Free The Scavenger's Daughters (Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters, Book One) by Kay Bratt Page B

sort. At the time, relationships between non-married individuals were absolutely forbidden. Yet nothing could stop the magnetic pull of young love and despite the repercussions, it still happened; even in his commune he’d seen a few stolen moments here and there.
    “When my parents’ library was ransacked and everything destroyed, the Red Guards thought they’d gotten everything. But I hid a collection of classics from them. I kept one concealed with me at the commune and the restin a safe place. No one found the books and after everything was over, I was able to retrieve them from the inside of the walls in our house.”
    Benfu was taken aback. Pei must have been a very brave lad back then. If he had been caught with any books other than the party-approved listed ones, he would have been severely punished. “
Aiya,
that was quite a chance you took, Pei.”
    “I know.” Pei looked around nervously and Benfu could see he was afraid to talk of it. Though Mao was dead, there were still many devoted followers who would love a chance to prove their loyalty by settling old scores.
    “It took me a few years, but I was finally able to reconcile my thoughts to the truth that what Mao was doing was quickly erasing all the pieces of China that would help us remember where we came from. When I started to show dissension, they tried to starve my body but they could no longer control my thoughts. I’ll never forget those days,” he whispered across the table.
    Benfu nodded. He also would never forget the ache in his stomach from days without food or the hundreds of welts that covered his body from the hordes of insects in the shed. He wished he
could
forget, and he had tried to for years, but the memories were still as vivid as if it were yesterday. But at least the night he was freed was a part of it all, softening the horror. He still remembered the clink of the metal against the lock and the first fresh breaths of air when the door was opened. He’d expected another beating to be waiting but instead had met a boy’s worried face and his first bit of food he’d had in such a long time. It was an amazing moment he’d treasure always. He still wished he could have found the real Pei.
    With that Benfu stood. “It’s time I must get back to work.”
    Benfu led the way out of the restaurant and through the door to the sidewalk. He glanced over his shoulder to find Pei following closely. Though a bit embarrassed about the shape of his only transportation, Benfu pushed those thoughts aside and went to the front of the bike.
    “See this?” he asked, pointing to the battered water canteen hanging from the handlebars.
    Pei nodded.
    “This was given to me from the Pei I was looking for today. It’s a long story I can’t really speak of, but this canteen is a symbol of an extraordinary night that sealed a friendship between us. Many times I almost dropped it in the river but I couldn’t make myself do it. It’s my only solid reminder of him—the one person in that commune to show me mercy. I always hoped I’d be able to return it to him.” He was surprised at the sudden mist of tears that threatened to come.
    “That’s amazing that you kept it so long,” Pei said, taking the canteen and flipping it over to see initials carved on the bottom. “This is definitely an antique now, but more importantly it helps keep your memories intact. In any other case, I’d try to buy it from you for my collection, but I know you would not part with such a special piece. So thank you for showing it to me.”
    With that Benfu chose to ignore the old tradition of avoiding emotion and displays of affection in public and he approached the smaller man. Pei saw it coming and opened his arms. Benfu embraced him, clapping him on the back heartily.
    “Comrades for life,” Benfu said gruffly. He knew their paths would probably never cross again but still, he was glad to have had the chance to meet someone with some small connection to this