Chapter 1
It all began in the ruins of a city. War was waged on the land and there was poverty all over the world. At least, in the lowest parts of Portland City. Nicholas Cherrywood and his little brother Elijah were two orphans who lived in such a city. They were both homeless, broke and down on their luck. At times, they would both be either searching for scraps in the street, or even work to get a little bit of money.
One one fateful day, Elijah came to Nicholas with exciting news.
"Guess what Nicky!? We've got a job!" cried Elijah cheerfully.
"A job? What kind of job?" asked Nicholas as he was sorting through the garbage.
"With Monsieur Beck! He's got something for us!" cried Elijah, bouncing up and down excitedly. His little goggles, which were for swimming, fell off and he quickly picked up them. He cleaned them and put them back on his head.
"Monsieur Beck? That guy owns a strip club! I don't want you to see naked ladies showing their boobs." said Nicholas.
"Oh no! It's not that! It's a restaurant. A it's got shows! I heard Madame Jessica is going to sing!" cried Elijah.
Nicholas was not impressed. "It's a strip show in disguise."
"Please Nicholas. We can get good money out of this. And with whatever we get from Beck, we can use it to actually buy good food. I don't want to dig in the garbage looking for nothing." said Elijah.
Nicholas looked down on his little brother. A few years apart, but he was wise beyond his years. Nicholas was 15. He was only 8. Nicholas rolled his eyes and smiled. "Fine. We'll go and work. But if Monsieur Beck asks us to do something bad, we are out of there! Understood?"
Elijah nodded up and down and the boys went straight for Monsieur Beck's RV, which was parked close to the graveyards. Monsieur Beck stepped out of his RV and greeted the boys. He was wearing his zoot suit which he was very fond of and he greeted them by pulling some candy from his hat. Monsieur Beck was once a magician who worked for a circus that went out of business years ago. But the man knew one thing: To con other people and trick them right under their noses. Nicholas was always weary of the guy.
"Elijah. You were able to convince your brother to come and help me? Good job my boy!" said Monsieur Beck with a toothy grin.
"Let's get this over with. And I swear, if this is some sort of strip club trap…" said Nicholas.
"Please! I'm a business owner that is down on his luck. Strip clubs were not good for business." said Monsieur Beck.
"That's because you are competing for other strip clubs that are more obscene. Have you gone to the Muscle house? Men and women are always showing off their…. Stuff." said Nicholas.
Monsieur Beck looked at Elijah uncomfortably and looked at Nicholas with piercing eyes, as if telling him kids were present.
"What? He's seen stuff." said Nicholas.
Elijah bit his lip and looked at Nicholas a little irritated. "Dude, don't blow it." he whispered.
"Please. Don't fight. This is a "family" joint. That's why I spoke to Elijah. He's quite the business man if I do say so myself." said Monsier Beck as he welcomed the boys in his RV. He then pulled out two black suits for the boys.
"You will wear these to pretend that you are both busboys. However, you won't be just picking up dishes mind you. You will be sneakily taking diamonds, and necklaces when you are able. There will be high profile customers coming in tonight." said Monsieur Beck.
"Wait? We're stealing? I thought you wanted us to pick up dishes." said Elijah.
"Well in your case, you can do just that. Your brother on the other hand… he's quite the magician too. Nicholas, you can use your expertise to … borrow some shiny things for dear old me?" asked Monsieur Beck.
"So that's why you talked Elijah into getting me convinced. So I can help you steal from the rich bastards who F up in golden toilets." said Nicholas.
Monsieur Beck then looked at Elijah and told him to wait outside. Elijah nodded and looked at Nicholas with a concerning look. He left and Monsieur Beck cleared his throat.
"Nicholas, I know I may come up as a con man and yes I'm kind of like a sugar daddy for strippers in town. However, I NEVER bring those things up in front of kids! I know society has been cruel to you, but don't speak those things in front of Elijah! That's just obscene!" said Monsieur Beck.
"I didn't say "fuck." said Nicholas.
"My point exactly! You cannot say those things to Elijah. He's just a little boy. On the plus side, you smell terrible! When was the last time you showered?!" cried Monsieur Beck.
"We live in the street. There are no showers and in case you haven't noticed, there are no water parks or fountains in town." said Nicholas.
Monsieur Beck folded his arms. "You can use my bathroom to shower. You and Elijah. I will need you two to be clean for the job. May I say one last thing before I invite your brother back in?"
"What?" asked Nicholas.
"Elijah loves you. You are his whole world. If something were to happen to you, he will be lost and lord knows what will happen to him if he does. Do not take his love for granted." said Monsieur Beck.
Nicholas looked at Beck and nodded. He somehow understood all that. A little. Elijah went back inside and Monsieur Beck cheerfully spoke. "Your brother's in! He's going to help me whether he likes it or not! And I'll pay you both handsomely!"
Elijah cheered while Nicholas let out a huge sigh. "What did I get myself into?" he thought.
A little while later, after the boys were cleaned up for the first time in forever, they put on those ridiculous suits and went straight to work in Beck's restaurant. If one could call it that. It was a rundown place, yet the people that came in were actually people of good money. Men and women who were rich and they wore exactly what the Monsieur "needed." Shiny necklaces and jewelry that was easy for Nicholas to steal.
If there was one thing Nicholas was good at was taking things under people's noses. First, he would walk by somebody, and quickly and quietly would swipe whatever is in a person's person. Not only that, but he was quite the charmer. He would often walk up to a person and smile warmly and say something witty or make small talk.
"How are you enjoying tonight's show?" he asked one lady.
"It's quite a good show thank you." replied the lady.
"I'm glad you're enjoying this. Would the pretty lady like a drink? We have the best wine available. Monsieur Beck's specialty." said Nicholas as he caressed the lady carefully, yet gently. His youthful appearance and handsome features often took people by surprise.
"No thank you." replied the lady awkwardly. She then slowly wanted to touch Nicholas's butt. When she did, Nicholas did a little moan and a small air kiss.
"Charming lady." said Nicholas with a wink. Without realizing, the lady didn't notice that Nicholas had already taken the woman's expensive pearls and one of her earrings. In addition, he even took a few diamonds from her dress. As Nicholas walked away, he scanned the area, looking for people he knew he would enchant. It really didn't matter who he stole from. Men and woman. It did not bother him.
Elijah on the other hand was far too innocent and very sweet. On the plus side, he failed to notice that Nicholas used his sex appeal to steal. All Elijah cared about was getting paid and hopefully eat a decent meal with his big brother. However, he didn't like seeing Nicholas act all sweet with people at the tables. Elijah may have been young, but he was not an idiot. He knew sometimes Nicholas sold himself for money sometimes and that bothered him deeply.
In reality, he didn't want to get him involved in this job. He knew Monsieur Beck had other motives, yet he knew desperate times called for desperate measures and he was troubled. His little heart was bothering him.
Right after the show, which true to Monsieur Beck's word about being only a couple harmless songs with a lady, the boys were given their money.
"Buy food from my pal across the street from here. I told you you would be stopping by." said Beck.
Nicholas took the money without thanking the man and left. Elijah however smiled and hugged Monsieur Beck. "Thank you, good sir!" he said aloud.
Monsieur Beck blushed and patted little Elijah on the head.
"Y-yes. Off you go little kid." said Monsieur Beck.
Elijah ran off with Nicholas and after they bought food, they headed straight home.
If one could call it that. Their home was in a camp full of other homeless people. It was a dangerous place for a kid to be in. They hid their food in a black trash bag, making it look like loot instead of food. They walked slowly in the camp while Nicholas had his little pocket knife in handy.
Elijah looked at his surroundings to see the homeless people either asleep on the ground, covered in mud, or some people drinking beer. An old lady who was homeless walked close to them, selling them necklaces.
"Magic talismans. Get your magic talismans." she said with a croaky voice.
Nicholas and Elijah kept going until they reached a small raft made out of plastic right next to a pond. Nicholas was able to make one so the boys would go on the other side of the camp, which was much safer to be in than where they were.
Elijah got on carefully and pulled out the hidden oars underneath the dirt. Nicholas did the same and within seconds the boys started to row their raft into the smelly pond. When they were rowing their boats, Elijah tried to speak to Nicholas.
"What a show right? And you thought there was going to be naked people." he said with a laugh.
"I'm glad there weren't." said Nicholas.
"You're extra quiet today. Sometimes you talk about different things and today, you are a little quiet." said Elijah.
"Yeah. So what?" asked Nicholas.
"Just saying. You are never this quiet." said Elijah.
The boys then arrived at their tent, which was hidden in a large tube on a small island covered in fog. There, they quickly went to check if no one else was there and they both got inside.
They then started to eat their food, slowly. They wanted to savor whatever delicious dish they both got from there.
"You know Elijah, one day… just one day I'm going to go to Downtown Portland and I will perform my magic tricks there." said Nicholas.
"That's cool! Imagine how much money people would pay to see you do those fun card tricks." said Elijah.
"Yeah. Why don't we do it tomorrow? I feel I got the hang of it!" said Nicholas.
"Cool. That sounds awesome." said Elijah.
Nicholas pulled out his cards and made a flower out of them. Not an actual one of course, but one made out of cards. Elijah chuckled as Nicholas made more tricks with his cards. He even pulled out some of his toy balls and juggled. Elijah laughed and clapped his hands after Nicholas took a bow.
"Sorry, no autographs." said Nicholas.
"That was fun! I loved your magic tricks!" said Elijah.
"I'm glad you liked them." said Nicholas.
"Where did you learn how to do those tricks?" asked Elijah.
"Mom taught me. She used to be the fortune teller in the circus." said Nicholas.
"Magic runs in our family huh? Well, I wouldn't call it magic. It's more like optical illusions." said Elijah.
Nicholas chuckled. "You inherited Dad's brain."
Elijah yawned and got himself comfortable in his little bed made out of blankets.
"Tomorrow huh? I hope all goes well." said Elijah rather dreamily.
Nicholas got close to his little brother and kissed his forehead. "I promise you Elijah. We'll get out of this. We'll both have money, have a house and we will both be happy." said Nicholas.
"I'm happy when you're with me." said Elijah as he slowly went to sleep.
Nicholas sat by his side and smiled as he watched his baby brother sleep peacefully in the blankets. He then looked at one of his cards which was only one heart. He put it under his coat and stood up. He then walked outside.
It was time for work. He went over to a hidden area in the small island and digged out a small chest which had some money in it. Nicholas pulled out some money he was able to save from Monsier Beck's job and added more to the savings. After he buried the small chest back into the dirt, Nicholas stood up and pulled out his cloak. He was going to head into town, and get more money for the chest. According to his calculations, the money would be enough for the boys to leave Portland and perhaps get a ride into a much safer city, where authorities will be able to put them into a safer place. Unfortunately, Portland didn't have authorities that cared. In fact, there was something weird about the city. Like a dark cloud looming over it.
There were not just homeless people in camps spread throughout the city. There was also corruption and dangerous casinos built in the higher levels of town. There were also gang related wars going on even in the richest parts of town. Another thing: people couldn't leave the city. The whole city as a whole looked as if it was trapped in something. Something very evil. Nicholas knew there was something wrong, but he grew up watching all this. Elijah was born into it, yet the kind and beautiful heart of his was like a light that was surviving this darkness.
Nicholas took a small trail that allowed him to go into the city and he was ready to face whatever danger there was. As he walked, he heard a voice. A whisper of sorts. He knew where it was coming from. Nicholas turned around and saw a shadow. A tall forbidding shadow with glowing yellow eyes and a dark cloak with holes.
The shadow did not have sythe, yet Nicholas was not sure if it was death itself or something else. The shadow pulled out its skeletal looking hand and with its index finger, it was suggesting Nicholas to follow him.
"What are you? Who are you? And what do you want with me?" asked Nicholas.
The shadow then spoke. However, its voice was that of a whisper. It was faint, but Nicholas heard it well.
"The time has come. You will be the one who will destroy the last light on Earth." said the shadow.
"What?" asked Nicholas.
"The world is surrounded by evil. Not just your city. I have seen to it that my grip on the world still stands." said the shadow.
"Who are you?" asked Nicholas.
"I am one of a long line of powerful shadows who worked to keep the darkness strong in the world. Love, light, hope… they must be destroyed." said the shadow.
Nicholas scoffed. "They are destroyed."
"Not quite. You see child, I was the only shadow that was able to bring down the good in the world. I thought everything had fallen to the darkness. But one light survived. A light that needs to be destroyed." said the shadow.
"No…" Nicholas was starting to say.
"You know where that light is. The light of tenderness. The light of TENDER HEART!" exclaimed the shadow.
"Stay away." said Nicholas.
"Where is he? Where is Tender Heart?!" cried the shadow.
"What are you!?" cried Nicholas.
"I am one of the shadows. A creature without a heart! If you cannot give me the light, then you will grab it and kill it! For you see, I have foreseen this! You will be my successor! The next creature without a heart! It shall be YOU!" snapped the shadow.
"NO! Elijah!" cried Nicholas as the shadow consumed him.
