"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday dear Evelyn~ Happy birthday to you~"
A single candle lit up the tiny room. Sitting on the cold wooden floor, a man and woman held up a poor attempt at a cake in front of a young girl. They all cowered with hunched backs like thieves, and whispered in hushed voices as they conversed. However, they never broke their mischievous smiles.
They quickly finished the small cake in only a few bites. Before the excitement could dwindle, the man jumped up quickly. He ran with silent steps into another room and returned within seconds. As he sat down, he handed a box to the girl. She fumbled with the small black box the size of her tiny palm. Besides some designs etched into the sides, there was nothing else but blackness. Without delay, she opened the box curiously. The inside of the box was similarly all black with the same random drawings, but on top of the soft bedding of fabric, there was a thin shiny necklace. The girl jumped in surprise.
"H-how did you get this," her voice cracked and stuttered. Unconsciously, she raised her tone. Immediately, the man placed a finger over her mouth. He glanced out the window hurriedly before continuing.
"No we didn't steal it," he rolled his eyes. Before he could continue, the woman intervened.
"Hurry up and put it on," she lifted the necklace and clipped onto the girl's neck in a swift motion.
The girl opened her mouth to protest the expensive purchase. She felt wronged that they thought she was a materialistic child. When she turned back around, she immediately shut her mouth and smiled. She quietly giggled as she watched both the couple also smiling cutely.
BANG BANG BANG
"WHY IS THERE LIGHT ON? WHO IS IN THERE?"
A husky voice screamed into the front door. The three people looked between the door and lit candle quickly. Within a fraction of a second, the man put the flame out with his hand. He signaled to the woman to grab the girl and hide. The girl opened her mouth to scream in worry for the man, but her mouth was quickly covered. She felt powerless as the woman's slightly shaking hand tightly grasped her mouth and she was dragged away.
The lady continued to drag the girl into the single bedroom and further in a concealed floorboard entrance.
"Stay there," her voice was quiet yet commanding. Trapped in the tiny hole, the girl hugged herself and sang familiar nursery rhymes.
"I am so sorry sir, I lost something and turned on a light," the man answered the door.
SLAP
The guard in all bright red attire slapped the man. A large red imprint stayed on his face.
"Did I ask for you to speak?" The guard's voice was monotone and his fat face was stoic.
"Why was the light on?" He repeated his question.
"I-"
SLAP
Before the man could say another word, the guard slapped him again, harder this time.
"I didn't say speak," the guard's voice raised a pitch in amusement.
The man looked straight down. He curled his fists slightly subconsciously. Unfortunately, it did not go unnoticed by the guard.
"Let's go for a round." The guard grabbed the man's worn-out collar, slightly tearing it. The woman- watching from out of sight- almost stepped out, but the man opened his palms in a stop sign toward her. She saw him slightly smiled with red swollen cheeks as he was dragged out. She gripped the old door frame almost breaking it. Once there was finally silence, she ran back to the girl and grabbed her out of the floor. She could only sob while she hugged the girl.
In ragged breaths, she repeated "Everything it okay." She did a poor job convincing seeing as she could not stop crying herself. The girl immediately began crying as well once she noticed the man gone.
They wept together quietly in fear of making too much noise outside.
***
The next morning, the three of them sat quietly on the floor with a slightly elevated table. They shared a piece of stale, almost molding bread with warm milk. The only sound could that could be heard was the man groaning in pain as he moved his body. His upper body was wrapped in cloth and bandages, but it did not hide the multi-colored bruises.
"They couldn't avoid the face at least?," he complained. His entire face was swollen and both his eyes black and purple-ish.
"Damn now I can't make money for a while," he cursed under his breath.
Although the man never explicitly said what his job was, the girl inferred it was something less than morale. He was a very handsome person. He had light olive eyes and beautiful golden hair.
She shook her head harshly. She looked forward and whispered, "I can make money too." The couple whipped their heads around and sighed heavily.
"Your too young," they all said simultaneously, but the girl sarcastically. The couple paused.
"What? I have seen so many Traut kids working at my age," she rolled her eyes while she ate another bite.
"You think we work for you to live harshly?" He slammed his wooden fork down. The woman quickly grabbed his hand to calm him down.
"Evelyn, we would only be satisfied if your happy. Forget us and live cheerfully," she also grabbed the girl's hand.
Evelyn couldn't understand. How can she live happily while those she love were hurting? How could she be that selfish?
She looked up to protest, but stopped when she saw the lady's eyes. Her beautiful brown eyes shimmered gloomily. Evelyn's eyes traced her skin and dirt blemishes. She felt the the lady's coarse callouses rub her own hand.
She looked toward the man's shiny golden hair diluted by mud. His shirt torn and poorly stitched up, only to be torn again in the future.
Could the only way to bring them relief would mean to be selfish? Would she have to ignore their pain and put on a smile for them?
Her mind was warped in conflict.
'If I could, I would take all your pain.'
She felt a wedge in her throat and her eyes blurred. However, she bit her lip and held it back. She simply looked ahead with the biggest smile she could.