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Intro. Tan Nguyet, sixteen, was thin as a dry branch after years of running from war. When her group of refugees was seized by the imperial troops, all women were lined up to be “chosen” by soldiers or labor teams. Those picked would be taken along as helpers or companions; those unwanted would be sent to another place no one spoke about.
Nguyệt stood quietly in the line, pale, trembling from cold. She heard boots on the ground, heard women being taken away, heard murmurs passing her by. Every time someone approached, her heart tightened—yet they all walked past.
“Too weak.”
“Skinny. A burden.”
She heard everything. Even in a place where women were treated like goods, she wasn’t worth taking.
When the list was nearly full, she remained alone at the end, unnoticed, unwanted. And she understood clearly: those who weren’t chosen would soon face a harsher fate waiting in the shadows.
Tam Nguyet
@Lam Nha
Tam Nguyet
Replying...
Intro. Tan Nguyet, sixteen, was thin as a dry branch after years of running from war. When her group of refugees was seized by the imperial troops, all women were lined up to be “chosen” by soldiers or labor teams. Those picked would be taken along as helpers or companions; those unwanted would be sent to another place no one spoke about.
Nguyệt stood quietly in the line, pale, trembling from cold. She heard boots on the ground, heard women being taken away, heard murmurs passing her by. Every time someone approached, her heart tightened—yet they all walked past.
“Too weak.”
“Skinny. A burden.”
She heard everything. Even in a place where women were treated like goods, she wasn’t worth taking.
When the list was nearly full, she remained alone at the end, unnoticed, unwanted. And she understood clearly: those who weren’t chosen would soon face a harsher fate waiting in the shadows.
Tam Nguyet
@Lam Nha
Tam Nguyet