“Yes, sir.” The cashier swiftly started packing up the herbs that were on display. The merchant snatched the mug that she drank water from and flung it away.

“Discounting the price of the water you just drank. Here’s you pay.” She outstretched her hand—yet he slammed the coins on the table for her to pick up. She gathered the coin off the table and counted it. “Just 690 Yauzs? But, this is too low…”

The merchant interrupted her. “Think a guard could earn 10000 Yauzs an hour, huh? This is the normal pay for a guard.” 

He spun towards the exit and his pocket watch clanged down on the floor, falling out of his pocket. But he didn't seem to notice that as he walked away. She picked it up for him and called him, trying to hand it back to him. He looked back, and instantly—his lips curled, nose crinkled, squinting at her filthy hands holding his watch. He sighed with disgust. “No! You can keep it.”

It was shiny, good as new. She liked it. I can sell this for more cash. She thought. “Can I buy the herbs here? The ones I mentioned earlier?”

“No, it’s closing time. Try somewhere else,” he roared, forcing her to leave. It’s just 6 pm. Why are they closing soon? She thought, looking at the blazing orange-gold skies. It felt so… calm.

The sun was setting soon. She planned to head house right away, stopping at the herb shop near the town exit. It’s dark. The last thing I want is to reach home late. She started walking faster—while lacking the strength to even jog at that point.

Like her plan, she bought as much medicine as she could at the shop near the exit and started walking back home when a certain shop caught her eye. Lamps on sale? It looks so cute… I could use one. The flowery patterns in the lamp pulled her closer, but that was when she realized. The medicine I have in hand is barely enough. She looked at the bag she held, clenching it tightly. I can’t waste money on a lamp. The moonlight would be enough. 

Controlling her temptations, she hiked past the shop and exited the town. The sun was setting behind her, shining warmth on her back. Ah, it feels so good… It felt like a warm bath, something that she really needed.

Soon it changed. Ugh, it’s getting darker and darker. I have to reach the village soon. She thought when she looked up at the skies. It was a moonless night. Goddamnit! Just—why? Even the moon was a ruse for me. When the airy, undulating howls of wild dogs filled the darkness, she mentally growled, breaking to a jog along the lone path in pitch black. Her cold sweat turned icy. Another sudden rush of adrenaline. Ugh, I can’t see anything. I should have brought that lamp. Regret filled her mind. Skipping a cheap yet important purchase might cost her more than the lamp.

CRACK! The edge of the path crumbled, sliding her down the thorn-filled bottom of a small pit. She could easily climb back up—only if she could see. Crashing right into the thorn, it tore her skin—yet she bit her lips—keeping her whimpers inside. Today was getting closer to breaking her apart—and this just might be the last string. Who the hell dug a pit and left it open? She paid the cost of an ignorant mind. If it’s dark—buy a lamp. I have to get out of here right goddamn now. Mom already doesn’t like me going to town to earn money. If my mom knew this had happened… She would cry with worry. 

She buried her hands in the loose sand, trying to climb up the pit. The wild dogs’ cries inched closer with every minute. She could almost smell her own fear. Sweat dripping down her neck, stuck, sore, and unable to even whisper. Her body was melting away. The wintry winds of the night blinded her hearing. In desperation, she started digging the sand out with her hands in the effort to climb back up, yet made no progress for the next fifteen minutes. 

“MIKA? MIKA, YOU HERE?”

Her soul glimmered with hope. Is that Mr Tanigawa? She wondered. “YESYESYES! I’M STUCK IN THIS PIT.”

The shushing sound of footsteps became hither. Mr Tanigawa peeked down the pit with a lamp in his hand. The light shone at her pitiful state. She was lying down on her stomach, hugging the bag to her chest tightly with her right hand—her other hand deep into the sand and her leg amidst the thorns—stabbing deep into her bleeding, throbbing calf. She looked like a kitten stuck in the blue ocean. The bright light blinded her as he descended into the pit, snapping the thorns off her leg and dragged her out of the pit.

He lifted her off the ground. “Don’t worry, I’ll carry you back home.” She tightly wrapped her limbs around him like a clingy baby, burying her face in his shoulder, grasping his warmth.

Her skin was cold to the touch. A shivering, broken mess. He smiled and patted her head. “You’re going to be fine, Mika. Akemi is waiting for you.” He hiked back to the village. 

But his breathing soon grew. He started murmuring something that she couldn’t really understand. “Is this what it feels like to have a child?” He sounded as if something choked him. He grasped her tighter. “Yeah, you’re going to be fine. I promise,” he said.

“Akemi’s worried about you,” he added.

“Take me to your house. Snitch me up. Mom shouldn’t know about this.”

“But—”

“Please! I just… Can’t…” Mika sighed. “The last thing I want is her worrying.”

He smiled. “Yeah… You’re a good girl,” he patted her once again, comforting her while they edge closer to the village.

They entered the village, without even a clue on what was about to happen later that night.