The General's First Love (Prologue to Book 2)

Chapter 32 - The General's First Love

Walking through the city called Cylla, a boy was wandering while looking for something to eat.

Icarus:

I had been going to the same places I used to visit for the past few days, but it was getting harder to find food. The best trash was in the area that was off-limits to people like me. I had to be smart and quick if I wanted to risk going there, but it was very dangerous.

I guess I'll have to go to that area...

I had to walk to a place that was a bit risky. I looked around to see if I wasn't being followed; the people who hung out there couldn't know what I was going to do. My stomach ached, and I had to stop for a moment. It had been hurting a lot in the past few days, leaving me no choice but to go to this area.

In my time living on the streets, I learned from other kids that there were places we were forbidden to go. They had the best trash in our poor area, but they were controlled by bad people who didn't share with us. Sometimes I got lucky and found someone who would give me a tip, but people didn't stick around me for long because I was too weak.

"I have no choice..." I said, staring down the street.

I walked down the street carefully, trying not to be seen by dangerous adults. I just needed to find something to eat that would help me last a few more days until the places I scavenge were replenished. I watched the street and saw no one, so I ran to an alley. People threw trash in the alleys, and then the soldiers would collect it and dump it in the landfill, but that place was too dangerous for kids. It was safer for me to grab the trash before it was taken away.

"Found it..." I saw a pile of trash and ran to it.

The trash was very varied, but I just needed at least a little food.

"What are you doing?" someone shouted.

Oh no!

I tried to run, but at the end of the alley, there were some older boys.

"This area is ours! You don't know the rules?" they asked, approaching me.

"I'm sorry... I just wanted to grab a little. I'm really hungry."

The tallest one got down to my level.

"And does that matter? It's my trash."

They pushed me, and I fell to the ground.

"I'll leave... I won't take anything, I promise."

They stood there, staring at me.

"You came to our area and touched our trash. Do you know what happens to those who do that?" he grabbed me by the shirt.

"Can I go? I swear... it was just a bit of food, but I won't take it."

The boys looked at each other.

"Should we teach him to respect us?" one of them asked.

"Of course."

I heard that and got scared. They grabbed me and threw me against a wall.

"Let's beat him up."

"Please..." I tried to plead, but I took a punch to the stomach.

All I saw was a hand coming at my face, then a kick. One of them pushed me with his leg, and I fell to the ground. The boys started kicking me.

"Please... I..." "Shut up, you little shit!"

They kept kicking me.

I turned my face to the side, trying to protect myself better, but the pain was getting to me, and I had to move slowly. All I managed was to stay in that position while tears started rolling down my face.

I guess today is the day I die...

I looked at the sun one last time and covered my head with my arms as I felt those kicks and punches.

"Leave the boy alone!" shouted a voice.

They stopped beating me when they heard that. I didn't want to uncover my face, but I peeked to see.

"Who are you? This is our turf," said the tallest boy.

"Better not mess with that girl. She's trouble, and everyone avoids her," one of them said.

The tallest boy pushed him.

"Shut up! This is our area. Are you going to back down to a girl?"

"No..."

The girl sighed.

"I don't want to waste my energy hurting a bunch of idiots. Get out of my way if you don't want to see me angry."

The boys approached her.

What is she doing? It's three against one.

When the oldest one tried to punch her, she grabbed his hand and squeezed hard.

"Ahh!" he screamed.

The other two boys went for her, and she punched one of them, causing him to hit the wall. The third one just stared at her and didn't advance.

"Get lost!" she shouted.

The boys looked at each other and ran off.

I didn't have the strength to get up. My body ached, so I just turned toward the wall and hid my face.

I stayed like that for a while until I felt a hand poking my head.

"Are you alive?" the girl asked.

"Yes..." I tried to reply.

"Let me see how you are."

I remained in the same position.

"Are you crying?" she asked.

"No, I'm not..."

"Yes, you are," she said, using her strength to turn me around and look at my face.

The girl was very pretty and had blonde hair. She was probably a bit older than me, maybe around ten years old. She looked at me and then started checking my body.

"What are you doing?" I asked, sitting up.

"Seeing if you're hurt. You look awful, little guy."

She stepped back a bit.

"Thanks... for helping me."

"I was just passing by."

I sat there and wiped the blood off my face with my shirt.

The girl started rummaging through the trash.

"You should go home, kid. It's going to get dark soon, and this area will be more dangerous."

I shrugged and continued sitting.

"Do you have a home or a hideout?" she asked.

"No..."

"Where do you sleep then?"

"On the street," I replied.

She stopped rummaging through the trash.

"Didn't your parents build anything for you to shelter in?" she asked.

"I don't have parents."

"Really? But you're so young, there must be someone taking care of you."

I shook my head, hiding my face while hugging my knees.

"That's pretty rare. Usually, street kids go back to their families when it gets dark. The parents search for things in the dump, and the kids look around the city. I've never seen a child without a family. What happened to your parents? Did they die?" she asked, sitting beside me.

"They went on a trip to another city."

She placed her hand on my shoulder.

"I see, they must have left you behind to move faster. You should find somewhere to stay until they come back."

"I don't think they're coming back..."

"Why wouldn't they?"

"They left three years ago."

The girl looked at me with a strange expression.

"Three years? That's... a long time. Why didn't they take you with them? Where did you live?" she asked.

"We lived in a tent, but they took it down and took it with them."

"Why didn't they take you?"

"I don't know, but they left me in an alley and told me not to follow them."

She frowned.

"I see... I guess they're really not coming back," she said, sighing.

"How old are you?" she asked.

"I'm six."

"You're so young. You've been living alone since you were three?"

"I have..."

She stood up and grabbed my hand, pulling me along.

Message from the Author:

Hello everyone!

I want to thank you for reading Nathan Evenhart's story up to this point. From now on, we will be entering the second book, where I plan to expand the world by showcasing the magical landscape of this society.

In this book, we'll delve into details about the races of the kingdoms, with several hints that I've scattered throughout the first book. In this next phase of the journey, Nathan will uncover some truths about himself and his family. I hope you enjoy the story I'm building. A big hug and see you next time 😊.