Scale of Reality

Abandoned: Part 4

Muji POV

Like I had suspected, mom never came back. Karin and Daiki cried endlessly, on top of the new twins crying a lot.

I had learned that when two babies were born together they're called twins. I named them Kyle and Kaia, one was a boy and the other a girl.

Taking care of them on top of Karin and Daiki was a lot. I had to get enough food for all of us without being caught, I had to constantly change diapers and buy new ones, I had to teach Karin more things and begin teaching Daiki.

Some nights I would break down and cry from all the mental stress.

There were times when I remember the horror mom put me through, and that made it hard for me to go on. Sometimes I thought about just giving up, finding some people that would take my siblings in and drowning myself.

However without me I'm sure my siblings would becoming depressed and going out to look for me before ending up dead somewhere.

I also learned that other children my age actually had fun and normal lives. Whenever I managed to get money and head to the store, they always call me mature for my age.

I didn't know what that meant until I ran into another 7 year old kid. He reminded me of Karin, but a bit bigger.

Gaining this piece of information only made me feel more and more upset at the world, but I pushed my anger aside and focused on providing for my siblings.

I had to protect them as the oldest.

As their only family.

Timeskip

"Muji look! I did it right!"

I smiled a bit watching Karin change Kaia. Karin had come to terms that we were alone a few months after mom left, and that was a year ago.

Now six years old, she was doing her best to do things around the house when I couldn't or was out. She had begun to act more like an adult, or "mature". She didn't cry anymore and didn't complain about the food I brought home.

She didn't even play anymore.

She focused on her studies and taking care of the younger kids when I couldn't. It made me upset that her childhood is going like mine but there's nothing I can do.

I wanted to protect that childish smile and playfulness, but our situation took that from her.

It took that from us.

Daiki still had that playful nature and pickiness, and I hoped he would stay that way. I don't want any of the others to end up feeling responsible for something that isn't their fault like me and Karin.

"Good job Karin."

"Thank you. I'm going to go check on Daiki, he should be learning his abc's."

Daiki was now four years old, and he could speak well. However when it came to studying, unlike when Karin was younger, he hated it. All he wanted to do was play.

"Daiki! You're supposed to be reading!"

Daiki threw the book.

"I don't want to! I want to play!"

"We can play later Daiki, so come read! If you don't I'll tell Muji!"

"No!! I'll read so don't tell Muji!"

I smiled a bit.

Daiki always listens when Karin brings up my name. I don't know why but I find it funny.

"Muji! Kyle is crying again!"

I stood up and headed to the room as I picked up Kyle and held him closely. He was a heavy little baby, being one years old now, and he grew a lot.

"Kyle it's ok! Big bro is right here."

Kyle stopped crying as I put my hand in front of his face, allowing him to grab my fingers. He laughed and tried to put one of my fingers in his mouth, causing me to move my hand back.

"No, this isn't food Kyle."

I put Kyle back down, causing him to start crying again. I let out a sigh.

"This is going to be a long day."

Timeskip

"Karin."

Karin raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"I'm going out to get some food ok? If I don't come back, you know what to do right?"

Karin nodded.

"Don't get hurt."

I put on my shoes and left without another word. Today was going to be another day where I went out and grabbed food, however I ran into someone wearing something I had never seen before.

They were wearing this shiny metal suit, the sun rays beamed off of it.

"They must have a lot of money..."

I pulled my hood over my head and began to slowly walk, unsuspiciously getting closer to the person. When I finally reached them I grabbed the small pouch on their waist and began to run.

"Hey!! You damn brat!! Give that back!!"

I heard him yelling, but I just kept running without looking back. For some reason, my body jumped to the side, however some colorful energy cut my arm deeply.

I let out a yell in pain as I held my arm and continued to run, holding back tears as I hoped to escape.

After about three hours I came back, blood leaking from my arm.

"M-Muji!!"

Karin always stayed up and waited for me after she found out how I got us food. I always told her if I didn't come back wait one entire day before going out to look for me.

"I-I got a lot of food this time Karin."

I walked over to her and dropped the bag of food before collapsing. Karin grabbed me as she began to cry, hugging me tightly.

"W-What happened? You're bleeding."

I coughed a bit as I held my tears back, I couldn't let Karin see me like that.

"I-I stole from some guy in this weird suit. I think he went easy on me and let me off with a scratch. G-Go get me the bandages."

"T-That looks way worse than a scratch M-Muji."

"Go get the bandages!!"

Karin nodded as she ran off and came back with the bandages. I wrapped my arm up and laid down, watching Karin put the food up.

"Muji, why do you keep doing this? We're just little kids, w-we shouldn't be having to do stuff like this to get by."

I sat up, ignoring the pain.

"Because you know as much as I do Karin, Dad and Mom left and they're never coming back. It's up to me and you to keep the younger ones safe and alive."

Karin sniffled.

"B-But what if you die?"

"I won't."

Karin walked over and hugged me tightly.

"Promise?"

"Pinky promise."

Karin fell asleep on my lap as I just slowly closed my eyes and went to sleep. Knowing tomorrow would be another stressful painful day.