it's a lot more real than you think it is

 In a world where any piece of information is so readily accessible, at your fingertips, violent imagery is practically inescapable. Whether it's on the news or even the cartoons the children watch nowadays, it's safe to say that violence is everywhere. 

However, there's something different about the violence we are exposed to through media. Even if the crime is real, coverage of the subject is often very censored as to not disturb the sensitive (it may be triggering, or it may not be appropriate for younger audiences). We hear stories of people being mutilated, but how often do you see those images on the TV? Do you see their bodies? Probably not.

Regardless, the internet is a vast pit. Even if censorship is common, there are still instances when it does not occur. Last summer, for summer reading, we had to compile a list of things that were on the news. As I was searching for things to put on said list, I accidentally came across an article of a double homicide of a lesbian couple in a Chinese mall. Maybe this wasn't world news big, but this specific murder shook a large part of China and is proof that homophobia is everywhere and still exists to this day.

What I wasn't prepared for was that at the end of the article, there was a tweet linked that featured the security camera footage from the time of the murder. Naturally, as a fairly curious person with a small interest in true crime, I clicked on it. I have strong regrets now.

The video itself was maybe 10 minutes long, and nothing really happens for the first 5 or 6. People walk around, as one does in a mall. Then you see the lesbian couple leave a store at the 5 minute mark. Except they aren't just leaving. There's a man attacking them, armed with a knife, firstly focused on the butch of the relationship (the more masculine presenting one). And he stabs her. Repeatedly. More than 25 times. The other girl tries to pull her girlfriend's body away in the meantime, but she isn't strong enough. Once the killer deemed his mutilation to the one girl sufficient, he chases the recently widowed girl off camera so she too can join her girlfriend in death. 

There's dark blood smeared across the white linoleum floors. So much blood. You wonder how much blood exists in the human body because there is so much. Its horrifying and you cannot look away. Even after the multiple stabs to the chest, the first girl didn't die immediately. If you looked closely enough, you might notice her move ever so slightly, but it's clear she wouldn't be able to make it. They both died after being taken to the hospital.

Though every homicide is devastating, this one in particular is especially off-putting. The whole thing feels surreal because despite a brutal murder taking place, no bystanders stepped in to help. Nobody even ran. It was like they didn't even witness two girls get brutally stabbed to death with the way they walked on and carried on with their day. Her girlfriend was the only real hero. Not even the security officers on duty did anything. You can see them on camera and all they do is stand. One even looks away.

Admittedly, I've watched this video more than once. It's forever engrained into my brain in the same way you don't simply forget how to walk. The first watch is pure shock and horror; it's practically impossible to process what plays in from of your eyes and you are glued to the screen like a deer in headlights. The second watch is still disturbing, but offers some better information. The small details that make the murder that much more sad are more noticeable. It's hard to have faith in the good of people after watching.

Do not forget them. This may be a story of homophobia and hate crime, but their love is real. The way they were willing to give their life for the other cannot be labeled as just friends. Do not label them as such. Remember their names: Fang Xiaoton and Liu Jixi.