77 Transfers of Redemption

Little Stone's life was like it had been fast-forwarded.

Originally, he was just an ordinary elementary school student. His greatest joy after school each day was playing with the neighbor's husky, Erha, or doodling unfinished superheroes in his notebook. But ever since that afternoon, when he received the phone call from someone claiming to be a "kidnapper," everything changed.

On the other end of the phone, a coarse voice grated against Little Stone's eardrum like sandpaper: "We have your parents. If you want them to live, do as I say!"

Eleven-year-old Little Stone's heart raced, like a frightened deer. He stammered, "I... what should I do?"

"Transfer money! 500 each time, 77 times, and I'll let them go!"

77 times, 500 each time, how much money was that? Little Stone didn't have time to calculate. He only knew that it was his parents' lives. He held his phone, his fingers flying across the screen, once, twice, three times... Each transfer felt like a piece of his heart was being ripped out.

The family's savings quickly ran out. Little Stone began to ransack the house, finding all the loose change, coins, even the New Year's money he had been saving for a long time to buy a Transformer, all poured into this bottomless pit.

The neighbor, Grandma Wang, saw Little Stone's distraught appearance and asked with concern, "Stone, what's wrong? You look so pale."

Little Stone forced back tears and shook his head. "Nothing, Grandma, I... I'm doing my homework."

He didn't dare to say anything. He was afraid that if he spoke out, his parents would really never come back. He could only silently endure this fear and pressure, transferring money again and again.

Days passed, and Little Stone's eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and his once-round cheeks became sunken. He was like a lone warrior, fighting an unknown enemy on this smokeless battlefield.

The 77th transfer was finally completed. Little Stone collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted. He dialed the "kidnapper's" number, his voice hoarse: "I... I've already transferred 77 times, you... can you release my parents now?"

On the other end of the phone, there was a moment of silence, followed by a burst of harsh laughter: "Hahahaha, you little fool, you really believed it? Your parents were never kidnapped, they're fine!"

Little Stone was struck by lightning, frozen in place. He couldn't believe that he had exhausted all his efforts, all his savings, even sacrificing his innocence and trust, only to be met with a scam.

He rushed out of the house and ran wildly down the street, tears streaming down his face like broken beads. He didn't know where to go or who to turn to. He only felt that the world was full of malice towards him.

Just then, he saw a familiar figure huddled in a small alleyway, shivering.

Was that... Erha?

Little Stone approached and saw that Erha's leg was injured, and he was whining and licking the wound. He suddenly remembered, how long had it been since he played with Erha? How long had it been since he fed him?

He knelt down and gently stroked Erha's head. Erha looked up at him with wet eyes, as if expressing his grievances.

Little Stone hugged Erha, and tears welled up again. He suddenly realized that he wasn't completely empty-handed. At least, he still had Erha, and this pure and innocent friendship.

He decided not to dwell on the pain of the past, but to start over. He would use his actions to make up for his mistakes and to protect the things he cherished.

He took Erha home and used the remaining money to buy some dog food and medicine. He carefully bandaged Erha's wound and fed him. Watching Erha devour the food, Little Stone felt a warm current surge through his heart.

These 77 transfers, although they took away his money, also made him grow. He understood the complexity of human nature and learned to cherish and protect. This, perhaps, is the hidden, most cruel and real, O. Henry-esque ending behind this absurd scam.