The worm spawned countless smaller worms, burrowing into my organs. My intestines ruptured, and I died in agony.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the night I saw the worm.
I quietly shut their bedroom door tight.
My eyes snapped open. A thick white head poked out from under Emily's nightgown.
It wriggled forward, more of its pale body slithering out.
The sight made my skin crawl.
Memories of tiny worms swarming my organs, the pain of my ruptured insides, lingered in my body.
I pinched my palm hard, stifling a scream, and gently closed Kenneth and Emily's door.
Turning to leave, I froze. My mom stood in the living room, staring.
I held my breath, heart pounding, unsure if she had seen it.
"You little brat, why aren't you asleep? What are you doing out here?"
Relieved by her words, I forced a smile. "I saw Kenneth's door open. Didn't want my nephew to get cold, so I closed it."
"About time you showed some sense." My mom shot me a look and shuffled back to her room.
I crept to my small bed and collapsed, tension draining away.
Though Emily grew up inland, she craved raw seafood.
Since her pregnancy, her appetite surged. She devoured huge bowls in one sitting.
Her belly ballooned, but her body withered.
I thought something was wrong. I suspected it wasn't a baby but a giant worm and gently suggested a hospital visit.
Emily snapped. "This proves my son's getting all the nutrients! Are you jealous I'm carrying a healthy boy? Can't stand to see me happy?"
My mom pointed at my nose, calling me a jinx, and made me transfer five thousand dollars to Emily for more seafood.
That night, I saw the worm crawl out from Emily's nightgown.
I screamed, panicked, and dragged Emily to the hospital.
Doctors extracted a three-foot worm and countless smaller ones.
Emily lost her belly and her ability to have children.
Kenneth and Emily blamed me, saying my bad luck turned their son into a worm.
My dad and mom said I cost them their grandson.
They held the slimy worm and forced me to eat it.
"You killed my son, so you'll eat every last one of them."
The large worm birthed endless tiny ones, tearing through my stomach and organs.
I begged them to take me to the hospital, writhing in pain.
They ignored me, locked me in a room, and let worms crawl out of my body until I died.
I pulled my thoughts back and shut my eyes.
If they wanted a son so badly, they could all have one together.
The next morning, a massive bowl of raw seafood sat before Emily.
Petite and only five months pregnant, her belly looked bigger than eight months. It was unsettling.
She grabbed wriggling seafood with her hands, stuffing it into her mouth.
Slimy juices dribbled down her chin. I recalled last night and frowned.
Soon, the bowl was empty.
Catching my frown, Emily glared.
"What's your problem? Jealous my son's thriving? Gonna curse him with your bad luck?"
My mom overheard from the kitchen, stormed out, and slapped me. "You little wretch! How dare you curse my grandson! Kneel and apologize to him right now, or you'll regret it if anything happens to him!"
My dad and Kenneth glowered, ready to pounce if I didn't comply.
Emily rubbed her belly, chin raised, smirking as she waited for me to grovel.
I sneered inside but kept my face neutral. "Emily, you got it wrong. I'm thrilled my nephew's doing so well. You're the hero of our family." The more I spoke, the higher Emily's chin lifted. "I was clueless before. I looked it up, and raw seafood's packed with nutrients. No wonder my nephew's so healthy. All thanks to you, Emily. I just saw you enjoying it and wondered what it tastes like."
I put on a hungry look.
Emily clutched the empty bowl protectively. "No way! My son needs every bite. There's none for you."
My mom kicked me. "Starve, you greedy thing! You think you deserve my grandson's food? Get to work! No dinner for you today!"
Kenneth spat at me, scowling. "A useless girl who barely earns anything, eyeing my son's food. Better marry her off quick and use the dowry to buy my son more seafood."
He lived off my mom's savings and my help but had the nerve to complain about my income.
"What are you all talking about? I'd never steal from my nephew. A friend of mine opened a seafood shop. Knowing Emily loves it, I ordered a ton for her to enjoy. I'm heading out to pick it up now."
At my words, my dad, mom, Kenneth, and Emily's eyes lit up.
Raw seafood wasn't cheap. Kenneth didn't work, and Emily was pregnant. They lived off my dad and mom's pension and my forced support.
Every purchase stung, and Emily never got her fill.
My mom's face softened. She grabbed the broom from my hands with a smile. "That's my girl, knowing such great friends. Go on, I'll handle the chores."
I didn't argue, slipped on my coat, and left.
I scoured the city, buying heaps of discounted, near-expired seafood.
Through a connected friend, I scored even more.
By evening, I dragged a cartload of seafood home.
The moment I stepped inside, my mom started scolding. "You slowpoke! Where've you been fooling around? Emily's waiting to eat! Starve my grandson, and you're done for!"
I stepped aside, revealing the cart piled high with seafood. "It was a bit far, and there's so much, so it took a while."
My mom's eyes widened, forgetting her complaints.
I smiled faintly. "I got extra so everyone can eat."
My mom swallowed hard.
Seafood was pricey. I had seen them drool while Emily ate.
Emily, behind my mom, practically glowed with greed, itching to dig in.
She hurried me along. "Quick, make it! My son can't wait."
I set a huge bowl of seasoned seafood on the table. My dad, Kenneth, and Emily dove in.
"This stuff's amazing. No wonder my son loves it. He's got taste already. He'll be a success," Kenneth said.
My mom, unable to squeeze in, glared at me. "You lazy thing, make more! Can't you see we're waiting?"
I kept bringing out bowl after bowl.
My mom noticed I hadn't touched any and asked. "Why aren't you eating?"
Alarm bells rang in my head. I answered carefully. "It looks like a lot, but it'll run out. The good stuff's for you, Dad, Kenneth, and Emily."
My mom didn't press, muttered something about me knowing my place, and went back to wrestling with wriggling shrimp.
They ate ravenously, juices splattering. I watched coldly.
Near-expired seafood teemed with parasites.
Eat up. The more, the better.
If they wanted a son so badly, they could all have together.