Nothing Changed

Immediately discussions occurred. The tide turned against the old man. Even he is puzzled and speechless. Since what the woman said was true.

Watching the people slowly pointing their eyes back at me, that familiar sense from South City returned. I can't help but let out a small, bitter smile.

Ly Giai, the old man, and I were not enough to hold the immense pressure of a surrounding crowd. For the first time, the old leader took his steps back. I could see in him that he was trying his best to come up with something to help me. But he could find none.

Because what can you say back when you are a rapist?

Ly Giai was holding my arms then, showing support while hiding behind me. The pressure from those stares was also too much for her.

I quietly took her hands away from me. "What are you doing?" she looked at me in shock, with tears on her cheeks.

I didn't know if I could say anything to make her not follow me to what I was about to do next. So I smiled.

Leaving her behind. I walked up to the old leader and held his hands dearly. "Thank you for trusting me."

His face was just as puzzled as Ly Giai's when he saw my unfazed face. "Why are you out here?" he asked. "Don't you see that they are even angrier now that you're here? Go back inside! I'll figure something out."

But I shook my head. "Please take Ly Giai inside and shut the tent. Make sure she can not see what's going on outside," I told him.

He was confused. "What are you going to do? Are you... going to harm them?" he stumbled a little.

I laughed and was shocked. "No! I'm not a killer!" Then I looked at Ly Giai and back to him. "I just... want to save a tiny piece of my dignity, if I have any left."

"What do you mean by that?" he asked again.

I shook my head, not replying. I held his hands once again. "Can you take her inside?" almost begging.

Our eyes locked for a while. Then he slowly nodded. "Okay." I let his hands off, and he started walking back, toward Ly Giai.

"Don't let her see the outside," I reminded.

He nodded.

"Let's go inside, young lady Ly Giai."

"What did you talk with Do? Why is it only us two going in?" she was more confused than before.

"I don't know. But he asked you to stay in the tent. Come on." He grabbed her hand and started walking into the tent.

"Wa... Wait a second. Don't force me! Do!! Do! Help me!" she called to me.

I turned to my dear Ly Giai and smiled.

"Do?" Ly Giai let out. The old man shut the tent and stood in front of it.

The people surrounding me witnessed the whole thing and were just as confused as Ly Giai.

"Wh... what are you going to do?" the boy's mother spoke.

I slowly turned around, facing them for the first time, eye to eye, with my back straight. All those years in South City, I've always kept my eyes low to avoid provoking violence towards me, but not anymore. Letting my eyes go through those faces. I realized that even though these were the people who lived in the same city as me, I never knew what they looked like.

I laughed at my cruel life. I couldn't even find words to complain anymore. Nothing I say can make my past any better, nor what I'm about to do.

I let out all the energy from my legs.

And kneeled.

"Please let Ly Giai and Si stay!" I begged.

The crowd of people was stunned by my action. It was nothing of what they were expected. Their looks of confusion turned to each other, don't know what they should do. They discussed with one another, from one person to the next. Some question my actions, if I am sincere or not. Some proposed to keep Ly Giai and Si, but was argued that there was not enough food and supplies to support more people.

The whole scene was chaotic. Meanwhile, I still kneeled with my head high. Watching them arguing with each other. I look at them without emotion. It wasn't that I had lost my humanity or anything. Just emptiness. As if nothing worthy of getting my emotions up.

At that moment, I was strangely calm.

Seeing them minutes without result, I spoke again. "I will leave the camp immediately. Please let Ly Giai and Si stay!"

The mother of one of the boys walked up to me and spoke loudly. "Everyone! Why do we have to let those two stay? We are running out of food and medicine ourselves. It isn't like we have abundance to give them."

Seeing the crowd nodded in agreement, I quickly replied. "The one you hate is me! Ly Giai is the same as you, from South City. She and you are no different. As for Si, he is just a little kid. Please have mercy on him."

A few people agreed with my points. The woman responded. "I have asked around the villagers. That boy is not liked there either. There must be a reason for that. As for young lady Ly Giai..." She pauses as if she is hesitating for her next words, but she continued regardless, "We all knew Grass's crime. Yet Ly Giai is always protecting him. I am very concerned that she is now... dirtied and... impure."

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, terrifying everyone around. "You can insult and humiliate me all you want, but I won't allow a single word that would hurt Ly Giai's reputation! She is as righteous and dignified as she always is! If I hear you slander her name again, I won't forgive you!"

The woman took a few steps back. "You... how dare you threaten me! See everyone? Look how violent he is. How can we let such people like him and his kind with us? They are dangerous."

After a few seconds of silence, the crowd gained back their senses and began throwing insults at me.

Nothing changed.