Scale of Reality

Abandoned: Part 2

Muji POV

I'm currently seven years old right now, and I had managed to teach myself all I could using the books in our house.

For some reason, mom started to take care of us. She always left and came back with money out of nowhere, and it was always confusingly a lot.

She just shoved the money in my face and kicked me out the house to buy clothes, food, and whatever else we needed.

I tried not to think too much about it but it was weird. Dad made getting money seem like it was such a struggle, but she would randomly get it. However that didn't mean I disliked the fact we somehow had money. Shopping for Karin and Daiki was the best thing about my day whenever I did it.

Seeing Karin's smile when I buy her cute clothes is one of the few things that make me happy.

However lately we began to run low once again, and mom left the house. It's been about a week, but I managed to get some food by begging and selling some of my clothes.

Right now, I was currently teaching Karin how to read while Daiki was sleeping.

"And this letter is "H" it makes a ha- sound."

Karin nodded.

"So this word is ham!"

"Good job Karin!"

Karin smiled as she began to sound out another word.

"I have about three brats in here but don't worry about them, just come right in."

I could hear mom's voice, but way more footsteps than just hers.

"What's..."

The door opened as mom walked through the door with 4 men I had never seen before. She looked at me, our eyes met, and I felt a chill go down my spine.

That look.

I had seen it before.

It was the same one she used whenever she was about to hit me.

"Karin, go study in the room."

Karin looked up at me and then looked at mom.

"Huh? But-

"Just go ok? I'll be right there."

Karin nodded and grabbed the book before running to the room. I stood up and was about to walk away, but mom called my name.

"Muji."

I froze.

"Yes?"

"Stay in here for a bit."

I nodded as I sat in front of the door, that way Karin couldn't get out. Mom dropped her clothes, all the while still looking at me.

"M-Mom...why are you..."

The things I witnessed that night would scar me for life. I would never get those scenes out of my head. I would never get those sounds out of my head.

I would never forget the look on her face as she watched me watch her.

I would never forget the look in her eyes.

"You see Muji, this is how I make that dear money you love so much."

A tear went down my face.

"What just...what's going on? I-I don't wanna be here. I-I want to go in the room."

"No Muji, keep watching."

I broke out into tears as the door opened and more men walked into our house. I could hear Karin on the other side of the door constantly asking me what was going on.

I didn't understand either but I knew she shouldn't see this.

I knew that I shouldn't be seeing this.

The entire night, mom just kept doing that thing with multiple men. I didn't know what was going on but it hurt so much, it was too scary for me.

I ended up passing out in front of the door, and even in my sleep those scenes haunted me.

Timeskip

Ever since that night Mom stopped providing for us again. Instead she would just invite those men every single night and they would do the same thing.

She didn't make me watch, but I still heard it all. Since the scene was still in my head there was no way I couldn't imagine what was going on.

I had to keep Karin and Daiki safe from mom, so I locked them in the room and made sure they never left when those men were there.

After a month the men finally stopped coming. Mom just sat back in the chair, but this time she had a smile on her face instead of a frown.

She would just laugh stupidly while staring out of the window while sitting on her wooden chair. I never knew why, but I didn't want to know either.

I began to sell more of my clothes and other things in order to buy food for my siblings and I. Things went on like this for awhile, but then something happened.

Something I was too familiar with.

Mom's stomach was getting fat.

"She's having another baby?"

I was beginning to understand why Dad left. We were barely getting by and now she's going to have another baby.

"How did this even happen? Why is she having a baby again?"

I didn't know why or how this was happening, but I knew I had a little less than a year until the next baby was born.

"Another mouth to feed is going to be tough, plus now I have to make sure mom eats so it doesn't die."

I let out a deep sigh.

"This is going to be hard. I'm only seven and I have to deal with all this crazy stuff."

I began to tear up as I brought my knees to my chest.

"I'm sorry Karin and Daiki...but there's only one way I can think of that'll help us. Forgive your big brother."

I wiped my tears and put on a black cloak with a hood before turning to mom.

"Mom, I'm going out to get food."

Mom looked at me, still smiling widely while laughing.

"Oh really Muji? How will you get it this time? We don't have anything to sell anymore."

I swallowed a nervous gulp and wiped more upcoming tears.

"D-Don't worry about it mom. I-I will make sure we have enough food."

On that day, I committed a crime.

Theft.