His vision blurred, and all he could hear was the high pitch buzzing from both ears as he struggled to stay awake while his body was being dragged away.
Both arms held apart by two guys as his legs dragged along, neck swinging from side to side.
His spiraling environment and heavy body that was starting to ache felt like nothing compared to the painful throbbing that settled on his head as he winced and grunted in pain.
By this time, he was starting to come around.
He could now hear their distant voices and deep chuckles while they pulled his body.
No...
He struggled to speak but his swollen tongue wouldn't allow him to open his mouth. Even a slight movement from his lips gouged out blood.
This wasn't Rutni. He thought.
But those laughters came from them. They were around him.
What the hell was this? A freaking gang up?
This wasn't how he planned to spend his evening. Everything was so perfect until these fuckers decided to mess things up for him.
His time for his daily check-in had long passed...
His heart raced as it dawned on him what was actually going on.
These were Gujan's lackeys.
Oh, Gujan is the king of the streets of Aldon. The one who had over sixty percent of their daily income? Yeah, that guy.
He was the boss... His boss.
The most dangerous breathing man in the streets who could do whatever the hell he wished, however and whenever, to whomever he wanted.
He was literally THE guy.
Owning a colony of loan sharks in the entire Aldon, all the while training an army of young criminals like himself who he had tied down with debts he chugged down their throats.
Nothing could go against him. Absolutely nothing... Pfft
And how did he get involved in this?
Hmm...
Well long story short, Unjust universe tricks; it grants you something but in turn, something's gotta go for it... y'know?
Just... his was a líttle bit tricky and balls gripping if you look at it.
He was granted a family, and in turn an inherited debt he had to pay for the rest of his life.
Pretty sweet, no?
Now, this wasn't one of those days where he was slightly above green, and given a few whips to brush it over, no, no... This was him in an actual red.
Ah, fuck...
Gujan will have his head, definitely. He would try to pry on that weakness of his. The one thing keeping him going no matter what...
No, no... Yumi...
He grunted weakly to his thoughts as they dragged him nearer and near to dungeon.
How would he explain this to her? If he doesn't return home, it would cause a huge problem.
She shouldn't have to worry about him at this age.
Haaah....
~~~~
At the market place,
"I asked for lion apples not Yester seeds, you gave me the wrong bag again, Yumi".
"Yester seeds? Oh my, let me take a look... I made sure I stuffed your wild apples in there"
"Lion apples, Yumi, I asked for Lion apples. You're getting too old for this, you should get an assisting hand".
The old lady flinched slightly to his words. She remained quiet, handing him the bag in her grip with trembling fingers.
"Shouldn't the trash kid be here by now? At least he helps you out".
Slowly, she let out a soft smile.
"Oh, it's the weekend, he should be out running some errands".
"Hmph!" He grunted, running a hand through his dark hair. "What good is running those errands when all he ever makes are worthless pennies that couldn't even fund a bun?"
Yumi chuckled softly as she wiped down her apron with her wrinkled fingers. "He's got a kind heart, you know... And he's a good kid. At least he doesn't steal those pennies like the other kids".
Rehn's jaw tightened, his eyes hovered around other stalls with a scornful expression on his face. "Heh, Kind hearts get eaten alive in this city, Yumi."
She looked up at him still with that smile on her face. "And cold ones die standing."
That shut him up.
He reached for the correct bag this time which contained the bright red lion apples. it was a transparent bag, so it's content were quite visible.
As he turned to leave, a very fast slender shadow past him. So fast and almost invisible, nearly knocking over a crate of onions.
"Hey! Watch where you're..."
Before he could finish, a young boy with a terrified look on his face, the faintest shade of blues, looking no younger than fifteen caught his steps, breathing heavily.
"YU-YU- YUMI!"
He stuttered, clutching unto his chest to catch his breath, startling both Yumi, and Mr. Rehn.
"Wh- what's wrong, child?" Yumi's eyes widened, waiting for his words while struggling to stay calm. "It's okay, take your time, Jian".
"No, I- hah... I-I need to tell you, um..." His words fumbled, making it difficult for anyone to understand the information he passed.
"USE YOUR WORDS, BOY!" Mr Rehn yelled.
"EIAN!..." Jian screamed out of his guts, trembling. "Th-They're... They're killing him!!"
"Wh-what?" Yumi gasped breathlessly.
"What?!" Likewise Mr Rehn, but in shock. "What do you mean? Who's killing him?"
Jian fidgeted. "Um..."
Before anyone blinked, Yumi began rushing out of her store with trembling fingers as she clenched unto the young boy Jian's clothes.
"T-take me! Now!" She breathed, causing the kid to flinch in both panic and worry.
"O-okay..."
"Hurry!" Her steps wavered, causing Mr Rehn to flinch. He had never seen her look so pale. In just a couple of minutes, blood had drained out of her body
"Wait! Yumi! Let me come with you, you can't go anywhere in this state". He hurried after her with concern in his eyes as his heart pounded.
Just who would want to kill a weak and useless child? And what could he have done to anyone to deserve death?