As the number on my wrist began to diminish, I peered at it.

My body is losing
energy, and I can feel it. My mother can be heard shouting and cheering in delight as
another patient I hugged was cured. Since my father's firm went bankrupt, my life
has been like this. My family had no choice but to use my "ability" for financial
benefit. As the oldest child, I am really concerned about my siblings' future. I was
afraid to use my ability because it would have a significant impact on me. On the
other hand, I don't want my siblings to abandon their ambitions or starve to death. I
made the decision to help my family by using my healing abilities. Hugging
individuals heals them. It may seem impossible, yet it is true. I still have a lot of
unanswered questions about why I have this ability. I can't say I'm lucky to have it
since every time I embrace someone, they get healed, but my life span shortens.
I'm more fatigued today than I've ever been because I just cured someone of a
terminal illness. It was a tremendous risk for me because I didn't know how much of
my life would be cut short. Despite this, we received a substantial sum of money. I
was relieved knowing that my family would no longer have to worry about money.
What bothers me is how my parents, particularly my mother, treat me. They take
advantage of my abilities and force me to heal more people without knowing that my
life expectancy is being shortened.
I saw how much of my percentage was taken away. My family is slowly murdering
me, and I'm doing nothing to stop it. I stormed into my room and sobbed. Only 45
percent of my life is left in me. I begin to believe that the Gods are punishing me. I
don't even believe in them, yet I can't stop myself from blaming someone or
something. I couldn't stop crying till the news caught my attention. A local hospital
reported a hundred deaths in a single day, the most thus far.
I grabbed my sweater and dashed out the door. A lot of thoughts have confused my
mind. I've never been so rash in my entire life. I've had enough and want to get out
of here. In my next life, I'd like to be reincarnated as a normal human being. I have
helped the richest among the rich. I cured a lot of illnesses, but I was never truly
content. Seeing those unfortunate folks die in hospitals makes me sad.
I've made up my mind and decided to pay a visit to a children's hospital that
specializes in terminal illnesses. As I walk in, tears of joy and contentment stream
down my cheeks. I entered carrying a piece of cardboard with the words "FREE
HUGS" written on it.