A bird sang,

"When the light suddenly goes off,

will you stay or grope your way out of the dark?

When left alone in the forest,

will you yell and cry or struggle to find your way out?

It always seems like there's no way when cornered,

but if you get up

and square your shoulders,

you will surely see a way.

But I have this question,

are you ready to fight or run?"

"Ah!" David cried loudly when a chubby rat ran across his feet and disappeared in a woosh.

"What is it, Dav?" Mrs Thomas walked to her son and pulled him into her arms. She looked concerned as she gently pulled him back and watched David's round face bright with tears while crying loudly.

"What is it, Dav?"

David pointed in the direction the rat ran past. It was a corner wall that led to the master's room.

The Thomas family once led a typical life filled with the mundane routines of everyday existence. That all changed last year when Mr. Thomas lost his job unexpectedly, leaving them in turmoil. Since that fateful day, the family has relied solely on the earnings of Mrs. Thomas, who works diligently as a cook in a bustling hotel. Despite her hard work, the couple struggles to make ends meet, facing the harsh reality of poverty with their three children—a spirited boy and two young girls. Each day is a challenge as they navigate the difficulties of their new life, often feeling the weight of uncertainty that shadows their future.

The Thomas' house, which was once beautiful with glossy chocolate and cream paint, pure white leather chairs, chocolate curtains, fine tiles, the well-arranged kitchen, and well-furnished rooms, had all turned tattered, dirty, and empty. The one chair left out four had turned brown, the tiles had turned ivory white, and the glossy wall had gotten scarred with rat holes.

"It's just a rat, Dav." Mrs Thomas smiled at him.

Mrs Thomas, a middle-aged woman in her forties, looked older than her age; Her skin and face were lined with wrinkles, her hair was dirty black, and she was skinny.

When she smiled at David, her smile seemed not to reach her eyes since there was no light in them except stress and dimness. She looked pale and tired.

When Mr Thomas, reading a newspaper, heard David, he dropped the newspaper on the brownish-white chair and got up. He slid his feet into his slippers and dragged himself toward his wife and son.

"The rat?" He said, his voice rough and old.

Mr Thomas, a man of white complexion, had become tan; his fingers were long and dirty, his head half bald, and two front teeth lost. He looked partly like a zombie, especially now that he was dragging his feet toward his wife and son.

"Where did he go?"

David pointed at one of the holes in the wall, "There, Father!"

"I had enough of these rats, Mary," He grunted, walking toward the storeroom opposite his wife and son's direction. "We have some cement in here," he said after walking into the store, searching for the cement.

"Tanya and Tasha complained those rats were peeling off the skin on their feet; they stopped eating food now," he gruffed as he carried out the half bag of cement. "They've started eating humans," Mr Thomas scoffed; "They've turned the whole house into a jungle." He nodded. "It's fine. I will deal with them myself." Mr Thomas carried the cement and left, ready to do his job.

"Let's go help your dad, Dav."

David nodded, thrilled to help his dad.