AnYi 安亦

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The last thing you touched (other than the keyboard, mouse, screen, etc.) is trying to kill your protagonist. Explain why.

[Trigger warning: violence and child abuse]

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The middle-aged woman turned her eyes towards the child crouching in the corner, a smile slowly blossoming on her exquisitely painted face.

‘Mummy’s done everything to give you a good life, haven’t I?’ her voice was soft and sleek, and Minru couldn’t help but move a little closer to her, nodding tentatively. The woman took her small hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Minru’s eyes widened at the affectionate gesture. ‘There’s no Daddy anymore. Just the two of us. Minru must always be a good girl, right?’

Minru nodded again, her eyes wandering between their hands and her mother’s face. Mother was still smiling, but it made Minru shiver.

‘And has Minru been a good girl?’ her voice was still as soft as ever.

‘No…no.’

‘Then Minru has broken Mummy’s heart.’ She drew a little closer, whispering. ‘Mummy will have to punish you this time.’

Minru kept her eyes closed; however, the expected blow didn’t fall upon her. Instead, the grip on her hand tightened. Her own fingers dug deep into her arm. Minru let out a quiet whimper, opening her eyes in fear. But mother seemed determined to make her learn her lesson this time. She manoeuvred Minru’s hand, pinching and slapping her with such force that Minru felt her wrist may snap at any time. She instinctively wanted to struggle, but the grip was too tight to get rid of.

Mother was staring at her face, with such careful attention that one might as well believe she was observing some precious heirloom exhibited in a museum.

‘Watch carefully, Minru. This is your own doing.’ Her smile had disappeared, but her voice remained clear and soft, almost tender. Minru fought hard as she watched her own fingers close tight around her throat, the bigger hand on top adding almost bone-crushing pressure on them. She desperately kicked and squirmed, but soon went out of breath, pain exploding behind her eyes. For a moment, everything went black and dizzying, the grip on her throat still firm and unescapable. Minru was convinced she was dying then and there, when it all suddenly stopped, and she could breath again.  

‘This is your fault, Minru. Look what you’ve done.’ Her sadness sounded hauntingly sincere, and she stroked Minru’s hair with such tenderness that anyone might believe she was the most attentive mother on earth.  

‘Don’t do this to Mummy again.’