When I first started stealing, it was out of mere survival. I needed to eat so I took whatever I could get my hands on. Then I started to steal out of the cheap thrill. That rush of adrenaline, the feeling was exhilarating. Almost addicting. The lines of right and wrong were blurred. But then I noticed those who would steal out of desperation. Those who would have nothing to wear, nothing to eat, not even a roof to sleep under. Then there were those stole for the sole purpose of satisfying their greed, while others stole to feed their starving families. That's when it became all too clear. I remember the teachings that I was raised on. To always care for others, to help the needy and those less fortunate. I'll never forget what you have done for me. I'll never forget my humble upbringings. You're always looking down and watching me, protecting me, guiding me. Even though you not with me now, you will always be in my heart. Always.
It was a cold, drifty night when a young boy in baggy jeans and a tattered gray shirt was shivering on a corner street. The boy was perhaps six but no older than seven years. He wore his hair in dreads. His foster mother would used to spend nights like this brushing his hair, sometimes braiding it, or tying into a ponytail. But now he was all alone. He was now on his own. Many of the people passing by just shook their heads in sorrow while others tossed a few coins at his feet. He then saw three shadowy figures in the far distance as they ran in a hurry. As they drew closer he could make out that they were three children, just a few years older than him. One was a girl in torn blue jeans and a fade lavender hooded sweatshirt. She had cinnamon brown hair which was tangled in a mess. The other two were boys. One of them was an older black boy, who seemed like he was the eldest of the three. The other boy was lighter skinned. The younger boy had jet black hair was also tangled like the girl's. Both of them wore torn jeans as the elder one had a ragged old trench coat while the other boy had an old patched up, mud brown jacket. All of them carried loaves of bread. Apples also seemed to be slipping through their arms and a few dropped to the ground as the hurried. They clutched on to what they can hold onto.
The three children seemed to be running away from someone. There were being chased by one of the street vendors.
"Hurry up, guys. He's on our tails," the elder boys replied.
"Ha, come on. That old man can't catch us. See that, he's already catchin' for breath. You worryin' too much T.J.," the younger boy laughed as looked back at the vendor trailing behind.
"Quit messin' round Derek," the girl added as the three of them fled the scene.
"Damn you, punk kids!" the street vendor yelled as he tried to catch his breath. The trio was already long gone leaving only crumbs and a few apples on the ground. He stared suspiciously at the boy as he walked away.
The young dread lock haired boy watched on, witnessing the three juveniles ran off into the night. He walked down the street, in hope to find a warm place to spend the night. His stomach was growling since he hasn't eaten anything for two days. He picked up some of the apples on the ground that the young thieves had left behind. He gathered the apples up in his shirt and began munching on them as the juice dripped down from his mouth. He tossed the leftover cores over his shoulder as he began munching on the next apple.
The boy in dreads then pulled out a handkerchief and gathered the last three apples. There was no telling when his next meal would be, so he thought it would be best to save some apples for later. He tied the handkerchief full of apples into a tight bundle and tucked it under his arm as he clutched it under arm. He hugged himself tight trying to keep himself warm.
"Hey kid!"
He heard a voice from behind from. He turned around to find the three young thieves
"You got a place to stay?" the girl asked him.
He shook his head as he protected the bundle of apples tucked under his arms.
"C'mon," the eldest of the trio whispered, as he motioned the boy to follow him and his partners in crime.
The four of them walked down the corner street. The eldest boy made sure no one was following them and then proceeded to sneak down the main street. The night seemed very quiet.The children made their way toas they travelled underneath the highway bridge that led into downtown. They went through an opening through a chain link fence. It had appeared that the fence was torn through.
"Be careful while going through the fence," the older kid warned as he pointed out the barb wire that surrounded the fence.
Then the dread lock haired boy found where the three thieves were leading him. It was a dark alley way that was fairly distant from the market place and the downtown area. The ally was just beyond the outskirts of the city. It was just far enough that they were the only inhabitants. The boy found in the alley an old abandoned car. Its tires were flat, the fender without its chrome, and the windows were shattered and duct taped. The boy looked on at the wreckage until the one of the three thieves broke the silence.
"So kid, got a name?" the oldest of the trio asked. He pulled out a loaf of bread out of his trench coat, tore off a piece and handed it to him.
"Jack. Jack Landors," the boy nodded.
"Nice to meet ya, Jack. My name's Tony Jay. But you can just call me TJ," the older boy in the worn trench coat smiled as he seemed to lighten him. The other two thieves were starting a fire in one of the nearby steel trash cans.
"This here's Maggie," TJ introduced, as the young girl waved at Jack.
"And over there is Derek," TJ motioned to the boy in the mud brown jacket.
Maggie and Derek were both warming their hands over the bonfire set ablaze in the trash can.
"Hey there, little Jack," Maggie smiled
"Howsit goin' bro? Derek said as he rubbed his hands together in front of the fire.
"We'd like it if you'd stay with us. The streets can be very unforgiving, you know,"
"You mean, you guys want me to live here with you?" Jack asked.
"Well, yeah. It sure beats living on the streets alone, ya know? Derek added with a smile.
"Besides, you never know what you're gonna run into out there," Maggie said looking out into the streets.
"So what do you say?" TJ asked.
"You know, I don't have a whole lot to offer, but I hope this is a start," Jack said as he opened up the bundle of apples tied in his handkerchief.
"Here, take 'em," he said giving an apple to each of them. "It's not much, but it's the least I could do, since you're offering me to stay here with you."
TJ pulled out a pocket knife out from his jacket. He sliced his apple in half and gave it to Jack.
"Hey, in this family, we look out for one another," he said.
"Thanks," Jack smiled as he accepted TJ's friendly gesture.
"And tomorrow you can meet the rest of the family," Maggie informed.
"You'll fit right in, little bro," Derek replied as he took a bite out of his apple and placed an arm around Jack.