I began to speak slowly, telling the story of my past for the first time.

At 15, I lived as August's living blood bank.

Due to constant blood donations, my growth was severely delayed. I weighed less than 70 pounds, stood barely over five feet, and suffered from severe anemia. The slightest movement could make me faint, and I still hadn't gotten my period.

When I walked with my classmates, I looked like a frail elementary school student among a group of graceful young girls. No one would guess we were the same age just by looking at us.

I had almost no friends because of my pale, emaciated appearance. I was different from everyone else.

Back in middle school, my classmates gave me all sorts of insulting nicknames. They would hide my homework and enjoy watching my expression when the teacher scolded me.

But when I entered high school, the new students were kind to me. They said I reminded them of their younger sister. They would hug me, kiss my cheeks, tie pretty ribbons into bows in my hair, and stuff my pockets with candies.

I liked them and liked going to school.

But my parents said I didn't need to go to school. If it wasn't for me begging and cooperating with their blood draws, they might have pulled me out of school by now.

They wanted me to be a tool, to not eat anything they didn't approve of or say anything they didn't want to hear.

"Your parents are worse than animals." Eason couldn't help but curse. "Although I don't like the cops, have you tried calling them?"

"I've tried, but they didn't believe me. My parents showed them a medical report saying I had delusional disorder, and the police just let them take me back.

I continued flatly, "They're my parents. Blood is thicker than water. No one believes they would hurt me. With that shield, they can do whatever they want with me. I can't escape."

Eason clicked his tongue. "For the first time, I think being an orphan might not be that bad."

He patted my shoulder and grinned. "We're quite alike. One with no parents, the other with inhuman parents."

Suddenly, he became more familiar with me. He pulled out the chicken wing and fruit tart I hadn't eaten from his bag and flashed me a smile. "Want to share?"

I swallowed hard. I took the chicken wing in both hands. The moment I bit into it, I cried.

It was so delicious. I didn't know food could taste like this.

It was crispy, salty, and savory, with no off-putting flavors. Just a rich, meaty taste that made me want to swallow my tongue.

He even handed me the juice he had brought. It was so sweet that it made me dizzy. Before I realized it, I had drunk most of the bottle.

Feeling embarrassed, I lowered my head. "Sorry, I finished your juice."

He looked smug, like a proud black cat. "It's good, right? I love this juice. I'll bring you some next time."

"Is it expensive? If it is, forget it."

"I don't know. I stole it."

I choked on his words, unsure of how to respond. Seeing my reaction, he grinned mischievously.

He had said it on purpose, just to tease me. But I wasn't angry. Instead, I smiled along with him.

Eason even showed me a magic trick. He placed a coin in his palm and blew on it lightly. When he opened his hand, the coin was gone.

I grabbed his hand and searched it repeatedly. "Where did it go?"

He chuckled. "Feel your hair."

I reached up and touched my ponytail. The coin was there. But he never touched my hair!

I stared wide-eyed. "How did you do that? You're amazing!"