~It was about 3 years ago.
My dad was famous, respectable surgeon, and professor at university. My mom didn't have to work, I was ambitious and excellent student, and we were leading peaceful, happily live.
It was probably pressure of work and society, but dad started gambling as the way of his relaxation. Mom nor I didn't knew about it till the very end. He had loaned in underground areas cause any bank won't give him the loan without reasonable cause, and what cause might force a good-earning and educated man to take a loan?
Until my dad was aware of everything his debt was too huge to pay off, plus percentage. As a result, the creditors took over our property… and me. Maybe that's better because no matter what, I wouldn't have any chance for good live anymore. My dad in desperation killed my mother and committed suicide. And I was taken to the black market, and sold as a living merchandise to cover rest of the debt.
And then, there's simple story. My souteneur, Levi, told me that I have to pay off my debt if I want to be free. I don't know how much exactly he paid for me but I'm sure it was astronomical amount. Adding to this costs of my 'accommodation' (and percentage of course) it makes the sum which is still rising, and which can't be paid by anyone during lifetime. Especially if you can earn only in THAT way.
During few months I was trained by Levi (if I can call something like that 'training'). He wouldn't let not-expired boy to clients. Why the boy? Because some people got various deviations, because the others don't mind, and because for souteneurs it's easier – there's no risk of pregnancy and no need for "one-week-holidays every month".
And are you disgusted with my addiction to smoking? There could be worse things.
The drugs are the simplest trick to be assured that your courtesan won't get away from you. (No, Eren, I don't mean medical-drugs as you can get at any drugstore!) They add some of this stuff to your meals and until you realize it, you're a junkie. Fortunately, I'd realized that something was not right with the food I was being given and I didn't eat it too much. Now Levi is sure that I'm hooked up, so he doesn't put anything into my food, he just give me some stuff once a week. I hide it and sell to some guys, what helps me earn more. But honestly, I don't believe that I can pay off this debt. I lost my faith long ago. ~
Eren was staring in silence at Armin for a long while. In our lives are some moments when we don't believe anymore that the world can be beautiful and nice place, we see only disgust, hopelessness and our worldview is destructed once and for all.
For Eren, that was this moment.
He was looking at fragile blond figure which was wiping crumbles off his mouth, and he couldn't believe in that what he had heard just few minutes ago. The most shocking thing was the tone of the boy's voice. Calm and distanced, as if it was a story about someone else, story which was heard from any mate at the school break. As if it happened way beyond their two.
"Thank you for the meal." said Armin and sipped his tea to the bottom.
"You're welcome." responded Eren with blank face. He was still analyzing Armin's tale over and over.
"Eren… Eren? I hope you'll drop out now this moronic idea of 'dragging me out of there', won't you?"
"I-I must admit I'm kind of shocked all of this… but one thing didn't change – you don't want to be there."
"Oh, God~!" the blond rolled his eyes. "Eren, I appreciate everything what you've done for me, but don't play a hero. Life is not a movie, there're cases which can't be helped and… just deal with it."
"And give up as you did?"
"What else can I do?" Eren looked at the floor and sighed helplessly. "If you're shocked after this story, I don't know what would you do if I told you more about underground society and business. As I told you: there's no way out."
"It's said the simplest plans are often the best ones. Didn't you think about just running away?"
"Where? To whom?" smirked the ocean-eyed.
"… here? For example."
The laughter cut the air. "Seriously? And you're sure that nobody will searching for me? Guys like this don't like when someone steals their belongings. They can find me at the end of the world, and they won't stop searching until they find me or my dead body. But then they will be looking for the murder. So the only way for me to end it up, is go to hell."
"I'm wondering why you say all that things with this ironic smile."
"Cuz my life is such disaster I can only laugh of it." said attractively. "Grin and bear it."
Suddenly alarm in Eren's phone heralded 4 a.m.
Armin without a word changed his clothes and headed to the doors. The brunet followed him, not giving up yet.
"You don't have to go there. Look – this block is close to your workplace, they probably will look for you at the opposite side of the city's suburbs. Who would think about you hiding righ–"
"Eren, I am really grateful that you worried about me and you wanted to help me. It was really cute. Thank you. But please, forget about it. Forget… about me. That way would be better. There're guys who don't know the word 'mercy' and can seriously hurt you… or your family. Anyway, I'm really grateful. That was one of my best birthday." said and placed his lips on the brunet's cheek. Eren's heart fluttered.
But Armin didn't wait and opened the front door.
"Wait!" Eren back to his conscientiousness. "Maybe… I'll accompany you?"
"No." Armin turned his head. "Ah, and one more thing – don't come there again. Superiors noticed you were sniffing around me and they got a bit suspicious. So if you care about your health or life don't come to me again. Just forget that this day existed. That… I exist."
Not waiting for any reply, the boy went out of the flat closing the door behind.