As a chronic alcoholic, Mary's father couldn't provide for his wife and his seven children. Mary and her mother were the ones who had to fend for the family. She had begun working at the age of eleven from dawn to dusk. That was the era when women weren't allowed decent jobs unless they had to be jobs of hard labor. So, Mary took to the mills.

On some days, she would go hours upon hours without food or water.

Mary had a bold approach to life and wouldn't let anything weigh her down. [When the going gets tough, the tough gets going], she often thought.

* * *

So it happened that tragedy fell on Mary's family when her 'very useful' father fell ill even her brothers as well. After a short time, they died of pneumonia, leaving Mary with her mother and sisters alone.

It was a hard time for them but deep down, they knew things were going to be easier. Her mother had taught the girls not to depend on anyone, to survive decently, even if it meant clearing farms for people and getting paid.

With most women of the 1800s making money lying on their backs, that wasn't the case for Mary, her mother, and her sisters. They had been brought up the simple, Christian way and followed the faith, faithfully.

* * *

Many years later...

Mary Hutchison had always had a flair for teaching. After service on Sundays, she would come back home, sit her sisters down, and reteach what they had been taught in mass.

"Mary... we heard all these in church already", they would complain.

"Sit and listen, ginger heads... Answer this, why was Jonah swallowed by a whale?"

They would chorus their answers.

"Good. So what lesson did you learn from that?"

"That one shouldn't be disobedient"

"Perfect", she would say.

* * *

On a fateful day, Mary heard about an opportunity to travel and teach on another continent entirely, being very excited, she rushed home to tell her mother about it.

"Are you sure, my dear?", her mother had asked.

"Yes, mother. I'll be 27 in a few months, I think I will be able to take care of myself. I will be fine, mama. Heard the former teacher passed on so I applied for his position, I am waiting to be approved. It's a great opportunity, Mother. I will travel the world", Mary was elated.

Seeing her enthusiasm, her mother had no choice but to support Mary's decision and be happy for her as well.

"Come to think of it, daughter, not one of our family members, both extended, has ever left the shores of Ocland. Promise to send us drawings and those pictures that they take with that bright, loud instrument. Promise?"

"I haven't even been approved yet, mama", Mary mused.

"You will be, my dear"... her mother assured her.

The next day, Mary was sitting in the general room when she heard a knock on the door, "Who is that?"

"I have a letter for you"

She squealed knowing what the letter was about... [or did she?], she urged herself not to put the cart before the horse. Mary composed herself and went to the door, "Thank you", she said as she collected the letter from the postman.

"MOTHER!!!"

"What is the shouting about, Mary Hutchison?", her mother said as she came out of the kitchen.

"I am to replace the former missionary, mama. With a nice paycheck too", she winked at her mother who hugged her...they were so happy. At least, things would be better now.

"So when are you going? Will it be soon?", Mary's mother asked her a little sadness in her voice. She was going to miss Mary deeply.

"Of course, Mother. We set sail in 4 days...", Mary began to think, voicing out all the plans she had mentally made, "I have to gather some books and collect a wooden box one sister from church said she'd lend me if I get approved"

"Thank God"

She kissed her mum on the cheek and rushed out of the house. Her sisters had been eavesdropping. They came out with tears in their eyes.

"Mary is leaving to another world?", one of them asked.

Their mother laughed, a sad laugh, "Not another World, my babies. Just to another country on the other side of this world". She pulled them into a hug, comforting them but was comforting herself more. Mary had been her support all their life so far and it was going to be different without her around.

* * *

Sometime later, at age 27 with bright blue eyes and shiny red hair, Mary arrived in West Africa. She was assigned to the land of Ufas, to the Ufik people.

The locals were surprised to see someone of another race in their midst, but Mary quickly learned their language, in a short period, having had that gift from birth to pick up languages that weren't hers, and that earned her a special place amongst them.

So, Mary was accepted because she could communicate with them, especially with the women and children. She spoke their language well, it stunned but pleased the Ufik people. Mary became some sort of attraction because they hadn't seen someone with skin so white.

"Are you sick?"

"Maybe you need some sunlight"

"Do you have the same color of blood as us?"

"Maybe it isn't blood running in her veins"

Mary heard all sorts of things and answered all sorts of questions regarding her skin, her hair, and even her eyes. They didn't understand why someone's eyes would be so blue. Because the Ufik people were of skin so dark, hair so black and thick. Their hair was always braided and she found herself watching in amazement while they performed their art. They did the braids in different, complicated patterns and styles.

She loved learning about other cultures.

Their eyes were either black or brown and most of them were always half-naked. It didn't seem to bother them as that was their way of dressing, decorated with African beads that she admired. They adorned themselves with piercings and earrings so large and graced their necks with gold rings that seemed to elongate their necks.

"Doesn't this hurt your neck?", she asked one woman who had about 13 gold rings around her neck making it look longer than usual.

"It does at first, but one gets used to it over time. The longer it is, the more beautiful you are", the Ufik woman replied.

[Oh! that is what it was about? Beauty. Wow], Mary was in awe about this culture she was mingling with.

As time went by, she became grounded in the language... only her accent affecting some pronunciations slightly. Other than that, she spoke fluently.

* * *

The Obong of the Ufik people called one of his kinsmen, "Get one of the women leaders to teach the stranger about our believes and religions... to avoid problems"

('Obong' is the title for the ruler of the Ufik People)

"Yes, Obong", he prostrated and left the throne room.

The kinsman had someone in mind already. A woman he knew could talk a lot and didn't have much to do around the royal compound anymore. He entered one of the rooms housing the Obong's oldest concubine, the kinsman said, "Edidiong, I greet you. You have an assignment"

"Ah which assignment? I hope it is nothing physical... please my back is hurting me", Edidiong replied to him with her mouth pouted.

"Listen you this stubborn woman. You are to teach the white stranger our traditions and beliefs"

"Oh really? Who told you to tell me that?"

"The Obong. Start immediately", he hissed as he left her room.

Edidiong hated the Obong, his wives, the rest of the concubines that were younger than she was, and all his kinsmen.

"Imagine these people... so it is only me they saw to talk to that white stranger? Why couldn't they find someone else for that?"

"What of if she does not understand me? what kind of problem is this?", she clapped her hands together.

* * *

Mary Hutchison was in for a shock about the traditional beliefs and the superstitions of this land. Her stay here would open her eyes to several evil happenings and events that seemed normal to the natives of Ufas Land.

Like the killings of virgin girls to accompany a dead Obong to the afterlife.