One Piece (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 7

Charlie's POV

The second the sun rose and light up the sky, Saphira and I made plans to start looking for jobs. We had to take turns, for someone would have to stay behind and look after Silver and Winifred. Today, I'll go first and ask around to see if I can get a job.

I knew how the work environment works, thanks to the fact I use to work for a blacksmith with my dad. It took a whole lot of convincing to make anyone take on a kid for the job. My dad had to beg for a month until the mayor and boss caved in and took pity on us. I had to be careful too, for one wrong move or mistake, and I would have been kicked out of there.

I went from place to place and begged every worker that was working if I could talk to their bosses. When they refused, I started pestering them to give me a job. I know the more persistent I am, the likelier it is that it would work. Unfortunately, no one gave a damn. So, I returned back to our alley with my head hang low.

The next day was Saphira's turn to go out job searching. I gave her some tips and warnings, expeciouly for creeps that would take advantage of her. With a reasuring smile, she left. Silver and Winifred was luckily not hard to look after, they were both very calm. Silver mention how it wasn't normal for Winifred to be this quiet and I agreed. A baby was suppose to make a fuss at everything, Winifred was scarrily too quiet and calm for my liking.

As the day stretch on, I deciced to make a risky move and take us back to the forest behind the town. We needed food and water. "What about Saphira?" Silver asked as she gripped the back of my shirt as we walked. "We'll have to take her food back with us." We near the fence that separates the town and thick greenery of the tropical forest.

"No, I meant, what if she returns to the alley and we aren't there?" Silver was worried that Saphira would go into a panic if she finds we're not in the alley. "Don't worry too much, we'll be back before she does." It wasn't all that reasuring, but it's all I could think about. She thankfully kept quiet after that. Luckily, this Island seems to only inhabit small animals. Well, as far as I know. I haven't seen any large predators so far.

We didn't venture far and quickly came back with our billies full and our hands carrying fruits. Well, Silver was carrying them, I still had Winifred in my arms. As we near the fence, we were stopped in our tracks by a group of kids. "Hey! Hand over everything you have and nobody gets hurt." In fear, Silver quickly hid behind me. "What?! But we got this for ourselves!" I was flabbergasted at the fact they think they could steal from us. Their just kids too!

The kid that spoke, he was short and dirty, just like the rest of them. He took out a shabby looking knife and brandish it. "Give us your stuff or else!" The other kids followed his lead and took out their own weapons. This was just pathetic. I could have easily out run these skinny kids if it wasn't for the fact that I had a baby in my arms.

The gears in my head are turning as I think of all the possible ways we could escape with 'our' food, but nothing seems to jump to the front. To make matters worse, I know they are serious with their threats. Hunger can drive you to do crazy things. I sigh in defeat, "Silver, drop the food on the ground and step back." Silver looked ready to protest, she didn't want to drop Saphira's food. "Please." I pathetically begged.

Silver glared at the kids and dropped the food on the ground with more force then necessary. She grabs my shirt as we make our why around the kids as they rush to the pile of fruits we dropped. They were like animals. It was honestly heart breaking to see, but it was nothing new to us. "Silver, who usually got your food back home?" I asked out of curiousity. The way Silver acted wasn't what I expected. Back home, if you were going to fight someone over food, then you had to be prepared to kill or die for it.

"Saphira did, why?" Silver looked confused at the question. I only shook my head. It makes sense now, I'd have to have a talk with Saphira once she gets back. Once we returned to the alley, we went back to just sitting around. I played with Winifred as we wait for the sun to set. I frown as Winifred didn't giggle at my ticklish hands. She was an odd baby. Definitely not normal.

"I'm back." A tired voice said at the entrance of the alley way. I watch as Saphira tiredly shuffle her feet in our direction. She flopped down on the ground next to me. "And?" I couldn't wait until she talked first. She shook her head sadly, "No luck". We both sighed in defeat. Silver looked ready to burst, she obviously wanted to rant to Saphira about what happened.

"We-" Just when I wanted to start talking, Silver the bomb finally exploded. "We were robbed!" She shouted in Saphira's face. Saphira was shocked by her outburst. "W-What?" I could only sigh, but leave the story telling to Silver. She obviously was still upset about everything that has happened and wanted to get it off her chest. Saphira turned to me when Silver was done explaining.

"Yeah, a group of kids robbed us in broad daylight." She could only frown at my words. "Speaking of this, I need to talk to you all about something." I made sure I look serious as I speak. Saphira obviously have a lot of questions for me, but held her tongue as she waits for me to continue. "When you went out to get food back home, what did you do when someone wanted to take it from you?".

Saphira raised a confused brow at me, "I leave it and run away, and go look for food somewhere else. Why do you ask?" I nod in approval at her answer, then I turn my attention to Silver. She had a frown on her face, but she looked confused as well. "What would you do in the same situation?" As expected, she answered without thinking. "I'd fight back, of course!"

Saphira frowned, she finally realized what I was doing with my questioning. "Silver, that's the wrong answer." Silver's frown dissapeared and was replaced with a lost look, "What? But why?" Saphira made sure to look as serious as possible, "People will kill you to get what they want, do you understand that?" Silver went quiet as she thought hard on her sister's words.

Her eyes widen in horrifying realization as she turned to look at me, "You mean, they would have really tried to kill us if we didn't give them the food?" She almost looked close to tears, Saphira moved and brought her into her arms. I sigh in relief that the kid atleast is smart enough to come to her own conclusions. Our reality, unfortunately, is a cruel one.

This chapter was proofread, but might still have some mistakes. The art is mine. Thanks for reading~