Please read and review I'd love to know what I can change for the better with my writing. Thanks.
Michael looked behind him once more. The man was still behind him. He turned a corner and started running, almost falling several times as he stumbled down the road. When he reached the next crossroad, he turned another corner and fled into a grocery shop. He looked out of the window and saw, to his relief, that the man was nowhere to be seen. He started walking among the shelves slipping items under his ragged jacket, cautious not to be seen. He was just slipping a bottle of water into his pocket, when a large hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into a corner. The bottle slipped out of his hand and on to the floor. Michael looked up terrified. The man holding him was the same one who had been following him earlier. The man had short greying hair, a close-cropped beard and a face that seemed to have been molded by wind and time. To his astonishment, the man was smiling. "Don't run away will you? I'm not going to rat you out.", the man said quietly. "What do you want?" "Come on, I'll buy you the food. You won't have to steal It that way." Michael looked at the stranger, suspicious. He didn't reply.
The man picked up the bottle and had Michael empty his pockets. It was no use trying to run away. The man would just catch him again. He was too weak, so he just did as he was told. He gave the man everything he had stolen and went with him to the checkout. The lady behind the desk eyed him suspiciously, but didn't say anything.
Outside, the man turned to look at Michael: "Would you like to come and have a cup of coffee? You look as if though you could use something warm."
Michael wanted to decline, but he hadn't eaten in two days and the prospect of a warm cup of coffee was stronger than his will. So he accepted.
The man glanced at Michael as he made his way towards home. The boy was walking alongside him with shuffling steps, tripping from time to time. After a few minutes, they stood in front of a small house, whose door the man unlocked and opened. They entered and Michael followed the man into the kitchen. "What's your name?", the man asked. "Michael..." "I'm John." Michael nodded. While the man went about, making coffee, Michael stood in the doorway, watching him. He was confused, because he couldn't see the man's motive. John made coffee and set it on the table. He handed Michael a cup, which the boy accepted. "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Why... why are you doing this?", Michael finally asked, "Why are you helping me?" "Because you need help." Michael looked at his feet. "Where are your parents?" "Dead." Where's the rest of your family then? You must have grand-parents!" "Dead." Michael looked up at the man: "I'm alone." "You shouldn't steal though. You can always ask for help!" Michael looked down again. His feet began twirling and his vision went out of focus, so he held on to the chair. Still, he felt himself hit the floor and then everything went black.