A Sunset On The Empire

'Daybreak'

It only she had realized.

If only she had realized, that strength would be her saving grace for the times to come, the troubles and trials that she must bear through.
Of course, Belle didn't know at the time, but she was about to enter one of the most difficult and critical times of her precious life, a time where her will would be tested, and where she would have to learn that she could either fight,

Or fall.
~~~
Shanghai, 1942

Belle tossed her thin, long legs over her mattress. She was getting taller now, now that she was only a few weeks short of thirteen.

Thirteen! If only Papa could see her now, tall and lean and strong yet sweet. Of course, Belle didn't look her best; her hair was stringy and she could use a good washing or scrub in the shower.
It was difficult, however, to find the proper soap for cleaning in Shanghai, with the intense amount of poverty, immigrants, and rising prices of goods such as that. Everything was very expensive now, and no money could be spent very much on soap.

It had been a couple months since she had discovered Pierre's magazine. Since then, she had seldom discovered any more news on an invasion in Shanghai, even though it was almost tearing her apart because of her burning curiosity. 'Typical Belle. Always so curious.' Her father would often say.

Although, if you wanted to count something that Belle heard way too much about, it was the fact that Maman had to sell more and more of their valuables, jewellery, furniture, and then Papa's things. His books, clothes, and then, worst of all, his own writings. It was awful in every way, but especially terrible for Belle, because Father had promised that when he come home, he would give all of it to her. All to fuel her never-ending passion and curiosity for war.
So when Belle saw her mother take his possessions out of a crinkled cardboard box, then writing 'for sale' on them, her heart broke and anger sizzled inside of her.

That was the last straw.

'Maman! You can't! You can't take away Papa's writings! What is he going to say once he comes back and finds all of his stuff gone?'
Belle ran over and grabbed his writings out of her hands, hugging them tightly to her shaking chest as if they were to disappear in seconds.

Maman looked surprised, then furious. 'Belle! Enough, and give me those back right now! You have no right to tell me how I should provide for my family. I know father would want the best for you, and if getting you and Pierre your next meal on the table costs his items, I think he would understand!'
Maman sighed, then crossed her arms tiredly, her angered look turning into a sad glance. 'Besides, your father is already gone. We need to let go of him and just, survive.' She said coldly, turning her head away from Belle's.
Belle turned crimson. Tears welled in her eyes as she shoved the writings into the shocked Mari's face.
'Oh Maman, pourquoi dois-tu faire comme si le père ne rentrerait jamais chez nous!?'* She cried.

And with that, Belle burst into tears and ran away.

I suppose Belle could've done something else. Perhaps she could've stayed strong and held her ground, telling her mother that it felt wrong to sell her father's possessions. But you'll have to understand, this was all very new to her. It was tough being a child of a single mother, always under constant stress of being a perfect and helpful sister and daughter to gain acceptance. Poor Belle.

Anyways, the night ended with Maman coming into the room she shared with Pierre and pulling the sobbing Belle into her arms.
As Belle looked into Mari's eyes, she saw the tears that clouded her eyes brokenly fall down her cheeks, as she too began to sob. Then they both hugged each tight and Maman said, 'Belle, you must forgive me. It was wrong to sell you father's things without discussing it first. I'm so sorry.' Belle nodded. 'Let us not remember this situation, but use it as fuel towards growing and learning as a human being.' She said wisely.
Maman smiled. She brushed Belle's hair out her eye and wiped a tear that ran down her cheek away.
'My darling beauty, I want you to remember something. Look at me, Belle.'
Belle looked up at her teary, smiling Maman. 'What is it?'