She crawled back to bed, her body trembling.
There was nothing she could do.
Nothing… except cry.
She lay there, curled up tightly, holding her injured hand close.
Then
Footsteps.
They were coming toward her room.
Panic rushed through her chest. She quickly lay still, pretending to be asleep.
Her breathing slowed, her eyes shut tight.
The door creaked open.
It was her father.
He stepped inside quietly, checking if she was awake. His eyes scanned the room… then landed on her.
She didn't move. Didn't flinch.
Just lay still faking peace while her heart raced.
After a long moment, he smiled.
Satisfied.
He turned away and walked out.
Before leaving, he gently closed the door behind him.
But even with the door shut, she could still hear.
His voice.
Stupid woman! he barked. Why didn't you close Hina's door properly? What if she saw?!
I—I'm sorry," her mother stammered. I forgot
A loud slap.
Then another.
Her mother whimpered, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Then silence.
Hina lay in bed, eyes wide open, tears spilling quietly.
She didn't sleep.
She couldn't.
But after what felt like forever…
her eyes finally closed.
Exhausted by fear.
Broken by pain.
And in the silence of the night, the house fell still once more.
The next morning, her father was still at home.
"Hina! Where are you, honey?" he called out, his voice unusually cheerful. "Come here I've got some good news. You're going to love it!"
Hina stepped out of her room, blinking in surprise. She stood by the door, hesitant.
Come here, her father said, gesturing with a smile.
Slowly, she walked over to him.
Today," he said, crouching down to her level, I'm taking a half-day off. Just for you. Do you want to go outside with me?
Hina's eyes widened.
Outside?
Her heart fluttered. All the pain from the night before—gone.
She had never been allowed outside. It had always been her dream to see the world beyond the walls of their home.
She nodded silently, the corners of her lips lifting in a small, genuine smile.
For the first time, she smiled at her father.
She was still a child, after all. And children… they held on to hope.
Her father smiled back. We'll go to the park and play. And after that, we'll go shopping. I'll buy you a doll.
Hina tilted her head.
A doll?
She had never seen one before. She didn't know what a toy really looked like or what to do with it.
All she knew about play came from what little she heard from the kids outside on the street.
From the moment she was born, pain was all she had known.
She was only eight years old. But she never acted like the other kids.
She had grown up too fast.
Because mistakes meant punishment.
Because love was rare, and safety even rarer.
And now, suddenly… her father was being kind.
She didn't understand why.
But she didn't ask.
Alright, honey, her father said, standing up. "I'll be back soon. Then we'll go together.
Before he left, he handed her a small bag.
Here, he said. I bought this for you. These are new clothes. Wear them when we go out, okay?
Hina looked inside. The fabric was soft, colorful. New.
She nodded again.
Still unsure.
Still quiet.
But for a moment
She felt something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Maybe it was hope.
Her father gently placed his hand on her head.
Hina flinched
For a moment, she thought he would grab her head like he always did, with pain and anger.
But instead, he simply smiled and said,
I'm going now, okay? When I come back, we'll go outside.
Then he left the house.
Hina stood still for a moment, then clutched the new dress tightly against her chest. A soft, joyful breath escaped her lips.
She ran back to her room.
From the kitchen, her mother watched.
She saw the light in Hina's eyes, saw her excitement.
But in her heart, she felt something different.
Something cold.
Something wrong.
He never let her out of the house. Not once, not in eight years.
Why now? Why suddenly this kindness?
I can't trust him, she muttered, voice low with fear.
"He never does anything unless it benefits him. Is he… is he planning to sell her? Is he
Worry flooded her chest.
Back in her room, Hina changed into the new dress. It was bright, soft, clean.
She stepped out and twirled before her mother.
Mother, look! How do I look? she asked with a wide smile.
Her mother forced a smile, hiding the fear in her eyes.
You look like a princess, she whispered. "No matter what you wear… you're always my princess."
Hina beamed, then returned to her room. She sat by the window, eyes fixed outside, waiting.
When will he come? What will the world be like?
What do people wear? How do they play?
Thoughts spun in her mind.
She had never stepped beyond those walls. Not once.
It was 1 a.m. when her father returned.
He opened the door and asked, Where's Hina?
She's in her room, her mother replied quietly.
He walked straight there.
When he opened the door, he found Hina lying on the bed, still wearing the new dress.
She had fallen asleep waiting.
He knelt beside her and gently shook her shoulder.
Hina, wake up. Let's go.
Her eyes slowly opened.
When she saw her father, she quickly sat up.
I'll get ready, he said. Wait outside.
She nodded, then walked toward the front of the house.
Her father followed a moment later, adjusting his shirt.
"Alright, let's go."
He opened the door.
And Hina…
Hina took her first step outside.
Fresh air. Cold wind. The sound of birds and distant laughter.
She smiled, wide and pure.
Her first step into the world.
Then her father's phone rang.
Ah, I forgot my phone inside, he said. Wait here, okay? I'll be back in a minute.
Hina stood in the doorway, the heavy wooden gate slightly open ahead of her.
From her spot, she could see the road. Their house was small and old surrounded by garbage and weeds.
Across the street, the houses were new, beautiful.
She saw children playing and laughing in the distance.
Just for a moment…
I want to see them.
She looked back. Her father wasn't there yet.
Just one step. I'll look and come back quickly.
She pushed the gate open and walked toward the road.
She stepped onto the roadside
And just then, a loud honk pierced the air.
A truck sped toward her.
Hina tried to step back
But someone pushed her from the back.
Hard.
She didn't see who it was.
She stumbled forward
The truck hit her with brutal force.
Her first step into the world
became her last.
In another world…