WHELVE ↠ NA JAEMIN

↠ C . 3

"Your friend came over!" instantly her head raised shocked by the news. "I sent her away, don't expect to see her." What was she expecting? Her mother let her in. Byeol and Aera have been friends since elementary school. Not even once was the girl allowed to enter her house. She bit her bottom lip. She missed Byeol. She really wanted to see her.

Finishing of the left over crumbs she downed the water wiping any excess off her lips. A-yeong snatched the empty bowl and walked out the room. Aera was about to stand up to run out as her mothers back was facing her but she wasn't able to due to her weakening legs and lack of energy.

All she could do was watch the door be locked in dispair.

Why? Just why is she doing this to me?

↠

"So you made up your decision. Your going to sell your daughter to us " the man twirled his keys on his finger. "Yes"

"You do realise as soon as you sign the contract she belongs to us and we can do anything to her." There was a moment of silence. As if A-yeong did care about her daughter deep inside of her. However the weird feeling she felt for a split second was washed away as soon as her eyes landed on a portrait of the girl hanging on the plain wall.  A full change in her demeanor as a chuckle left her lips. "Yes I know"

"Well take me to her. I would like to see this girl" Following the mans's order she led him down to the storage room. She unlocked the door revealing the 15 year old crouching on the floor, eyes faced down.

Aera's heart beat slowed down slightly flinching. A deep scar was carved along his eye. His psychotic smile made her shudder in fear. "Quite pretty she is. She can be sold for a hefty price." The man kneeled down to her level and gently held her chin moving her head side to side to view her face. Her body froze at his touch.

As soon as she heard what he said, she finally understood what was going on. Aera gritted her teeth and slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me!!" Her mother glared at her and marched over, slapping the girl hard "I told you to not say a word"

A deep chuckle radiated from the man's lips "She has fire in her. I like her. It's a deal. I will come back tomorrow with the contract and you will be free"

A spark of delight shone in the ladies eyes. Her lips stretched forming a smile. She led him to the front door and bowed at the man as he exited the house. When she turned her feet her cheerful behaviour dissipated.  Her daughter standing in front of her. "You are selling me to human-traffickers to pay the debt?!"

"This wouldn't have happened if your dad didn't die. We wouldn't be poor!" she spat back glaring down at the young girl. "You really are the worst. I was waiting and hoping that one day you will change and treat me like a human. Like a daughter. But no! You are a monster! A demon!!"

"Shut up! You don't speak to me like that! I'm your mother!"

"Then maybe act like one. You're not selling me. I won't go!" she had enough. All the pent up anger and suffering she was put through spilled out bringing her to reality. Her mother would never change. 

↠

A-yeong didn't hold back. Bruises were tattooed on Aera's pale skin. The child couldn't fight back. Her mother was too strong for her. "I don't care. Beat me up all you want. I will not go"

Her mother's blood rushed through her veins at increasing speed. Veins popped out. She stormed to her purse and grabbed her pocket knife. Upon seeing the weapon Aera immediately made her way towards the front door to run for her life.

Unfortunate to her the door was locked. She ran to her room and hid under the bed. Covering her mouth tight sealing them from screaming. Sweat trickled down her forehead and tears trailing freely.

"Aera~ you're not getting away. Just be a good girl and listen to me won't you. Then you won't get hurt and I won't either" her psychotic chuckle vibrated louder as she got closer and closer to the second floor. The knife scratched the wall paper causing a deafening sound. Her mothers feet paced around her room. All of a suddenly, she halted at her bed then abruptly bent down. 

"Found you!" A-yeong extended her hand out grabbing a handful of Aera's hair. She pulled the girl out from the bed and chuckled deeply. "You really thought you could get away from me didn't you?" without regret she dragged the girl throwing her towards the glass painting on the wall. A small crack formed on the painting barely a length of a hair pin. Then it exploded far, shattering into a million pieces painting scars on the girl below.

Screams bounced of the walls. The girls arms raised above her, covering herself from the harm. Vermillion blood trailed down her neck from her head injury. Aera couldn't take it anymore. She stood on her feet ignoring the agonising pain banging on her head. She stepped towards her mother and kicked her in her abdomen. She took advantage of her mother being in pain. her hand automatically clutched onto the pocket knife pointing the weapon back at the older lady. A-yeong stood up in shock. Her eyes widened by the foreign sight of her daughter threatening her.

"How much longer did you expect me to resist? I won't listen to you anymore!" Her mother cackled, tilting her head in an angle. Amused by the scene she was presented, small steps made way to her daughter making her breath hitch in fear.

"Don't take another step!" Aera raised her voice jerking the knife closer to her mother. The side of A-yeong's lips etched upwards. A creepy smirk formed across her lips ''Kill me then!" She walked up to Aera and grabbed the knife pulling it towards the middle of her abdomen. "Stab me if you dare!"

Not expecting that as a response, Aera's eyes widened in fear. Her mother pulled the knife towards her. Her strength overpowering Aera's. No she didn't want to hurt her mother. She didn't want to stab her. She was just threatening to hurt her. Hoping that she could get a chance to run away. 

"N-no" a small quiet whimper left Aera's lips as her mother began pulling the knife closer towards her. Aera didn't let go not wanting to hurt her mother. She gripped tighter. Both fought for dominance against the knife. Her mother pulled the knife towards her harshly forcing Aera to unwillingly let go.....