“Argh!” I grunted as all the air in my lungs rushed out. The pain around my chest made me roll up in a ball, barely being able to breath. Tears pooled around my eyes, but I did my best to show none. It was better to endure now then let loose later.

“Stop,” a cold voice brought an end to the seemingly endless blows. I felt relieved for a second, but when I remembered who gave the command, my expression turned sour.

“Bastard, you shouldn’t have crossed my path,” said Cain. “Did you already forget about the last time you got beat? You should just leave this village just like your parents did!” Cain laughed at his own joke and looked at his followers. Soon they followed in jeering me.

I wanted to say something back to him, maybe even spit in his face. His words just retrieved a memory that I did not want to remember. However, I knew that I would be falling into his trap if I retaliated. I could already imagine what his ideal plan is.

If I attacked, he would have struck back with all his followers. Then, he would use his influence as the mayor’s son and say that him beating me was all in self defense. Of course all the people would believe him. Why wouldn’t they? It was a rich man’s words against an orphan, the outcome was clear.

I calmed my mind and stayed silent. I didn’t look up and this seemed to piss Cain off more than if I attacked. I discretely smirked, knowing that I fouled his plans. I knew I would get a few more punches and kicks in the way, but it was better than having my fate controlled by another.

“You little shit, if I see you again, you’re dead!” Cain, being clearly pissed about his unsuccessful plans, ordered his henchmen to surround me once again. Hoping that the pain would end soon, I endured.

Fist after fist and kick after kick continuously battered my body. I almost fell unconscious, but I held on. I didn’t want to seem any more submissive than this. I wanted to show others that I was strong. However, I knew I couldn’t right now.

“Let’s go,” Cain sneered as he motioned his henchmen to leave. “You should just die,” he said coldly. Before finally leaving me alone, he spat on me, showing disgust on his face.

‘I wonder why they left me,’ I thought.

I was an orphan. In this village, I was the only one without any parents. From what I heard from the villagers, I was found floating on a river nearby the village. If I wasn’t pulled out by a fisherman, I would have lost my life. Strangely, I had no memory of anything that happened before I was found. This was why even my age was a mystery and the only thing in my head was my name.

Thankfully I was taken in by the fisherman who rescued me. I was able to stay in his house for shelter. However, the villagers never opened up to me. They hated outsiders staying for more than a month. Even when merchants from other cities came, they weren't too welcomed. However, they were more well received than I was.

Since I was first found, two years had passed. People, by looking at my height, judged that I was about five years old back then which meant that I was around seven now.Throughout these two years, I was bullied and outcast from all the other children. No one was willing to hang out with me and everyone kept at least a meter distance away from me. The only person in this entire village that had the smallest care for me was only the fisherman who continuously fed me with fish for these two years.

The first time I got beat up was when I started to realize how unwelcomed I was. I couldn’t understand why people avoided me even if I was just a human just like them. Slowly, after being beat a couple more times, I began to comprehend that I was the only one in the village without parents.

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I couldn’t remember anything about them. Any memories of them weren’t present and every time I tried to go deeper, dizziness and pain hit me. I tried a couple of times but stopped after getting tired of the pain.

Giving up on the thought of my parents, I turned to see what the world I woke up to was like. For some reason, I knew many things. Other than loosing my memories for my parents and all the events that happened in my life before I ended up in the river, everything else remained. I could read and write better than most adults in this village.

The two years of this life was spent avoiding the bullies. If I was seen by other kids, they would throw rocks at me. If I was nearby adults, they would look at me with disgust, some even shooing me away with words that hurt. This was why I spent most of my days in the woods near the village. Everyone always avoided this forest for some reason. The quietness of the woods and the sounds of nature always calmed me down. It was the only escape I had from the harshness of life.

Today, I was heading to the forest again to go on a nice run. I was also planning to hunt some rabbits which were not too hard to find. Hunting was a skill I developed on my own. Also, I was able to instinctively make traps and follow traces of animals. Although the food the fisherman gave me everyday was fine, it was enough for only one meal. I could tell that the fisherman didn’t truly like me. I didn’t really like him either, even though he saved my life. He was just like all the other villagers except a bit better since he let me stay at his house.

Anyways, I was heading towards the woods through some back alleys. I usually did this so that I could avoid the gazes of the villagers. Feeling excited about returning to the calm nature, I decided to run. I ran and ran and was at the last corner before leaving through the village gate, but as I turned, I ran right into Cain. The obvious outcome? Me getting beat up of course.

Feeling the emotional and physical pain, I struggled to stretch my limbs out to stand up. The physical pain wasn’t unbearable. Afterall, I’ve been hit by other kids for more than I could count. It was the pain that I felt in the heart that was truly hurt.

My longing for the peace and silence was deeper now. Although it was hard to walk with bruised legs, I persevered. One step after another, I moved past the village gates and limped towards the woods. I could feel the stares of the guards, but I ignored them and continued my way.

When I finally reached my usual spot, I sighed in relief. I lied down on a large stone without any trees in a ten meter radius. I stared at the sky above and sighed once again. ‘I want to escape this life,’ I thought. I didn’t want to be bullied anymore. I didn’t want anyone pushing me around.

Suddenly, anger welled up in me. It was like an unstoppable wave that towered high like the mountains. As it came crashing down, I howled and cried my heart out. I cut loose and let everything that piled over me spill over.

“WHY!” I cried, “WHY AM I ALONE? WHY DO I FEEL THIS PAIN? WHY DO I NOT HAVE MY PARENTS!”

After not hearing any answers, I started crying. Then I swore to myself that one day, I would not be alone, I would not feel this pain and that I would someday find the parents who abandoned me and ask why.

‘I will be powerful,’ I promised myself.

That day I did not return to the village.

[th_092_.gif]  Hello readers! Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it! Anything that you think I can improve on, please tell me. Till next time.................!