Tales From Another World

Bloodied Orphan--1

"Could you remember a time before this?"

The reflection in the mirror didn't respond. Instead it stared blankly back as it asked "Are you hungry? You look a little thin. Ah, I know." The reflection said as it scampered off to the back of the shack. It opened a small crate and pulled out a small chunk of bread then ran back to the mirror "Here!"

The girl pressed the bread against the mirror and smiled "Oh, you already have some? Okay, we'll eat this together. *nom* "

The girl watched as her friend ate along with her. Afterwards her stomach growled for more.

"Hey, I'll be back. I'm gonna go get some more food."

*

Meshing with the crowd, the girl kept out of sight from the guards on patrol. Whenever she found a dumpster, she'd hop into it in search of food.

Her stomach had long since adjusted to the scraps she'd find in there. Filth was still food and if it filled her up then she was fine with it.

Popping out she stalked to the other end of the alleyway and was halted by three women. All of them brandished knives and told the girl to be still.

They surrounded her and the girl growled. No way was she going to be sold as a slave. A fate most urchins find themselves at this city. The girl widened her stance then leaped at the wall, kicked herself off, and sent her flying onto a fire escape. She wasn't going to waste time and check if they were following because she could hear them.

One of the women threw their knife and the girl quickly turned to catch it. She smiled as she broke through a window. She rolled onto someone's coffee table and heard a few surprised shots. The girl paid them no mind as she was already at the door. Behind her there was some shouting so she knew she had bought some time.

She jumped down a flight of stairs then swung around the guardrail making her way to the first floor. The girl ran past a few bystanders then flew out the front door only to be clotheslined by one of her pursuers.

Wasting no time the girl twisted her body and landed on all fours before driving her knife into the woman's thigh.

"Ah! You little bitch!"

Someone pulled her away as the woman yanked the knife out of her leg "I'm gonna tear up that face of yours."

The girl could only kick and struggle as her pursuers dragged her into an alley. She screamed as the woman slowly slid the blade across her cheek. Then she jabbed it, before making another cut below the eye.

The woman wasn't done yet as she began to prod and carve.

*whack!*

The woman with the knife fell.

When the blade left her face, the girl went limp and she landed flat on her back.

"Is this how you get your sick kicks?! Carving up little boys in an alleyway?!"

*smack*

"Ma'am, I'm sorry!" *smack*

"Oh no, you're not, but you will be sorry. I'll make sure of that!" A light voice said.

Through tears and blood the girl saw a figure hover over her.

"Mother?" She asked "You found me."

The figure paused "Yes love. I have found you."

The girl was lifted into her mother's arms and she was carried away.

"I have to go get my friend, she...she's sickly. I have to...bring her food."