Chapter 9 - New Friend

The nightmare started when Hua started maturing at 14. She started to get taller and her chest was getting bigger as well. One could say she was blossoming into a young lady.

Most of the family didn't pay her enough attention to notice because she covered herself well. She hunched whenever she could while walking around the family. She never looked at their faces directly to make her presence less visible.

One night, when everyone was asleep, Hua was in the bathroom washing Mingmei's underwear. She had started to wear lacy lingerie acting like a grown woman. She insisted Hua wash them by hand. Mrs. Zhang also added her own to the pile.

Her XX-large white t-shirt had gotten wet from all the washing. She walked out of the bathroom to go to her room to change when Fang just happened to be standing in the hallway about to enter his room. Hua could smell the alcohol from down the hallway.

Hua glanced at him and walked into her room. She had just taken off her shirt when the door to her closet room was yanked open. Fang rushed in and clamped his hand out harshly over Hua's mouth pushing her onto the mattress in the corner. He proceeded to straddle her to keep her from moving.

Since he was much taller and stronger than Hua, he was able to restrain the 14-year-old Hua very easily. Hua struggled but he had an iron grip and held her hands above her head. Her wrists were so skinny that he was able to clamp them together so easily.

Hua could read his lips but Fang thought she didn't understand him. He grinned because he was glad Hua was oblivious. He felt a surge of power run through his veins as he viewed Hua as a lamb for him to slaughter. He liked this feeling so much that it turned him on so deeply.

"Damn maid… You should be happy that I, Zhang Fang am paying any attention to you."

Hua's eyes were blank as if looking at nothing. She knew that she shouldn't show any expressions. It will only further fuel Fang's brazen act. He slapped her across the face.

"What's with that look? You will never amount to anything more than this."

He put his hand on her chest and squeezed, "Hmm… they are bigger but I think I'll wait for you to finish growing up before I taste."

He grinned as he left. The fear Hua felt when he was on top of her was paralyzing.

From then on, whenever no one was around, Fang dropped things on the floor and made her pick them up while staring down her shirt. He would purposely brush against her or cop a feel.

Hua started thinking of how she could break Fang's face if he ever did anything to her. She needed to get stronger physically to defend herself. She started looking up videos on how to get physically strong. The only downside was she never had a fill of food to put on muscle. She only ever had leftovers.

After researching self-defense classes in the local area, Hua found that the classes and membership fees were too costly for her. She had read on forums that there were cheaper or free classes held at community centers sometimes.

Hua decided to try her luck at the local community center. The only classes at the nearest community center had tai-chi and basketball classes. During the summer, they had more options for kung fu, swimming, and soccer.

The attendant said that the tai-chi teacher had a studio so maybe she can try asking him for more information. Getting the address, Hua made her way there. It was about a 20-minute walk from the community center.

Walking in, she saw a bunch of young men practicing grappling techniques on mats. The walls and floor were all covered in sponge mats. There was an office in the far corner so Hua silently walked over and knocked on the glass door.

The man sitting at the desk looked up at her, nodded, and acknowledged her entrance. She went in and sat down on the chair across from him. The man didn't anything and just observed her. He was a stern-looking man that looked like he had experienced a lot in life. Glancing at the wall, there were certificates, degrees, and even military medals and achievements displayed in their full glory.

"How can I help you?"

Hua started to sign but she stopped and took out her notebook and wrote.

"I want to learn what they are learning outside."

The man looked at the writing and pointed to her ear and throat. She shook her head and wrote, "Faintly."

He signed, "Why do you want to learn?"

Hua's eyes grew wide in surprise because the man could speak in sign language. Her heart picked up speed in anticipation. Her response was simple. She signed three words:

"Assaulted. Learn defense."

The master introduced himself, "I'm Master Wang. I train police cadets in combat and strength. I also teach tai-chi at the community center."

"How much are classes?"

"No need to pay."

Hua refused immediately, "I have some money."

"How are your grades in school? Are you smart?"

"Smart but pretending not to be."

"Which grade are you in?"

"Grade 9."

"I'll let you train here. Please tutor my nephew and I'll pay you for it."

Hua raised her eyebrows and was going to refuse the payment.

"I'm requesting because you can train with my nephew. He trains here too. He can help you catch up on the basics so one more person learning here is not a big deal."

Master Wang grabbed his phone and called his nephew right away. A short but muscular-looking boy with a clean-shaven head and quiet mannerisms came in looking at Hua. He must have heard from his uncle about Hua being a tutor since he grabbed a piece of paper to communicate with Hua.

"I'm Kan Bolin."

"Li Hua. Which subjects did you want to review?"

"Math and Science."

"Not the others?"

Bolin nodded.

"Want to review now?"

From then on, Hua tutored Bolin in Math and Science, got paid, and also got to do some hardcore training with the police cadets at the studio. She would go in whenever she was free from her chores and other part-time jobs.

She was able to ask Master Wang for advice on what she needs to know for matters regarding housing, renting, taxes, etc. for when she leaves the Zhang family. He was the first adult in her life who was a good role model.

Hua once asked Master Wang, why he learned Krav Maga. When he was younger, he was so fascinated by the fighting style that he flew to Israel to learn it from a native expert. That's where he met his wife, Maya who was the daughter of the master he learned from.

They fell in love and got married young. Master Wang used to be in the military. For many years, the couple lived apart till Master Wang decided to retire, living in Israel for many years. The family moved back some years back to take care of Master Wang's mother who fell ill and needed home care.

Maya, Master Wang's wife was one of the kindest people she had ever met. She would always bring food and snacks to the studio when Bolin and she were training or studying. She was on a mission to fatten Hua up.

Bolin was Master Wang's younger sister's son. He wanted to be a soldier like his uncle so his aim was to go to the military academy. Hua felt that she had gotten lucky to have met such an amazing family. One day, if she was ever successful, she would pay them back in whatever way she could for their kindness and generosity.

Master Wang learned sign language when he was in the military. Hua could tell that he didn't like talking much about his military life. But because he knew how to sign, everyone around him would pick on some sign language. Maya had gotten practice over the years and was really well-versed herself. Bolin was trying but was very forgetful.

Since, then, a great lifelong friendship had blossomed between Hua and Bolin as well. He was her first friend. Bolin wanted to beat up Fang so many times and even Mingmei.

Hua would always refuse, "One day, I'll have my revenge. I'm just preparing for battle."

He frowned but nodded that he understood. He wasn't much of a talker but was a good guy so he got along well with Hua. The kids at school never talked to her because of her disability. Mingmei's bullying ways didn't help because she spread rumors about Hua being a beggar her family adopted because she had no one.

It had been a few weeks since Hua started learning the basics of strengthening her body. It would take a long time to get to a decent shape since Master Wang had commented that she was like a human with just bones and no muscle.

Her diet hadn't been healthy at all since she would try to get by on scraps of food so her appetite was small. Hua wondered when would she ever eat so much that she couldn't eat anymore. The blessing of having a full stomach after a meal was something Hua had not experienced since she was a kid at the orphanage.

As she had suspected, Fang had come for Round two. This wasn't like those weak-to-powerful movies where the villain gave the protagonist enough time to get strong. He came back too quickly for Hua to even have time to get some strength to defend herself.

What she dreaded the most was upon her and she knew what awaited her was going to be a nightmare.

Written by Uner90 (R.R.)