I Can See Good and Evil Souls

I could see the color of people's souls. Red meant kindness, black meant malice. When I was six, two couples came to the children's home to adopt a child. Sweetheart, do you want to come home with Mommy and Daddy? I looked at their souls; they were black. Then I ran straight to the tiredlooking couple standing nearby. My son can't walk. I'm only taking you home to help look after him. You'll basically be his little servant. You can still change your mind. That was what she said. but their souls glowed red—so red it almost hurt my eyes. Mia was my best friend at the children's home, but lately, she had been. acting strange. I've been reborn. She kept talking about she had been reborn. Sometimes, she looked at me like I had stolen something from her. The night before the adoption, Mia came to me with a small piece of cake. Evie, I know I've never been better than you, but I don't want to suffer anymore. Tomorrow, can you let me have the rich parents? I thought Mia finally wanted to make up with me, so I nodded happily. Then Mia handed me a dirty dress with a hole in it. Wear this tomorrow. Don't steal my spotlight, okay? I agreed. The next morning, I put on the torn dress. Mia changed into a pretty new one. Sure enough, the rich couple chose her. Oh, what a beautiful little girl! Sweetheart, do you want to come home with me? We have a big house, pretty dolls, and a whole closet full of dresses. You're gonna love it. I want to, Mommy! But I stared at the woman in fear. Her soul was black. I rushed over to stop Mia. Mia, don't go with them. They're bad people. Before I could finish, Mia shoved me to the ground. You stole from me in my last life, now you wanna stop me again? My palm scrapes against the rough ground, blood well up at once. I looked at her in confusion. Mr. Granger pushed me toward the other couple. Our family doesn't have much. Are you sure you still want to come with us? Her voice was cold, but her soul was red, almost shine. I'm sure. I nodded hard. The other children burst out laughing. She really is dumb. She'd be better off staying here. I did not understand why they were laughing. I had clearly chosen the kindest parents in the room. While they laughed, I ran happily towards my new parents.

For now, I did not have to go back to the children's home. I also had a new name, Evie Carter. Mom and Dad ran a small diner nearby. They were busy there during the day, so I pushed Noah's wheelchair outside for some fresh air. Noah always kept his head down; he did not like to talk. I want to make him happy, so I told him funny stories from the children's home. One time Mia and I played hide and seek, I hid inside an old cabinet, there was half a bag of cookies inside. And one time, someone set off a party popper right behind Mr. Granger. He jumped so hard that he knocked over a tray of juice. And another time, Mr. Granger told me to go to his room at night. He said he would give me chocolate, but when I got there, he did not give me any. He asked if I was hot. He asked if I wanted to take off my clothes. Then what happened? Did you take them off? I had only taken off my jacket when his wife came looking for him. She called me a little slut. Then she beat me out of the room with a broom, she beat Mr. Granger too. I took two pieces of chocolate from my little crossbody bag. Then I held one out to him. Mom had prepared the bag for me. Inside were candy, chocolate, a water bottle, some change, and mom's old phone. "I don't like chocolate. " Noah did not take the chocolate. His face turned cold again. "Why? Are you scared it's bitter? " "This one is milkilk hazelnut. " Noah Carter. a pretty girl in a blue and white plaid skirt, was waving at us.

A year ago, I accidentally knocked over a glass of milk. Mr. Granger made me stand outside as punishment. It rained that day. That night, I got a high fever. After I recovered, I gained a strange ability. I could see the color of people's souls. Red meant kindness. Black meant malice. The old lady who cooked for us told me to keep it a secret, don't tell anyone, it can be dangerous, bad people might use you to hurt others. I did not want anyone to get hurt, so I pressed my lips together and nodded hard. Good girl. But not long after that, she died. Thinking about her made me sad, my new mom noticed at once. What, regretting it already? If you don't want to come with us, I can send you back right now. I don't regret it. Then why are you making that face? Honey, she got pushed down earlier. Maybe her hand hurts. My new mom froze. Then she grabbed my hand and pruned open my clenched fist. Blood and dirt covered my palm. I was afraid she would hate it, so I tried to pull my hand back and hide it. Are you stupid? Why didn't you say anything when you were hurt? It doesn't hurt that much. It hurt much less than when Mr. Grange hit me. Shut up, you little brat! Then she told my new dad to drive to the nearest clinic. The doctor cleaned my wound and wrapped my hand in gauze. After we left the clinic, my new mom looked at the hole in my dress. Then she took me to a children's clothing store nearby. Find her a new dress. You'd better behave. If my son doesn't like you, you're going straight back to that children's home. Children who were sent back always got the worst punishment. I was so scared that I nodded again and again. One hour later, I used my bandaged hand to push open the door of my new home.

A wheelchair sat in front of the balcony door. A very goodlooking boy was sitting in it. Where'd you go some early in the morning? Noah, didn't you say you wanted a little sister? Your mom and I brought one home for you. Hi Noah. don't call me that for me, I think you just hate having a disabled son, so you adopted someone else to take care of you when you're old. I looked at his soul. There was no black, only red, but the red looked dim and gray like it had been rained on. His face looked fierce, but I felt like he was sad. I ran to his side and carefully tugged the corner of his shirt. "That's not true. Mom and Dad really did this for you. They said they brought me home to be your little servant, so I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you ask. " The guarded look on his face slowly faded. Then I noticed that his eyes were very pretty. A servant, huh? I nodded hard. Then push me over there. I want breakfast. My new mom was about to say something, but stopped. Step by step, I struggled to push Noah's wheelchair to the dining table. Hey, Noah, her hand... Get me a bowl of cereal. Noah kept ordering me around. I want milk. Now take me to the bathroom. I pushed his wheelchair to the toilet, then I walked around and stood in front of him. I waited for his next order. He stared at me for two seconds, then his face suddenly turned red. What are you standing there for? Get out!

Wheel me over. Quickly, he pushed his wheelchair toward her. The girl smiled gently at Noah. "Long time no see! I heard you took a long leave from school. " "Sophie, I... " Noah's ears turned red. He raised a hand and touched his hair. "I'm recovering at home. I probably won't go back until next semester. " "I see. I've missed you. There are a lot of things I want to talk to you about. "Noah's whole face turned red. I missed you too. Last time, I asked someone to give you a hair clip. I did, but I forgot to wear it today. Little girl, who are you? I'm Evie Carter Oh, Evie! I have something I want to say to your brother alone. Can you give us a minute? Go find Mom and Dad; the diner. is not far from here. Before I could answer, Noah waved at me. I shook my head and moved closer to his wheelchair. I'm not leaving. Why not? She's a bad person!