The Beginning of Change
732 Words
The dawn slowly broke, casting its light over the frozen and desolate forest. The chilly air still pierced through the bones, yet for Jun Hua Mei, this morning felt different. Her once frail body now felt slightly stronger. A small smile graced her lips as she gazed out of the nearly dilapidated wooden window.
"Alright, this is the beginning of my new life," she murmured with determination.
After washing her face with cold water fetched from an old well behind the house, Jun Hua Mei began planning her day. The thin clothing she wore the previous night felt uncomfortable, so she searched for something warmer in the small cupboard in the kitchen. There, she found an old coat with a few tears here and there.
"At least it’s better than freezing to death," she said, slipping the coat on.
Her first step was to ensure the food supplies would last for the next few days. She rechecked the contents of the kitchen cabinet, noting the amount of rice, flour, and dried meat remaining.
"Looks like I’ll have to hunt or forage for fruits around the forest," she thought.
Carrying a small knife she had found in the kitchen, Jun Hua Mei stepped outside. The thick snow made her journey slightly challenging, but she pressed on with determination.
As she walked, she collected dry branches scattered on the ground, gathering them into the small basket she carried. Her thoughts drifted back to the memories of the body’s former owner.
"What a tragic life you had, Mei. But don’t worry, I’ll change everything. We’ll exact our revenge smartly and elegantly," she muttered, kicking at the snow ahead.
Not far from where she walked, Jun Hua Mei spotted a wild apple tree with a few fruits still hanging. She smiled widely, feeling as if she had discovered treasure. Quickly, she climbed the tree and picked several apples.
"This will be enough for dinner later," she said, placing the apples into her basket.
After spending most of her time in the forest, Jun Hua Mei returned home. She lit the fireplace, placing the dry branches into the stove, and began planning how to rebuild the house.
"This house could become a more comfortable refuge if I do some renovations," she thought, eyeing the walls riddled with holes.
Her first step was to patch up the holes in the walls with clay she found near a river. Using her bare hands, she began sealing the small holes one by one. Despite the cold biting at her skin, she did not stop.
"I must stay strong. If I give up now, I’ll never succeed," she said aloud to motivate herself.
One by one, the holes in the walls were patched. That night, the cold wind no longer felt as biting as before.
The next morning, Jun Hua Mei decided to tidy up her appearance. She found a small bucket in the kitchen and filled it with water from the well. Using the water, she began cleaning her face and body.
"My goodness, this face is so dull. And the hair is incredibly tangled," she muttered with a small laugh.
With a small pair of scissors she found in the kitchen, Jun Hua Mei began cutting her long, unkempt hair. She styled it into a shorter, neater cut. Once finished, she looked at her reflection in the water.
"At least now I look more human," she said, smiling with satisfaction.
After days of hard work, Jun Hua Mei felt her life beginning to change little by little. The once dilapidated house now looked more habitable. The food supplies in the kitchen were also sufficient for the next few days.
However, she knew this was just the beginning. To survive in this harsh world, she had to do more than just endure. She needed to grow stronger and smarter.
"Everyone who ever hurt the owner of this body will regret it. But I won’t rush. Revenge is an art, and I will execute it perfectly," she said, staring at the embers in the fireplace.
With renewed determination, Jun Hua Mei prepared herself for the days ahead. She knew this journey would not be easy, but she was resolute in her goal to transform her life for the better.
"This is not the end; it’s the beginning of everything," she murmured before closing her eyes and falling into a peaceful sleep.
- Writer
