Wading into the room, I start to smash my dolls together. I don’t know why, but this really is fun. I even named them! One is called Girl and the other is called Barbie. I did feel bad when I found out that one of the dolls only had girl engraved on it while the other had a tacky name like Barbie on it. Smiling, I crawl into my bed, it wasn’t as comfortable as my bed in Regius’s palace, but it was good enough for now.

Continually waving my dolls around, I catch a glimpse of my nemesis, Sister Eshnai. I don’t know why, but my biological mother hasn’t come to see me after I was born. I thought she would be my parent, but it seems that humans have a strange relationship with offspring. Not only did I never see a father figure, but my mother also changes several times. At first, it was someone called sister Alice. After a couple of years, about the time when I learned to talk, It changed to someone called Doctor Daliah. She was nice, but one day, a scary looking man with a gun came and took her away.

The good thing is she was taken in an ambulance, so she’s probably getting healing in the hospital right? She used to give me all kinds of candies. Some would taste sweet while others tasted awful. The awful ones even made me feel weird. Sometimes I would start seeing dragons and giant flowers flying around. Other times I would see those tentacle monsters and rainbows on the ground.

Finally a few hundred days ago, Sister Eshnai came. She isn’t terrible, but she doesn’t give any candy. All she does is make us do chores and play. She is strict but very attentive. One time, she found me playing with a toy knife and took it away, saying it’s too early. I don’t really understand, but I guess humans don’t play with knives until bigger.

Recently, she has been trying to take my blanket away and give it to the younger kids. I understand sharing is caring, but it’s mine! Mine means mine! There is no I in care but there is in mine. That means that I should care more for what is mine. It's simple, but she just doesn’t seem to get it.

Carefully hiding behind the bed posts, I watch as she enters the kitchen. Putting my dolls next to my blanket, I sneak up to the kitchen door. Pushing the door, I peek inside. Finding sister Eshnai rummaging through the fridge, I sigh. Another day of reheated food and another day of no candy. Recently, she had been saying that school is starting soon. Taking me and a few of the other kids to another room, she had started teaching us basic knowledge. The only thing I learned is the amazing bedtime stories and written language. Apparently, this world is the only inhabited world in this universe.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I cried for hours the day sister Eshnai told me that, but I think I’m over it now. I can’t really remember why or how Regius chased me out, but I do remember his hand reaching out for me. Did I hear him wrong? Does he still think about me? I can only hope he doesn’t hate me. The only problem is that I might be in another universe. Does that mean that he can’t find me?

Shaking my head, I look through the slightly opened door to see the sister staring at me. Closing the door, I run back to my bed. Going back to playing with my dolls, I pretend like nothing had happened. Focusing on Girl, I straighten her hair as a shadow covers me. Ignoring Eshnai, I continue to groom Girl’s hair. Barbie’s hair is all one piece of plastic while Girl has actual hair so I often tend to Girl more. Besides, Barbie just feels stuck up. I mean who wears that much pink anyway? The only color of clothing I have is grey.

Coughing, sister Eshnai crosses her arms. Smiling down at me, she strokes my head. Looking up at her while sucking on my lips, I notice that she’s hiding something behind her. Pulling her other hand out from behind her, she surprises me with a cupcake. Living in this world, I’ve learned some things. Among others, I learned that you never say no to cake.

Reaching out, I try to grab the cupcake, only to have it taken away. Tearing up, I stare mortified at the sister. Starting to cry, she says, ”Don’t cry Winowna. Come with me, we have to put a birthday candle in it, right? Then you can make a wish.” Wiping my tears, I put my hand in hers. Leading me into the kitchen, she opens a drawer and brings out a box of thin candles. Rubbing my back, she asks, “What color do you want Winowna?” Looking through the candles, I only find blue and pink candles. Hesitating, I pick a blue candle. Smiling Sister Eshnai says, “Blue? I thought for sure my little princess would pick pink. You don’t like pink?”

Shaking my head, I quietly say, ”Barbie is pink while Girl is blue. Barbie looks prettier, but Girl looks happier. I want to be happy, I don’t care how I look.” Looking up at her, I see her looking at me with a weird expression. The longer I look, the more teary-eyed I get. Finally moving, Sister Eshnai hugs me. Panicking, I start to squirm out. Calming me down, she says, “Remember what I said, It's not a hug if you don't do it back. Just stand there and let me hug you.” Patting my head comfortingly, I feel her tears falling onto my back. I really wish we had more money, at least enough to get sister Eshnai a pillow of her own. She sleeps with a different child every day. I know because I counted. She doesn’t even have her own part of the wall.

Remembering something, I ask, “Sister, how old am I?” Caressing my head, she cups my cheek and says, “You’re five dear. You’re five years old as of today.” Widening my eyes, I run back to my bed. Lifting the thin air mattress up, I find a golden pillow instead of my golden blanket underneath. This is probably my best day yet, I get both a cupcake and a pillow today.