The day started out as any regular day. Chores had to be done, kids were playing, and everything else went on as usual. Annchi was outside near a stream washing her clothing. The clothes everyone wore very worn and old. The village depended on crops people grew, but even the crops weren't many because of the poor soil quality. Some of the people left the village to the closest town for work, which was a mining town. As Annchi did her chores, she heard laugher and sighed. The laughter was coming from a group of teenage boys who took pleasure out of teasing her. She was silently grateful that most of them would be leaving soon.
Most teens when they turn sixteen made the decision to stay or leave. Annchi had decided to stay. Had she been a normal teenage girl, she would have been married by now but there never been anyone who touched her heart that way and she felt she shouldn't try to love someone when she held no love for herself. Besides, most guys who saw her thought her to be too sickly because of her pale appearance. Annchi was glad her awkward teenage years were over though. After washing the clothes, Annchi place the wet clothes in a basket before taking it to a clothes line to be dried. As she was about to grab a shirt, she was grabbed by the wrist and hauled up. She turned to see the leader of that group of teenage boys, Wang. Even though he was sixteen, he towered over her at five feet and ten inches and was muscular. Annchi feared him the most because she always felt he had anger issues.
"Hey Whitie, are you going to miss me when I am gone?" Wang said as his menacing brown eyes glowed.
Annchi remained silent and averted eye contact. Whitie was the 'nickname' the boys called her.
"Look at me when I am talking to you!" Wang shouted, using his other hand to force her face towards him.
Annchi still glanced the other way.
"Looks like she being stubborn again boss." laughed another voice.
"You're right Chen. You know I think it's about time we go somewhere and teach her some obedience." Wang agreed.
Annchi shivered in fear. She wished her parents and the other adults would come back but they were out in the field gathering crops. Her mind was diverted when she was suddenly let go. She saw Wang and doubled over as well as some of his friends.
"Take that!" a voice shouted as a young girl kicked another guy in his vulnerable area.
It turned out to be Lanying. She had come outside from cleaning her house to hear Wang. She reacted without thinking and after she was done, she grabbed Annchi's hand and pulled her towards a nearby wooded area. Annchi was too surprised to say anything. They ran for a bit before stopping to catch their breath.