Scunasian Campfire Stories (Rain world short stories)

Why do you care?

  (A bit of a hit and miss with this one, but I hope you like it)

          I arrived late home from a hunt, as usual. Ever since we adopted the two kids it has been a constant struggle between working and taking care of them. I needed to go after bigger animals to make more money for my family, along with running after Abel each time he wanted to run away. Being a father is hard, but still.. knowing that the kids can have a good life is enough to keep me going.

"S-Silver?" I suddenly hear a voice from behind me.

"Yeah?" I turn around and see Abel standing right behind me.

"C-Could you help me with something?" Abel asked with pieces of paper in his hand.

I was surprised that Abel asked me out of all people for help. He usually only asked Leaf for help and refused to even call me his dad, but at the same time he never liked me considering that I was the one that brought him back each time he ran away.

"Of course kid. What do you need help with?" I asked as Abel gave me the papers he was holding.

I quickly took a look at the paper, it was a math test. Looking closer at the test I saw many mistakes along with a note from the priest stating 'Repeat multiplication'. Abel looked at the ground as I read the test, looking ashamed by his failure.

"Well, I don't have a high education like your father, but I can help with multiplication. I think.." I responded, patting Abel on the head, "But still, didn't your father help you learn this?"

"Y-yeah.. It's just too difficult for me, and I'm not sure what he'll say if I show the test to him.." Abel responded, his expression switching from that of shame to sadness.

"Listen kid. There is no way Leaf could ever be mad at you, and definitely not because of some stupid test." I said, trying to comfort Abel.

Abel was a troublemaker and nobody could deny this fact, but I don't blame him. He lost his parents and blamed himself for it, I can't possibly expect him to be normal after something like that. However he deserves a normal home to grow up in. No matter how much he dislikes me, no matter how many times he runs away, no matter how many times I have to go running after him. He's just a child after all.

"I know.. I just keep screwing up these math classes no matter how much dad is trying to help me, I just don't want to bother him more than I already am." Abel said, covering his face.

"Aww, come on it's nothing." I respond, gently grabbing him before setting him on my lap, "You aren't bothering anyone by asking for help. We are always here if you need anything."

"I-I know.. It's just that no matter how much you give me I still screw everything up. I just can't do anything right no matter how much I try and each time I fail I have to be a burden." Abel explained to me as he began to cry, "I just.. I-I just.."

Abel tried to say something, but soon found himself unable to do so. He began to wheeze as he cried, prompting me to hug him close.

"Everything's alright Abel. You aren't a burden on anyone. Don't think about yourself like that." I said, gently caressing his head.

"I-I I'm sorry.." Abel cried as I continued to hug him.

I never saw Abel cry like this before. Leaf told me that Abel cried a few times in his presence, but never this much. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't want to push him any further to get the answers.