Myocardium

Part 16

It's Saturday today, finally. Then again, what is there for me to look forward to other than not needing to bear this hell called college for a mere two days?!

I'm ripped out of slumberland at around 10:30 by my siblings, who have decided it's fun to annoy me by jumping around on my bed like two bewildered monkeys with rabies. What a great way to start my day.

"Morning, guys", I utter sleepily, yawn and rub my eyes. Both of them bid me a good morning too and throw themselves onto the mattress next to me. Why do they need to be so goofy? It's a pretty calm day, my sibs and I spend most of it inside as it's raining in buckets. The dread of going grocery shopping still lingers, though. Plus, playing in the mud is one of Daisy's all-time-favourite things to do, so I might as well give her what her jejune heart yearns for. 

As for myself, as much as I like this type of weather because it has its way of comforting me, sometimes it strengthens my bad mood and makes me sleepy and grumpy. Needless to say, getting up from napping after cooking certainly isn't easy today.

While I'm writing our shopping list, I ask Sasha, who's sitting on the sofa and watching some cartoons if he wants to tag along to the grocery store. I'm giving him the choice to stay this time, but all my little brother does is smile and sigh, "Is it okay if I come with you? I don't want to stay here all alone." While explaining, he turns to look over the sofa's backrest, where I peak my head out of the kitchen.

"Of course, I always appreciate the company," I reply and give him a much-saying smile. I hope little dude is doing okay. When we leave for the store, I'm once again reminded of how lucky I am for having two siblings who actually get along with each other. I am the best example of how people his age aren't always nice to their siblings. Him and I used to quarrel a lot when we were younger. This is why it makes me so happy to see how much he values and cares for his little sister.

While I'm putting our necessities into our cart, Sasha and Daisy are walking around nearby, inspecting various items on the shelves and being their usual, giggly selves. Of course, I keep a constant eye on them to avoid any trouble, but I do trust my brother enough to know that he will take care of our sister at all cost. After returning from another aisle to fetch some flour, I spot an old man walking up to my siblings. 

They instantly catch my full attention and make me alert and suspicious of the man's behaviour. I'm definitely beating him to a pulp if he mentions something about candy or them coming with him. Neither of the both happens though.
"What are you two doing here all alone? Isn't your mommy with you?", he approaches them, and Sasha immediately takes a step forward, grabbing his sister's hand protectively.

My brother's reaction startles the man, he frowns. The kids must seem a bit scared. They're on guard, just how I taught them to be. We've grown up like this, all three of us. Always alert, always on guard and never trusting other people. I know for a fact that it's better this way. No matter what, I've always preached the dangers of strangers to them and they've greatly adapted to my advice. It might be a bit hard for my siblings to have new people around, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. I'd do whatever it takes to protect my siblings from the things I had to experience. Whatever it takes. 

"Is there a problem?", I ask as I rush to them, picking up Daisy and shoving Sasha behind me. He's clenched a fist in defence and was most likely not hesitating either, had this man made any suspicious suggestions. I might need to have a talk with him about his temper, at least so he knows to control it until he is actually strong enough to defeat someone who might want to hurt them. For now, he is just a kid, and he should always come to me if there is trouble that he can't solve with words. "Uhm...who are you? Do you know this boy?", the man asks rudely, directing the latter to my siblings.