Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
He grimaces. “Like a hound.”
CHAPTER 18
Beast
Past, age 8
I run across the street and bury my nose into a trashcan, trying to find the leftovers a couple just threw inside. A half-eaten burger and some fries make my stomach roar. I fish them out and rush off to the side of the building, where I sit down behind a dumpster and munch down on the food before it’s no longer good.
It’s been a while since I had a decent meal, but this comes close.
A rat rummages around in the garbage in front of me, and he knocks over some smelly trash. Its little nose wiggles, and it comes crawling my way, eyes aimed at my delicious burger.
My stomach growls, and I look at the burger in my hand and then the little rat staring at me.
Sighing, I pluck off a piece of the bread and hold it out to him.
It grabs the piece with its little paws and quickly scurries off to eat it somewhere else.
A smile grows on my face.
Even though I’m hungry, I know others are too, and I’m never too hungry not to share.
I take another bite of the burger, savoring the taste until it’s all gone.
I’ll have to go out there soon to try to find something to drink as well.
I tilt my head and peer behind the dumpster at the people walking down the street, oblivious to their surroundings. No one ever notices me here. Only when I come out to take something I don’t own do they see me. When I intrude into their space like an unwanted visitor. A nuisance.
It’s the reason I usually stay hidden and sleep until the moon appears.
During the night, I come alive.
And I’m definitely not the only one.
But I rarely make contact with other homeless. Nothing beyond a simple glare.
I’ve learned not to trust anyone or anything. The things I have get stolen often, so I’ve grown wary of anyone coming close.
I stare up at the darkening sky, watching the stars appear one by one. It’s almost time.
Suddenly, a van stops in front of my little alleyway, and I stop moving entirely. Two weird-looking guys step out, wearing thick trench coats, faces hidden behind thick scarves. I stay hidden behind the dumpster, only leaning sideways to take a peek at what they’re doing, hoping they’ll be gone quickly.
Suddenly, one of them looks directly at me.
I instantly push myself back and close my eyes for a second.
Until I hear the footsteps.
“Hello, little kid.”
Chills run up and down my spine.
“What are you doing out here all alone?”
I don’t answer. I have no clue what to do. I want to run, but they’ve blocked my only exit.
“I just wanna talk, that’s it. Where are your parents? Are they around here somewhere?” he asks coyly.
I don’t trust these men one bit. What if they’re here to mug me?
“Why are you hiding? I’m not going to do anything. Where’s your family? Do you even have any?”
Fuck. They’re looking for my weaknesses.
I search around in my plastic bag for anything I can find. I’ve got some cans that I was going to recycle for money, and I know those lids are sharp. But damn, I wish I had a knife right now. I should’ve stolen one when I had the chance the other day.
“Come out, little boy. I know you’re behind that dumpster,” the man says.
I swallow, but my throat feels dry.
Without thinking, I tear the lids off the cans and stuff them in my pocket, then chuck the cans at the guy.
“Hey! Stop it!” the man yells. “Need a little backup, this one’s feisty!”
I keep throwing them, but they’re getting closer and closer, and all I can do is walk backward farther into the alley until my back hits a wall.
Two of them come storming at me, and I’ve got only one option left. I fish the can lids from my pocket and swing them wildly, cutting into their skin as they grab me.
“Put me down!” I scream.
“Jesus Christ,” the man barks as he swings me over his shoulder. “Calm the fuck down, kid.”
“No! Let go of me!” I fight as best I can, punching and kicking all around.
The other one ties down my feet while I try to kick him away, but it’s no use. I’m only a kid, and they’re much stronger grown-ups. “What a monster. This one will fetch a big price, I’m sure.”
A big price? What the fuck?
“What are you doing?!” I shriek as they carry me out of the alley.
The man following the guy who’s picked me up looks up at me with a devilish gaze. “You’re coming with us, kid.”
My pupils dilate. Oh no. I’ve heard about this from other kids, but I never believed the stories were true.
Until today.
I’m flopped down onto a hard surface, knocking the air from my lungs. All around me is metal and black leather. The van.