But today, Aunt Mary was completely out of character. Instead of just taking a look and leaving, she supervised the work all morning. This was tough on the two brothers. From early morning, they fetched and carried water, working for nearly two hours straight, until they were dizzy and weak in the limbs. In the end, during the last trip to fetch water, Charles, whose constitution was weaker than his younger brother’s, slipped and fell into the water... That was the last memory the child had.

Why is it that everyone fell into the water, but the outcome was so different? Am I him now, or is he me, or is there a bit of him in me and me in him? He couldn’t figure it out, and guessed he wouldn’t be able to even if he thought about it for a hundred years.

He was, after all, an optimistic person, and decided that until he found a solution, he’d just pretend to be this child for now, to avoid being chopped up as a monster...

Chapter Two: Brothers

He was never one to hesitate. Since he’d decided to treat himself as Charles Brooks, he stopped pretending to be dead with his eyes closed. Just as he was about to speak, his stomach rumbled loudly—he hadn’t eaten a single grain since morning.

“So dark.” He couldn’t help but feel his face flush. Looking around, it was pitch black, and he could only vaguely make out two small figures. “Why isn’t there a light?”

“Did you forget, Third Brother?” The two figures paused for a moment. The bigger one, Robert, said in a muffled voice, “You went to ask for one earlier, but Madam Mary just wouldn’t give it, and even scolded you harshly.”

“Damn...” He—that is, Charles Brooks—couldn’t help but get angry. “This is child abuse!”

“What’s a child?”

“It’s you guys!” Charles Brooks replied irritably.

“What about you?”

“This unlucky kid, always asking the wrong questions...”

Charles Brooks was also wary of this world. He wasn’t ready to deal with outsiders yet, so he decided to just muddle through in the dark tonight. Anyway, it’s not like he’d poke his nose with his chopsticks, right?

“Is there anything to eat?”

“Yes, yes.” Children are the most sensitive; sensing he was back to normal, the two kids relaxed. Little Henry immediately clung to him like a plaster. This time, Charles Brooks didn’t push him away, letting him lean against his knee.

Robert handed him a cone-shaped object. Charles Brooks squeezed it and figured it was a coarse grain cake. He couldn’t help but give a self-mocking smile: ‘Well, at least I won’t poke my nose with this.’ He tried a bite. Who knows if it was made of chaff or bran—either way, his mouth and throat were filled with a rough, foreign sensation. He frowned and said, “Is this even edible?”

“It’s edible...” Robert replied in his muffled voice. “We had this in the afternoon too.”

“Damn...” Charles Brooks cursed in frustration, but he was so hungry he had no choice but to force it down. Still, he almost rolled his eyes from the effort and croaked, “Water...”

Henry shakily brought a big bowl to him.

Charles Brooks took it and gulped down a couple of mouthfuls before he could finally swallow the food. Only then did he realize the water was surprisingly clear and sweet, which brought him a bit of comfort.

He finished the cake with the help of the water, but Charles Brooks still felt hungry and subconsciously asked, “Is there any more?”

“Yes.” Robert pulled out another piece from his clothes.

“Thanks...” Charles Brooks took it and ate it, but instead of feeling satisfied, his hunger surged like a tide, as if he hadn’t eaten for days. “Is there... any more?”

“Yes.” This time it was Little Henry who answered, handing another cake to Big Charles.

Charles Brooks took a bite and suddenly realized he was probably eating their food. His face flushed with embarrassment. “Is there anything else to eat? I mean, have you two eaten?”

He mumbled, so the two kids had trouble understanding. After a while, they got it. Robert shook his head. “There’s nothing left. These three cakes were secretly given to us by Uncle Reed.”

“I have some!” Little Henry offered a handful of something to Charles like a treasure. Charles Brooks picked one up—it seemed to be a fava bean. He asked happily, “Where did you get these?”

“Third Brother picked them for me...” Little Henry said softly. “Did you forget?”

Charles Brooks put one in his mouth to taste, but it was raw. He quickly spat it out. “You have to cook these before eating, or they’re poisonous!”

“We’ve always eaten them...” Little Henry picked one up and crunched it in his mouth. Charles Brooks tried to snatch it away but couldn’t, so he grabbed the rest from his hand and scolded, “Spit it out! Don’t eat it!”

Little Henry obediently spat it out, but was clearly frightened, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Good boy, 六郎...” Charles Brooks softened, hugging him tightly. “Tomorrow I’ll cook them for you.”

Henry nodded obediently, and after a while whispered, “But I’m hungry...”

Charles Brooks brought the cake to his mouth, but Henry pressed his lips together and wouldn’t eat, whispering, “Third Brother is sick, you need to eat more to get better...” Robert nodded vigorously in agreement.

Charles Brooks felt a lump in his throat and his eyes grew moist. He silently cursed himself for being so soft, and forced a smile. “Third Brother isn’t a rice bucket, I’m full, can’t eat anymore...” With some coaxing, he finally got Henry to eat half the cake.

Henry was not yet four years old. After a day of fear and worry, he was already exhausted. After eating, he curled up in Charles Brooks’s arms and fell asleep. Charles Brooks gently laid him down beside him, then remembered Robert and said apologetically, “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”