Woman from Well

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

It was hot that George could not endure.

'I have to go to take shower.'

He said.

Then he left his house.

He walked in his blue rubber slippers.

That slippers were popular in Cambodia, especially at country side and George really liked it. He felt good and freedom in such slippers.

He liked Cambodia. He liked Cambodian. 

He liked Cambodian traditional house. He liked eat Cambodian traditional food.

He liked practice daily life like Cambodian in rural Cambodia.

He was glad to raise chicken, chase it with his rubber slippers when he wanted to make it his food, and that was what Cambodian in rural do.

He was relax at night with quiet sound of human, but only sound of cricket and cicada, and sometimes, dog howling. 

He was happy to smell of jasmine or Keo flower that grew in yard. It was fresh and beautiful and it was healthier than smelling of vehicles and electronic devices whether in Phnom Penh or US.

Cambodian was kind and good. He loved Cambodian. They gave a house to him when he arrived in their village. They brought food to him when he arrived first time. They took him to do farm, to fish, and they taught him growing vegetable and fruit. He lived happily in the village even he did not earn money, but his living was enough.

Only thing he could not use to was hot weather.

When I Want To Find Peaceful Place

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

It was stressful to drive car to work and back home.

I spent about 2 hours to reach my house that was just about 10 kilometers from my office.

Traffic was crazy in crowded Phnom Penh.

I saw rich people, they had chauffeur. Well, they could maintain their brain health especially with driving.

I wanted to have chauffeur too. I wanted to have peaceful moment while I was traveling on the road. But I did not have money to hire chauffeur.

One day, I got idea.

Prey

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

On the plane, Simon looked through window.

'Are you going to hunt too?' A black guy sat next to him said.

Simon looked at him and said, 'Yes.'

He showed his hand, 'I'm Simon.'

'I'm William.' That man showed hand back to him.

'Where are you from?'

'Texas.'

'I'm Hawaii.'

'Great. You like hunting?'

'Yes. I usually go to hunt with my grandpa and my father.'

'I don't like hunting. I've never been to forest or jungle to hunt.'

'Then why you join this event?'

'I practice shooting since I was young. And I want to try outdoor.'

Simon nodded.

Change

written & photographed by Chakriya PHOU

Clock bell echoed room.

I opened my eyes and got up from bed to bathroom. Lazy action.

Then I dressed up and came out to have breakfast.

My father was at table. 

He looked not happy.

He had angry face.

Linn

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

There was a family. There were father, mother and four children. They lived by the sea.

One day, the village was flooded and they escaped on boat.

The boat floated in sea many days. Their boat was small, it could not carry many. The parents threw unnecessary things into the sea. Boat could travel few more days.

Still, it could not carry on and about to sink.

In dark night, when children were in sleep, the parents discussed.

'We have to throw one of our children or all of us will die.' Father said.

'Which child?' Mother said.

They looked at their children.

Satan Boy

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

When I was nine years old, I immigrated to live in USA with my parents. We stayed together in a house with elders of my father.

Our family was like hot pot.. mixed of nationalities.

My mother was Khmer-Chinese. My father was born in US. Father of my father - my grand father - was English. Mother of my father - my grand mother - was Thai. My great grand father - grand father of my father - was alive. He originally from England. He was little bit old, but fresh. He liked me and I liked him too. He could not walk much. Most of time, he stayed in his chair at the window. And I liked to go to him. He usually told me stories.

What Do They Do To You?

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

I wanted to be reporter, but I passed application to be translator in magazine company instead.

Though, I was happy because I could work in media company.

According to law - law of newspaper in Cambodia - all workers, both reporter and translator, in magazine and newspaper needed to take two weeks training 'How To Write Peaceful Article'.

Not Halloween Night

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

It happened in Marietta.

Dark night.

-----

There was sound coming out of bedroom of daughter of Simon. He was not home that he and his wife were on vacation. His girl, Betty, and her boyfriend were doing their job on bed.

UGH. UGH...

Betty expressed her erotic voice in her bed, in dark room.

Her boyfriend, Tom, was above her.

Black Fairy Wolf

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

I sat on my bed. Look at the wall.

Other women were gathered and had conversation. Only me, sitting alone. 

Then a woman came to me.

'Where are you from?'

'Cambodia.' I said.

'Why are you in prison?'

'I killed.'

All women turned face to me.

It was about four years ago...