CHAPTER 4

Mozzie held his little brother tight in his arms as the kid cried.
He looked back at the museum, considering going back and asking for help.
Unfortunately, he realized that he couldn't do that because going back meant explaining their situation and he didn't even want to think about what Keller would do if he found out.
After tonight Mozzie was certain that their uncle wouldn't hesitate to get rid of them if they became too much of a burden for him.
So, despite feeling both lost and scared he had to hold back the tears and be strong in order to keep himself and Neal safe.
He patiently waited for his brother to calm down before he grabbed his hand and started to walk the same way the van went, hoping that it would eventually lead them home.
He just hoped that they would make it there before the dark fell over the city.

They had only been walking for about ten minutes when Neal abruptly stopped, refusing to continue walking.

"Please Neal, don't be difficult"

He pleaded but the younger boy just ignored his older brother and instead looked across the street.

"We need to continue"

Mozzie followed Neal's gaze and realized why he had stopped.
Across the street was a fast food restaurant and Mozzie knew that Neal wouldn't move an inch until he had eaten.
The only reason they were walking right now was because of Neal's hunger and Mozzie had to admit that he was pretty hungry himself, so he saw no other choice than to stop and eat and then hope that they would still be able to make it home before nightfall.

"Okay Neal, we can-"

He didn't even get the chance to finish the sentence before his brother's face lit up with a big smile and the boy immediately decided to bolt across the street.
Luckily Mozzie had quick reflexes and he managed to grab his brother's hand in the last second and prevent him from getting hit by a car.
It was far from the first time he had to stop Neal from running right out on the road, and he knew that it wouldn't be the last.
Despite being told countless times that it was dangerous, he kept on doing it and every time he almost gave Mozzie a heart attack.
It was harder for Mozzie this time though, considering the fact that just minutes earlier he had failed to protect Neal from getting shot and just the thought of what could have happened if Mozzie hadn't grabbed his brother in time made him want to throw up.

"How many times do I have to tell you?!"

He said, his voice way louder and way harsher than he expected. Some of the people passing by stared at him but he ignored them.

"You could get hit by a car and die Neal! Do you even stop and think about that?!"

His brain conjured up a way too realistic image of his little brother bleeding out on the street and he could feel tears burning in his eyes.
His brother looked guilty and mumbled a quiet apology but Mozzie didn't believe it, he knew that this would be far from the last time he had to save Neal from his own carelessness.
Mozzie firmly grabbed Neal's hand and dragged him to the crosswalk.

When they had finished their meal and walked outside, Mozzie realized that they only had an hour or two to find their way home before nightfall.
He also realized that the chances of actually finding their home within that time was small.
Mozzie really didn't want to sleep on the street, where anything or anyone could hurt them when they had let their guards down, but they would both get tired soon.
Mozzie's mission went from finding the way home to finding a place to sleep where they wouldn't be attacked or draw attention to themselves.
He started to think about their options but was soon interrupted by a honking behind them and then a very familiar van pulled up next to them.
The window rolled down but instead of seeing Keller's taunting face they saw his partner looking at them.

"Jump in kids, I'll drive you"

Mozzie couldn't recall the man ever caring about them before or even speaking to them, so this sudden act of kindness felt out of place.
He knew better than to get in a car with a stranger, which the man practically was, but the alternative wasn't much safer.
They could either get a ride from their uncle's partner in crime, that although very scary had never tried to harm the boys in any way, or sleep on the street where anyone could hurt them.
Mozzie looked at his brother who was clutching the tiny lion toy, he'd gotten with his meal, tightly to his chest and decided that he really didn't want his brother to sleep on the street.
Therefore, Mozzie took a huge risk and accepted the ride.

The man didn't say anything, he just drove in silence while Mozzie anxiously looked out the window trying to find anything he recognized so that he would know if they were going the right way or if Mozzie had made a huge mistake.
He calmed down as he slowly started to recognize the surroundings and soon the van stopped outside the apartment building they called their home.

"Thank you"
"What Keller did wasn't right"

The man answered and looked at Neal and Mozzie thought that maybe this man had a heart after all.
The boys jumped out of the van but before the door closed, the man established eye contact with Mozzie.

"It's going to be okay, kiddos. Tomorrow will be better, I promise"

There was something with his voice, he sounded so sincere as if he knew that tomorrow would actually be better for them and Mozzie really wanted to believe the man but he also knew that as long as Keller was around they would never be able to be truly okay.

A loud bang woke Mozzie up and he sat up with a start.
It felt as if only a second had passed since they made it inside the apartment and collapsed on the bed, but as Mozzie looked around he realized that it was morning.
Another loud bang was heard and Mozzie jumped, thinking that it was Keller and that the man was pissed off.
Then he heard shouting and several footsteps.
Mozzie grabbed his still sleeping brother and managed to get both Neal and himself under the bed before the door opened and someone walked inside.
He held his breath as someone walked over to the bed and he clearly saw a couple of black shoes stop right in front of them.
His little brother suddenly whined, not happy with the rude awakening and scared of what was going on.
Mozzie swore under his breath before putting his hand in front of Neal's mouth and hoping that by some miracle the man hadn't heard the noise.
Mozzie's hopes were short lived because the man had heard it and suddenly he crouched down and then the man was face to face with the kids.