At 3:17 a.m., a sister three years dead calls. She says she is sitting on your bed, and that you were the one in the passenger seat. In the dark, you touch a hand.
Narrator At three seventeen in the morning, Xu Nian's phone lit up. The caller ID said just one word: Sister. Narrator But her sister, Xu Yan, died three years ago. After the car crash, it was Xu Nian herself who deleted that number from her contacts. Narrator On the seventh ring, Xu Nian answered. At first there was only static on the line, a steady hiss, like heavy rain. Xu Yan (the older sister) whispers Niannian… is that you?Xu Nian Who is this? This is my sister's number! Xu Yan (the older sister) Niannian, it really is you… Three years. I've called this number every single night, and no one ever picked up. Xu Nian Where are you right now? Xu Yan (the older sister) I'm home. In your room. Sitting on your bed. Xu Nian That's impossible… I'm lying in bed right now. Narrator Without thinking, Xu Nian looked at the edge of the bed. In the moonlight, the sheets lay flat and smooth. Nothing there. Narrator On the other end of the line, a long silence. Xu Yan (the older sister) crying Niannian, listen to me. That night, three years ago, I was the one driving. And the one in the passenger seat… was you.Narrator Xu Nian's hands began to shake. She tried to speak, but her throat felt packed with ice. Xu Nian You're lying… I go to work every day. I eat. I sleep… Xu Yan (the older sister) Then tell me. When was the last time you talked to anyone? Narrator Xu Nian opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She thought of the security guard downstairs, who never said hello to her. Of the deliveries that never made it to her door. Of the mirror at home… She hadn't looked in a mirror in a very long time. Narrator Outside the door came slow, shuffling footsteps. The old night guard was making his rounds, muttering to himself as he went: Old Security Guard sighs Light's on in 302 again. The little sister in that place passed three years back. And her big sister still comes over every night, just to sit there… Lord, what a shame.Narrator The footsteps slowly faded away. Xu Yan (the older sister) Niannian, if you're really there, touch my hand. I'm reaching out. Right by the edge of the bed. Narrator Slowly, Xu Nian reached out. In the dark, her fingertips touched a hand. Ice cold. And wet. Xu Nian Sis… I can feel your hand. Narrator On the other end, silence. After a long, long time, her sister finally spoke, her voice shaking so hard it barely held together: Xu Yan (the older sister) whispers Niannian… my hands have been in my lap this whole time.
Narrator
Xu Nian
Xu Yan (the older sister)
Old Security Guard
