Chapter 5 surviving

"Mama Rhoda, I've you gone crazy just like the way mom said you would?" Elena innocently and worriedly asked from the open door of our room.

Thank God it wasn't father or Elenore or there be no way out. Anything in reference to werewolves is not gone unnoticed in this house.

"Come here, sweetie." I ushered Elena close and she walked towards me. "Come sit on my legs."

I sat on the bed then Elena sat on my legs. I started braiding her short brown hair. "Mama Rhoda hasn't gone crazy but is just stressed out because of someone," I explained.

"Who is stressing you out, auntie?" She asked.

"You are one curious little girl aren't you?" I asked as I ruffled her hair. "Well it's not someone you know and I can definitely handle him." I hope so.

"Okay but if you can't then call me for backup. I'll definitely tell him off okay."

"Of course. You're so sweet." I ruffled her hair again, ruining the work I did.

"Mama Rhoda, do you like the job?" Elena asked again after some silent minutes of redoing her hair.

"The job..." I thrilled off as I thought of the answer to give her. She's little but sometimes is mature than her age, I have to give a simple reply that won't make her worry and she'll understand.

"The job is something I have to do to make us happy," I answered.

"But I am happy." She cheerfully said then giggled as I pinched her cheeks softly.

I wish I was happy too.

"That's a good thing, sweetie. Be happy always, that's one of the things I want." I pecked her cheeks and she giggled so more.

***

Later, I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

The kitchen was barely equipped with kitchen utensils but I have learned to cook without them and am used to this style of cooking meals.

I opened the kitchen cabinet and saw that we were out of food. There was nothing there.

This is not good. Once my mom and Elenore come back home they'll be starving and craving for food.

What happened to all the spaghetti and ingredients I saw this morning?

I went to my parent's room and found my father sleeping, he was soundly sleeping and snoring.

Elena was sleeping in our room when I left her. I can't wake any of them.

I reached inside my pockets and nothing was inside.

Then I did not take my money with me.

I rushed to my room which I share with my sister and her daughter and quickly took my luggage out and searched for my money. Nothing.

There was nothing there. I completely emptied the luggage and I could not see my money! That was my savings and it was gone.

Shit, we have just been robbed again.

"Mama Rhoda, what are you doing now?"

I turned to see Elena sleepy looking at me.

"Dear do you know if anyone came inside our home and took anything?" I asked her.

She furrowed her brows and thought. "Someone we don't know? A stranger?" She asked.

I nodded.

"Nope, no one came." She answered.

"Have we been robbed again?" She asked worriedly.

Why does this little girl have to experience any of this? I feel pity for her.

I went over to her and hugged her.

"Everything will be alright." I placed a kiss on her forehead. "But we might not eat dinner tonight," I added.

***

Later, Elenore came, and mom as well. They were very tired and it breaks my heart to give them the news.

"Rhoda serves us now," Mom ordered as she sat down on one of the wooden chairs in the kitchen.

Her eyes scanned everywhere in the kitchen and frowned.

"Hey Rhoda, didn't you cook?" She asked whilst her stomach grumbled.

Elenore hissed as she too observed that the kitchen looked clean and used.

All the pots were empty.

I nodded my head as I stood in front of her.

"I think we've been robbed again. There was nothing in the cabinets and I could not find my money anywhere. There's no food mom." I explained.

"God no!" Elenore shouted.

"Where's the money you made today?" I asked my mom. "I can still order pizza for us," I suggested.

"But the delivery boys are always slow, before they come I would be dead already," Elenore complained.

"Plus, the money I made today is not enough for pizza," Mom added.

It was then my stomach start grumbling too.

Great! Now I'm starving too. Plus, what would we eat in the morning? And I'll be leaving for work early tomorrow morning and I'm on probation so I can't mess up.

"What would we even eat tomorrow?" I complained.

"We'll worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes but right now I'm starving!" Elenore whined.

This sister of mine, she's not even worried about what her daughter would eat while I'm more concerned about how she'll survive.

She's too young and she has starved many times.

"Mom just gives me whatever you have and I'll see what I'll be able to buy outside. What's important right now is what Elena will eat, we can't continue starving her, I'm scared."

Mom agreed then gave me what she had with her.

"I've been working hard since this morning and I have to eat so just make sure you don't eat anything before coming back." Barked.

I nodded then made to leave but a little soft hand grabbed mine.

I looked down and saw my little adorable niece smiling at me. "Mama Rhoda please let me follow you." She begged and I nodded.

Immediately we stepped outside, the cold air of the night hit us and I loved it, Elena seem to love it too.

We strolled the street, there is building everywhere, not much space is given before the next house.

At the end of the street, numerous restaurants were everywhere.

"So many choices but they are all expensive," I mumbled.

We walked around the place looking at each stall.

They know things are hard yet they sell their food at high prices and they complain they don't have many customers.

"Why don't buy over there?" Elena suggests while pointing at a booth displaying some snacks.

We walked over to the booth.

"Good evening." I greeted the woman inside, she was wearing a white hoody sweater and a smile on her face.

"Good evening to you too, what can I offer you especially this adorable little woman." The woman directed to Elena and Elena blushed and hid behind me.

I laughed.

"Elena she's nice, don't be scared." I encouraged her to come out.

"Plus how would you buy what you want if you hide?" A deep male voice said from behind me and it gave me the chills.

It sounded like I'd heard this voice before and I would not like to hear it ever again.

The woman inside the booth fell silent now and her smile was gone, her smiley face was replaced with a fearful one