𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚛𝚜 (dropped.)

Chapter 13: Ally(?)

The sky seems too happy for me today.

Alban thought while looking at the scene outside through the window of the train on its way to the location he was supposed to go. It was a 4-hour trip, but he didn't mind. In fact, he enjoyed being here since there was not too much presence of people around him, the music on the train was pretty chill, too! Furthermore, he didn't go alone.

"Katy, did you sleep well? Good morning to you." Katy, his calico cat, was lying on Alban's legs and waking up from the sun through the window. It was still early morning since the sun wasn't completely out from the clouds. It was a picturesque scenery that kept Alban leaning to the window and enjoyed it throughout the trip. He didn't know whether his decision was right or not as he came back to where he used to belong- the slum. It had been such a long time since he came here, he guessed it was 6 years already. He didn't sure everyone would welcome him or push him away.

Seemingly knowing her master's sadness, Katy snuggled her head towards the boy which made the boy laugh a little. "Aww, you cute smart cat. I love having you accompany me." By now, Alban was glad to have someone or something around, as he couldn't bear handling all his emotions alone. That was when he appreciated his cat the most since it had been with him for years, from when he was still a homeless child running around and stealing food, to him the present- a normal high school student who still had his whole life waiting ahead.

As he was lost in his own thoughts, his train had already hit its destination. Four hours already? It was hard for him to believe that 4 hours had passed when he thought it was only 1 hour and thirty, like the time has been gone too fast for his liking. He set his foot off the train, still unsure about his decision of coming here. He had a good life, a good family, a good school, he had everything he could barely imagine when he was still a child. So what made him come back to where he had to suffer every single day just to live?

Well, there's no way to chicken out now. He went on foot, wanting to enjoy the old countryside he used to live in his childhood. It was small and peaceful but a destination for most wealthy families. They often built up many mansions and expanded their business, as well as built up their own territory to show off their families' power. Not that Alban complained about it, as he had been here for 1/3 lifetime in his life which made him get used to it. However, not all of his friends or people who were in the same place as him agreed with this. That was when all the arguments occurred.

Alban stopped at a dark hallway between stacks of mansions and villas. This was where the clear separation between two types of people: the rich and the poor. The poor people had to tire themselves out by working and working, only to make the rich ones become richer. Therefore, it was expected to have conflicts between both sides. Unfortunately, no one knew about this, except the local people there. All the guests who came here were mesmerized by the scene without knowing anything at all.

Alban sighed while looking up at the sky, he wasn't mentally prepared to meet all his friends and family who stayed by his side in his childhood, trying to survive the poor quality of life. But well, he'd rather stay here than come home and face all his problems- like meeting up and talking to Sonny, or dealing with all the nags from his friends? It was hard for him to do so, he guessed there was no turning back now. He smiled while observing the cold wind in the atmosphere. "Here I go..." Alban then slowly walked into the hallway, ignoring all the dark eating him slowly bit by bit.

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It still remained the same as the scene he vividly remembered from his childhood. It was still filled with darkness, rats ran everywhere, and people had to work hard to find earn a living,... and even how they reacted when they met him. Surprisingly, they still smiled when they saw him, smiling, and even hugging him and welcoming him back. Alban's eyes may stink a little bit, but he didn't mind it. What mattered was that everyone didn't hate him for leaving the place to find a better one, instead, they were glad for him to do such a thing.