Brief Summary
The narrator experiences a series of unsettling revelations about their brother, who they discover is not only feigning his limp but is also the leader of a criminal gang. After being knocked unconscious and waking up to a seemingly normal morning, the narrator questions their reality, unsure if it was all a dream. However, a small detail confirms their suspicions, leading them to confide in their mother, only to discover she is complicit in the deception.
- The narrator's brother pretends to be asleep and then leaves the room, leading the narrator to follow him.
- The narrator discovers their brother, who has always limped, walking normally and leading a criminal gang.
- The narrator is knocked out and wakes up questioning if it was a dream, but a piece of evidence confirms it was real.
- The narrator tells their mother, only to find out she is helping the brother.
The Pencil Test
The narrator recounts how their brother tested if they were truly asleep by tapping a pencil near their face until it broke. After the brother left the room, the narrator followed him, leading to a shocking discovery.
The Discovery
The narrator was stunned to see their brother, who had always limped, walking normally. They followed him into a dark alley and discovered he was the leader of a criminal gang, witnessing a side of him they never knew existed.
The Confusing Aftermath
While trying to process this information, the narrator was attacked and lost consciousness. They woke up in their room, confused, with their brother acting as if nothing had happened. The brother suggested it was a result of forgetting to take medicine, making the narrator question their sanity.
Reality Check
Despite the brother's explanation, the narrator found a piece of pencil lead on the desk, confirming that the events had indeed occurred. Disturbed by this realization, the narrator decided to confide in their mother, hoping for clarity and support.
Betrayal
The narrator overheard their mother warning their brother about the narrator potentially uncovering their secrets. This revelation instilled a cold fear in the narrator, as they realized that their mother was also complicit in the deception.
