Lym stood on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the horizon, tears glistening in his eyes. He looked profoundly sad, his shoulders heavy with the weight of what he had seen. Soon, Karry and Prince joined him, their faces etched with concern.

“What did you see, Lym?” Karry asked gently.

Lym remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. Sensing his reluctance, Prince said softly, “Take your time, Lym. Tell us when you’re ready.”

They returned to the room, leaving Lym alone with his thoughts. Ten minutes later, Lym entered the room, his voice barely above a whisper. “Prince, Karry, come outside. I want to talk.”

They followed him back to the balcony. Lym's face was a mix of sorrow and compassion. “I don’t know why all this happened to her. I feel so sorry for her. She’s lost her family, her whole world, yet she still faces it all so bravely,” Lym said, his voice trembling.

Karry nodded, her eyes softening. “I see. That’s why she looks so desperate. Please, Lym, tell us her whole story.”

Lym took a deep breath, his voice heavy with emotion as he began. “She was born in a small town, into a middle-class family. Her mother passed away when she was just two years old, leaving her two elder sisters to take care of her. Their father was a tailor. Despite their modest means, they supported each other and lived a peaceful, if humble, life.”

He paused, the weight of the girl’s story pressing on him. “When she was eleven, their father died. Their neighbors advised the elder sister to move to their aunt’s home in another town, six hours away. It seemed like the best option, as living alone would be difficult.”

Lym continued, his voice shaking. “They took a train in winter. Due to fog, they reached their destination an hour late. The station was eerily empty and cold. They decided to stay there until morning, huddled under blankets to keep warm. Several hours later, they were attacked by a group of men. The little girl managed to escape, but she fell and hurt herself while running away.”

Lym's eyes glistened with tears. “She couldn’t find her sisters, just an empty bag. She was emotional and started crying. An old man found her and took her to the police. She was safely returned to her aunt’s house.”

He choked up slightly before continuing. “Three months later, the police discovered that her sisters had passed away. Her aunt tried to care for her, but the problems didn’t end there. Her cousin brother, a fifteen-year-old, sometimes behaved inappropriately towards her. When she resisted and threatened to tell his mother, he ran away.”

Karry and Prince listened intently, their hearts aching for the little girl.

“Her aunt, though kind, favored her son and kept the girl busy with chores, thinking it would prevent her from being upset. This left her with little time to study, and her cousin's behavior continued. Frustrated, she wanted to tell her aunt about her cousin’s behavior. But then, her cousin spoke to her properly for the first time. He apologized, begging her not to tell their mother, fearing it would hurt her. He suggested she run away and start a new life somewhere else, admitting he might become worse in the future and that his mother wouldn’t allow her to complete her studies anyway. He even offered to help her escape.”

Lym’s voice wavered. “The girl, desperate for a way out, agreed. She followed his instructions and moved to a city. Overwhelmed by the city's development, she wandered aimlessly until she reached a slum area. A group of boys snatched her bag, and despite her resistance, they ran away with it. More desperate than ever, she kept walking and finally reached the lake where we found her.”

As Lym finished, tears flowed freely down his cheeks. Karry and Prince stood in stunned silence, their hearts heavy with the weight of the girl’s tragic story. The balcony fell quiet, the enormity of the little girl’s suffering settling over them like a dark cloud.



Author's Note: This chapter reveals the heartbreaking past of the little girl, shedding light on her resilience and the unimaginable challenges she faced. The emotional weight of her story tests the resolve of Prince and his friends as they prepare to confront the deeper evils in their mission. Stay tuned for the continuing journey and the powerful bonds that form in the face of adversity.
© Win