That night was wrapped in a strange, ominous gloom. Even though I was curled up on a chair in the form of a dog, my instincts sensed the trace of a dire danger. It was as if the scent of death, perceptible only to animals, was spreading through the entire air.
I immediately ran to Mother's bedside. Her breathing was very weak. I transformed my body back into its human form. Taking Mother's cold hands into my trembling ones, I held them firmly.
"Mother...!" I whispered.
Mother opened her eyes with great difficulty. She looked into my eyes and spoke softly. "Daughter... my time is over. Give me a promise. Somehow, look after your sister safely. Until the time is right... do not tell her who you are. She is not yet strong enough to bear that truth..."
I nodded through my tears. "Go now, daughter... Chenxi will wake up," Mother whispered in a dying voice.
Once again, I took the form of the black dog. But this time, I did not go back to the chair. I snuggled against Mother's chest. This was the first and last time in my entire life that I would sleep huddled against her. Mother, too, embraced me with her lifeless arms. Looking at the pale moonlight falling through the window, I cursed this unfortunate fate from the bottom of my heart.
A few hours later, I felt the warmth of Mother's chest gradually fading away. Her body grew stiff and cold.
I began to howl loudly. That sound was not the cry of a dog, but a soulful wail torn from my heart. Startled by the sound, Chenxi came running. When she entered the room, I was crying with my head resting upon Mother's still body.
"Mother...!" Chenxi's wail shook the entire house.
She embraced Mother's still body and began to mourn. I huddled against Chenxi, embracing both her and Mother with my fur-covered limbs. Though I longed to speak to her as an elder sister and comfort her, all I could do was whimper beside her while shedding tears.
Now, she is all I have left in this world. For her sake, I will do anything.