I was starving. After those little crumbs, it just wasn't enough. So I found myself in pain, struggling to get up. But being inspired by the food. I clenched my jaw and got up. God, I could use some food. But before I went on, and tried my luck at the bakery. I needed to force myself and drink some water. It would help in the long run.

Being ready, I went on my way towards the bakery. I had a feeling of deja vu, the Dirt brothers were there again. And talking as well. I couldn't bother to listen to their conversation and continued on. Hoping to get some bread.

"Morning kid, you are out of luck. Baker won't accept us today either, something to do with [Soldiers], and villagers protesting against our presence."

I was kind of surprised but had no energy to react. Looking at the guy that spoke, I recognized him as Dirtyhair, the more talkative one. For some reason, I went with his conversation. Was I tired? Or was it hunger speaking?

"Has he told you anything else, I am starving. And with lack of food, I don't think that I will be able to survive much longer, with him not allowing us to buy from his shop." I said, lowering my shoulders, and making my posture look more fragile. Like there was a need for that? I guess it became a habit.

"Nope, he didn't even talk to us. Just shooed us away, we just caught him murmuring about troublesome beggars, and stealing."

For some reason, he looked quite annoyed. Like someone spoiled his plans? Maybe I'm overthinking.

"I guess there's nothing that we can do about that." I said and turned away looking to go back and salvage some crumbs if I could. But before I could walk a few steps, the voice called again.

"Do you have a name kid?"

That struck me, I never thought about it. But even they had given themselves names. So it would only make sense that I would name myself. I had no friends, or a brother nor a sister to ask to do it for me. And for some reason when I thought about it, it clicked.

"My name is Aron."

"What does it mean?" Asked Bronzedirt.

"Does it need to mean something? If it does, I don't know. But I still like it."

Bronzedirt looked shocked, at my response. He looked at his brother wide-eyed.

"Brother were we wrong, in naming ourselves this way then?" He asked with a somewhat lowered voice like he was somewhat ashamed?

"What does it matter now, we are brothers. We even have the same noun in our names. Would you change that for something that just sounded cooler?" Dirtyhair retorted.

"I guess not." Rising his voice somewhat Bronzedirt continued. "Would you like to accompany us? We have some plans. It might be smart for you to join us. With how you look, and the way that even a small walk brought you to a state where you would limp. We are th---."

Before he could finish his sentence Dirtyhair bumped his shoulder and whispered. "Brother that is our plan, we don't have the luxury of carrying a kid. When we don't know if even us two will make it."

"But brother, look at him. He won't survive here long. If the thing with [Soldiers] repeats? And baker decides to close for good, the poor kid will just starve to death."

"We don't have the luxury, as I said to take care of kids. We are kids as well. Would you be happy if we took him with us, and on the second day you ended up watching as beasts tear him apart? Could you do something in that situation?" Dirtyhair said exasperated.

Slumping his shoulders, and somehow seeming smaller Bronzedirt exhaled. "I did not think of that. I just wanted to help him out. He looks so pathetic, and if I am not wrong, we are the first people that he talked with. Since who knows when."

I did not know what to think. Did they think that I couldn't hear them? With us just finishing a conversation, they couldn't assume that I was deaf. As they continued to argue, I found the right moment to cut into their conversation, without interrupting.

"I am extremely thankful, but I'm good as is. Though it was nice getting to know you?" I spoke it like a question.

They looked at me, realizing that well, they in fact haven't introduced themselves.

Well, it was kind of awkward for me... knowing their names and all.

I thought to myself.

The tall one, with more muscles than my entire weight combined. Scratched his head said. "Sorry kid, we forgot. Only recently have we decided to pick names for each other. My name is Bronzedirt, and this is my brother Dirtyhair."

I forced myself not to roll my eyes, learning someone's name a second time. Was kind of, awkward.

Nodding, I answered. "I'm glad that we introduced ourselves. But I have to go now. I think I will faint well if I don't eat something soon."

Concerned Bronzedirt walked over to me, and before Dirtyhair could say anything. "Here take this bread that I have left from the morning meal."

I looked at him strangely, well why would I decline. So I stretched my hand out and took it. Looking at him, I just nodded.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"I owe you one."

Before Dirtyhair could interfere, I nodded one more time at them. And went back to my place. Now with something to eat at last.

_______

"Why would you do that? If this cursed baker refuses to sell us any bread. We'll be screwed." Dirtyhair looked mad, for the first time since I knew him.

"Relax brother. With that bit of food, if we ate it we would only feel hungrier. And you saw how thin that kid... Aron was. That bit of bread could last him a few days."

"Fine, whatever but later don't tell me that I didn't try to stop you."

"I didn't argue once you declined to take him with us, so at least let me have this." Bronzedirt pointed out. To what Dirtyhair just looked at him, unamused.

"Sure, whatever. Let us continue our previous conversation."

"Brother I stand behind what I said. It is up to you to decide. I only suggest that we make sure, that we at least have enough to eat." Bronzedirt said.

"But what can we do, with [Baker] refusing to sell his goods to beggars? We could try and catch some rats, or smaller creatures. But then what? We can't bring them back to our street. Even if we are older than most, I doubt they would let us cook that much food. Without asking for any. And we can't really afford to feed seventeen mouths, before getting enough for ourselves."

Scratching his head, like it would help him with finding the solution, Bronzedirt thought about it.

"Maybe we try and build our own fire? Outside the village and prepare food there. We risk it, sleep there today. And well, tomorrow morning we cook the meat, or if we don't catch anything. We just wait it out and do it when we have enough. By that time we'll have meat. And maybe even baker will let us get a bread roll or two."

"At least that is better than just sitting, and waiting. It's a bit of a risk, but if it works out not only would we have bread but meat as well. Or even meat alone would be enough if we find some water on our way. Or do you know of a way to carry water with us? I doubt villagers would help us out, and all we have are those cups."

Dirtyhair was somewhere between being totally stressed out, spewing everything that came to his mind, and the excitement of finally making a move.

Slapping his forehead Bronzedirt sighed. "The well, I forgot about that. With water always being available, you forget about it. From what I know, I was fine after two days without food, but water is more essential. Maybe we can steal a bucket? And carry it with us, it would be better than wandering off-road. If even the road is this dangerous. I don't think we would be fine wandering off. In search of water."

Pausing to consider his brother's words, Dirtyhair nodded.

"That could work, we can even throw the meat in that bucket. It would taste worse, but at least if meat stayed submerged there would be no smell.”

Bronzedirt smiled, it was rare that his ideas would help much. So he nodded.

"We can just switch regularly. It shouldn't be such an issue. And even if we get tired well, we will have food and water right there."

Looking at him, Dirtyhair asked.

"So it is decided? We are risking it tonight?" Before Bronzedirt could answer, Dirtyhair murmured.

"If you didn't give that kid your bread we would have more chances. Now we are stuck with my share."

"You are still thinking about that? Let it be, we probably made his year. I doubt anyone ever gave him something before."

Bronzedirt looked somewhat annoyed. At which Dirtyhair just shrugged, he wanted to make sure, before the kid ate that bread.

"Whatever, let us prepare then. It is decided."

______

Arriving back, I was somewhat happy that now I had food but at the same time, owing them a favor? It didn't feel good. It was the first time that I ever owed someone, something. But I really didn't want to go another day on an empty stomach. So I agreed, even though I knew that I shouldn't. I guess one of my weaknesses was food.

But them introducing themselves to me... and I well, I got someone that I could call an acquaintance. It felt good.

I somehow ended up getting a name for myself as well. It felt weird, but the name itself felt correct somehow. It made me somewhat forget about the pain in my muscles. Now that I didn't worry about food.

As I came closer to our street. The atmosphere seemed wrong, tense. Somehow I got the feeling of everyone being on edge. As I processed it, I realized, that it was due to a food shortage.

Quickly checking if they could notice the little bread that I had on me, reassuring myself. I went on. Ignoring scanning stares.

I got to my spot, finding the cup look-alike. And quickly filling with water. I finally, got my hands on food. And it felt good. Though always eating in secret, bit by bit. Started to annoy me. I just wanted to eat a mouthful and enjoy it.

I thought back on the conversation. It seemed as if we will lose two more members? It sounded like we all were a part of the beggar club. Anyways if those two left, it would be us seventeen. Would it change anything for me? I doubted it.

The only thing that changed anything in my regular life was... that [Baker] changing his attitude towards the beggars, and increased tension between us. With the growing lack of food.

Did I want to risk it? And try introducing myself to the rest of the beggars.

As quickly as that thought crossed my mind, I almost laughed.

From what I saw, the rest of us weren't any closer than [Soldiers] and the villagers. Everyone wanted to survive. No one wanted to risk it all and try trusting.

Was it wrong? I couldn't judge them, I myself would never open a conversation out of nowhere. And actually, try and befriend them, or some of them.

It seemed to me, that I would either get used. Or that our 'friendship' would go nowhere. And when you were in my position, did you really have the luxury of taking risks? Risking it all, on a hope that well, they would do the same?

Now that I had my fill, and no longer was starving. My mind worked, as it used to. And well my observation skills haven't cheated on me yet. If it was due to minimal risks taken? Why would that matter? If something worked for you one hundred percent. And the reward, of risking to change the percent, was minimal? Why would you ever attempt it? I knew that it sounded hypothetical, with the way that I thought about changes.

But what about it, if the change had no chance of being better than my current state? It made it just dumb, to risk my life on something that had no positives.

So I picked my comfort zone. Making two acquaintances, that I couldn't even call friends. Why would that influence my decision?

So I ignored my feelings towards the rest. Owing one favor well, it was enough for me. Even that one, when I thought about it, I felt uncomfortable.

For some reason, I felt obliged to owe no one… anything. It just didn’t feel right, knowing that someone at some point could just come and ask you to do something… that well you weren’t comfortable with doing.

Even though I wanted to just ignore it. I would give my best to pay that favor back, as long as it was reasonable.

Would I forget about them, or even recognize their faces... once they requested it? I wouldn't know.

As my 'saviors' arrived. Though most of the beggars came to despise them.

The real change has finally begun.