The Orphanage

"Emily!" The Warden shouts sternly.

"I'm coming!" I shout back. She probably wants me to go to the market for food. I live in a small town on the outskirts of the Cera Kingdom. Every year food gets scarce around wintertime. Since I'm one of the older orphan's here, it's my job to get food for the others. The orphanage usually sets aside food for winter during the summertime, but winter came early this year, so we ran out of provisions. Now we need to by food at the market with what little money we have. I run through the hallway towards the front door were the Warden is standing. After I get my old boots, coat, and cloak on, she hands me a heavy pouch of coins.

"Make sure the money isn't stollen this time." She barks with a glare.

I nod, put my hood up, and leave through the front door.

Walking through the cold muddy streets, I pass by old beggars, and starving children. As I walk, the sound of clinking coins echoes through the quiet streets attracting unwanted attention. They watch me as I pass, so I keep my head down and quickly move by. As I get closer to the market the streets grow more crowded. Struggling to get through the crowds, I bump into someone walking past me.

"Sorry…" I apologize.

He ignores me and goes on his way. How rude. It wasn't even my fault, he was the one who ran into me. Wait… I quickly dig around in my pocket. The pouch!

"Thief! That kid stole my money!" I yell as I frantically start running after him.

The Warden is going to be furious. I'll definitely get punished if the money's stolen again. I almost lose sight of him while running through the market. He suddenly twists into an alleyway, so I quickly follow. Thankfully, it's a dead end.

I stick out my hand.

"Give me back my money." I demand as I slowly walk towards him.

When he turns around, His shirt shuffles on his malnourished frame. I pity him.

"Look, you can't have all of it, but… I guess you can have a few coins."

He stares at me, and I immediately look down to hide my face. I can't let him see what I look like.

"I don't want any trouble. Please, give me the pouch and I'll be on my way. I'll even let you have a few coins."

"No way… I need this money more than you do." He argues,

"Please don't make this harder than it has to be." I ask, now getting annoyed,

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to give this to you" He mutters as he dashes towards me.

Coming at me full speed, he reaches for my face but I lung and reach for the pouch. I miss the pouch and he knocks my hood off as we both stumble to the ground. We wobble to our feet and I get ready fight when I realize that he's standing there looking at me. That's weird. Is there something on my face? Then I realize… My hood!