' I'm not going to g-give up (cough) '

(Said the figure with an agonizing pain in its voice.

As it screams in desperation, its cries for help get drowned by the laughter of the figures in the distance, their laughs seemingly enjoying the lone figure's pain from slowly getting crushed by a cube)

But then the lone figure laughed and whispered something 

Before I could catch what it said I woke up and realized that it was a dream.

' What a weird dream '

I said as I got up from my bed. That day was special, it was my birthday so I went into the living room to see my parents already waiting there for me

' Dad! Mom! '

I said while running to their embrace

' Hey champ your finally awake! Happy birthday son! '

My dad picked me up from the ground and spun me around while I looked at my mom with a big smile. They are always like this, happy to see their little boy grow up, I felt grateful to know that my parents are them.

' My-my you seem lively today. '

Mom said, and I replied with

' Yeah because today is my birthday!! '

' And guess what? Me and your dad got you a gift! '

' Really?! What is it?! '

I said while she handed me a box covered in gift wrap, I opened it to see a blue coat inside.

' A coat? ' I said. Then dad interrupts

' Yup, well since every winter you can't go out because you don't have a coat, now you have one! So now you can go around and play with your friends during winter! '

I rushed towards them and gave them another big hug

' Thanks, mom and dad! '

'You're welcome our little one! '

Some years went by and the coat they gave to me is still my favorite. In winter, I would play with my friends and the coat would provide me warmth. On one snowy day, Dad asked me to find some sticks since we needed them to fuel our chimney's fire. I agreed and before I went out Dad handed me his axe for protection.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

A few hours went by and I had gathered enough sticks and was ready to go back but suddenly, I saw a huge smoke near the direction of my house and I started to panic.

'Please don't tell me...' as I finally reached my house or should I say, what remained of it. The place I grew up in was in flames and I quickly went inside to check up on my parents.

My heart sank when I saw my dad covered in blood and my mom stabbed in her chest.

' Dear, run while you still can... " Cough cough " They will catch you too...' my mom said.

' NO MOM! I CANT JUST LEAVE YOU AND DA-'d said but was quickly cut off when she said There's no use dear, your dad is already dead and so am I in a couple of minutes '

'n-no...no.. this can't be happening...' tears fell out of my eyes 

With her final breath, she said ' Be strong honey... Get going now.. remember th-that we love.. you...'

Then I heard some footsteps approaching my position.

' HEY THERE'S A KID OVER THERE ' a man said, which caught me in a weakened state off guard.

' C-crap I've got to escape ' 

I quickly wiped my tears and made a run for it, but my efforts seemed futile as they saw me running to the woods.

As I reached the cliff the people who killed my parents emerged, armor covering their body and large swords at hand.

' I SEE HIM ' the first guy said, while the second one said ' IT'S THOSE FREAK'S KID! '

( This is it, I'm dead here. What a short life I had. If only I returned earlier I could have given the axe to Dad to defend us... Or even at least help them... )

They charge at me with eyes showing that they are not guilty of killing my parents. With no other choice, jumped on the cliff landed in a body of water, and blacked out

As I open my eyes, I find myself waking up in an unfamiliar place, it seems that I was washed ashore on a nearby island. As I lay there to rest I couldn't help but think of my parents, blaming myself for not being able to protect them

' Dad... Mom.... It's cold without you guys... ' and tears fell out of my eyes once more and I ended up crying myself to sleep that night

' Do you need help? You look pitiful... Don't cry alright? I'll help you, see you soon ' an angelic voice said and I woke up from my dream, I quickly checked if everything happened but the blood stains on my coat answered me.

' Mom... Dad.. ' I got up to wander around the forest to look for something like people, food, and shelter

For hours I was walking around with practically nothing until it turned evening and I found a cave I could call shelter

' Okay, this should be a good shelter for tonight... "Stomach growls"  shelter is secured but food is not... I guess I'll just look for some food tomorrow '

[ It was night time and I was glad to have my coat to keep me warm but my stomach still rumbled because of hunger ]

While half asleep, I heard a footstep entering the cave

'Great, a shelter...' the guy said as he sat down and started a fire illuminating the cave. He turned to his side to see me all curled up.

' What the?! Hey kid wake up! '

I finally woke up from my half-asleep state and was immediately alarmed by the guy tapping my head ' H-huh?! *I immediately crawled backward* wh-who are you?!? Please don't h-hurt me '

' Hey hey chill out kid ' he said and sighed.

' And you ask "Who i am?" You're a funny one, my name is Satoshi, and you? Who are you? '

My name... My name is Akarui.