It felt as if the light of our home had been extinguished forever. With Mother's sorrowful departure, the entire house had become as desolate as a graveyard. Even as days passed, Chenxi's pain did not lessen. All she did throughout the day was stay in Mother's empty room, huddled on the vacant bed, weeping.
In the form of a dog, I watched this from a corner of the room. Chenxi took an old dress of Mother's and held it to her face, searching for Mother's scent within that piece of fabric.
"Mother... why did you leave me all alone? Who am I going to talk to now, Mother?" Every word she sobbed felt like it was tearing through my chest.
I slowly went to her and rested my head on her lap. 'Sister... don't cry. You are not alone. I am here,' I screamed in my heart. But only a faint whimper escaped my mouth. Chenxi looked at me with her tear-filled eyes. Stroking my head gently, she lay back down on Mother's bed. She was now detached from the ordinary world, lost amidst memories.
Even the sunlight peeking through the window felt dim today. I realized deeply, even while in this animal form, how bleak life becomes when those we love are lost. After weeping, Chenxi finally fell into a deep sleep. I could no longer just watch like a beast. I slowly shifted back into my normal form. I sat by the edge of the bed and very carefully placed my sister's head on my lap. After many years, I felt the true warmth of my sister. I gently stroked her disheveled hair.
"Sister... your big sister is right here," I whispered very softly.
While asleep, Chenxi suddenly gripped my hand tightly. "Mother... you won't leave me again, will you?" she murmured in her dream.
Hearing those words, it felt as if my heart were burning. A tear of mine fell onto her forehead. I wanted to tell her the truth and embrace her while crying, but the promise I made to Mother silenced me once again.
Suddenly, Chenxi startled and opened her eyes. I immediately used my power to take the form of the black dog again. When she woke and looked, her head was resting on the fur-covered body of the dog. I looked at her innocently. Chenxi stared for a moment, unable to comprehend anything, and then hugged me tightly.
"I saw Mother in my dream... it felt like Mother was right beside me," she whispered, snuggling closer to me.
She does not know that it was not a dream, but her sister, who is like a shadow of their mother. I silently huddled against her, staring into the darkness.