The Echo in the Mirror: My Mother’s Escape My mom was a university student, sold into an isolated rural community to be a breeder. She always said her biggest regret was giving birth to me. When Grandma forced her to do heavy labor, only allowing her a bowl of thin gruel, she called me a curse. When her father-in-law groped her, she called me that little monster from the Miller family. When Dad, drunk, beat her black and blue, she’d ask me when I was going to die. “That year, I could have escaped. Why did you have to run out? Why did you call me ‘Mom’ and make me soft?” “I wish I never had you, my daughter!” She must have said that a thousand times. I never understood it. Until that day. I saw her young face in the mirror Mom cherished most. It was smudged and dusty, but free of wrinkles and scars. She asked, “Who are you? Can you save me? I was tricked into coming here!” That moment, I finally understood what “shackles” in books truly meant. I was Mom’s shackles, the chains that bound her to a life of misery. The next second, I spoke to my younger mom. “I’ll save you. This time, I’ll definitely get you out!”
Just as dawn broke, Grandma burst into the rundown shack and yanked Mom up. “You lazy, good-for-nothing hag! I paid so much for you, and you can’t even birth a son, and you’re useless around the house. What a jinx you are.” Her complaints made Mom tremble slightly. She wasn’t unable to conceive; she simply couldn’t anymore. I heard Dad had beaten Mom so savagely, he’d ruined her insides. Everyone was furious that day, except Mom. She was smiling, so genuinely happy. She’d said, “Finally, I don’t have to bear little beasts for these animals.” But ever since that day, she’d gone from being Dad’s plaything to Grandma’s workhorse. Just then, Dad, who hadn’t returned all night, stumbled back. Drunk, he lurched towards Mom, and before she could react, he slapped her hard across the face. “You worthless bitch! I paid for you, you’re *my* property, and you dare glare at me?” “You bring nothing but bad luck! It’s definitely because of you I lost all my money gambling. I’m going to kill you!” His fists and feet rained down on Mom. Mom’s pained cries were hoarse, like Grandpa sawing wood, cutting into my heart. I couldn’t help but rush over, sobbing, “Dad, please, stop hitting Mom!” The words had barely left my lips before Dad kicked me mercilessly, sending me flying. “Hmph, two little parasites. Someday I’m going to beat both of you to death.” He spat on the ground, burped, and staggered away. Grandma just rolled her eyes and shuffled off. “Honestly, he doesn’t know his own strength. Nobody’s going to work today.” I ignored the sharp pain in my stomach and crawled over to Mom. Her eyes were closed; Dad had knocked her unconscious again. I was so sad, and utterly helpless. I couldn’t get any medicine. They never gave Mom proper care, not unless she was on the verge of dying. In my despair, a glint of light caught my eye. I focused, seeing a small mirror lying on the ground. What was astonishing was that the mirror didn’t reflect me, but a girl. And she looked incredibly like Mom. “Little one! Can you hear me?! I’ve been kidnapped, please, can you call the police for me?” “My name is Annabelle Anderson, and I live at…” I froze, picked up the mirror, and hesitantly asked, “Sister, what year is it where you are?” “It’s 2005.” My eyes widened. “It’s 2020 here.” The other side fell silent too. My deepest suspicion was confirmed: I was talking to my mom in the past. My past mom was so beautiful, no wrinkles, no scars on her face. She was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. No wonder Mom wanted to escape. Before she came here, she had another home, and her family there had cared for her so well. She had her own name, Annabelle Anderson. Unlike here, where I called her Mom. Dad called her “Hey!” and “Bitch,” Grandma called her “Hussy,” Grandpa called her “Slut.” No one knew her real name. Taking a deep breath, I said to the mirror, “Mom…” I stopped myself. I couldn’t let her know I was her daughter. This time, I absolutely couldn’t be her obstacle. Thinking quickly, I corrected myself, “I’m sorry, sister. I can’t find a way to call the police right now.” Disappointment flickered in her eyes. I added, “But I’ve heard about you. You’re the woman bought by the Miller family from the edge of town.” “I can help you. Help you escape.”
The next morning, Mom was in too much pain to get up. Before Grandma could speak, I ran out. “Grandma, I’ll do extra work today. Can Mom rest for a day?” “If Mom gets too tired, no one will help you with chores.” Grandma looked at Mom’s suffering face and grumbled, “Frank, honestly, why does he hit her so hard?” But she still compromised, dragging me off to the fields. After a moment of thought, I asked Grandma, “Grandma, how did you catch Mom the first time?” Grandma glared at me. “What are you prying about, kid?” I whispered, “If Mom tries to run away again, I can help you find her. I don’t want to lose you, Mom.” Hearing this, Grandma patted my head, pleased. “Good girl, that’s what I like to hear!” She lowered her guard around me and recounted, boastfully, “That hussy first ran away in the middle of the night…” Grandma told me that night, Mom, confused by the paths, ran in the wrong direction and ended up circling back to the village. Old Man Henderson, who was up early for work, saw her and brought her back. Grandma laughed at how foolish Mom was, but I felt a chill run down my spine. How desperate Mom must have been then, thinking freedom was within reach, only to find herself right back in the lion’s den. I fought back tears, forcing a smile. “Grandma, if there’s a fork in the path, which way leads back to the village entrance?” “Of course, it’s the path to the right, where the old well is.” I nodded. “Okay. If Mom runs away next time, I’ll trick her into thinking the right path leads to freedom.” Later that night, I took out the mirror and told Mom, “I found out you were caught because you ran in the wrong direction.” “Sister, when you get to the back hill, and you see a fork in the path, whatever you do, *do not* go right. Remember, the right path with the abandoned well—don’t take it!” Mom on the other side of the mirror nodded solemnly. After just one day, her face was already swollen, blood staining the corner of her mouth. My heart ached as I gently touched the mirror’s surface. “Sister, you have to escape!” Escape, forget me, and find your own family. The next morning, I opened my eyes. And saw Mom’s rough, sickly yellow face, still covered in fresh bruises. I sat up with a start. Why… Why was Mom still here? Why hadn’t I disappeared? My hands trembled as I reached out to touch her cheek. The next second, Mom opened her eyes. “What are you doing?” she asked coldly. My voice shaky, I replied, “Nothing… nothing, Mom. I just wanted to touch you.” “Hoping I was dead, weren’t you? Too bad for you, I’m still alive, still here to make your life miserable.” Mom painfully propped herself up, her voice laced with sarcasm. As she moved, I saw a new scar on her arm. It was long, like a twisted earthworm writhing on it. My pupils contracted sharply, tears streaming uncontrollably. Mom failed to escape… And was beaten again. Mom’s gaze followed mine to the scar, and she shivered, as if recalling a painful memory. The next second, she slapped me hard. “What are you crying about? Playing the dutiful child now? Trying to make me feel more sorry for you? More attached?” “If you knew how much hell I live in here, you never would have run out and called for me that day!” “What good is acting all sympathetic now? It’s too late. Everything’s too late!” I covered my stinging face, feeling a wave of injustice. That day, I hadn’t known she wanted to escape. I only knew I’d stolen a plate of roast chicken, wanting to give it to her. My good intentions backfired, and I only caused her more harm. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. She turned her head, annoyed. “Stop pretending!” The atmosphere fell silent, only the buzzing of mosquitoes filled the air. After a long while, I cautiously asked, “Mom, how did you get caught the second time you ran away?” Her gaze drifted through the narrow wooden slats towards the sky, and surprisingly, she answered me. “The second time I ran? The second time… was when I was forced to marry that animal, Frank Miller.” “I took advantage of them drinking outside, gnawed through my ropes in the room, then climbed out the window and ran.” “I ran and ran, until I finally saw a road. On the road, I saw a stranger, and I thought I was saved. I rushed over and begged him.” “I told him I’d been kidnapped. Please save me, take me to the police. I’ll give you any money you want.” Mom’s voice caught, as if a savior truly stood before her. “That man was so kind. He said, ‘Don’t worry, young lady, I’ll take you to the police right away.’ So he led me through winding paths, walking for a long time.” She paused, and my breath hitched. Then, Mom’s tears flowed again. “But then! That two-faced monster tricked me right back to the Miller house! He laughed and said he was Frank Miller’s uncle, here for his nephew’s wedding, and I was the ‘grand gift’ he delivered to his own nephew!” My face stiffened, my hands trembling uncontrollably. Yes. Mom was right. The Millers, they were all animals.
Late that night, I took out the mirror again. Mom’s face, streaked with blood and dirt, appeared before me. I could barely make out her features. “Little one, I failed… they still tracked me down by my footprints…” “I was too naive and too desperate, I didn’t think of that.” She mocked herself, weakly. My heart ached, and I murmured, “It’s okay, sister. We still have a chance.” She caught her breath, then asked with a flicker of hope, “Tell me.” I immediately recounted everything I’d heard that day. At the end, I emphasized, “Sister, don’t trust anyone.” Mom nodded gravely. “Okay, I won’t trust anyone.” After our talk, I watched my sleeping mom beside me. I still couldn’t relax. My wish used to be to stay with Mom forever. Now, I wished Mom could just disappear. How wonderful that would be. Ten days later, it was the day of my parents’ wedding, fifteen years ago. Late that night, I secretly crept out of the rundown shack. The image in the mirror swayed. Mom, dressed in red, ran without stopping. Then she paused. After a long time, she whispered, “The man is gone.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Then hurry and follow the main road! You’ll definitely get out.” “Okay!” She nodded with determination. The night deepened, and my head grew heavier. The fatigue from working all day swept over me like a tide. “You’re that liar!” Suddenly, Mom’s terrified scream jolted me awake. Followed by the sound of her frantic footsteps. “Sister! What happened?!” I cried out. “I… I met a car on the main road. The person inside was the one who kidnapped me and brought me here!” As her words ended, she let out a piercing scream. The next instant, the mirror reflected my own pale face. “Sister! Sister!” I called out anxiously. The mirror remained unresponsive. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground. “Who are you talking to?” Mom’s cold voice reached my ears. I stiffly turned my head, my pupils instantly constricting. Mom’s leg was crippled… “Mom… your leg…” My words seemed to hit a nerve. The next second, she raised her crutch and slammed it down on me. “Don’t you dare remind me! Yes, my leg is crippled! Your wonderful father did this to me!” I hadn’t saved Mom. Instead, I’d caused her to lose a leg. Tears streamed down my face. I crawled on the ground, frantically punching my own leg. “I’m sorry! I wish it was my leg that was crippled! I’m useless! Why, why can’t I just get you out of here?!” My actions seemed to douse Mom’s fury. She dragged her heavy leg towards me, slowly crouching down. “Stop hitting yourself. You won’t cripple it that way. You don’t need to act.” I looked up, my face smeared with snot and tears, meeting Mom’s eyes. “Mom, I’m not acting. I *will* save you! Please believe me!” Her eyes widened, their dull, listless gaze seeming to clear. After a very long time, she wiped away my tears with her hand and sighed. “You little monster, when you grow up, when you have the ability to leave these treacherous mountains, then come and take me out.” No, Mom, I’ll take you out soon! I murmured to myself. For the next few days, I spent my days exploring the village vicinity, memorizing the terrain. At night, I’d convey the details to my past mom through the mirror. What panicked both of us was that our chances to speak through the mirror grew fewer and fewer.
Sometimes our voices would break up. Sometimes we could only speak for ten minutes. Mom’s expression grew grave. “Little one, have you seen Cinderella? If this mirror has magic, then this situation feels like the magic is fading.” I looked blank, shaking my head. “Sister, I haven’t read that book you mentioned. I only went to school for two years before I was pulled out to work.” Mom’s face softened with pity. “It’s okay. When I escape, I’ll send you lots of books, and we can read them together!” My heart ached. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t see the books Mom sent, nor would I wait for her to teach me to read. Swallowing my tears of reluctance, I forced a smile and nodded. “Okay, Sister. You’ll definitely escape!” Three days later, while searching for routes, I encountered an important person. It was a man with a nice backpack. I feigned curiosity and asked him, “Mister, I’ve never seen you before. Are you from another village?” The man chuckled. He pointed ahead and explained, “I’m a staff member at the weather station, heading to relieve my colleague.” “A weather station? I’ve never heard of that. Does our village have one? Has it been there for many years?” I asked, pretending to be curious. The man was amused by my childish questions and patiently explained, “It’s a weather station, not a convenience store. It was built thirty or forty years ago, and it’s quite far from your village. I still have to climb for another half hour to get there.” “Is it just by climbing along this road that I’ll get there?” I asked. The man nodded. “That’s right.” Then he seemed to remember something and gently added, “Little one, don’t bring your friends up here. The mountain path is dangerous, and the staff at the station are working, very busy.” I nodded obediently and waved to him. “I understand! Be careful on your way! I’m heading home now.” On my run back, my heart thumped like a wild rabbit. Fifteen years ago, the weather station was already there. This man wasn’t from the village; he was very likely from a big city. He was patient, polite, a good man. I weighed these thoughts in my mind as I flew down the mountain. Because I’d been lazy with farm work, Grandma beat me. This time, I didn’t cry. Instead, I kept smiling foolishly. Grandma was startled. She threw down her bamboo stick and rubbed her hands. “That kid, is she touched in the head?” I ignored her, unable to feel the pain. Instead, I happily scurried back into the rundown shack. That night, I secretly drew the route map on the dirt floor and showed it to Mom in the mirror. “A weather station? Little one, you’re so clever! How did I not think of that? These government sites must have people!” Mom exclaimed excitedly. I sniffled, grinning. “Hehe, I just happened to run into that man by chance.” “I’ll leave tonight. These past few days, I’ve been playing them, making them drop their guard. Now is my chance to escape.” “Can you tell me your name? When I escape, I’ll definitely come back for you!” My heart pounded. I suppressed a sob and replied, “Sister, my name is Hope Anderson.” Hope, for Mom to escape. “Oh, we both have the same last name, Anderson. What a coincidence!” Mom said, surprised. Yes, of course it’s a coincidence. Being your daughter is the greatest blessing of my life. I didn’t say that out loud. I just waved to her. “Okay, then hurry and go. I’ll guide you if you get lost.” I held my breath, watching Mom carefully climb out the window. Then came her soft gasps, like sticks tapping against my heart. “Go right here. After you see the red house built with red bricks, turn left.” I whispered the directions. She nodded at me. I watched her run along the correct route, quickly heading up the mountain. That moment, I breathed a sigh of relief. Just keep climbing, and she’d reach the weather station. Listening to the crunch of leaves underfoot, my heart slowly settled. Suddenly, a shout came from the mirror, “Hey! What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?!” My heart instantly skipped a beat. The next second, the mirror shattered.
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