Meeting the Lord of the Sky

"Uhm... Old man, can we just sto-"

"You're afraid, aren't you? I know you would be. But I'll take care of everything so you don't have to worry, young man. Besides, I'm pretty sure he will be glad to see you," Kinx said with a smirk written on his face.

'That man will be happy to see me? Why? Is this old man planning to give me as a slave in exchange for the tuxedo?!'

"I changed my min—Wha—Where did he go…?" Zach whispered to himself with his brows furrowed.

Kinx suddenly disappeared like a bubble. Only few seconds had passed but he's nowhere near Zach anymore. A magic, perhaps? Who knows?

'I didn't notice him leave while I was spacing out. That old man really is weird and creepy. I can feel something strange about him…'

"It's getting late. The rain also stopped. I wonder if he's awake now."

Zach took the plastic bag with him before leaving the place.

The surroundings feel so calm and quiet as he continues walking. It's rare to experience having a cozy feeling when you're living in this country with its current state.

'If only everyday is like this, I wouldn't mind living here for the rest of my life.'

The place where Zach lives is full of criminals and illicit activities. The government can't do anything about this because they're unfortunately one of them.

Officials full of personal interests. That's just some of the reasons people here are starving to death.

Poverty, harassment, human trafficking, corruption, and all of the inhuman things you would think of. That are the things you will experience here. What's worse is that even the hopes of the country are not excluded.

'The children are already aware and open to the things they must have not known.'

'But how can I blame them? They didn't choose to be in this place. Like me, they were also deprived of fate.'

"You hungry? I bought you something I know you would like."

A young boy approached Zach to get the plastic bag with food. He smiled genuinely after opening the pack of the bread.

"Woah! Ensaymada! Thank you, kuya Zach!" the young boy expressed his gratitude. Zach couldn't help but smile as he watch the young boy admire the food.

"No need to rush, Junjun. No one is going to steal it from you," Zach warned him. The young boy chuckled after that.

Despite having no interest in helping people, Zach found himself feeding a young boy whom he had known for a year now.

Perhaps Zach saw his younger self at the boy and decided to somehow guide him and do what he can to make his life easier.

Does a child like him deserve to experience the suffering and torture imposed by this cruel world? Is this the kind of life children should have?'

Zach knows the answer, but he also knows that he can't do anything about it. He can't even handle his own problems.

'How could I help these people that are being slaved by the system if I, myself, is also a slave?', he thought to himself.

'I'm just a plain 19-year-old guy who barely makes money for living.'

'I wish I know the way. I wish I know the path I need to take. Then maybe, I would be able to lead the people to the right direction.'

"It might rain again later. Do you want to come with me to my house? You can sleep there for the mean time," Zach suggested to the young boy while he's eating.

"Thank you for the offer but I'm sorry, kuya Zach. I have a job to do so I have to refuse," he replied in a serious tone. Zach nodded at him without any other questions.

Junjun is only a 13-year-old kid who does not have parents nor other relatives. Zach met him a year ago in this same spot. He thought this place was his home, and he was correct.

Inside an abandoned rusty jeepney. At first, Zach thought that the young boy was just making fun of him, but after watching the young boy every day, he saw his younger self as if he was looking at a mirror.

'A child who's working so that he will not starve instead of playing and discovering new things.'

'Crazy, right? Even now, I still can't believe it.'

'Feels like I'm just talking about myself, huh?'

'Who would have thought that a 13-year-old kid would work as a snatcher for a crime syndicate?'

"I need to go, kuya Zach. My boss might... fire me if I get late... Thank you for the food!" the young boy said while waving his hand.

"Take care," Zach replied, worried and feeling uncomfortable. He can sense something bad's going to happen.

Zach already tried convincing the young boy to quit his current job but he's not listening. The young boy told him that it's the only way he can earn money. But Zach's not buying that reason.

The reason he can't quit is because they will kill him. That's the true reason.

Once you enter their crime syndicate, you can't leave unless you're dead.

'I want to help him... No... I wish… I could help him...'

Zach came back home with his heart filled with concern and misery. He wanted to help him but doesn't have the resolve to do so.

"Good morning, young man. Are you ready to meet him?" Kinx asked Zach after he came to their meeting place. He's still wearing the same worn out clothes from yesterday.

"Yeah, kind of. Where are we going?" Zach asked as they start walking on the way to the house of Kinx's friend.

"His house is quite far from here so what is the time you need to be there at the restaurant?" Kinx asked again.

Zach was shocked when they went inside a huge building. He was even more shocked when all the guards inside bowed to them or rather, to Kinx.

'This is a 5 star hotel! How did the guards let us pass?! What's the deal with this old man?! They treated him like a master!'

"11:00 in the afternoon. My boss just called me last night and he told me the arrival of the officer was re-scheduled," Zach answered to him, keeping his composure.

After they passed the ground floor, they used an elevator to go up. Zach was surprised not because of the fact that the building has 128 floors but when he saw Kinx clicked the rooftop button.

"We still have 3 hours, young man. I guess it will be okay. Let's go," Kinx said, gesturing him to hop in but Zach was shocked.

'We are going to ride a helicopter?! Now, I know why we climbed up to the rooftop of this building!'

"The Lord is already waiting for your arrival, Mr. Kinx," one of the guards in a suit greeted Kinx with a bow.

"It's been so long since the last time I met him," he muttered as if he's reminiscing their memories.

After their conversation, the helicopter started moving. Zach's inner joy and grudge to feel the experience of riding a helicopter are competing against each other.

'I am amazed because this is my first time flying!'

Not long after, while on board, Zach's excitement was gradually replaced by fear and dizziness. His stomach was spinning like crazy and he felt like throwing up each time he moved.

The trip he thought would be one of his great moments turned out to be the worst.

After traveling for half an hour, they reached an isolated island. They landed at the coast of the island where another group of men in suits are waiting for them.

"This way, Mr. Kinx," one of the men in suits approached them to lead the way while the others are just following behind.

'I feel like a star walking on a red carpet with flashes of camera all around me…'

After minutes of walking, Zach can't explain how he felt when they got in front of the gate of the house, mansion rather.

He's having weird thoughts like stealing their wealth or just working here as a poodle.

In estimate, a person would guess that this mansion is approximately half a million square feet or maybe bigger than that. This place is almost like a palace of a royal bloodline.

There is a huge fountain in the middle of the pathway that leads to the main door. Guards are also lined up everywhere. This place is scary and unbelievable.

"How nice to be here again," Kinx whispered to himself but it was a little loud because of his excitement.

'How can this old man have this kind of acquaintance?! The state of their lives is too far apart!'

"Feeling at home, huh?" A voice of man suddenly joined their company.

An intimidating good-looking man in a white suit appeared after the gigantic door opened. He was smiling like some sort of a celebrity while looking at Kinx.

'Is he the old man's friend?'

"You became more successful now, huh? The last time I checked, you're just a crybaby, Fernando," Kinx responded.

"Is that so? You haven't changed a bit after a long time. You're still looking like that. How have you been, Kinx? Or rather… master Kinx?" the man – Fernando – asked as they face each other.

'What? Master Kinx?'