Scale of Reality

Abandoned: Part 3

Muji POV

"M-Muji, where did- where did did all this stuff come from?"

I looked at my younger sister with a small smile.

"Don't worry about it Karin."

I had been stealing food from people all night, this much should be able to last us until next week.

I felt horrible about what I did.

I understood that the people I took this from needed this in order to make money for their families.

But...

I needed this for mine.

Karin seemed a bit nervous to start eating but she did when I told her to. I fed Daiki and mom as well, making sure she ate for the baby.

Mom had the same look on her face, like she knew she was inflicting all sorts of mental pain on me. I tried my best to ignore her and continue to provide for the family.

I began to teach Karin how to write.

I wanted her to go to school, but the nearest school to us was very far away and Karin didn't have a lot of clothes to go to school. My knowledge was more than what she needed so I just taught her what I knew.

Daiki began to walk a bit, and now he makes noises occasionally. He wants to go near mom but I don't let him, afraid of him being hurt.

Every week I would have to go out at night and get food for us just to last the next week. I would have to sometimes get clothes and shoes, and sometimes I would have to get water.

We lived in a remote village so there was a river near us.

I currently sat down with Karin, teaching her how to write her name.

"No Karin, that's an o. It has to be an a, like this."

Karin hummed.

"But they look the same!"

"A little bit, but A's have this little line thing. See?"

Karin wrote her name with an A, causing me to smile.

"Good job Karin!"

Karin laughed in joy as she continued to write other words from the book. While she was doing that I began to read a book we had on science.

I had no idea that the earth was round.

Mom would just sit her in chair, rubbing her stomach slowly. She would only speak to me after I came back from "gathering" food for us.

I hated when she spoke to me.

Her voice sounded like it was seeping with venom, and her face looked like she was constantly wearing a mask.

I'm pretty sure mom hated us.

I'm pretty sure she hated ME.

Timeskip

"Where did he go?! That little brat is back again!!"

I let out many deep breaths as I hid behind the corner with a bag in my hand. The bag contained all sorts of food that I had been able to grab.

The men around the stands are always looking for me at night time, I'm scared of what they'll do if they catch me.

"I have to keep going...this much will only last us two days at most."

I let out a nervous gulp as I began to walk once again after making sure the coast was clear. I seen a family of two walking into a store, so I quickly followed them.