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Trigger Warning:
This story contains themes of child abuse, emotional trauma, violence, oppression, and systemic injustice, which may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
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Title: Lost Identity
Chapter 1: The Girl Who Dared
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The sound of chanting echoed through the school's corridors, growing louder with each passing second. Outside, a sea of students gathered, their eyes wide, their faces filled with anticipation. In front of the school's run-down Class 5-F building, standing tall despite her small stature, was Kim Hana. Her presence was electric, impossible to ignore.
Hana was just ten years old, but she held the weight of the world in her hands. Her dark grey eyes, sharp and defiant, glinted like storm clouds gathering before a storm. Her long, black hair, tied into two perfect braids, bounced with every step, a symbol of her fierce determination. She wore a white hoodie, sleeves pushed up to her elbows, revealing faint bruises, and black joggers scuffed at the knees- evidence of countless playground battles she had fought and won.
She raised a cardboard sign above her head, her small hands trembling just slightly from the effort. The letters were painted hastily in bold Hangul:
"WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD."
Behind her, a group of students, some with signs, others holding flowers, all with a look of resolve in their eyes-followed her lead. They might have been nervous, unsure of what would happen next, but they trusted her. She was their leader, the one who never backed down, no matter how much trouble she caused.
The chants grew louder as Hana raised her fist high in the air. "We are the Lord's children!" "We deserve respect too!" she shouted, her voice carrying through the crowd.
The students behind her echoed, "Justice shall prevail!"
Hana's voice rang out again, more powerful this time. "We are orphans, but we are not trash!"
And the crowd responded in unison, "We are not trash!"
Inside the building, Principal Yun slammed her hands onto her desk, fuming. Without wasting a moment, she stormed outside, her heels clacking against the floor with every step. Her teachers followed her, eyes wide, unsure of how to handle the situation.
Principal Yun finally reached the protest, her eyes narrowing as she came face-to-face with Hana. The girl didn't even flinch.
"HANA!" Principal Yun's voice was sharp, cutting through the noise.
But Hana didn't look up. She merely raised her sign higher.
"Do not be swayed by the old vixen! Today, we speak for every silenced voice!" Hana shouted, her voice strong and unwavering.
The crowd cheered, but Principal Yun was unamused. She marched forward, her fury palpable.
"You better have a good reason for causing this disruption!" Principal Yun demanded, her eyes flashing with anger.
Hana lowered her sign and crossed her arms. "Ask your homeroom teacher why we were denied our sports period," she replied coolly. "Again."
Principal Yun's nostrils flared. "That's no reason for a protest!"
Hana's voice wavered just slightly, but she refused to let her tears show. "We waited all week for today... We just wanted a chance. It's always like this. Always."
Principal Yun let out a deep sigh, clearly frustrated. "Fine. I'll speak to him. But you, Hana, meet me in my office. Now."
Hana tilted her head in confusion. "Why me? Why only me?"
Principal Yun's face hardened. "Meet me in my office, now," she snapped.
With a final glance at her classmates, Hana turned and walked toward the building. There was no fear in her step, just a quiet determination.
---
Hana stood before the principal's desk, her head held high despite the heavy weight pressing down on her chest. The office was quiet, save for the sound of Yun tapping a pen impatiently on the desk.
"You led a protest," Principal Yun said coldly, her gaze fixed on Hana. "You've embarrassed this school. And for what?"
Hana's expression hardened. "I stood up for what's right."
Principal Yun leaned forward, her lips curling into a sneer. "You never change, do you? Always with that sharp tongue and reckless spirit. Always pretending to be sorry, and then going behind everyone's back to cause more trouble. You act like a fox, playing tricks."
Hana felt the sting of the insult, but she refused to show weakness. "If standing up for justice is a crime, then I'll always be guilty."
The principal's eyes narrowed as she stood up abruptly. "You're expelled."
The words hit Hana like a slap to the face. For a moment, she couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She wanted to say something, but all she could do was stare at Yun, her body trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief.
"What?" Hana whispered, her voice barely audible.
"No discussion. You're a burden to this school, Hana," Principal Yun said, her voice low and final. "I'll make sure no other school in this city accepts you."
Hana's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't cry. She wasn't going to give Yun the satisfaction. "Fine. I'll leave myself."
She turned, her back to the principal. "And screw you," she muttered under her breath.
The door slammed behind her, leaving Yun standing there, stunned.
---
The news of Hana's expulsion reached the orphanage that afternoon. Mrs. Cho, the harsh overseer, paced back and forth in her office, fuming.
"That brat!" she growled, clenching her fists. "I thought I dealt with her last time. She's a damn nuisance."
Beside her, Madam Hae, her assistant, smirked coldly. "Maybe it's time we start training her properly. With a face like hers, she could make us a lot of money."
Mrs. Cho's eyes flashed with malice. "Forget waiting. Men will pay top dollar for someone her age, especially with those looks."
Madam Hae nodded. "We've been begging for too long. Let's bring her back in line."
Without another word, Mrs. Cho marched out of her office. Her steps were heavy, filled with purpose.
---
The next afternoon, Mrs. Cho arrived at school, fury burning in her chest. She barged into the dormitory, her eyes wild with anger. Without hesitation, she grabbed Hana by the collar and dragged her out into the courtyard, ignoring the gasps of the other children.
"You ungrateful little brat!" Mrs. Cho screamed, her voice venomous. "I'll teach you a lesson today you'll never forget!"
Hana didn't resist. She didn't even look up. Her eyes were dull, her face blank. She had seen this too many times before.
The first slap echoed across the courtyard. Then came the kicks. Each one is harder than the last.
The other orphans watched in silence, too afraid to intervene. Hana's body was small and fragile, barely ten years old, and yet Mrs. Cho showed no mercy. The more she kicked, the more the crowd fell silent. They could all see that Hana was used to this, and it made them sick to their stomachs.
Finally, when the courtyard was eerily quiet, Mrs. Cho looked down at the girl's body. Hana was unconscious.
Ignoring the stares of the other children, Mrs. Cho hoisted Hana's limp body and carried her away, muttering about how she would "teach her a lesson" this time.
---
A week passed, and Hana awoke in a strange, unfamiliar room. The ceiling above her was high, the walls adorned with expensive paintings, and the furniture gleamed with gold and crystal. This wasn't the orphanage. Not even close.
She blinked slowly, her head throbbing. The pain from the beating was still there, but it was distant now.
"Was it all a dream?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely a breath. She closed her eyes, trying to piece together the fragments of memories that still clung to her mind.
She was fifteen, not ten anymore. Her memories were still foggy, but she could remember how she fell from the stairs immediately after she graduated from middle school.
And now, she is here.
Footsteps approached, the sound of a door opening. Her heart raced as she struggled to sit up.
For the first time in her life, she dreamt of her past. Will she recover from Amnesia, or is the universe giving her false hope?...