Stay Near Me

When Bian Was Fourteen. (Trigger Warning)

    I was born into an average family. My father was a farmer and my mother stayed at home and cared for me and my siblings. I had two sisters and one brother. I was the second oldest, my brother was the youngest, and our sisters fell between us. My parents only really loved my brother. He was spoiled and bratty. My sisters and I were just useless daughters who did farm work and who were going to be sold off later to get some money in their pockets. One day, I went out to town to fetch a few things. I was 14-years-old at the time. It was dark and I was headed back home with my things when a man took me by surprise. He pulled me away into a dark building and pinned me down. He forced himself onto me and wouldn't let me go. I didn't cry for help and I couldn't move. I was so scared and confused. I wasn't taught what to do. He scratched my arms and bruised my skin. He choked me and made that he'd win but I had no intention to fight. I just wanted to leave. When he was finished with me he threw me out. I ran home and told nobody. My parents wouldn't have cared care either way.

    Some time passed before I realized something changed. I wasn't bleeding like I used to and my entire body felt weird. I didn't know what was happening so I told my older sister. I'm guessing she told our parents because that night I was handed a bundle of my things and told to leave. They hurled insults at me and threw out many of my things. I was given no money or food when they threw me away. I wandered around aimlessly. Word spread around town quickly too. People looked at me as though I was sick. I had begun to get sick on the daily so maybe they were right. I was soon an outcast. I left that town. I couldn't take their abuse anymore.

    I wandered around for a while and my body changed. I met a nice woman. She took care of me, taught me what I needed to know and what was happening with me. One day the village caught fire. I survived but the woman and the house didn't. Nor, did the village. I spotted a few survivors but that was about it. I manage to salvage what I could and I went about my way.

    One summer day, I was in a field of flowers. I had growing pains. It didn't take me long to realize I went into labor. Right then and there I had my daughter. I cried and laughed. I held her and calmed her cries. I set up a small camp in the field of flowers and remembered the old womans advice. I decided her name as I stared at the sunset.

"Hoa."