𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀

One

【CHAPTER 1】

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In the faint glow of the moon, bathing the small room in a silvery light, Minji stirred awake, sleep still clinging to her eyelids. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she turned towards the bed where her mother lay. A gaze filled with tenderness rested upon the tired face of the one who was her reason for living.

With utmost care, Minji approached the bed and placed her hand on her mother's feverish forehead. A shiver of worry ran down her spine as she felt the excessive heat of her skin. She knew that illness weighed heavily upon her, but she refused to let despair take hold. She rose gently from her meager mattress laid on the floor, leaving the bed to her mother, much to the latter's dismay, who insisted that Minji rest more. The young girl took the worn blanket and carefully adjusted it over her mother, ensuring she was well covered despite the stifling heat.

She then leaned in to place a soft kiss on her mother's burning forehead, whispering comforting words. "I'm going to fetch some water, Mom, I'll be back soon," she murmured tenderly before slipping out of the cottage.

Outside, the cool morning air caressed her face as she ventured into the still-present darkness. Minji grabbed an empty bucket and made her way to the village well, following the familiar path she had taken so many times before. Every step echoed in the morning silence, only the gentle breeze murmuring softly in her ears.

Upon reaching the well, Minji slowly lowered the bucket into the dark depths, pulling on the rope with determined strength. Fresh water soon gushed from the well, faintly shimmering in the dawning light. With caution, Minji filled the bucket and carried it with her.

The journey back seemed shorter, driven by the urgency to alleviate her mother's suffering. She crossed the threshold of the house with a sigh of relief, placing the bucket near the bed where her mother lay.

"I'm back, Mom," she whispered softly, offering a tender smile despite the fatigue weighing on her shoulders. "I'll cool your forehead, it'll get better soon."

Minji soaked a cloth in the cold water before placing it gently on her mother's forehead. She wiped away the sweat first, then placed it on her own forehead. She repeated this process again and again for several minutes, hoping to bring some relief to her mother's fever. After a while, she rose to her feet to check if there was anything to eat. A sigh escaped her lips as she noticed the dwindling food supplies. She grabbed her jacket and stepped out of the house it was time to work before school.

Outside, the world was slowly waking up as the first rays of sunlight began to illuminate the village. Minji took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. Despite the challenges she faced, her determination remained unwavering.

Minji returned the villagers' greetings with a warm smile as she made her way to work today. Despite the poverty that pervaded their community, there was a sense of unity and camaraderie among them all. They were bound together by shared struggles and a deep spirit of resilience.

Approaching the butcher's stall, Minji was greeted by a gentle smile from the butcher, a familiar face in the village. "oh hi, Minji, how is your mother?" he asked with genuine concern etched into his features.

Minji sighed softly as she removed her jacket and rolled up her sleeves, ready to lend a hand to the butcher. "She's still sick," she replied with a sad smile, her voice tinged with worry and discomfort.

Together, they set to work, their hands deftly slicing through cuts of meat and arranging them neatly on display. Despite the heaviness of her heart, Minji worked diligently, finding solace in the rhythm of their tasks and the quiet camaraderie they shared.