Chapter 8 — The Parrot Knows Too Much

"I know." I said, my voice dry, “You already know everything, right?”

He nodded, smiled faintly, said that he had suspected it for a long time, said that many years ago there was an employee who always bullied me, then suddenly fell down the stairs and broke his leg. Everyone thought it was an accident, but he saw my eyes at that time, cold and strange to the point of not being like me. He said that from then on, he began to pay attention and discovered that every time I had a violent conflict and lost control of my emotions, it was like I turned into a different person, and then the person I was in conflict with had problems, and when Truong Vi disappeared, he was almost certain. He gave me the parrot to record evidence, wanted to help me, wanted to take me to the doctor, and even took the watch when he found Truong Vi's body to distract the investigation from him, to buy me time. But everything happened so fast. His words were like heavy blows to my head, they all matched what I guessed, he was not the murderer, just someone standing outside, trying to pull me out of the abyss but was powerless. At that moment, a severe pain erupted in my head, as if something had ripped through my brain, an image suddenly appeared, my hands covered in mud and blood, clutching a garden shovel, the tip of the shovel still dripping blood. In front of me was Ly Phong, lying motionless, eyes wide open, full of fear and disbelief. A cold voice rang in my head, not mine.

“He deserves to die.”

“Those who make me uncomfortable… deserve to die.”

That voice carried a cruel yet horrifying innocence. It's "she". Another me. My body began to tremble uncontrollably, my consciousness was gradually swallowed by something. I looked at Trinh Hao, trying to squeeze out the last few words.

“Run… quickly run…”

“She… is about to come out…”

In the next moment, Trinh Hao's face turned white, his eyes filled with panic, but he did not step back, he even took a step forward, calling me not to be afraid, telling me to look at him. The pain in my head exploded more intensely, as if a drill went straight through my skull, and that voice rang out again, carrying contempt.

“Chieu Chieu?”

“She's asleep.”

“Now… it's me.”

I clearly felt the corner of my mouth curling up into a strange smile, not mine, but "hers", this body no longer belonged to me. I saw "myself" turn his wrist, making a dry cracking sound, then raised his head, looked at Trinh Hao with completely unfamiliar eyes, his voice spoke slowly.

“Trinh Hao.”

“She” opened her mouth.

The calm, cold voice was the voice on the tape recorder.

“I know you.”

“You are a smart person.”

“Much smarter than those trash.”

“You found out a long time ago, right?”

Trinh Hao's throat moved slightly, he did not answer, just stared at "me", his eyes were so tense that they seemed to pierce through.

“So why didn't you say it sooner?”

“She” asked, her voice carrying a bit of curiosity.

“Want to see a play?”

“Or do you find that interesting?”

“No…” Trinh Hao finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

“I just… want to help you.”

"Help me?"

“She” laughed, the laugh was very light but made the whole space cool a few degrees.

“I don't need anyone's help.”

“I'm the one helping her.”

“She is too weak weak, always bullied."

“Those people are like trash, sticking to her, making her uncomfortable.”

“And my job… is to clean up that trash.”

The voice was frighteningly natural, as if it was just talking about dusting the house.

“So Truong Vi…” Trinh Hao's voice trembled.

“He touched something he shouldn't have touched.”

“She” replied calmly.

“His hands were so dirty, it made her nauseous.”

“So… I cut off those hands.”

“And Ly Phong.”

“His voice is so loud, it gives her a headache.”

“So… I made his throat never make a sound again.”

Trinh Hao's body staggered, he had to lean on the iron pillar behind him, on his face was unconcealed fear... and heartache.

“Who… are you?” he asked.

“She” tilted her head, as if thinking about an interesting question.

“I am her.”

“Also the one who protects her.”

“The only one in her childhood nightmare who hugged her.”

“A shadow that blocked her father's belt blows.”

“The courage to pick up a brick and throw it back when she was cornered in an alley.”

“Her” eyes suddenly turned cold.

“What about you, Trinh Hao?”

“What are you?”

“You gave her that damn bird.”

“You want to expose me, want to kick me out of this body.”

“Do you think you're a savior?”

“No, you're just like that trash.”

“You are also… a problem.”

As soon as the words ended, "my" body moved. Fast as a flash of black lightning. I stared blankly as "myself" rushed towards Trinh Hao, my hand tightening around his neck. I screamed inside. But to no avail. I'm just someone trapped in my own body, helplessly witnessing it all.