Scunasian Campfire Stories (Rain world short stories)

Sick Day

"*sniff* I hate being sick." Rāhula said as I set down some centipede soup next to his bed.

"I know, but you'll be well in no time, you'll see. You just have to stay in bed for a few days." I responded, placing my hand on Rāhula's head to check his temperature.

I told Rāhula and Abel to not play in the rain, but did they listen? Of course not.

It's almost like nobody listens to me..

"But that's the worst part of being sick!" Rāhula responded, seeming to hate being stuck in bed.

"Well, I told you to stop playing in the rain. Maybe if you listened you wouldn't be stuck in bed." I said.

"I'm sorry. Abel and my friends all did it so I decided to join.." Rāhula apologized, hiding his face under the sheets.

"Yeah, I know I had a talk with Abel about that." I responded, remembering how I reprimanded Abel for getting his brother sick.

"I-It was my idea.."

"No it wasn't." I quickly responded, "I know you like a naked centi-horse, son. I know when you're lying." I responded as Rāhula made a grumpy face.

"I-I'm not lying!" He responded trying to sound like he's telling the truth.

I just rolled my eyes as I dipped another rag in water to place on Rāhula's head. His temperature wasn't that high anymore, but it would be better to continue doing it just in case.

"Now I will definitely miss the lectures by the priests.." Rāhula said as he sneezed.

"I really don't get why you like listening to them, but I heard enough for this life so I can understand." I responded, checking if Rāhula had everything he needed.

In all honesty I always wondered why he liked going to the temple to hear what the priests had to say. It's not like I don't go there from time to time, but Rāhula seems to go simply because he enjoys hearing stories.

Makes me wonder if I should tell better stories like Abel said..

"They are just really interesting. But now I won't get to go there because of this stupid cold." Rāhula said, blowing his nose in one of the tissues.

"Heh. Well at least you have us to take care of you whenever you get sick. That's the most important thing." I responded, getting a cup of herbal medicine that Leaf left with me, "Now drink this. It should help a lot."

I passed the cup to Rāhula, but as he took a whiff of the medicine inside he pushed my hand away in disgust.

"Eww. That smells like rotten leeches."

"Rāhula.. language." I said, trying to discourage him from using such things.

I am beginning to worry that Abel is having a bad influence on Rāhula. I hope he retains his innocence around Abel. However I do appreciate the bond those two have. I never had a brother but seeing Abel and Rāhula always sticking together makes me feel like everything is gonna be just alright.

"Sorry, but it's true." Rāhula complained as he refused to drink the medicine, "I'm sure nobody ever forced you to drink something like this!"

"Oh! Trust me. I was really sickly when I was a child. I spent most of my childhood being sick in bed." I said, putting the medicine to the side.

"That sounds horrible.." Rāhula responded, looking at me with intrigue and confusion.

"Yeah it was.. I couldn't make friends or play outside with anyone. I was really lonely back then." I explained, as Rāhula listened carefully.

"B-but then you got better, right?" Rāhula asked.

"Yes, but when I finally did I had no friends and making any became too hard for me.." I responded, however as I did I saw Rāhula beginning to have a sad expression, "H-however.. Then your father came along and fixed everything so it's alright now."

I quickly responded trying to make the story sound way less sad. Maybe Abel was right.. Maybe I can't tell stories right..

"I-I see." Rāhula responded as I brought the cup close to him again.

Rāhula looked at the cup with disgust, but after a moment he took it and drank whatever was in the cup.

"Agh! That's disgusting." Rāhula said, giving me back the empty cup.

"Heh, I'm sure it is. But you will soon go back to making friends once you get better." I responded with a smile on my face.

I have a lot on my hands whenever the kids get themselves in trouble, but it's worth it.

As long as they can have a childhood I never had..

          However as I was about to go and let Rāhula get some rest he grabbed my hand.

"Dad?" He asked with a shy voice, "D-Do you hate Abel?"

Rāhula asked with an almost scared tone, making me confused.

"No. Why would you think I hate him?" I asked, trying to figure out why he would ask me that.

"Well.. he's always mean to you and never listens to you, why wouldn't you hate him." Rāhula responded, as I sat down on the side of his bed.

"Rāhula, it's not like that. I don't hate him for anything like that." I tried to explain, "He isn't being mean to me on purpose."

"How so?" Rāhula asked, seeming completely confused.

"*sigh* It's not always that simple.. Many people use anger to cover up their fear and frustration with where they are in their life. Abel is just.. *sigh* He just doesn't think he belongs here and he uses anger to hide that fact." I explained, "He isn't angry at your father because he isn't the one who goes out to get him each time he runs away. He probably feels like he's trapped in this place and I am keeping him here."

"B-but aren't we a family? Why would he want to get away from us?"

"Well... Maybe he doesn't really want to leave, maybe he simply doesn't have any idea what he's doing and he's afraid because of it. I really doubt he would leave you or any one of us behind for that matter. Whatever it is he is going through, he will figure it out in time. All that he needs is time.." I responded.

It was probably too much to discuss with a young child like Rāhula, but it seemed to have helped him calm down and get an explanation for his worries.

"In any case, you shouldn't worry about anything. We are not going anywhere and I'm sure me and your brother will get along soon enough." I said, getting up from the side of the bed.

"A-alright. Goodnight dad." Rāhula responded, as I patted him on the head.

"Goodnight, my little prince." I said back as I walked away to see what the rest of the family was doing.

However as I walked out of the room I suddenly came upon Abel near the doorway. He quickly flinched as he looked away, trying to act busy. I immediately realized what he was doing so close to the other room, but instead of saying anything I just patted his head and walked away to see if Leaf had returned home yet.

I believe that I've said more than enough..