2 The Escape (2/2)

”Fa Bai, from today, I shall name you FeiHong. No matter your ruined fingers, mother believes in you and in your future. XieRong, FeiHong, both my beautiful daughters, these are mother's last words, always know that mother believes in you. If there comes a time when you have lost faith in yourselves, remember that your mother has faith in you.”

XieRong stopped her tears from falling. She knelt and kowtowed to her mother and then hugged her.

”Mother I'm leaving. Please, be well wherever you go next.”

XieRong took a whimpering FeiHong in her arms.

”Mother is proud of you, now go!”

XieRong with a steeled heart set fire to the barn and to the hay her mother was laying on and left.

Fa Hua looked to the heavens and prayed for her children's safety. She didn't feel the pain or the heat of the fire as it grew redder and redder. She knew a time would come when her children would rise to the top and that she would be watching their entire journey from above.

Fa Hua closed her eyes a small smile on her face.

Outside the walls XieRong held FeiRong in her arms.

”Auntie Li, you're free to leave. You were my mother's servant, and she has left this world. I wish for you to live a life my mother would have wanted you live,” XieRong gave Auntie Li the money her mother had separately saved for Auntie Li.

”But young miss, this servant can still be of use.”

”No, Auntie Li it's not because you're of no use to me, but because this journey is our's to make. I'm sure my mother would want this.”

”Thank you young miss. May the heavens watch over you and your sister.”

Leaving Auntie Li near the hole they crept out of XieRong carried FeiHong to the tree where she kept her supplies.

”FeiHong, listen to your Jie, in this life trust only yourself and Jie. From now on, it will only be you and me so you should grow up, okay?”

FeiHong nodded her small head and wiped her remaining tears with the back of her throbbing hands.

”FeiHong understands.”

”Good, now take this and don't lose sight of it or remove it.” XieRong gave her sistera small bag and took the bigger one herself. The sky was a light purple and was growing darker by the minute. They had to leave.

XieRong took one last look towards the fire which now leapt towards the sky. She heard the clamoring of the servants as they rushed to put out the fire.

'Be well, mother,' She thought as she lightly took hold of FeiHong's palm and lead her away towards their futures.