Teaching in the Village

: Rebirth

Right after graduating college, I went to teach in a rural village, full of enthusiasm.

The poorest boy in my class had been held back for three years, yet he was still determined to learn.

I gave him my full attention and support, hoping to help him get into college.

However, during one home visit, I drank a glass of water he poured for me and immediately collapsed, unconscious.

When I woke up, I was locked in his family's pigsty.

His family was staring at me.

"Ms. Shaw, you must be fond of our Caden, huh? How about you stay and marry him!"

Meanwhile, he stood to the side, his face flush with excitement.

"Mom, I told you! There's no future in being a factory worker. See? I stayed in school and brought you home a daughter-in-law."

It was only then that I realized he'd been held back for three years purely because he didn't want to go work in a factory.

I fought back with all my strength, but he assaulted and killed me.

When my parents found out, they tried to demand justice for me, but his family beat them to death.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. It was my first day at the village school.

In this life, not one person in that family will survive.

1

"Ms. Shaw, welcome to Briarwood. We're so glad you're here to teach. We're in desperate need of educated and passionate teachers like you."

An elderly voice echoed in my ears. I looked around, dazed, and realized how familiar the scene was.

I was back on that day right after graduation, the day I'd arrived in this village to teach, full of enthusiasm.

But the nightmare from my previous life kept replaying in my mind.

The enthusiasm I'd brought here had been snuffed out, bit by bit, by that cruel ordeal.

In my past life, when I saw the youthful faces of these teenagers and the longing in their eyes for the world beyond the mountains, my heart burned with a passionate resolve.

Back then, my sole focus was on helping these kids leave the mountains. So when I noticed Caden Morgan, who was studying so diligently and had even been held back three years just for a chance at college, I was determined not to let his efforts go to waste. I was always looking out for him, helping him with his studies, all so he could fulfill his dream.

But I never thought all that heartfelt effort would be repaid with a nightmare from hell.

I went to his home for a visit and drank the water he poured for me. In that single moment, my entire world was turned upside down.

I was drugged.

The next time I woke up, my hands and feet were shackled with iron chains. I was locked inside a reeking pigsty.

Meanwhile, the monster responsible stood outside, watching me with glee.

"Ms. Shaw, you must be fond of my son, right?" Mrs. Morgan beamed at me, a sharp glint in her eyes.

I shook my head frantically, my gaze filled with terror as I looked at the three of them outside.

"You do like me."

"Why else would you pay so much attention just to me? Don't be shy, Ms. Shaw. Marrying me wouldn't be a bad thing."

Caden Morgan's leering eyes raked over my body, his voice thick with triumph.

"Caden Morgan... after everything I did for you. I can't believe this is how you repay me."

"Let me tell you, what you're doing is against the law! You won't get away with this!"

My voice was sharp with fury as I rebuked them, trying to awaken a shred of their conscience and get them to let me go.

But they had no conscience. They didn't take me seriously at all, and they had no fear of the law.

As a recent college graduate, all I could do in a situation like this was try to stay strong, but inside I was panicking.

No one at the school had noticed my disappearance. With no way to call for help, I was like a lamb to the slaughter.

That night, Caden Morgan couldn't restrain himself any longer and came to me. Despite my desperate pleas, he still forced himself on me.

I struggled with all my might, but in the end, I died during his assault.