Some who knew the young boy might have found it odd that despite his hatred of imperfection he ran as fast as his legs would take him to the dirtiest part of his nearly pristine town. To Julian however this place was euphoric. In this dark hole people resented all of the rich hoarders. Not one kid there ever admired him for his money or good looks. Here he would have to earn their respect. It was a challenge, and he relished in it.

The putrid filth invigorated him. Rotten meat, soiled cloth, and a constant scent of manure filled the air. Unwanted children huddled in dark corners clutching little bits of food that had been thrown to them by people who are just as hungry, just as pathetic. Funny Julian could have probably given one of those kids food for a year with the 'little sum' he had in his pocket. Upon turning the corner he saw a group of kids, all no more than ten. They had settled themselves into circle, in the middle were two boys fighting over a single coin.

One of the fighters had his arm around the others neck, trying to choke the little might out of the other kid who held onto it fiercely. Humph, morons Julian thought as he shook his back left pocket. The clink of coins made every child stand still and look toward the source of that almost unheard sound. A wicked, cruel grin spread across the rich boys face as each and every child walked toward him with gleaming eyes and hopeful smiles. The two boys who had been beating each other senseless stopped and followed the other children.

Each child had the foolish hope that Julian was a rich man who felt in a giving mood. The two that had been fighting before were now helping each other walk. What was the point in fighting over one might when surely they would be getting gold from the well dressed stranger. That little boy who held onto his single copper coin so fervently let it slip out of his hands. No one, except Julian, probably even noticed.

"Well, well, well what have we here?" Julian smugly said in a not too soft whisper. "You lot shouldn't have to fight over such a small sum." He lifted a pouch that hung to his side, large and plump. "There is more than enough for everyone." The children all lifted their hands in the air, expectantly, waiting for Julian to loosen the bag's tie and shower the contents within.

He teased those poor kids, made them reach for his treasure. Then with a voice he uttered "Fetch" and how that bag flew. It sailed behind him, over a building before landing in the street with a loud thud. Without a second thought the children ran. The boys that had been fighting clung to each other as they raced past Julian to the house where the bag had landed.

"Thanks mister!" Shouted a little boy with glee. Julian just shook his head,

"No need," He turned around, walked to the place where it all began and picked up a little copper coin. I best be leaving now, before they find out he hummed to himself patting the back left pocket. He hardly made it out of the street before he heard sobbing, and a little girl yelling at the top of her lungs,

"Rocks!"

Of course he tricked those children into loosing the only money they had. That spoiled brat was anything but generous. If for an instant he felt guilty, a simple thought of, well those were fighting, they deserved it, put his mind at ease. The little pups weren't the ones he wanted to impress anyway. Those kids were just overgrown rats living off of the trash that he discarded. Deeper in the slums he would go, breaking every heart on the way. Crying children always brought a smile to his face.

…

Well, he had harassed a maid, ignored his mother, made a group of children cry, and the day was still young. The spoiled boy used his ill-gotten pence to buy an apple from a strange looking woman. She could have been anything from eighty to two hundred and Julian wouldn't have been the wiser. Her skin was so old and crinkled that it looked like a blanket had been loosely wrapped around her neck and arms. The elder always gave Julian a grin when he bought one of her fruit. It was disgusting. With the exception of one front tooth the lady smiled gums. Her clothes were old and raggedy. The kids he threw rocks to had dressed better than her.

The strangest thing about her though was a single ring in her left finger. Even Julian couldn't find fault with it. The craftsmanship was beautiful. White gold wrapped around itself to form a wolf's head, in the mouth was a single red ruby. Whoever made it, must have been talented. The detail was incredible. He could see everything from one peace of fur out of place to the tongue that rest under its ruby. Life-like to the point of fright were the wolf's eyes. They were the most amazing, and frightening because they seemed almost human.

Every time Julian went to the slums, be it day or night, that old lady stood on the street corner selling her seemingly perfect apples. It was the only thing in this part of town that Julian would deem editable. Although he would never admit it, those apples were the sweetest he had ever tasted. Each one was a lush red, perfectly ripe, and not in the least bit misshapen.

The old lady waved to him as he left. Julian pretended not to see as the turned the corner biting into his breakfast. "Now, now, we don't steal from friends."

Here is a little something for all of my followers. I'll try to write a little more consistently.