genesis 2018 final digital.pdf Shackled Allison SaylorBest of Fiction I scrubbed the clothes against the rock until Mama’s words were gone from my mind. I still could not wrap my mind around the idea of marriage, even if it is my duty. With the clothes draped across the barren limbs, I waited for the wind to dry them before I headed back. I gathered the hem of my skirt and stepped into the river, wisdom. above the ground and tell me I was still a little girl and that the world was full of God’s surprises. Feeling the heat of the Cambodian sun, I yearned handsome farmer and not by some cousin who proposes out of obligation. I ran my hand down the length of my hair and pulled it into a braid. I not a woman. The air thick and heavy from the heat, I decided to go back early onto my hip, I started the trek back home and decided to confront Mama. I would tell her no. I decided I would tell her I will marry after I was her hot hand on my face, I promised myself that I would stand my ground. Sleep, my darling, sleep. Don’t cry, my baby. Your rice with honey is already prepared. Don’t cry, my love, I’ll hold you in my arms. When you grow up You’ll go to school, You’ll gather knowledge, You’ll learn. One day, my love, It will help you. Shackled I took my time and walked carefully around the occasional rock and stick on the powdered dirt road. I stopped to watch the bird sit high in the tree and to pick at a stray weed at the edge of the path. Twice, along the walk, I readjusted my sleeves and rolled them to my elbows. My long, the skirt’s hem in my waistband. I embraced the heat like a familiar guest. I paused at the road’s edge, where the overgrown road met the city shacks. I shifted the basket of clothes to my other hip and readjusted thick layers of fabric. I adjusted the scarf wrapped around my head, then approached the city. The men that sat outside their shacks whistled and hollered as I walked past. I quickened my pace to a brisk walk, but it only attracted more calls. The Town Tiger stood as my steps brought me closer towards his the town bestowed the aggressive name in an attempt to make all women aware of the man. One quick glance at him brought to mind the last count of girls who had been seen with the Town Tiger that disappeared afterward: he her as his prey. The Town Tiger would hoard her into his shack for an entire night and do whatever he wanted to her. The next morning, he took her and disposed of her. I thought the name suited him well. The man only to cut short the walk home. “My darling, Chaya.” He stood shakily with his arms wide. “Come, “One day you will come to me,” he responded as he squatted back onto his wooden stool. Two left turns and straight past the market, I slowed as I saw my loosened the grip on the basket, looking around for my sisters and the neighboring children. Normally involved in football, there were no games harsh slap of plastic and the hum of the neighbor were the only noise that hung in the air. I held onto the necklace as I lifted the tarp door and went inside our shack home. Allison Saylor *** I threw my hands over my eyes as a shield, even though I still could see the light piercing through. I could not hold my giggles. “What is it? What is the gift?” “Ok, you can open.” stone shaped like a teardrop rolled slightly in the center of his palm. I grabbed his wrist and rose from my bottom to my knees for a better look. mixture of light and dark greens. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. “Remember this whenever you are fearful, my girl.” The heavy “Chaya,” he gasped as he crawled back over to me. “I will leave are a grown woman now. Whatever Mama says, you look at that necklace and think of me. Understand?” that nestled in my neck. “My glorious girl, this is your future. Follow your brave heart.” shushed me as Mama lifted the blue tarp door. *** knees in a welcome bow towards the guest. “Welcome,” I mumbled into the ground. While I waited to be released from my crouched position, I was taken aback by the stench that him the way the air clings to a carcass. His clothes smelled pungent, as if “Thank you.” The deep voice bubbled in the man’s throat as if it struggled to get out of his mouth. “Come, sit next to me.” over me as I stood and stepped over the blankets spread underneath the large man. I took in his large face. The skin under his chin and eyes hung Shackled my eyes from were the black holes for eyes. The man's thick arms bulged from a stained turquoise shirt. The dark rings under his arms, I observed, must have been the source of the rancid smell perfuming our small shack. scooped food into bowls. “What a beautiful necklace for such a beautiful girl,” he said. The murky liquidness of his voice made me want to run. I watched as his head tilted to the left, eyes wide, waiting for my response. He looked around, then lifted the blanket, pretending to peek underneath. grabbed the cup of tea from Mama. The man raised his eyebrows when I did not respond. Instead, I stood to help Mama. scarf back slightly, my hairline exposed to the sweating man. Mama walked back to the food but spoke to the man with laughter. “My Chaya is one of modest intentions, always covered outside the home.” the tension between the man and Mama. The hair on my neck stood as I “My name is Narith.” He nodded then plunged his hand into the have heard much about you.” Rice pellets freed themselves from the corner of his mouth and fell up. Instead, I looked away in disgust. His attention caught; I heard his chewing cease. Narith’s head turned to Mama, then back on me. With my head still directed towards the wall, my eyes glanced at his face and noticed the upturn of his misshapen lips. His charred eyes had taken on an oily gloss. “Chaya, you are a living jewel.” He used the back of his hand Allison Saylor dangling around your thin neck.” Mama had sat at the corner of the blanket just a foot away from the two of us. With a cup between her palms, I could see the frustration in her eyes. “Chaya, Mr. Narith has come to ask a favor of you.” I slowed my breathing. Narith pushed the food towards me, a signal that I could begin my eating. My stomach dropped. I had a feeling I knew what would come next from his dirty, contorted mouth. young age.” I placed my hands on the ground, balling up parts of the blanket “I have heard about your beauty from miles away, and I had to agree to give me your hand in marriage.” With my hands thick of blanket, I shot Mama a look of betrayal. Tears welled in my eyes. “I will not be burdened with a daughter who refuses to do her curry rice for Narith. Tears streamed down my face. I opened my mouth to beg for Mama to reconsider, but the rigidness of her back and the sharpness of her hands gathering more food told me that her mind had already made up. Narith reached across the space and lifted a porky hand to catch a tear that fell from my eye. never know what it is like to have someone like me.” With that, I hiked the blanket underneath the food high over my head and sent hot food soaring over Narith. I shot out through the plastic door and ran faster than any of the him, covered in red and brown foods, following closely behind. Knowing the town, I knew I could lose him in the sea of shacks. I turned right at the market and heard Narith yell to someone to stop the Shackled knew he was still close behind. I ran straight ahead. I felt every heartbeat corner, someone grabbed my waist and pulled me inside a shack. “Chaya.” I looked into the Town Tiger’s eyes. I kicked, but when “Quiet, now.” With wide eyes, I watched as the Town Tiger backed away from me. He stepped out into the street and covered the hole with a tin sheet. I pushed into the corner of the home as I heard the stool scoot against rhythm of my breathing, I held onto the smooth stone around my neck. distinctive voice rumbled through the makeshift walls. here?” “Narith, let him be.” I covered my mouth, shocked to hear my wouldn’t run here. I know where she went.” The footsteps fell quick, but the Town Tiger left me alone for a while before removing the tin door. “They have left.” He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. I sat against the wall keeping my knees close to my chest. With his back to me, the Town Tiger rummaged through a wooden box before pulling out a small candle and matchbox. He began a pot of tea inside so I would not have to go outside. I gave my best attempt at a warm smile. in three years?” necklace as if it could protect me. Now that the sun had settled, the chill of the Cambodian night had cooled the shack. I had begun to shiver. “Town Tiger,” I corrected. He furrowed his brow. I grabbed the kettle just as it began to scream and poured tea for him and me. The Town Tiger began to chuckle as he blew into the steaming - 51 - Allison Saylor cup. “I thought you would rather die than pour tea for an old man.” I smirked. I grabbed my cup and began blowing on it as well. The Town Tiger shook his head and let the laughter fall from his lips. He said no and set his tea down. “That man will be back.” “How do you know?” The Town Tiger looked at the door and made a tsking noise. “I’ve seen him around many times. He comes for young girls and takes them sleep over there, in the corner, for tonight, but in the morning, I will send you to my friend. He is in the countryside. That bad man will be back for you, so we need to get you out.” I sat in silence and gave my brain the time to process what had happened. The Town Tiger sipped his tea, simply enjoying the company of a person in his home since the last girl. “I want to ask you a question,” I said. He nodded but kept his eyes on the ground. “What is your name?” hard line of the Town Tiger’s jaw lessened. He blinked twice before the corners of his mouth shifted into a smile. I wondered if he had ever been asked. in the bottom of my cup and smiled. I nodded as he turned and crawled to the opposite side of the shack. to sleep. I quietly placed my cup down and eyed the tin door. I grasped the *** “Chaya.” He grinned. “No more clues.” I giggled as I ran around him in circles. He continued to chase me his chest. powdered dirt and bared my teeth. With a loud roar, I charged towards Shackled himself up on his forearms. The edges of his jaw had become rigid. understand something, my daughter. If you protect them, tigers will always protect you. Remember that.” *** tight grip on the necklace.