Hi, dear reader!
How did you like the Prologue? I feel like it'll be a total cliffhanger to leave the Prologue on its own, so here you go, chapter 1, now uploaded.
Anyway, in this chapter, we go back in time -flashback- when Levi was still living a hell of a life (literally) in the Underground.
P.S. I'll try to update one to two chapters every week.
As usual, thank you so much! Please don't forget to leave your reviews.
CHAPTER 1: DARKNESS-LIGHT
Levi's stomach growled. He hasn't eaten in days. He opened the old supply cabinet to look for food, only to find a dozen knives used by Kenny in his conquests.
Kenny hasn't come back and he did not leave any food nor money for him. Cold and alone, he walked along the dark alleys of the Underground in search of food. He didn't know where to go and what to do. Nobody seemed to take notice of the small and filthy kid running around. He went to a fruit stall in the underground market and hurriedly stashed an apple before the vendor catches him. As Levi was about to take a bite of the apple, a man caught him at the back of his tattered shirt. "Now look who we have here." The man sneered, reeking of cigarettes and filth. Startled, the apple slipped from little Levi's hands
"Aren't you Kenny's little prick?"
Levi's steel grey eyes turned to them in disgust. He tried wiggling them off. But being so small and frail, he can only do as much.
"Fighting off are we?" The guy said, staring back at him as if he was some prey. Suddenly, he called out, "Oi, we can use this kid as collateral."
Another guy, this time a short balding guy with a beer belly arrived. "Isn't this our lucky day, Jairo? I wonder how much we can sell this kid for?"
"Assholes," Levi muttered.
"Brave just like your old man?" The guy whose name is Jairo said, "How about we teach you first a lesson?"
Just as then, he swung his arm and his fist landed up on little Levi's empty stomach. He held the frail boy up and punch him in the mouth which made Levi spit out blood, writhing in pain.
"That's for talking out of turn." Jairo jeered pointing at Levi, "Didn't Kenny teach you h-arrrrgghh!"
Suddenly, Levi caught his finger and bit it hard. Out of pain, Jairo tended to his bloodied hand immediately and let go of Levi. Seeing this as an opportunity to escape, the boy slipped and ran as fast as he could.
"Catch that son of a bitch!" Jairo shouted in pain. The bald guy seemed to panic as to what he should do but decided to follow Jairo's orders and ran after Levi.
Despite the pain, Levi scurried, as he was sure as hell he'd be dead meat if they caught him. He didn't bother asking for help in the underground because early on he accepted the fact that everyone has their own business - nobody cared because everyone was barely trying to survive.
He kept running until finally, he reached a dead end with a signpost that says:
Danger, do not enter.
Levi thought he'd better be dead trying to escape than be killed by those goons, so without hesitation, he decided to climb the hatch despite the warning.
Slowly and quietly, he climbed up the dark tube passageway. It was a long arduous climb to the top that felt endless. Tired and hungry, the little boy was barely hanging on. He pulled himself up, trying to get out of that hellhole until he saw a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.
As he got out, he stumbled and fell to the ground. It was a welcome diversion as he let himself feel the sunlight for the first time.
The heat, hunger, and exhaustion got to him, but he welcomed the idea of death now that he was able to leave the Underground and reach the top. Maybe his mom would be waiting for him in the afterlife.
Mom...
The boy collapsed with a smile on his face, as he felt something warm touch his skin.