The gruel spilled across her hand as it was haphazardly poured, already so cold that it had probably been made days ago. She could see the bits of moldy bread which were thrown into it along with greying vegetables. She wasn't looking at it, just remembering that this was something that she needed to get for others. She would find something better for herself and for her son. This was such a large city that she would figure out something that would end up keeping her alive. She had gotten so far already, she couldn't give up now.

  Lot desperately want to.

  Immediately as she had gotten some, she pulled herself back out of the crowd. She walked into the road and immediately there was a blue carriage that was already there with horses that bucked at the horrible sight of her. The coachman whipped the horses and then as she was holding onto the food with precarious hope.

  The whip pulsed against her hand and she cried out. The pain was instant as she felt the lightning of pain and then the bowl spilled out and onto her. Komi immediately woke up and made the sound of discomfort.

  Lot immediately started cooing trying to calm him down as she knew now that she had no food at all. She looked up at the coachman who was holding up the whip again righting the horses. The coach itself had stopped and Lot could see the fabric curtains were pulled aside and she saw that inside there was a young missus who looked absolutely miffed to see that Lot had stopped her journey.

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  “You, filth, you’ve come in my way. How dare you think that you’re worthy enough to do anything? Do you really think that you’re worth wiping my shoes? I hate the sight of you.”

  Lot felt a tiredness start to spread through her body as Komi choose this moment to absolutely start screaming. The coachman looked between the both of them as he raised the whip again. The missus opened the divider between them and she took the whip into her own hands and started to whip the horses instead of coaxing them.

  Lot threw herself on the other side of the road, as the horses immediately set off.

  There was a lot of mud which was thrown up behind the carriage wheels, Lot threw up her hand, but she was soaked through. She wrung out her skirts as she looked at the retreating carriage and then at her son who was absolutely terrified. Several of the refugees were looking at her son. Some of them were salivating looking at them with empty expressions.

  Lot got up quickly and she ran back towards the small cramped house that she had talked several women into letting her into. She opened the fabric door hanging aside with her mud filled bowl. The other mothers looked at her expectantly. There was a mother who was on the ground, her stomach swelled.

  “I’m sorry.” Lot said quietly. “I didn’t manage to get you any. I tried, I really did. I'm so sorry.”

  “Go back outside, we don’t have room for those who are freeloaders. There are so many children here that we have to keep an eye on. Tonight, you need to find your own place to stay.”

  Lot was aghast. “What?”