. I'll make time to read his work later," the Boss smiled. "Alright, everyone's shared their stories. Thanks for joining in—you've made this an interesting night. According to our game rules, it's now time for the judging phase..."
"Wait a moment," I interrupted. "Boss, I think you've missed someone."
"Oh? Who?"
"You," I said. "As the person who started this game, shouldn't you set an example by going first?"
"I have to tell a story too?"
"If your story moves us, we can treat you to dumplings."
"Treat me to dumplings?" The Boss laughed. "Alright, I'll tell one! Let's see if my story is worth a plate of dumplings."
He took a sip of water and thought for a moment. "The story I'm about to tell is something I experienced personally. I hope it gives you all a little insight...
"Before I tell this story, I'd like to ask everyone a question.
"Are you satisfied with your life? What kind of life do you wish you had? If given the chance, would you trade lives with someone else..."