Author's Note: Okay I finally managed to get a 4th chapter together. I am a little unsure about it but hopefully you'll like it
Again all mistakes are mine

CHAPTER 4

The apartment was simple and bland, there were only the most necessary things in it. There was a small kitchen, a small kitchen table, a dresser, a couch, an old TV and a bed. It didn't look like a permanent home and Neal guessed that Mozzie rarely stayed at one place for a longer period of time, but rather rotated between his different homes.

Despite the simpleness of the apartment, Neal felt like he was in heaven. The apartment was warm and clean, the direct opposite of the warehouse and tonight he didn't have to worry about what would happen if a homeless person found his place.
"No offense kid, but I think you need a shower"
Mozzie said before comically pinching his nose and waving his hand in the air, which cause the child to giggle.
Neal agreed with Mozzie, since he hadn't had a proper wash in a long time. Neal had been washing himself in fountains or in the lake in Central Park, and once or twice he had managed to sneak into a nearby gym and use one of their showers.
Neal stayed longer than necessary in the shower, never getting tired of the warm water.

Neal exited the bathroom, water dripping from his dark hair. He had barely managed to shampoo his hair without getting it into his eyes, but he'd rather have his eyes hurting than ask for help with such a simple task. He didn't even know why Mozzie needed shampoo, the man barely had any hair, but he was glad since his hair had been filled with dirt and sand.
His blue t-shirt, decorated with The Lion King, was of full of stains from his careless eating and Mozzie offered to get it washed. Neal received a plain, white t-shirt from Mozzie to wear in the meantime. Neal pulled of his t-shirt and handed it to Mozzie before taking the way too big white t-shirt.
Mozzie felt sick, seeing Neal's ribs stick out in a way they just shouldn't do on a young child. It appeared that Mozzie was right previously when he thought of Neal as just skin and bones.
The shirt was more like a dress on the boy's thin frame but at least it was comfortable and would keep him warm. He kept his jeans on, despite them being ripped and stained, he didn't want to feel too exposed or get his legs cold.
"It's been a while since we ate, how about a sandwich?"
Neal nodded at the question and as Mozzie turned away the boy wiped at his eyes. Mozzie was so nice to him and Neal had a hard time understanding why. Mozzie had sacrificed money, his home and most of all his time for Neal and the boy couldn't even begin to repay him.

Neal yawned as he with tired eyes watched the tall man on the tv explain different conspiracy theories. Mozzie was completely engulfed with the program, sometimes muttering to himself that something wasn't true before offering an even more crazy sounding theory, and sometimes he just nodded in agreement.
The man was on his third glass of wine and Neal wasn't sure if it was the alcohol that caused his reactions or if the man was just really passionate about conspiracies.
As Mozzie went to refill his glass for a fourth time, Neal decided to go to bed. Not really feeling comfortable with Mozzie's drinking. He was scared that Mozzie was a violent drunk, just like his father, and he didn't want to be around if Mozzie needed something, or someone, to punch.
"I'm gonna go to bed"
He announced before adding a quick
"Good night"
He hopped of the sofa and walked over to the bed that Mozzie had promised him, despite Neal volunteering to take the couch.
"Good night, kid"
Mozzie answered before returning to the show.
The bed was so soft and comfortable, it was heaven itself compared to the matress in the warehouse.
Within seconds the boy fell asleep expecting to have a good night's sleep and even if a nightmare would torture him he would not be alone this time.

As the show ended Mozzie glanced over at the young boy who was fast asleep in the bed. The man took his wine glass and Neal's water glass and placed
in the kitchen before going to the bathroom to take a shower. Mozzie showered quickly, for some unknown reason feeling like he needed to get back to the boy. Since meeting the boy he had developed these protective instincts, not exactly father instincts, no Mozzie was not a father figure but some form of a protector, an older brother perhaps. He could see his young self clearly in Neal. Mozzie was uncertain how his life would have turned out if Mr. Jeffries hadn't been there for him, he wanted to be to Neal what Mr. Jeffries was to him. If Mozzie had the chance to make Neal's life even a little better then he would do it.

Mozzie hummed a tune quietly as he left the bathroom, feeling confident in his choice to try to become Neal's mentor. If Neal wanted to stay with Mozzie forever, he was ready to provide food, shelter and life lessons for him. Mozzie looked over at Neal to see if the boy was still asleep, but what he saw made him freeze in place. By the bed stood a man, leaning over Neal as he was closely watching the child sleep.
Alarm bells rang in Mozzie's head and just as he was about to spring into action he was stopped by the man's voice.
"Mozzie"
Mozzie recognized the voice immediately and it felt as if his blood froze to ice.
"Have you completely forgotten about our job?"
The man turned around looking at the shorter man with dark eyes.
"The clock is ticking and my client is getting impatient. I decided to check up on you, expecting to see you preparing for our job but imagine my surprise when instead I find you playing in the park with junior here?"
The tone of his voice was a mixture of irritated and amused and Mozzie did not like the way he looked at Neal. It was the same way the man looked at a painting or a diamond, trying to decide what they were worth.
"I'm gonna get it done, just give me some time"
Mozzie promised but all he got was a grunt in response. Mozzie looked at Neal, hoping he wouldn't wake up, but his attention was quickly brought back to the man as he heard the cock of a gun.
Mozzie put his hands up while establishing eye contact with the man. The man got closer to Mozzie and he could hear his own heart beat loud and fast in his ears.
"I promise you I'm going to get it done"
The man grinned and lifted the hand holding the gun.
"Oh I am certain that you will"
Was the last thing Mozzie heard before it all went black.