5th July XX85

I had almost just turned eight, my family and I were still living near the same village, that we had been shown by the fishermen.

But now the town was old, withered and mostly abandoned. Every day a marine would come knock on our door and he'd tell our mother to follow him. I never found out what he did but I could tell by my mom coming home with marks and cuts that it wasn't anything nice.

We didn't have much to eat so everyday when the marines had left the village, me and my brother went out and scavenged for food. We had to go further and further every day, and we had to carry butter knives in case a hungry animal attacked us. It wasn't much but we could handle it. We always found some fresh fruits and berries, though it wasn't the easiest task. We had a book with us so we knew if they were poisonous or not.

When we came home and had to ration the food, mother got most of the food as she deserved it for keeping us safe. She once talked in her sleep and I overheard her saying ''Please I beg of you. I'll do anything, please. Just don't harm my children''

I couldn't stop myself from crying. Our mother had always protected us from all sorts of dangers. One day however she became heavily ill and the marines decided that she wasn't good enough payment for the day so they took my brother. My mother screamed and fought as much as she could but her disease stopped her from doing anything the marines couldn't fend off.

I saw everything from within a barrel where my brother had put me. He had told me to stay quiet and wait until they were gone. I never saw my brother again after that and the marines never returned. I, only being thirteen years old, couldn't fend for myself properly so I had to stay with my mother most of the time except when I went to look for food. I only did it when the sun was high and the animals sleeping in their caves.

My mother did not get healthier and one day when I returned home she was breathing slowly and was sweating all over. I couldn't stand seeing her like that so I softly talked to her. ''Mother… Tell me. What can I do to help you.''

''The only thing you can do for me is leave. Run away. I don't want to lose one more of you. I want you to live. Go to the big city and ask for chef Ransy. He is an old friend of mine and he'll take care of you.'' Both of us were now heavily crying.

I talked with a garbled voice ''But I don't want to be alone. I want to stay with you. I never want to leave you.'' As I pleaded, my mother slowly closed her eyes. Her breathing stopped and so did mine. I was in shock. My mother had just died right in front of my eyes.

I screamed at the top of my lungs until my voice was nothing more than a whisper. ''I will live on, mom. I will find big bro.'' I then ran. Ran for miles on end. I never looked back, I only kept going forwards. When I finally reached the city I was surprised at the size. It was so much bigger than the village and there were so many lights everywhere.

I walked around town being ignored and pushed out of the way by many people. None of them seemed to care for me. I sat down on the sidewalk and cried. Got everything out. Then out of the blue a man walks up to me. ''Hey kid are you alright? What's wrong?'' He handed me his handkerchief and I cleaned my eyes and blew my nose. He sat down next to me as I told him my story.

''Well then I'm not the only one with a reason to hate the marines. You said you were looking for Ransy right? Well follow me and I'll show ya the way.'' He then took my hand in a light grip. I don't remember the last time I had smiled but I did then. This man, a complete stranger, had helped me.

When we arrived in the alleyway he knocked on the door and a rough voice called ''We're closed right now. Come back tomorrow.'' The man holding my hand called out ''It's me. Your favourite customer. I have a fan for you''

Heavy walking could be heard approaching from the inside. ''If this is another one of your pranks I swear I'll…'' The last thing I couldn't make out but now that I think about it, it was probably some kind of threat.

While waiting for the man to open the many locks I took a look at the man next to me. He was wearing a long coat and had a mechanical eye under a see through eye patch which still doesn't make any sense to me. ''What is it… Huh? Who're you kiddo?''

I looked up at him and politely said ''My name is Rainon Cooper, sir, I was sent here by my mother. She told me that you could protect me from the evil marines.'' The chef's harsh expression changed to that of one of the jolliest men on the planet. He laughed a heavy laugh and said ''Come in kid, come in. If you're hungry, I can make any food you wish. If you're tired then I can find a bed and sheet for you. If you want to play a game, then I have tons of board games for you or books if you prefer''

The jolly man had quite a round appearance. He had a full beard of gray hair and earrings in his ears with small dolphins engraved on them. Ever since then I've stayed by his side. I don't think I've ever smiled as much as I did then.