Hunting!

I was still physically unable to do much.

So rodents or any small animals were my target.

I know, I know.

Even for me, rats are disgusting, so no.

But squirrels and rabbits were abundant in the forest near my apartment building.

The internet is the sea of knowledge, if used correctly.

I managed to easily learn how to set traps, which made things way easier than my idea of throwing rocks at them.

My first catch was a squirrel. as cute as it might appear, that bastard bit and clawed at me to get away, and like an idiot I held it in my bare hands.

Though pain is not an issue, the marks it left would take time to heal.

It pissed me off.

My first catch, became my first kill.

I grabbed it by the head, twisting it as hard as my child's strength managed.

After a pop sound, and it's body going limp. I beheaded it, tying it upside down to bleed out.

I thought at the time that, if i wanted to cut it open, i can't have blood getting in my way or on my clothes. My parents don't care about my safety but I would be beaten if I dirtied the cheap and torn clothes I was wearing.

After leaving it for a while, copying the steps I saw online was easy.

I laid the squirrel on its stomach on a flat surface, it was a tree stump.

I got a knife from home, my dad keeps a hunting knife in his room. don't know why, he's not a hunter or ever been hunting. guess it makes him feel tough.

Anyways, I pinched its hide and cut near the base of the neck till I exposed half of it. Then I used my index finger and middle finger on both hands to create an opening after I made the cut. I used my fingers to hook up under the skin and pulled my hand towards the rear and the other hand towards the head.

Why are you making that expression?

It's ok, many people would react the same way, but back then i didn't even flinch. with my memory all i had to do was read it once and i became an expert.

Removing the legs and tail was next, then gutting it. But i'll skip explaining that part, you look like you're about to throw up.

I collected what was needed for a small campfire and skewered it.

I was hungry. Feeding their child was the last thing on my parents mind.

I always had to cook whatever I could from what scrap was left in the kitchen, beating other kids and stealing some of their lunch, or even passing by the market on my way home and grabbing an apple or two without anyone noticing.

Hunting...

I should have thought of that earlier.

The squirrel was the best thing I've had till then.