Episode 3

Warning: this chapter might be uncomfortable to some readers, you can skip this chapter.

Four years later...

At 14 years old, Jungkook transitioned into adolescence, yet his life remained entrenched in misery, each passing day seemingly adding a layer of painful endurance to his existence. The challenges he faced continued to evolve.

The villagers, seemingly relentless in their demands, subjected Jungkook to a ceaseless cycle of tasks, denying him proper rest. Early mornings marked the start of his grueling routine, as he was compelled to wake up with the first light. His day commenced at the well, where he fetched water

Following the water-fetching ritual, Jungkook directed his steps toward the orphanage, where his responsibilities extended to preparing breakfast for the pupils. The demands on him persisted, and the weight of his daily obligations continued to shape the rhythm of his teenage years, leaving little room for personal respite or the typical experiences of adolescence.j

After serving breakfast to the pupils, Jungkook took on the responsibility of cleaning up. Rinsing the used utensils diligently, he ensured their cleanliness before carefully placing them back in the orphanage kitchen. Despite the relentless demands placed on him, he navigated each task with a sense of responsibility

Later, he purged the clothes of teaching and non-teaching retinue.

The cycle of work persisted until mid-noon, and with a brief reprieve, Jungkook turned his attention to the farms. Engaging in the laborious task of weeding, he continued to contribute to the daily functioning of the community, the sun overhead bearing witness to the relentless rhythm of his life.

Jungkook's daily toil became an unending struggle, marred by the cruelty of older pupils who sought to disrupt his efforts. The relentless beatings he endured stood as harsh punctuation marks to his ceaseless work. In the reflection of his reality, Jungkook found himself caught in a cycle where his labour was exploited.

Jungkook's body bore the weight of exhaustion, worn down by the unceasing labor and the absence of rest. The weariness became a constant companion, intensified by the relentless oversight of a lady who hovered over him whenever he attempted to find respite.

The small window of respite for Jungkook came after 7:00 pm, as the demands of the day gradually subsided. Once everyone had partaken in the dinner he prepared, a momentary reprieve settled over him. It marked the brief period when his small body could finally find some rest.

Jungkook, seeking refuge in the meager shelter of his room, lay beneath sheets that carried a history of tragedy. The winter brought an unyielding chill, causing him to shiver as he tried to find warmth. Desperate to endure the cold, he approached the headmaster, politely requesting two small sheets.

However, the headmaster's response was far from compassionate. Instead of providing the requested bedding, he callously proposed a deal: two sheets in exchange for enduring four hours of beatings. Faced with the harsh reality of enduring either the cold or the physical pain, Jungkook reluctantly agreed, choosing the temporary wounds over the prolonged winter agony.

Every day he enacted an exact skit.

But one day...

In the waning days of August, with the month drawing to a close, Jungkook found himself toiling in the field. However, amidst his labor, an intense pain shot through his stomach. Accustomed to enduring hunger and stomachaches, he chose to dismiss the pain as just another common affliction, a symptom of the harsh conditions he had grown accustomed to.

The persistent pain in his lower abdomen resurfaced, but once again, Jungkook chose to ignore it. Completing his labour in the field, he wearily made his way to his room and lay down on the meagre sheet, the discomfort lingering beneath the surface of his tired body.

❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆

In the morning,

Jungkook, rousing from his sleep around five, was met with a distressing sight when he shifted from his lying position – the unsettling presence of blood

Panicking at the sight, Jungkook discovered that his lower body was covered in blood. Alarmed, he hurriedly lifted his clothes, revealing the source of the bleeding from below.

Jungkook, in immediate response to the distressing discovery, attempted to stand up. However, a wave of pain overwhelmed him, causing him to wince. Clutching onto the door for support, he patiently endured the pain, waiting until it subsided to a more bearable level. The resilience born from enduring hardships manifested once again as he navigated the physical torment that had unexpectedly entered his life.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Jungkook ventured to the well to cleanse himself, taking advantage of the early hour when the rest of the orphanage still lay in slumber. With the privacy of the quiet dawn, he washed his body thoroughly, seizing the opportunity to address the unexpected and unsettling situation without the tension of others being present.

Confronted once again by the unwelcome presence of blood, Jungkook quickly took measures to mitigate the situation. In an effort to prevent further soiling of his clothes, he improvised, using a piece of cloth salvaged from his chest to create a makeshift barrier between his legs. Pulling up his inner garment, he sought to manage the issue discreetly.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Jungkook acknowledged the need to change his clothes more frequently due to the rapid bleeding. The unforeseen challenge added another layer of complexity to his already difficult circumstances

Throughout the day, Jungkook navigated the challenge discreetly, managing to change his clothes without attracting the attention of others. Faced with the need for secrecy.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***