Rememberance

Chapter 2:

Akutagawa had once had a family. He hardly remembered them after the trauma he and Gin had experienced, but he remembered a bit about them. His mother had been financially struggling and his father was an alcoholic who abused her. Despite that...he had a family once...

***

"Tch, the kids are useless because of you! Why don't you go earn some money, dammit!" Akutagawa's father screamed from his parents' room. He was used to this. The crashing of glass. His mother's screams and begging for forgiveness. But he wasn't able to do anything. All he could do was sit there, and cradle his little sister, Gin.

"That's what you get for being slow, idiot..." Akutagawa's father mumbled, exiting the room. Akutagawa waited for him to pass by, and then quickly ran into their room to check on his mom.

Akutagawa calmly made his way to his mom who was on her knees in front of a broken jar. Her head was in her hands and she cried softly. It reminded him of Gin, and he felt bad. Akutagawa reached out to pick a piece of glass in an attempt to clean it up.

"Mom-"

"No, Akutagawa. Don't touch it. It's dangerous and sharp. I'll take care of it, so don't worry," she reassured, giving him a faint smile, through her tears.

"...okay..." Akutagawa mumbled, leaving the room.

***

Akutagawa's mom often talked to herself in her room, when she was alone and in need of a friend. "One day," she murmured, "Akutagawa...someday, you'll grow into a fine young man and you will do great things...maybe one day, you'll fall in love-"

"Oi!"

Akutagawa's mother shut her mouth instantly and looked up, only to get a sharp blow on her face.

"Stop blabbing..." Akutagawa's father mumbled, walking out of the room.

***

I'll be okay. I just have to put up with this, until that man dies someday. I'm not alone. I've got the support. I can work hard to earn money for my kids. My two precious, beautiful kids...I'll stay with you and protect you. We'll live a happy life-

No, he hit me! I'm bleeding, it hurts! I'm all alone, no one's there, I threw it all away!

No, I can fight! I will fight through this and survive-

Mom, dad, I'm sorry! I've messed up, I've married the Devil and I've been abandoned! THIS IS HELL AND I CAN'T ESCAPE!

"Mom, look at this!" Gin perked up, walking into her room. She opened her hand in and inside it was a small daisy.

"Gin...Gin did you go outside!?" Akutagawa's mom screamed.

"I told you not to see anyone!"

"B-but...mom...I didn't see anyone-"

"You don't understand how dangerous and scary the outside world is! EVERYTHING WAS MESSED UP BECAUSE OF YOU! And..."

"Mom..."

"I...I can't take it anymore...it's all too much-"

"Sorry..."

Akutagawa's mom looked at Gin, who had small tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, mom..." she murmured.

"No...NO! It's my fault! Sorry..." Akutagawa's mom whimpered, crying into her hands, which were folded, as if giving God a beg for salvation. That's when she felt a warm hand stroke her hair.