Chapter 6.

Levi and Farlan sprung from their sleep on the screams of a girl. This wasn't an odd thing but very normal for them. Every night a poor girl cries out as men of any age grab hold of them only wanting one thing. The difference with these screams of this girl was that they were very close to them.

Levi and Farlan exchanged glances to each other before shrugging and going back to their sleep. Lots of bad things happen to people in the underground before, what makes this one so special that out of all the people in pain she gets helped? The logic was there.

...

The next morning Levi woke up first before Farlan. The large group of boys that had ran passed him last night emerged into view and talked, laughed and mocked. These were the people after the little red-head. Levi wonders what the little red-head did exactly to be hunted down each night. He might ask her when she comes by. The girl always comes by to steal their spot or food. Lucky for Farlan and Levi, they can knock her away.

The young boy gave a big stretch ready for what the underground day had to bring him. Crime was seen from all around. It didn't always have to be at night the crime happens, even during the day it happens.

Gangs beat up people for no reason and drugs are scattered among everyone no matter what your age was. Levi knew to stay away from the stuff. He knew but Farlan didn't and often Levi slapped Farlan and the drugs he'd possess in his hands.

It seemed like a typical day if Levi was honest to himself. Old man beat up over there, kids get their hands chopped off, people overdose on the streets, people go high and run into buildings, girls sell themselves or are forced to go down with a man, people starve, rats, filth...the usual. Yet he couldn't help but feel something was off. Very strange but Levi couldn't put his finger on it.

"We getting-" Farlan cut himself off with a yawn as he rose from death. "food?"

Levi didn't answer and took the time to look around him, his surroundings and the people. Something was different, he was certain of it. Farlan caught the look on his face and looked around too knowing something wasn't quite right with Levi. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know."

The brows on Farlan's forehead knitted together knowing something bad was up otherwise Levi wouldn't be acting like this. The two did nothing; said nothing but sat and watched as people that could actually move busied themselves around the street. Twelve year old girls would walk passed knocked up and gangs too with knives but no one turned their attention to the two boys on the step.

Both Levi and Farlan knew it wasn't wise to stay in the same place for too long as it attracts unwanted attention however something else was on their minds; particularly Levi's.

After a while, the gang of boys that went passed Levi returned the way they came joking and mocking once again. The off feeling Levi felt was somehow linked to the group, but what? Levi squinted his eyes on the group suspiciously.

Levi then looked around the streets trying to find what he was looking for. To the right was just the same old dirty street that seemed dead silent but not empty with bodies lying about the place. Rubbish lay and human waste stank out the place. Levi and Farlan were use to it. Correction; the whole underground people were use to it.

It was then a girl's scream could be heard. Familiar it was. It was the scream from last night if Levi and Farlan could recall right. It sounded very close again.

Levi looked to his left where the street split into two. One road went down the side of the building where they slept and the other showed the square where merchants sold their black market goods and where thieving took place. Rotten bloodied hands littered the whole area ranging from what looked like a three year old's hand to an eight year old's hand. You couldn't be sure; you couldn't be accurate with ages though. People like Levi didn't have a lot to eat so were rather small and their hands could look like a three year old's when they could be ten. Also, in the underground you seem to grow up rather too fast at such a young age. No beauty, hygiene and lots of stress could make a twenty-five year old look eighty. You just could never be sure.

Farlan sensed Levi was looking for something. "What is it?"

Levi turned his head from the road that went down along their building where the screaming was sounding back to Farlan before he spoke.

"Is it just me or is something missing?"

"Missing?" Farlan questioned looking round the streets copying Levi. "I...don't see anyth-"

"Farlan." Levi's eyes shot back to the road where the screaming was sounding. "Is it just me or has that wee fucking red-haired bitch completely disappeared?"

When mentioning about he smaller, younger red-head girl, Farlan caught on to what he was trying to say. The screaming, the gangs, the something missing...it was all her. All the little girl.

Levi jumped up and was ready to run and check it out when Farlan grabbed hold of his friend's wrist. "W-Wait!? Where are you going?"

"I need to find her."

"Why?"

"Because her screaming is doing my fucking head in. She needs to stop." Levi simply stated acting like he really wasn't worried when he was. Farlan saw right through him but nodded his head and let him run off to find the the girl. A smirk crept on his mouth.

...

Levi ran down the road where the screaming sounded. He came to the halt where he reached a blocked end with only two roads stretching left and right. The only problem was was that the screaming didn't come from either side, it was just here in the middle as if it was all in his mind. The screaming wasn't exactly screaming. Their were screams, cries, pleads, begs, moans and what not.

Levi looked around franticly trying to pinpoint on where the source exactly was. He then heard boys laughing and cursing. On instinct, Levi ran and hid at the nearest building he could find and took hold of his knife, ready for action. The sounds the girl made stopped and heavy panting followed.

"There, was that so bad?" one asked.

"Man, the bitch must of liked it that much if she able to scream that loud!" another taunted.

"I don't know about you lot but I'm up for a round two!"

"No!" her voice shrieked out. "I-I beg! No! Please! Not again."

"Fuck up!"

A sound of thumping and whimpering came next. Levi only knew best that the girl was being brutally beaten. He closed his eyes listening in to the poor girl's suffering. The young boy then looked out for where the sound was coming from. He still couldn't find the source. How can he be just hearing it but not seeing it? It was right there! It had to be! It was so very close. It's like they are all invisible to Levi! It made no sense.

"Shit, I need more tobacco."

"Don't look at me, I don't have any money."

"Well neither do I!"

"You shit heads! What the fuck did y'all go and do? Where's my money!? I had that saved up for Scrabber today! He was bringin' the shit for us to take again!"

It didn't take a scientist to understand that these guys were talking about nothing else but drugs. Clearly some idiot used up all their money and now they don't have any for the killing substances. Levi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Thinking back to Kenny's training, young Levi began walking. Not once did he flash his grey dead eyes open. The boy followed the sound of their voices. It was a smart idea until Levi crashed into the fence that had actually been the blocked end.

"Shit! What was that?" a voice sounded behind the fence. Levi got up from the ground and dashed to a hiding spot, away from them all. Though fast, he wasn't fast enough to hid. Levi ran to where he could in the time they allowed before looking all around for something; anything!

A long ragged cloak was left unattended on the street. Without hesitation of the thought of dirt or anything else unclean on it, Levi swiped it and tied it round himself, putting up the hood and dropped on the ground like a dead body.

He watched as one of the gangs slid a fence plank away and poked his head out. It then disappeared.

"Hey! How much do you think we'll get paid for this?"

"Shit tonnes! Cut!"

The sound of blades sliding off something could be heard by Levi. The sound was unmistakable. Slice and cuts were heard and the nine year old was so use to daggers and what not to know it was cutting something. A cheer erupted from behind the fence and a few boys came running out with locks of red hair embracing their arms and body.

"The bitch had a lot of hair, didn't she?" one called to the other.

"Fuck yes!"

More and more guys appeared out till no more emerged from behind the fence.

Looking around, the boy's heartbeat quickened imagining the state of what the girl with the red hair looked like. Was she dead? Was she unconscious? Was she dead? Was she completely bald? Was she dead...was she?

Levi being the careful boy he was, checked once again before sliding the fence open. Upon doing so, he could see two guys going for a 'round two' with a spirit broken girl. Her hair was hacked off and uneven, sticking out in every direction. She no longer wore the potato sack but a dirty vest and short which were now around her ankles.

"Shit! Who the fuck's he!?" The one who was waiting for his turn question.

Not waiting for an answer, the adolescent ran at Levi with a dagger in hand. He had dirty greasy black hair with dandruff dusting the scalp. It was long and poked out. His stubble was round and long too. The eyes the boy possessed were a light blue but sharp as the dagger in his hand. He slashed uncontrollably and attacked without thinking; letting his rage and irritation blindly take control. Levi ducked here and there putting barely any effort into it.

When the boy extended his right arm ready to stab, Levi ducked and swiftly gave him a hard kick on the shine sending him to the ground. There was no thinking now and no second chance for the boy on the ground. The dagger in Levi's hand was directed into the boy's heart.

Not even batting an eyes, Levi turned to see the other had escaped leaving his friend to die.

"Tch, pathetic human; piece of shit. Should I even call that failed abortion human?"

Giving a long and heavy sigh, the nine year old approached the seven year old. She looked down helplessly at herself. There was no way of telling what she was thinking. Levi took a grab of the longer parts of her hair and pulled her head back. Her whole face looked up and her eyes stared lifelessly, hopelessly and pathetically up at the dirt ceiling.

"So is it you?" Levi questioned himself, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer.

Her mouth was open and blood came oozing out her nose and mouth. Her skin had become extra small which defined all of the girl's bones. Her long red hair was butchered and her skin was three shades paler than usual. Levi gave out a long and tired sigh. The things he does for some strange reason. He let go of her head and watched as it tumbled back down to the ground. The young girl was probably too weak to hold herself up.

Levi lifted her draping body up and tied her arms around his neck before getting a secure grip on her legs.

"Hang on." Levi comforted her...still, why is he even helping her never mind comforting her?

Levi used his foot to kick the loose plank down and crawled in through- away from the dirt pit behind the fence. Levi then made his way to where he left Farlan. Hopefully nothing bad happened to his other companion.

"You'll be safe now." Levi reassured the red-head.

The little girl looked at the boy curiously and in shock. No one had ever helped her before. No one in her life had looked after or taken care of her since her big brother. The sharp cutting grey eyes met her weakly opened emeralds. His face was so defined for someone his age. The little girl couldn't help but smile at the fond memory of her brother who Levi reminded her off. Letting out a little shriek of happiness, she buried her face into the curve of his neck and whispered:

"Thank-you, big brother."

Here you go guys! You're chapter! You're very welcome! I've started college this month and it was scary as the start but it's cool.

Anyway, I'm very very happy and...enjoy this chapter xxx