Hunger
I don't know why I deserve to live in this place. Doesn't have any significant thing in it. Not enough food, the land isn't convenient for farming or building big cities, the neighbors... I saw one of them yesterday. A man I had known for years was eating something that looked like a human leg. And the eyes... The eyes were full of despair and regret. I couldn't look into those eyes for long so I went back home.
''Father!'' said my little one with a smile. She is basically... My reason for living and trying to survive.
"Hey, how are you? Do you have any aches?" I said and sat near her bed.
''No but...'' she hesitated.
''What is it?'' I insisted.
''I am hungry.'' she couldn't even look at my face.
''It's okay, I'll prepare something to eat for you.'' I got up and went to the kitchen. There wasn't anything that would be enough to feed someone. Yet, I tried my best and went back to her.
As soon as she saw the bowl, she smiled like a baby. Like the times when I carried her around our home while her mother was watching. I just want her to not see herself as a burden to me, even if she is bedridden.
''I forgot to buy groceries from the store, sorry if it's not enough,'' I said while caressing her head.
''It's okay father, you know I have a small appetite.'' she laughed and continued to eat.
After a few hours, we went to sleep. The night was quiet. Normally a burglary happens here every night, and I pray that it's not us. But tonight... Was really quiet.
After a few hours of sleeping, I heard a big explosion, near the village. I quickly got up from my bed and ran to my daughter.
''Are you okay?'' I yelled. People were yelling and screaming too.
''I-I am! What's happening father?'' she was scared.
''I don't know but we need to go. As soon as possible.'' I took her into my arms and started running.
With every step I took, there was gunfire, screams in pain, crying, begging, preying.
I ran as much as I could. After a few minutes, I sat down and leaned towards a tree while carrying her.
''Dad needs to catch his breath,'' I said while breathing heavily.
''It's okay father. Leave me,'' she said, her little hand on my cheek.
''Don't worry. We will always be together.'' I smiled.
After a few hours of running, I didn't know where I was. The only thing I saw was trees, dead trees.
I placed her on the soft ground, leaned her to a tree, and went to look at a few branches. Luckily, I found what I was looking for and in addition to that, I found a knife. I took it obviously, thought 'There might be situations that we need to defend ourselves.' or else.
I went back to her and started a campfire.
''What was that, father? Why were they shooting people?'' she asked.
''I don't know and that's not important right now. You should get some sleep.'' I said while looking at the campfire.
''Okay...'' she closed her eyes.
A few days passed like this, so little water and nearly no food. We started taking more breaks. Then I thought 'Should we go back? A few days passed and the village may be clear.''. A hint of hope made me push myself for further and we turned back to the village.
The village was mostly burned down. Burned bodies everywhere. A rotten flesh scent on the air.
I quickly closed her eyes and nose.
''Follow my lead, okay?'' I said. She nodded.
We started to look for our house and found it eventually. It seemed good, especially when I looked at the other houses.
I put her on her bed, once again. ''Want something to eat?'' I asked.
''Yes father, please!'' She said and laughed.
''Okay!.. What do you want, majesty?'' I asked while laughing as well.
''We ate eyes, nose, and ears yesterday so... I want my left leg father!'' she said.
I was flabbergasted, what was she saying? Eyes, nose, ears, and leg? Her leg? I couldn't understand.
''What did you say, dear?'' I asked, thinking I heard wrong.
''My leg, father. Don't you remember? You tore apart my leg yesterday since you've done with my face.'' she said, looking at me. My eyes or my soul. Her mouth started to drop on the ground, her nose, ears... And her eyes, one of them was missing. And her leg... Where was her leg? Oh, in my hands.
I went outside, everything was black and burned down like they'd sinned.
Then I took a bite from that leg. And at the same time, I saw a man, a man that I had known for years, looking at me from in front of his house. A house looked like mine. And that man was terrified, I was terrified.