How Things Are

1

She woke up again with the same dream. Living away from this crowded society, free to do what she wanted. But like every time, she knew it was just a dream and had to get ready before she started hoping.
Clans, crews, gangs, whatever place you were a part of in this world it didn't matter to her because she was a woman. As far as everyone else says it, she had no choice but beneath a man. Her brother tried to protect her for as long as he could but in the end, it just got Simon killed. He taught Tibby well though. She was a fighter.
The first man who tried to make Tibby kneel... well she won her freedom, however now she's wanted. She remembers the day well.
A foolish gang leader saw her and wanted her as one of his many bedwarmers. Derek was the first real fight she ever had. Simon taught her everything and never went easy on training her.
It was against the law to teach a woman to defend themselves. If someone powerful chose you, your only choice was to accept the cards you've been dealt. She couldn't that day. She saw evil in Derek's eyes. There was fear on her face when he grabbed her off the street and he enjoyed it.
Tibby cleared her mind and easily defeated Derek. However, the moment it happened she regretted it. His gang found out Simon was the one who trained her. They were never a part of anything. Just living off the streets so his gang had nothing to worry about. She went home to find Simon's body tortured. It was so badly beaten Tibby could hardly tell it was him.
After what seemed like hours of crying, she took Simon's Katana and left. The next few days there were fliers of her everywhere. People truly are foolish to believe such things. Supposedly she killed Simon and is responsible for a gang war.
Its been about five years now. She either has nightmares or daydreams. Every once in a while she sees a flier of her face. Dereks gang and his allies are searching for her. His enemies have offered sanctuary for a price. So she just wanders.