Sabotaged

Probably around two in the afternoon, a currier came to the shop riding a tamaraw, an animal that looked like a buffalo, but smaller. They only stand about four feet tall at the shoulders. Known for their big, playful personalities despite their short stature. A very common animal in Mistwall. The wild ones can be found in the grasslands near the water. But they were usually raised on farms. Used by farmers to plow their fields.

"Ah! That's probably Fernan. Wait here a bit, Nico. He must be here to get his order," Luigi told him. The twins went to accommodate Fernan — leaving Nico alone on their table with the pile of newly-painted, still wet toy trains. Franco was on the other table, he couldn't be bothered as he was busy sanding down a block of wood.

Meanwhile, Rashanan, the rat was having a now or never moment. He knew that what he was about to do would surely anger Nico. And worse, might even cause the kid to distrust him completely. But he was desperate. If he's not gonna do it now, there's no way he'll ever get a chance like this. He had to risk it. He'll disappear for sure this time if he hesitates any longer.

He took a deep breath. His chest was booming very loudly. But he did not hesitate any further. And in one decisive move, he ran full speed to the table. Straight to where the newly-painted toys were. And with all his might, he knocked it down.

"Nooooo!" Nico shouts but it was too late. Rashanan already pushed it and he knew he's gonna get scolded for it. That's for sure. The paint smudged to the floor and to the other toys. The table wasn't low and dropping from that height surely chipped the corner of the woods. Especially the railings.

"Hey, kid! What have you done?" He flinched when Franco shouts at him. "For goodness' sake! You ruined it!"

"N—No, sir! I wasn't me. I swear! It was the —" He almost told him about the rat but he remembered what his father strictly forbids him to do.

"It was the what? Tryn'na make excuses, huh. Look at what you've done! Weren't you just told that we're packed with orders and that we're barely making it to the deadline? You're makin' our jobs harder!"

Franco stood and Nico fell on his butt in fear that he'll get beaten. But Franco only stood to see if the toys were still salvageable. Seeing this, Nico tried to help as well but Franco slapped his hand away. "DON'T. TOUCH. ANYTHING. Understood?"

"Y—Yes, sir."

"What's happenin' there?" It was Henry who came rushing to the scene when he heard something crash.

"Henry, sir. It was—" Nico tried to explain but he was cut by Franco.

"Look at what this kid has done, Henry!"

Henry had this conflicted look on his face while looking at the toys. It was very hard to watch for Nico. Mario and Luigi peeked inside as well when they heard the commotion. The currier, Fernan was eavesdropping too.

"This is the reason why I told you not to hire a kid. And you never listened to me."

Henry sighed. As much as possible, he didn't want to scold or punish Nico, but he didn't want his other employees to think that he was favoring an apprentice more than them. An apprentice who was not even at an appropriate age yet.

"The damage will be deducted to yer pay. Clean all this mess an' I'll listen to yer explanation when yer done," he said.

"You're not firing him?" Franco asked.

"No. That should be enough fer a warning," he told him before he disappeared into the kitchen to help himself with a glass of water.

"I wasn't too strict to the boy, right? Nah! He should be fine," he said to no one in particular.

You must be wondering why he's giving Franco the autonomy to speak to him and raise his voice like that when he was the owner. It's because Franco was his older sister's husband. And he owes a lot to his older sister when he was just starting out with this business. Besides, Franco was very skilled and passionate about his craft. He can't afford to lose such an employee. So long as he doesn't step on the line, that is.

Meanwhile, Rashanan immediately hid behind the timbers. His chest was pounding like crazy. "And you finally did it," he told himself.

He checked his arms, bent his fingers, and swung them to the air multiple times. He can feel them again. "HA!" A wave of relief washed over him and he felt his strength slip out of his body and collapse to the floor on his stomach. "Haha! I guess rage is just another form of believing too, right? I'm sorry, kid. I really am. I just had to do that. I'll make it up to you. I promise."

Nico didn't get paid that day. Not only that, he won't be receiving any in a week and he had to work for it. No words can describe how angry he was. "How dare he? How dare that rat do that to me!" he mumbled angrily to himself. He went home that afternoon feeling very unpleasant.

He buried himself under the blanket as soon as he arrived. He didn't feel like doing anything.

"Uhm… Hi, kid?" a tiny, squeaky voice suddenly said. It was none other than the rat, Rashanan. He was standing at the edge of the bed. Trying to start a conversation.

In that instant, a rage Nico never knew he was capable of feeling consumed him. And with one swift movement, he stood and throw the blanket over the rat — catching it off-guard. He secured any possible opening — trapping the rat.

"You — You dare show yourself after doing that to me! How could you?"

"I can explain, kid. I can explain. Let's talk it out, please." The rat pleaded but Nico wasn't having any of it. "I know you're angry but please, let me out of here and let's talk about it calmly, hmm?"

"NO!"