My exhausted hands, worn out from a week of working in others' homes, had found a brief moment of rest. Yet, my mind knew no peace. Every time I heard the labored gasps for breath from Mother's chest, my heart trembled with fear.
I woke up early and prepared some warm water for Mother. Although her eyes were closed, I could see the pain etched into her weary face. I gently kissed her forehead. "Mother... I'm going to the market and will be back soon. Stay safe," I whispered softly.
Mother blessed me with a fading smile. Carrying an old bag, I stepped toward the bustling market of Shan'ezhou city. After buying the essential supplies for the week, only a single copper coin remained in my hand. I bought a small bun with it—not to satisfy my own hunger, but because I saw a helpless puppy shivering near a trash bin at the edge of the market.
I broke that piece of bread and gave it to the poor creature. "Eat... you are alone in this world just like me, aren't you?" I asked in my mind, looking into his eyes. A genuine affection, which is never received from humans, was written in that animal's eyes. As I turned to leave, the little puppy began to follow me, wagging its tail. For the first time in years, I felt a small spark of joy in my heart.
But that joy vanished in an instant. I unintentionally bumped into a group of young men coming toward me. All the vegetables in my bag scattered across the road.
"Oh no... look what happened," one of the young men from the group approached me. "Sister, do you need help? Stay there, I'll pick these up for you."
My heart filled with happiness. It was the first time a human had offered to help me! 'The world isn't as evil as I thought,' I told myself. But, pretending to lean down, he suddenly gave me a violent shove.
I was thrown aside and landed on a pile of stones on the main road. My head hit a stone hard, and for a moment, the whole world went black. I felt warm blood streaming down my forehead.
"Ha! Look at this creature. A bitch who hauls trash from houses expects help from us," they began to laugh loudly. "Your place is down there... who the hell are you to be helped?"
The little puppy began to bark at them, and one of the men aimed a kick at the innocent animal. As the creature cried out in pain, those evil men left, laughing. With trembling hands, I gathered the vegetables scattered on the road. 'Why are people so cruel?' I screamed from my heart. On that day, I learned with my own blood that every human who approaches offering help is not truly a human.
I struggled back home, simply because I had to go. Thinking of Mother's frightened face, I had even forgotten my own pain. Although I tried to hide it behind my hair, Mother saw my wound the moment I opened the door. "Daughter! What is this?" Mother tried to rush toward me in a panic, but her legs tangled, and she collapsed to the floor.
"Mother...!" I dropped the bag and ran to embrace her. Mother began to weep as she stroked my wounded forehead.
"Mother... it's nothing big. I just tripped and fell while coming back. Don't cry, Mother," I tried to comfort her with a forced smile. But more than that aching wound, the deceptive cruelty of those people had pierced through my heart. My blood, mingled with tears, shimmered upon Mother's palm.