A rough life for a human pet

Rent

The worst part about eating a good meal when you don't have a lot of food is the hunger it provokes. While I managed to fall asleep easily last night my stomach growling is what wakes me in the morning.

I groan and sit up clutching my stomach. I get up and go wash my face seeing my grumpy expression I try pulling a grin to little success. I guess today's gonna be one of those days.

In some ways I wish I hadn't eaten so much last night as I look at my bare cupboards. I don't have any food for today and I have to pay rent later.

Quickly dashing over to my money box I open it up and start counting the notes and coins inside. Placing them down beside me on the floor I notice I'm a few coins short.

It wouldn't be an issue is it weren't for the pay drop but the I relaise I have to take from my wood savings. I don't want to be completely out of rent money, some shelter is better then being on the streets.

My face falls as I take the wood money and place it in my rent box. It's gonna be a really hard winter without heating. I don't even have that many blankets.

Pulling my eyes away I tuck the boxes back in their hiding place not even noticing the food bar hiding under the bed. I'll keep it for an emergency, I don't need it yet.

Gasping, I hear a loud banging on the door and the voice of a angry women on the other side.

"Rents due, pay up or leave!* she shouts.

I pull the money box back out and look over to the calendar, rents not supposed to be till tomorrow. I grab the amount I need anyway and head over to the door.

"Here you go miss, on time as always" I say calmly with a smile hoping to keep on good terms with her.

She has the most meanest scowl on her face that makes me want to scurry away and hide. I don't know why she's so angry but I close my eyes in relief as she turns away.

"I won't tolerate you not being able to pay! It's one strike and your out got it?" She says turning around the corner and out of sight before I have a chance to respond.

My hands are shaking as I finish getting ready for the morning. It's been years since I've seen my parents but I find myself wanting to curl up in my father's arms and cry while he tells it's all going to be okay.

I remember the last time I saw them clear as day. We went on our usual carriage ride through the forests and nearby towns. We were never rich but we had enough to be comfortable. I guess I was never good enough for them as father told me to go explore the town for cool shops.

I find myself practicing running as the memories and feelings flood my mind. The terror as I relaised why they didn't come with me.

"Whoa now there, slow down." My mind comes back to reality as I notice that I'm at the gate, my hair still messy and my face wet with tears.

I wipe my face with my sleeve and ca myself as I approach. Who knows what they might do if they don't like how I'm acting.

"What's wrong human? Why are you being sent to work still if it makes you so upset?" Another guard questions as I look away and to the ground.

What a bunch of idiots who don't get what it's like for us humans now. I hate them, can't they just leave me alone and let me through.

"I have work today" I say as I look back up at the guards having calmed my anger.

They sigh and I zee one of them grab something making me nervous. I move forward as I see them gesturing for me to do so.

"Draino can replace this later but you can have this kind for now" he says grabbing my arm firmly and attaching a thin metal chain around it.

I try pulling at it but it's too small and the strange gun thing he put against the ends sealed it closed.

"Right, well can I go into work now?" I say staring at the strange bracelet with a circular plate that has numbers and letters on.

I'm let through the gate and head over to a different station then yesterday. I don't want to know about that stupid baby or the man who had to sell her.

Everyone ignores me after glancing at my wrist. Usually we chat as we work but it's very quiet today. No one even looks at me.

It makes me feel lonely...

"How have you been Laura?" I ask over to one of the girls I've been talking to for awhile.

She doesn't even look at me, like I don't exist. I guess I just need to work today and focus on my station. It's the bread prep station where we mix the ingredients together to be kneeded down the line.

I soon finish and head over to the pay area feeling annoyed as other workers push past me. They smirk and I don't understand why as they tale their pay. I grab mine and head home feeling the breeze be as cold as ever.

I would normally put the fire on but I have no money for wood. I need to leave the small amount I do have for a day I auctually need it during a cold storm. I wonder how many days it's going to snow this year.

I shiver as I curl up in my bed hunger hitting my body. I struggle to sleep but eventually pass out from exhaustion some hours later. Hopefully I'll wake up on time tomorrow.

Written 18 October 2022

Published 25 February 2022

1001 words