Year 1853
Some kid tried to cheat her when doing their chores. They always make Thea finished anything for them.
Now when she sleeps, Thea locked her bedroom door tightly. Either she had privileges or the other children kept her away, she occupied the room alone.
Jane asked the Sister to move her to another room. Even though her condition improved, Thea couldn't get any worse. The kids who bullied her always came back when Xander wasn't around.
But Xander couldn't stop them all the time, like now.
"Oh, Witch! Do you have anything to burn today?" Ben came in while Thea was on duty in the kitchen.
The other children stood guard at the door, monitoring the situation if Sisters or Miss Yerez came.
"Just go!" Thea returned to mopping without giving him any attention.
Ben kicked the bucket and spilled its contents, startled her.
"Get lost, Ben!"
"Ha! How dare you say my name. So what? Are you going to curse me too? What can you do without Xander, Witch?"
Thea was still trying to ignore him and set up the overturned bucket. Seeing the lack of reaction from Thea, Ben kicked the bucket she had just picked up.
"F'ck Witch!" He grabbed Thea's reddish brown hair and the burn was visible. "Eww, It's disgusting, but you're less burnt than Jane. Should I add it?"
The other children who heard he turned away. "Hey, Ben. What are you doing? We just need to bully her."
"Tsk. Bullying won't work with this kid. She has to feel the same way to know."
Thea screamed at Ben, who was bigger than her, dragged her away.
"W-what are you doing? Let me go!" Thea struggled even more when she saw Ben fetch the hot water she had just boiled.
"You- what are you doing! Let me go!!!"
Ben didn't intend to stop. She saw his eyes gleamed evilly and Thea knew she's done for.
"HEEELPP!!!"
"SISTERSS! MISS YEREZ! ANYONEE!"
"Please don't! Please! Please!"
"NO! NO! PLEASSEE! AAAARRRGGGGHHH"
Ben didn't stop even when Thea screamed until her throat sore.
"Ben! You, Crazy!" Another kid pulled him after realizing what Ben was doing.
"Quickly, get out of here!"
Ben let go of Thea's sprawled body with a grin. The satisfaction he gets is equivalent to a monster who gets his prey that always run many times.
They left Thea, who face down in the water-soaked floor.
The wound that had started to scab was inflamed and even partly peeled off again. Her consciousness evaporated.
God.
If only there is really God out there and He's watching this, she wishes all of the people who harmed her will face the same things. It's better if it tenfold.
Nobody cares about her.
No one.
She crawled to the back door, want to search something to cool down her burn. And the only thing she could remember was the pond behind.
Her tears flowing hard. Her blurry eyes found nothing but the darkness.
Thea fainted.
She even wished to never wake up again.
***
Xander rushed over to Thea.
She was not taken to the hospital and was only treated as an outpatient in her room because the costs the orphanage paid for Jane's care exceeded their monthly expenses.
At a time like this, the charitable funds given by the nobles were only sufficient to feed them.
He brought some medicine that he could get from the local drugstore. Miss Yerez didn't ask him to take care of her, but Xander volunteered himself.
For the second time, Xander smeared the blister medicine that day. He frowned, imagining how painful it must have been.
Thea, who was injured, just lay face down motionless. She didn't make a sound but her tears flowed non-stop.
"Wipe your tears," Xander handed her a handkerchief. He wiped it himself when Thea didn't move even for a bit. He carefully patted Thea's wet cheek.
If only Miss Yerez hadn't kept Ben in solitary confinement for a week without eating, Xander would have beaten him himself. That kid was crazy. He's a troublemaker. How can he…
He looked at Thea with concern. Her small body was getting thinner.
"I also brought bread, eat some."
It had been three days Thea hadn't moved from the bed and just cried. The food he brought rarely touched. He had no more ideas to persuade this child. Xander rearranged the meager food, hoping Thea would catch a glimpse of it. It was the best food he could get. He even set aside some of his share in exchange for milk and butter.
Suddenly a weak voice was heard.
"Hey…"
"Yes? You want to eat? I'll help you sit." Xander prepared to hold her up. But Thea's words stopped his movement.
"When will I die? I want to meet my parents."
"Stop talking like that. There's nothing scarier than death."
Xander knew what she meant. He had also one day wished for death like her. But if he dies, no one will cry over him. There was not a single trace in this world that could be used as a reminder of him. Therefore, Xander tried to live from day to day to be a better person. At least, someone will remember his good deeds.
But for Thea, life was a living hell for her.
She didn't know how long she would be able to endure this suffering. Nothing would change as long as she was in this place. Even if someone later adopted her, she would only be a slave.
She stopped talking even though Xander kept on coaxing and begging her to eat.
"Please eat even for a little. You should gain your strength to face them." Xander cut the bread in front of her into small pieces, to make it easier for Thea to chew and greasing it with a little butter. "Here, try it."
Unfortunately, Thea still didn't budge. She didn't care at all.
Thea stared blankly. Her state is like a body without a soul even though her eyes wide open.