Chapter 02: Stench
Long ago, there was a prisoner.
A prisoner was born inside a cave.
The prisoner was tied up and could only see the inner parts of the cave. Only the shadows projected from the gaps showed him the glimpse of the world.
Then one day, the prisoner was freed.
And he saw the outside world for the first time in his life.
And he asked.
"Then what was the shadows i saw? Another world?"
Today, the boy looked at his mother. She was crying on the bed just like always.
He had cooked them some instant noodles for them to eat. The same noodles every day.
"Mom. I cooked noodles."
But something was different today.
"Mn? Ah, yeah. Put in on the table, son."
"...Okay."
His mother answered him today.
It was the first time she did that. Most of the time, she would just ignore him and cry herself to sleep again.
Today, she ate with him. Last time she threw her share on the ground and just cried.
"Is it tasty?"
"Mn."
"Mn, eat more."
"Okay."
Something feels different.
"Come, let's sleep together."
"Mn."
"How are you?"
"...Okay."
"I see." She mulled, then let out a kind smile. "That's good."
It's really different.
"We should sleep. Its late."
But this difference wasn't too bad.
Soon, his days slowly brightened up.
"Here, eat more."
"This should make the noodles tastier."
"Come, sleep with me."
"Did you take a bath?"
"Wash your hands first before you eat."
"When you take a bath, you must always wash your hair. Use this shampoo."
"It's cold. Take the blanket."
His mother's words were kind. She stopped crying and just smiled at him.
The boy was...
Happy.
Happy that he finally managed to experience what a true family was like.
Even if its broken, at least...
At least it was happy.
It went on for a few days. These few days were the happiest for him.
These few days of happiness awakened something that he should had awakened since young.
I want to run in the skies [Ceiling].
I want to be happy.
I want to see the world [Beyond the walls].
I want to eat every noodle [Food] in the world.
He awakened his desires.
The first time in his life.
"I want this to happen [Happiness] every day."
He felt desires.
"..."
Until it was cut off once more.
"Mom?"
He found his mother, lying down on the bed.
"Mother?"
A blanket wrapped tightly around her neck.
"...."
Her hands tugged, pulling the blanket tightly.
"......"
As her cold body lied still, no signs of life could be seen.
".........."
Once more, the boy failed to grow.
"......................"
Once more.
The boy lost hope.