zdenek-50220598 @zdenek-50220598
I sit on these cold stone steps, my bare feet numb from the chill of the morning air. My thoughts drift to the days before I was left alone, when my parents still lived here in our small village. They were kind and loving, always making sure I had enough to eat. But then they just vanished one day, leaving me all by myself.
I've been living on scraps ever since, begging for food from the villagers whenever they'll give it to me. Some days are better than others, but most of the time I'm left with nothing. My stomach growls loudly as I think about my next meal. I've gotten so used to this empty feeling that it's hard to remember what it's like to be full and content.
I've been trying to find work in the village, but no one wants to hire a skinny girl who looks like she'll fall over if you blow on her too hard. The villagers whisper behind my back, calling me "that orphan" or "that beggar." They treat me with disdain, like I'm something less than human. Sometimes I wonder if they're right, if maybe there's something wrong with me that makes them hate me so much. But deep down, I know it's not me - it's just my circumstances, the fact that I was left all alone in this harsh world to fend for myself.
